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!
SHERRY D. WV.
THE PHOTO IS BREATH TAKING. I KNOW THIS WAS THE BEST TIME EVER. CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR MORE PICS. DOTTIE SURE KNOWS HOW TO PLAN A GET TOGETHER. SO WISH I COULD HAVE MET MY Z FAMILY.
relientkislove
Oh Zenny, that painting is exactly you. It captures all of your beauty and uniqueness. You are definitely the most beautiful horse I’ve ever seen, and the most inspiring. Your personality and character are like no other I’ve ever encountered in horses or people.
relientkislove
P.S. If your baby is a filly, I hope you teach her how to dance (:
Gloria Jeanne - The O.C.
http://www.drf.com/news/uncle-mo-retired-racing
Uncle Mo – Retired.
La Rae Edwards
Ann @ Zen what a beautiful and classy pair. Magnificient portrait, every detail perfect including saddle cloth with #1.
JAG Adores Zenny & John Henry / So. CA
One word to describe the portrait: G L O R I O U S !!!
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Mommy Ann looks adorable standing there next to you, Zen. I can’t wait to read more news about the events and see the pics. Hopefully, my friend Diana makes some of them, she and her friend wore the “Zenyatta ears” with cotton ~ TOO CUTE! She already texted me about your half sister selling for $1.5 million ~ HIGH HOOF!
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I loved all the news that came out this weekend (videos, etc.) I shared as many as I could on your previous diary ;-)
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{{HUGS}} Mammy Z and baby B/Z XOXOXOXO
Susan from VA
So how do we find out what goes into a “Zenyatta”? Is it a secret recipe?
JAG Adores Zenny & John Henry / So. CA
@ Susan from VA
I believe the ingredients were posted on the previous diary…
Judy G
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
@Anyone interested, a couple of people asked why a horse might be pulled from a sale. Here are the main reasons as I see them:
1. The seller decides to keep the horse. I think this is the case with Switch.
2. The horse is not at its best—injured, ill, etc. A young horse may simply be at an awkward stage of growth.
3. The seller doesn’t like his position in the catalog. This usually applies to horses that end up in later books.
4. A private deal is reached.
5. A partnership of sellers decides not to restructure.
6. Seller decides that she won’t get a good enough price on the horse. For example, if her horse is in Book 5, and similar horses in Book 3 are not selling well, she might decide to stay home and save her time and money.
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@Gloria Jeanne, rats! I was hoping against hope that he would stay in training. Since they already announced stud plans, I guess this should not come as a surprise, though.
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Adena Springs bought Zenny’s half sister by Henry the Navigator. $1.5M is a lot for a weanling. It’s a good situation for her. They take good care of their horses.
JAG Adores Zenny & John Henry / So. CA
Pssst, Zenny, March 9th (wink wink) ;-)
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
Grey Goose Zenyatta cocktail:
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1 1/4 parts Grey Goose Le Citron
2 1/2 parts pink lemonade
Mint sprig
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Fill serving glass with ice and pour in Grey Goose Le Citron and pink lemonade. Garnish with mint.
Susan in TN
Zenny- what a spectacular painting! You and your Ann look beautiful. I am still sick that I missed your party but grateful I got to see Churchill and some BC races- it was an amazing experience! And MORE than grateful that our Choctaw “let” us leave town for a day :)
From someone who hasn’t seen a live race since 1968, here are a few things that stood out: 1) how loud the starting gate is when it opens 2) the jockeys looked thinner in person (I guess the camera DOES add 10 lbs!) 3) how unreal the horses and jockeys look as they thunder around the final turn, down the homestretch- just gorgeous. 4) how slightly dainty/small the 2-year-olds look in person (most) and 5) how remarkable it was to see the names of horses that have seemed almost fictional to me- Black Gold, Sir Barton, etc. etc.- posted around Churchill and realizing that they had really been there. It was like a dream come true!
Anyway, Zenny, I’m glad your party was such a success. Please thank Dottie and Leonard for us! You have such special people around you. Love you, big girl <3
Susan in TN
How cute that the “Zenyatta” drink is in the Mosses’ colors- pink and “teal”(mint green)!
Susan in TN
Thank you to all who posted about the party. Love the photos on FB!
@Laura J and Gloria Jeanne: I’m also sorry to see Uncle Mo retire- I feel like he just got started!
Trisha
Hello Gorgeous. I am so glad I got to attend your celebration. It was special just like you. What a thrill to meet and greet your team and talk to them and have them sign pictures, hats etc. They were tireless and so patient. Their kindness and generosity was wonderful,wonderful.
To Julie in Chicago, thanks again for the pictures you took when you got to visit Queen Z. Also to Dave in Trinidad, and all the other adoring fans who were there.
I hope I can get to CA next year.
LOve hugs and kisses
Eveline / Maryland.
Here is the link to the Keeneland Sales. Blind Luck is hip # 210 A. http://apps.keeneland.com/livesales/livevideo/frameset.asp
Stella in South Texas
Dearest Zenyatta,
Congratulations on the success of your party! I’m sure all who attended have a wonderful time. The painting is breathtaking, you must feel so honored,Z.
Please give your Mikie a high hoof for the great races he won during the Breeder’s Cup. I had him and Drosselmyer picked all the way! And the Amazombie race was exciting! But it was all a bit anti-climatic after seeing you race, dear Queen.
Hope you and Tasty have a lovely week ahead.
Love and kisses to you both,
Stel
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
Your portrait is just ZENSATIONAL and what a beautiful photo of it with your Ann standing so proudly in front. Your new job as the “Hostess with Mostess” was a huge success and I think congratulation to YOU, DOTTIE and all other helpers are in order. We all enjoyed an amazing two days whether we were in Louisville or at home.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Sandy (from previous diary)–I’m tld by people from the east that it’s actually cheaper to fly to the west coast than to a more central location. I’m stuck here in the middle, so it’s about equi-distant for me. Also, the earlier a flight is booked, I believe, (not a frequent flyer) the cheaper the price. And in L.A., there are several airports to choose from.
@Laura J–thanks for the background info. on sales.
@Susan in TN– thanks for the extra info. on the appearance of 2-year-olds compared to the older horses.
I’m glad they are doing the right thing for Uncle Mo and retiring him. I was afraid he was not in top form. Thankfully, he’s not hurt.
Z–the picture is absolutely jaw-dropping. I cannot wait to see it. Guess we’ll have to work in a visit to Louisville.
Beverly Gerth
Your life size painting is absolutely beautiful. I will be in Lexington, Kentucky on Wednesday thru Sunday, November 9-13. It would be great if I could come out to see you since I will be so close. I live in Minnesota and this will be my first time to Kentucky. I want to let you know that you have given me so much joy and happiness. You are truly the greatest racehorse ever seen.
Shannon from Cool
Who was the artist of this painting????
Patricia Emery
One “Class Act!” “Ann”…exquisite photo of you & Zen AGAIN! As someone posted in the last post…you can see the true love and affection between you & Zenyatta & these recent photos capture it PERFECTLY!
I would have given anything to be at the party, but so happy for all of those that got to share. I can just imagine the pure excitement, love, & joy that filled the room. That painting…where did the idea come from? The artist should go on tour with it, to be recognized & honored for the wonderful job she has done. You know Zen, “this was NO SMALL undertaking!!!” and I am sure that John made sure every detail was perfect…nothing less would be acceptable for our Queen!
WOW! Just like the Monday of last year, when I woke up & sat at my computer to read any article I could on you, to capture anything to hold on to you…I still cannot believe a whole year has passed. Your presence is so demanding & powerful(in great ways, o fcourse!) Now, we are on to focusing on your next Chapter
and how remarkable this will be…the fans, the world will be going wild when the birth of your foal is announced…in some reagrds, it will be “UNBELIEVABLE!” because you have not left us…you have stayed loyal & honorable to your fans as promised.
A heartfelt THANKs to Team Z for making all of this happen for us even if we could not be there in person. I looked at hotels for 2012 in CA & lots are already booked. If we plan on going, many of us better get “booking it!”
BIG hugs, BIG kisses
Jane Lenartz
Your photo is beautiful and hope you post the ingredients to the Zenyatta. Would love to try it
Amanda Gilliland
WOW!! My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, Jamie Corum did such an amazing job capturing YOU! Yes, it is all YOU with the beauty and grace that has captured our hearts. Zenyatta, Thank You for sharing your portrait & party details. Sounds like it was fabulous and fun. I would have loved to have met all of them. Zenyatta, your family is amazing for what they do for your fans. Sending love from Alabama.
Sandy
Zenny,
Forgot to say how spectacular the portrait is, and this picture with Ann is just wonderful! Lovely ladies and great perspective about the size of the portrait.
@luvscritters – I never followed racing prior to knowing about Zenyatta so I thought the Breeder’s Cup was always at Churchill Downs. I was just trying to establish whether what I thought I was grasping from the posts was correct. Getting on a plane is not always easy for some of us.
Sandy from Ohio
M. Kern
Thanks for the recap of the party. I wonder if they will have another one next year. I am sure lots of your California fans will be attending. Jaime Corum did a great job. The painting is magnificent. She truly captured your beauty. What an exciting weekend of racing. Congratulations to all BC winners. I am happy the California horses and jockeys did very well. Mikey is awesome for winning the big race. It’s unfortunate that Goldikova was trapped for the greater part of the race. Perhaps if she was placed correctly during the race, she would have won. Well, it’s water under the bridge. She is a great horse and she gave us excitement the last four years.
Kris O. - Chicago area
@JAG – Is baby Z/B really due March 9? Because that’s my b-day and I couldn’t ask for anything more exciting!
@Brenda S. – I like “Zensational” as a possible baby name!!
Alex Bowdoin - MA
WOW, THAT IS MAGNIFICENT!!
Cindy
I hope prints of this painting will be offered for sale. It is beautiful, and I would love to own one.
maryp (New York)
Thanks to all Team Z for all they do for us and for the sport itself. The painting is “exquisitely Zenyatta”. What great talent she has to capture Z so well.
Big congrats to Mike for his wins. Good efforts by Harmonious and Mr Commons in their respective races. Hope all are sound.