Dear Friends,
I sincerely hope each of you had a very peaceful and loving holiday. The time we spent at the farm visiting with everyone was wonderful. I am overwhelmed by all of your support, love, and warm wishes to myself and MY TEAM.
I will forever be grateful to each of you!
In life, things may often travel an unexpected path. Sometimes, the surprises are wonderful and joyful. Other times, no matter how hard you work and no matter how hard you try, the result is totally out of your control and not as positive as you would hope.
I’d personally like to thank each of you for the concern and love you have expressed for CLOUD MAN. He definitely ‘knows’ how you all feel and the many candles and prayers you honored him with yesterday.
Needless to say, it is a very sad time for MY TEAM. They loved him very, very much…and he will be greatly missed.
Your kindness and thoughtfulness, as always, is deeply appreciated and means so much to all of us!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~(Special blessings…dear Cloud Man)
Z
mary bobolis
Another disatrous day for Mike. Terrible news about poor Cloud Man. RIP..Mary and Steve
harriett (Oklahoma)
Dear Zenny and Barn 55 Family, I was watching the race yesterday and rooting for Mike and Cloud Man. I had been following Cloud Man’s progress and enjoying winning money by betting on him. I was horrified when he was pulled up and now am so saddened by the news of his death. I dreamed about him last night and know that he is now truly a Cloud Man, running with the angels. When things like this happen, I find it hard to resume watching horse racing, but then I always do, as it can be a beautiful and thrilling sport, and I tell myself that accidents can happen anywhere, anytime. John takes wonderful care of his horses, but he cannot prevent a misstep and injury, whether it happens during a race, a workout, or in the barn area. Barn 55, know that my thoughts are with you. Zenny, my dear, how lucky you were to run 20 tough races and emerge to become the healthy, happy mother-to-be. Love you all. Harriett
Mary
So sorry about Cloud Man….condolences to all. I know Mike must be sad….we know his sensitive side…we saw that with the love he has for you Z. Hugs to you Z…so glad you are on the farm…retired from racing…now going to be a mom…you are healthy and you are safe…and secure.
Shannon from Cool
Bummer Alert! Sorry to hear this news.
Sissy
So sorry and sad to hear about Cloud Man:(……A loved one is not gone until they are forgotten and to live in the hearts of those left behind is to live forever!
2horsestolove
I am saddened by the loss of Cloud Man. My heartfelt condolences and thoughts go out to all in Barn 55 and the Moss family. Ever since watching Eight Belles go down I have anxiety watching any racing, though I was able to watch Drosselmeyer and Mike Smith take the win in the Classic, finally! Unfortunately, injury and death are hazards of the sport and really cannot be prevented. It will however always break my heart.
Barb France
This part of horse racing makes me so sad. They give their best to all of us and we love them for that. Cloud Man was a beauty and was loved. I know Mike did his best! My prayers and thoughts are with all of you.
Sarah Powell, Clemson, SC
So sorry to hear about Cloud Man – prayers and hugs to all his connections and to all the others who suffered tragedies this weekend. I always said a prayer of thanks when Zenny came home safe and sound and am so thankful that she is living the good life. I lost a much loved dog who was 19 this week. He lived a long time but I miss him terribly. I just give extra hugs to all the rest of the animals and it helps. (thanks Dottie, as always)
harold moore
My life long friend SUSIE american eskimo dog died yesterday , what a empty place here today.17 years old.can share your thoughts also.
Leslie from Newmarket, On Canada
RIP Beautiful Cloud Man :(
Kimberly Potter/Montana
I have been gone for 5 days….I have alot to catch up on, but from the posts, all I can say right now is that I am deeply saddened and in tears over the loss of so many of our beloved horses. RIP Cloud Man and all the others I can not name right now…Prayers for all the connections…
Kimberly Potter/Montana
@Harold Moore~ Sorry for your loss of Susie, your long life friend. You are in my thoughts and prayers…
Gloria
Good morning, Team Z. I saw the race with Cloud Man yesterday and I was hoping for the best. From reading the comments here, I will say I send Ann and Jerry and John and Dottie my condolences regarding Cloud Man. I had him the first time he won and literally came out of the clouds to get up in the last jump. I bet the horse because of the connections. Hope Big Mama Z is doing great. I pulled out a scrapbook I made of her over the weekend and relived the great memories she left me and all of her fans. Love to all of Team Z. You guys rock!
Trish & Mike in Colorado
Please accept our condolences for your loss.
Shanda Hooton
To Zenyatta and the entire team…I am so sorry my heart goes out to each and every one of you.You are all in my prayers. RIP Cloud Man…
Cathleen
I’m devestated to hear about Cloud Man. I heard he was pulled up but I didn’t know the outcome. May he rest in peace. My heart and condolences go out to Barn 55 and Team Zenyatta. So sorry for your loss. Hugs, Cathleen XOXXO
Karen Gogue
Oh, I did not want to face this! I am so sorry for the loss of this beautiful boy… Run free Cloud Man…enjoy the freedoom in the heavenly afterlife with your celestial ancestors gone before…they rejoice in you joining them in their place of supreme happiness – among the Angels of Heaven… the Rainbows and Moonbeams dance and shine so bright, set free to take great pleasure with your presence…your connections will grieve for only a little while knowing of where you have gone…Rest in that peaceful place of the meadows, happy and painfree – the heavenly guardians of the grassland welcoming you now beautiful Cloud Man….this place where no more tears are shed….run free beautiful friend to thee, run free….
Jeanie
Dear Great One and All Z’isters,
My deepest condolences on the loss of Cloud Man. As many have said, this is the part of horse racing that breaks my heart. I wish veterinary medicine could fix all these problems and save all our dear four-legged friends.
SPEAKING OF SAVING DEAR FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS, I WANT TO URGENTLY PLEAD FOR YOUR HELP IN SAVING SOME DEAR HORSES THAT WILL BE SENT TO SLAUGHTER IF WE DO NOT INTERVENE.
OUR DEAR FRIEND MARLENE DODGE AT VALLEY VIEW RANCH EQUINE RESCUE IS IN NEED OF $3,000 TO RESCUE HORSES FROM THE FEED LOT IN NEVADA THAT WILL BE SENT TO DEATH IN CANADA IF WE DON’T HELP THEM.
Marlene has not been able to get the feed lot operators to attend to her ongoing request to check on adoption suitability for horses brought there. This typically involves feedlot staff riding the horses to determine their gentleness and training. Instead, they have been busy separating out wild mares and their foals for a group that does wild horse rescue. Marlene is certain there are horses there that need to be rescued and wants to make the 8-hour trip to Carson City on Friday (Dec. 1) with $3,000 in hand to rescue as many horses as possible. YOU HAVE ALL HELPED SO GENEROUSLY IN THE PAST AND MARLENE REALLY NEEDS US. SHE ONLY HAS FUNDS ENOUGH TO RESCUE ONE HORSE RIGHT NOW AND I SENSE SHE HAS A GROWING ANXIETY OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MEET THIS FUNDING GOAL. YOU WILL NOTE SHE HAS NOT UPDATED THE WEB SITE, BUT HAS SENT THIS URGENT MESSAGE OUT TO EVERYONE WHO IS A “FRIEND” ON HER WEBSITE. MANY OF YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE THIS MESSAGE AS WELL.
PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN AT http://www.valleyviewranchequinerescue.webs.com/ EVERY BIT HELPS!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY,
Your humble J
Ann Maree / Tennessee
Devastating news and as someone else said, this is the part of our wonderful sport that is so difficult to handle. Can’t imagine what it’s like to be at the top of the world one minute with the successes Barn 55 had on Friday (Blingo was just awesome in his MSW, and Star Billing’s close finish over Summer Soiree was thrilling to say the least, then Utopian’s allowance win, and the nice third by Battle Force in the Generous S) only to have the beautiful boy, Cloud Man, break down on Sunday. It’s hard enough as a fan to experience these highs and lows, I can’t imagine what it must be like as trainer/ owner/ rider trying to deal with all of this. I know for all at Barn 55 it’s a very sad time.
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So many wonderful comments here by a group that has come to be bound together by the most beautiful creature of all, the mighty Zenyatta!
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I guess I’m a Pollyanna at heart, but when something bad like this happens, I look for a way to see what good there might be. Someone else mentioned it here, and it is to know Cloud Man was in the best training hands God ever put on earth, owners who give of their time and resources far beyond anything that could be expected, the Barn 55 crew that is just the absolute best, and a rider who I know has the heaviest of hearts because he loves each and every horse he rides. As humans, we can only respond within our limitations, and it is a comfort to know all that could be done was done. So, as Cloud Man crosses that Rainbow Bridge, he can go knowing his human caregivers loved him and did all within their power to care for him. He’s in his Maker’s hands now and he’s running in that heavenly pasture chasing rabbits and birds in endless sunshine. While I am saddened at the event, I’m gladdened to know those in whose care Cloud Man was entrusted were worthy of him. God bless you all.
MLV
My sympathies go out to the Mosses and all of Cloud Man’s connections. What a beauty he was.
I know that during his final moments my beloved horse was with him in spirit. I know this because my horse is in heaven and he has a very special job. He visits a friend of mine in her dreams and gives her messages to tell me. Sometimes he keeps her awake for hours because she is so troubled by what he tells her. He knew I had cancer months before I ever went to a doctor. He sent us to a place where we made connections that led to our next horse. A mare in danger of being put down. There are many other unexplainable things he had told her that nobody could have known. He also told my friend that he is there for horses who are close to death. He is there to whisper to them that it will all be over soon and they will be pain free. When he was alive, barn owners would place new horses next to him because he was so soothing and calming to them. Some were put right into his paddock. So he is just continuing with his job in heaven. Apparently he is a very busy boy and can only run quickly in and out of my friends dreams.
Rest in peace and run free Cloud Man. You will be missed.
maryp (New York)
I am so very sorry for your loss.
kelly- Allentown, Pa
So sad. Sorry for your loss. Love you Zenyatta. ^-^
Lisa in TN
My heart felt condolences to Barn 55 and the Moss’. It has been a very trying Thanksgiving weekend for the animals in our sport. It really makes me sad when these things come to pass. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of Barn 55 and the Moss’.
Hilltophorsewoman No Cal
My heart and prayers go out to Ann, Jerry, Mike, John and Dottie and all at Barn 55 for the loss of Cloud Man.
Julie Malida
I saw the accident, and I was watching, cheering on Team Z. It was terrible and I felt so bad for everyone on Team Z. It cast a “cloud” over the rest of the day. So sorry to hear the outcome.
Bad things should not happen to good people (nor to good horses). No words to say at this point.
Tairaterces
Rest in peace beautiful boy.
Max
All my sympathy to the Mosses and others who loved this horse. It is very sad news for all who admire Zenyatta and hold her connections in such high regard. RIP Cloud Man. You will be remembered.
Joanna from TX
I’ll echo the sadness and tears for Cloud Man and condolences to all his connections and the loss of the other lovely racers. The weekend was truly a mixed bag of highs and lows for racing.
On a lighter note, I saw a brief entry on Uncle Mo’s facebook page that a mare with Dixie Union (I think it was) background is booked for him. Also saw on Bloodhorse that Super Espresso (Bobby Flay’s girl) is being retired and is booked for Tapit. Now that’s a baby that could be fun to watch! But then again, I’m biased…love those Tapit kids!
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
@ Dottie & Zenny: The well chosen picture expresses emptiness, but shows strength, life & serenity as its focus.
My heart goes out to all at Barn 55, the Moss family & beautiful Cloud Man. I was watching the race on TVG to see him run. He had just begun his move & I was cheering him on when the unthinkable happened. I am very grateful that a fall did not occur. Mike was able to keep himself & the other riders & horses from harm’s way. This is the part of racing that makes me feel so guilty for ever watching & enjoying it. Racing, like life, can change your priorities in an instant.
@ Abigail & Brenda: I found your thoughts & quotes to be very helpful. I will use both as part of my healing process when dealing with loss in the future.
@ CLOUD MAN: – RUN WITH YOUR SPIRIT –
Ann Maree / Tennessee
P.S. One of the best parts of the sport has to be watching the progeny of a horse you owned, trained, and bred produce such a wonderful filly like Giacomo’s Disposablepleasure! She was just awesome in overcoming all manner of adversity to go on and win the Damoiselle on Saturday! Here is a link to read about her remarkable race: http://www.drf.com/news/aqueduct-disposablepleasure-overcomes-stumble-objection-win-demoiselle-stakes
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Her trainer said he immediately flashed back to Rags to Riches falling out of the gate in the Belmont to go on an win, and that’s exactly what Disposablepleasure did! The link in the article is to the replay video. Ann Maree