Happy Wednesday!
This morning, the fields will be announced for the 2011 World Championships. I’ve just heard that 193 horses did pre-enter for this year’s events! 29 of them will be coming from overseas!
In our sport, so many wonderful horses…so accomplished, so talented, so dedicated…have paved the way for ALL OF US who followed. MY JOHN saw this collage and couldn’t resist taking the photo. He absolutely loves and respects the history of our sport. It is so important to take the time and honor horses who have done so much for our industry.
When you trace pedigree lines so many of these names appear. These horses and their accomplishments truly did impact our sport….not just on a racing level…but to the breeding sheds for decades and decades.
I wonder…as they announce the fields this morning….which horses will be etching his / her names into the historical journals for our sport in the generations to come?
Goldikova has already made such an impressive mark as she returns to defend her title for the 4th year in a row. This is truly something to be honored. My pal, Gio Ponti, is cross-entered in both the MILE and the CLASSIC. Hmmm…I wonder which race his connections will select? This will be his third straight year of Breeders’ Cup participation…on a such a high level. What an outstanding achievement this is!
Several other very talented horses as Switch, Courageous Cat, Midday and Shared Account (to name a few) who have very prominently participated in prior CUP RACES are returning to the event this year. Anytime an athlete can remain at such a high performance level for so many seasons…it is noteworthy on so many levels. I must say, I am SO PROUD of ALL OF THESE HORSES and THEIR CONNECTIONS!
All the best to the 193 pre-entered horses as they continue to prepare for their respective races. We will have so much FUN following them during the next several days!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Countdown to MY PARTY…10 days! I’m getting SO EXCITED! Buy Tickets
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Happy Harriet:
Thanks for the message from TC. Glad he is OK. My computer was down for one and one half days last week. Had to replace it. Hugs, JB
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Cynthia Holt–thank you!
I’ve posted this link before, but for those who don’t know, this is a huge list of where most of the famous ones are buried.
http://tbheritage.com/TurfHallmarks/Graves/GraveMattersIndex.html
Kathleen Kimber KC.MO
Zenyatta, what a beautiful photo thank your darling John for me. Our history is so very important.
Allie, thank you for the notes on our Triple Crown Winners. I too, wish the great Omaha could come home.
The BC is coming fast. I wish well to all those who enter. I love Goldie and of course want her to win, but our dear Gio Ponti is so deserving it will interesting to see where they decide to put him. A good evening to all.
Abigail from Montreal
@Cynthia H: WOW! Great progress (above) since you popped the question!
@ Barbara: Well, I’m trying. And will soon be able to share some of this history on THE VAULT with you!
@Dawn Conrad: Yes, that would be so GREAT. Anytime you plan to visit Montreal, you have a place to stay!!!!
@ ALL: Here’s a GREAT clip from a thoroughbred history of Triple Crown winners, featuring the WONDERFUL Count Fleet. ENJOY!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoUMUrUO9rE
Kimberly Potter
@Allie~ GREAT WORK! Thanks for the research you did.
@JB~ Thanks for the links on the Champions….
Kathleen Kimber KC.MO
Barbara Wood: Thank you, your kindness means a great deal.
JAG Adores Zenyatta & John Henry / So. CA
@ ALL
BC RACE SCHEDULE:
http://breederscup.com/schedule.aspx
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:-) I received my BC magazine with Queen Zenyatta on the cover! The photo chosen is with Zenyatta in FRONT of Blame. YOU ARE GORGEOUS, ZENNY! She has an article on pages 44-47. Order your copy from Blood Horse if you haven’t already…
Germaine
Thanks to all for the information on gravesites. Sounds like Omaha’s grave is indeed missing. According to a Blood horse article, the race track auctioned off Omaha’s original grave marker. Sounds like they left the bones there then created a Circle of Champions. Some one must know where that original site is located…?
Mary
Great photo – great history.
Zenyatta, miss you.
Hope to hear you have a BC party next year. Best wishes for a fabulous time this year.
Hugs and Prayers
Ingrid in MA
@ #1 fan in New England – I’m in Worcester – the Heart of the Commonwealth! Or as we loyal residents call it, “Wormtown.” This would be “kissin’ cousins” distance,eh?
JAG Adores Zenyatta & John Henry / So. CA
Ahhh as the world get’s smaller! I’m loving it, Z Dumplings! :-)
Judy G
Carole #42 Wisconsin
Zenyatta, You are the best, love the picture, and yes I do think you will be center some day. Kisses on your soft nose and take care of Z/B. XOXO
Kelly-Allentown, PA
You have to love all the different horse names. We name our cats after race horses. We have cats named Seabiscuit, War Admiral & Ruffian. We also take care of a stray that we named Street Sense. He is one smart cat. Maybe one day we will find a cat worthy of the name Zenyatta! Love you Zenyatta! ^-^
JAG Adores Zenyatta & John Henry / So. CA
Santa Anita Park & Komen LA:
http://www.santaanita.com/
Heidi (N.Calif)
Hi Zenny, I bet you can’t wait for your party. Wish I could be there but, I will settle for the tv instead. Do you think that next year, you’ll have another party? If so, we’ll be there!
Like so many others, It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost a year since you graced the track. Oh, how I miss you!
John took a wonderful picture of the past Champions, great collage!
Dumplings, I hope everyone is doing well. Ingrid, I hope your mom gets better soon.
Hugs and Kisses to you and Dottie!
cerb
Gotta confess, I’m hoping that Goldikova wins her 4th in a row, and then she gets Horse of the Year. Female Horse of the Year for 3 years in a row would be ultra cool !!!
Molly
The story of Omaha’s missing gravesite can be found on the Thoroughbred Times website. “Burial Site of Triple Crown winner Omaha shrouded in Mystery”. At least he made The Hall of Fame. If they cannot locate the bones, maybe at least they could put a statue or some kind of memorial at The Kentucky Horse Park for him. Did not see any mention of Omaha on Claiborne’s website. Zenyatta, wish I could attend your party. Love Ya.
Ingrid Arnone. South Beach.
Dear Judy B, yes I do hope I can win in the Breeders’ Cup, hugs Ingrid.
tony and sue
Joyce in Vagas…we loved your post.
Sweet dreams tonight, Zenny. Your CA family will be visiting soon.
Ingrid Arnone. South Beach.
@ Signofthetimes, Yes, we have to try went we love something, is a saw “when is a will is always a way” hugs Ingrid.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Kelly – Allentown, PA:
Too Cute that you name your cats after racehorses. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Kimberly Potter:
You’re so welcome. Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Cynthia H.:
Love your “Address”. That very often would describe me. Thank you for the names of some of the other horses in the Collage. Beautiful thing. Hugs, JB
Ann Maree / Tennessee
@Abigail from Montreal, what a gift you are! It is always a great occasion when I see one of your new posts, but you now have a nice collection to fall back on, and I have found myself re-reading many of your wonderful stories. Your Host is one of my favorites (and I know it is close to you with the connection to your beloved soul-mate, Jericho), and then the one you did on Zenyatta, Rachel and Rags to Riches about their bloodlines and the “X” Factor! Thanks for all that you do to enrich our enjoyment of the sport!
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@JAG, I so wish you were going to be at Z’s party….Z’s #1 Dumpling will be sorely missed…you’ve shared such beautiful memories about your beloved John Henry, and I love it how you describe that you came to love Zenyatta and be her #1 fan, that Z was “sent” to help you get over the passing of JH.
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@All, thanks for sharing all your wonderful experiences and stories. This truly is a great community brought together by Queen Z. Hope to meet many of you at Z’s party next week.
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Z, big hugs to you, miss you so much, glad you are having a great retirement. Can’t wait to see your baby bump as a foal next year. If it’s a bit early, hope it’s on my birthday, Feb. 26! No matter when, though, it will be a very happy time for all! Big hugs, Ann Maree
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z Fans:
I posted this slideshow from Bloodhorse on Z’s Diary yesterday. Here it is again for those of you who may not have seen it. There are wonderful photos of all the horses, but at the very end there are terrific photos of Stay Thirsty and Mo arriving at Churchill Downs. Hugs, JB
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/slideshows/slideshow/102411/the-week-in-photos-october-24-2011#LTYyMzA1MjIwMg
Cathy D
Dear Z,
I was 14 years old when the handsome Secretariat won the triple crown, 18 for Seattle Slew and 19 for Affirmed. I was in love with John Henry, Lady’s Secret, Ruffian, Barbaro, Curlin, Cigar, and Funny Cide. I have to admit I thought there would never be a group of horses I could love more. Then came the Queen, The most beautiful girl ever Zenyatta….Now you will Bless us with a Baby that carries the blood line of Street Cry,A.P. Indy, Seattle Slew,Secretariat,Spectacular Bid,Bold Ruler, Mr. Prospector and Northern Dancer. How lucky we will all be to see this baby horse. God Bless you Z!
Love, Cathy
Ingrid Arnone. South Beach.
Dear Judy B, thank you for your good wishes hugs Ingrid.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
What an interesting photo and thanks for sharing it with us all. Appreciate all the wonderful and interestinginfo that is provided here in your diary. Looking foreard to the Breeders’ Cup races as they are so exciting but it will not be the same without you there Zenyatta. But I am sure that your party will be a hit and will be oh so fun, wish’d I could be there but will patiently await hearing how it went. Hope all that attend have a wonderful time. You are so special Zenyatta and there is no one like you. Sending you my Love & Blessings!
Vicki B.
@HappyHarriet – Thanks muchly for the news on Terry Crow’s whereabouts — I am so glad it’s nothing worse than a technological snafu!
Ann Maree / Tennessee
P.S.
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@All, so appreciate everyone here and their sharing of their interest in the sport, the horses, the stories, the links. I’m still relatively new (back) to the sport, so I’m like a sponge, I soak up every tidbit, every historical reference, every bit of knowledge and every story…I feel sometimes like I have enrolled in “The Sport of Kings” college, because I can’t get enough, and there is such a huge, bottomless well of information to learn, appreciate, and enjoy. There is a long gap between my first encounter with the sport as a high school senior, writing about the “Sport of Kings” for my high school term paper, and when I was fortunate enough to see in person Genuine Risk win the KY Derby in 1980 and then watch again in person the following year Pleasant Colony take the crown.
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It would be another 29 years when I quite by accident caught the 2009 Breeders Cup Classic on TV just at the moment the gates opened and I sat riveted to the screen as the Great Zenyatta crushed the field that day! I was so smitten, I sent the YouTube video to nearly everyone on my contact list, including not only relatives and friends, but my business clients as well!!! What a thrill that was to see that race, and I was so crushed when they said she would be retired! So, I put it out of my mind, until it was again quite by accident that her popularity seeped into the public domain, and I picked up on her career once again. I just missed going to see her at Oak Lawn at the Apple Blossom. It didn’t take me long to become more and more enchanted by the great Queen…she does that to you, doesn’t she! Once she works her magic, once that Zenyatta-dust was sprinkled on me, I was hooked for life! And my love for her has fueled a passionate and unquenchable thirst to learn all I can about the sport, about every aspect of it. Everyone I encounter with knowledge to share becomes my teacher.
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Looking forward to meeting many of you next week. If anyone is hungry for some good ole Memphis barbecue, let me have your order! It can be shipped, too! Elvis says “hi”! From Memphis, Tennessee, Home of the Blues, Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll, big hugs to all!
Ann Maree