Good Morning EVERYONE!
Wow! What a weekend of FUN and GREAT RACING!
MY PARTY was a huge success! The KICK-OFF Portion is the part I attended…via the beauty of today’s marvelous technology. I also got to view all of the party goodies and the party favor seat cushions that everyone received as a gift for attending. I loved all of them! I hope you did too!
Then Ann, Jerry, my John, Dottie, and Mikie all were there to visit with the fans. I heard the food was terrific! They played my races and everyone visited and just ‘hung out’. Later, Mikie had to leave for the jockeys’ room (all riders have to check in so many hours before they ride…and I think they gave Mike a bit of a break as they knew he was at MY PARTY spending time with FANS). MY JOHN had to return to the barn to be with his horses. The rest stayed to visit and enjoy the fun.
CHICKEN GREASE played the music and they were absolutely terrific! All of this truly added to the pre-Breeders’ Cup race day fun!
The afternoon session also went very well! People were able to eat, relax, and enjoy the races in the Derby Cafe in the Museum.
Once the Ladies’ Classic was finished, the AFTER PARTY started. I heard this was really GREAT FUN! It was the perfect place to go after the races while the traffic was clearing out. MY JOHN, Mikie, and Dottie attended. I heard they signed tons of items for fans and posed for zillions of photos by my painting and the many posters of ME in the room. CHICKEN GREASE played and it was all very festive!
There is a new DRINK (adult beverage) named for ME called the ZENYATTA! People were enjoying this at the AFTER PARTY great food, and other tasty things. There were even M and M’s with MY NAME on them. Now all of this is TOO CUTE!
I hope you enjoy the LIFE-SIZE painting of ME that was also unveiled at MY PARTY. Above, you see Ann standing next to it. I truly believe the artist, Jaime Corum, did an amazing job on this piece. I AM REALLY ME! The reason for this is that it is done PRECISELY to my measurements…every single part of my body in this painting is exact. IT IS TRULY ME! While working on the project, Jaime would send emails to MY JOHN and they’d review it. Then when he was in Lexington for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Keeneland mid-October, he drove to Louisville to her studio to review the final details with her. EVERYONE WANTED IT TO BE A PERPECT REPRESENTATION OF ME. I’m hearing that it will displayed at the BROWN HOTEL in Louisville for the balance of the Churchill race meet. If you have a moment, please stop by to see it. It is gorgeous….if I say so myself! (BLUSH, BLUSH!)
I’d like to personally thank everyone who attended MY PARTY and Leonard and Dottie for working so hard to ‘make it happen’. As with so many things in my life, ALL OF YOU have helped to MAKE THINGS BE SPECIAL, JOYFUL and FUN! I can’t THANK YOU ENOUGH! I hope in some small way, I HAVE MADE THINGS FUN AND SPECIAL FOR YOU, AS WELL!
With Love,
Hugs to All~(A HIGH-HOOF to all of the Breeders’ Cup winners…and a special HUG to GOLDIKOVA on an amazing career! I am so, so PROUD of HER!)
Z
PS… I’ve heard many of you took photos at the party. I can’t wait to see them. We’ll share more details on different things as the week progresses. Enjoy your day!
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
Good morning Zenyatta/Dottie. You are up early! Yes, the party was great fun and the portrait is amazingly lifelike. Many thanks to all the party planners.
Kathy B.
Thank you so much for the recap. It sounds like your party was a smashing success! The Derby museum is such a special place anyway and I’m sure you made it even more so. What a fantastic painting….I’m sue it is truly breathtaking up close. And how great is it that MIKE won the Classic on Saturday? I’m sure you were riding with him in spirit Z! Thank you Team Z for continuing to allow us fans to be a part of this great mare’s like…..you ROCK!
Kris O. - Chicago area
Wish I could have attended the party! Sounds like it was a great time. I want to send a “high hoof” to Mike for his excellent rides on Drosselmeyer and Amazombie, and for tying Jerry Bailey for the most Breeder’s Cup wins by a jockey. It was truly touching to see how Mike still cares about you and that you are always in his thoughts. I think your team does an amazing job! Congrats to all of you and the Breeder’s Cup winners!
Pam
What a fabulous picture of two beautiful girls! Jaime Corum’s life size depiction of you, Zenyatta, is breathtaking. I’m so excited to see it that my heart is pounding! But, then, you always have that effect on me! A big Thank You to John for making sure that every aspect of your painting was perfect, just like you! As always, Ann looks beautiful!
Your party and after party sounds like it was so much fun. Oh, how I wish I could have been there! I will look forward to seeing pictures and hearing more details and especially, just what are the ingredients for your drink?!
Two fun days of watching the races. It wasn’t the same without the anticipation of watching the Great Zenyatta race but I loved seeing all the beautiful horses and talented jockeys ride horses that have been so well cared for thanks to their owners and trainers. Every horse has a story and a big thanks to ESPN for their coverage.
I don’t want to take my eyes off your gorgeous life size painting but I need to go clean stalls. I put one of your pictures in my gelding’s stall. He’s in love with you, too!
Have a great week, Zenny! Take care of yourself and Little Z! Please tell TT that I am sending hugs to her and her baby.
Thanks again to Zenyatta’s Team for letting us be a part of her life. I know it takes a lot of work and I am so appreciative.
Theresa Buck (Texas)
gm morning Ms Z
Erica
What’s in the Zenyatta drink? Fun way to honor the big girl :-)
Lisa in CO
Just Beautiful, Z. You are perfection.
Cheryl Smith
Good Morning Z, the races were exciting for sure! I was so happy that there was still lots of talk and praise for you! Your drink is cool!
Have a great day!
Linda Henderson
I love your painting!
Cheryl Harshall
Good morning Zenny! What a great weekend of racing. Congratulations to Mike on some great rides.Sounds like your party was a wonderful success and the painting is gorgeous! I too want to thank your team for the great job they do and for letting us be a part of your life. It is a special treat to read these posts. Have a wonderful day!
Amy
Amazing painting and it does look just like you.
Kathy S.
What a magnificent painting. Jaime Corum is an immense talent…just like YOU, Zenny!
Charlotte Sveen
Thank you for sharing! The painting is MAGNIFICENT!!
kelly- Allentown, Pa
Great painting! It’s so beautiful. Can’t imagine what it must have looked like in person. Your party must have been amazing. Love you Zenyatta!^-^
sharoninseattle
The painting is exquisite!! It looks 100 times better in this picture than on the TV news coverage. WOW! the ripples, dapples, elegance, charm, charisma, nobility – it’s all there in the painting. Ann looks like a rightfully proud mama!! and cheers to Goldi – she is an amazing thoroughbred.
Cynthia/Where Zenyatta Danced
Half-sister to Zenyatta by Henrythenavigator just sold at Keeneland (hip 36) for $1,500,000.
Linda H. in PA
A beautiful painting. A great day of viewing the most beautiful animals on earth. What could be better?
Pamela Hill
what racing weekend! was thrilled for mike. he is such a gentleman! God bless your team, zenny. they do so much and keep us all in the loop! are we going to be able to purchase a picture of your painting? need one to go with my tony lenoard signed print of secretariat. the king and queen of horses, all horses! and my heros! thanks again for all you and your team do!
Selene McCarthy
Your portrait is STUNNING! Absolutely magnificent! Please post how to make the Zenyatta drink so we can properly give you a toast!
Lorri Hix
Morning Momma Z and Dottie! Couldn’t wait for a recap of the Party. So glad that all went well and the guests had fun! Your connections are so great to have had posed for pictures and gracious to talk to them as well! Your painting is just AWESOME! xoxo
Lisa
Wish I could have been there. The painting is breath taking; just as you are. Glad things were a huge success.
Diiana Hanson
What a GREAT portrait! The photo of Ann and you aint bad either. I am so glad you had a great weekend. Have a bigger week ahead Queen Z!
Angie
What a fantastic picture. So life like. Congratulations on a great party and thank you for sharing it with those of us that could not be there. Dottie you and Z rock.
Deana-Texas
What a lovely and life like painting of you, Z. You are “lifelike”, and the artist did a brilliant job. I missed your party but was there in spirit. It seems a good time was to be had by all. Would love more details about you and how you reacted while all the festivities were going on. I am so proud of your Mikie and his win on Drosselmeyer and Amazombie. He clearly cares so much about you and your connections and I hope the wins were able to put a bandaid on the “hole” in his heart from last year’s loss. I know he felt he let you down but somehow things always tend to work out for the good guys. You were awarded a deserving HOY Award and he was able to win the classic. I must say, the come from behind performance of Drosselmeyer was a bit reminiscint of your runs for the wire. I really missed seeing you this year and hope that baby Z is not too feisty in your tummy. I love and miss you every single day. Thanks Team Z for once again giving your time and money and supporting wonderful causes and being an inspiration to all of Z’s fans. You are simply, THE BEST!
Gloria
Thanks for the review of the party. That painting is just gorgeous. Wow, even after retirement Zenyatta still makes racing fun! I hope they can plan something like this at Santa Anita for Breeders’ Cup 2012. Since 2008, Breeders’ Cup just isn’t Breeders’ Cup without Big Mama Z!
Sarah Powell, Clemson, SC
Your portrait is absolutely breathtaking – can’t imagine getting to see it in person! Congrats to Mike on his wins – I think you were sending him positive thoughts because that looked like a Z move to win!
@all There are pics posted on her facebook page and Ann Maree has posted some links to good descriptions of the party and after-party. There is a push to get her 100,000 fans by the time Horse of the Year is named so if you haven’t joined her page it’s a good time! (thanks Dottie – you must be exhausted!)
Tatia
Your party was great fun, Z! I hope they brought you some of the party cake – it was delicious. I am so thrilled that I got to meet and get autographs from your team. Everyone was so gracious. Mikie was having a hard time getting out of the room – we all wanted his autograph. I got a great photo of him that I’d love to share if it works out that there is a place for us to post them.
I had one of your Zenyatta drinks. It was yummy. For the folks asking for ingredients. I know it was Grey Goose Citron and pink lemonade. Not sure, but I think there’s a splash of Sprite in there and garnished w/ a sprig of mint. Very refreshing.
The painting is really fantastic and truly IS YOU! xoxoxo♥
Michelle Cross
Z, your party was great fun! YOUR TEAM is the BEST!!! They were all so good to us fans. We all love you so much and are so appreciative of them for taking such good care of you and keeping us informed about you. Your painting is breathtaking just like you.
Rosemary McCauley - Southern California
WOW! This painting is too stunning for words and having Anne next to it makes it even more stunning. I didn’t see any coverage of the party on TV, I hope there will be a way to see it on video. I’m so glad everyone had a good time.
What an amazing horse Goldikova is. She is truly a superior athlete. Good luck to her and her connections in her next career. Congratulations to Chantal Sutherland for almost making history – and congratulations to Mike Smith on his very successful day.
Tressia Phoenix, AZ
Holy Cow, what an awesome Painting and photo, elegance and royalty is what that is. Can’t wait for BC 2012 I sure hope to be at that one, and I sure hope that there will be another Zenyatta party! I have a whole year to look forward to that! And of course the big event in March 2012 (wink wink)