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
Stella Bagwell
Dearest Zenyatta,
I’ve been away from the computer for most of this month and have missed you so much! I’m glad to hear that you’re doing well and have had such a nice and relaxing past few weeks. I do hope you had a great Thanksgiving and that you and Tasty got a special treat to eat! :)
I was devastated yesterday evening as I watched Mike pull up Cloud Man and was hoping desperately that he would be okay. I had been watching him develop and grow steadily into a better racehorse—my heart is aching terribly for his loss. I pray that he is now racing where nothing can ever hurt him.
Please take care, dear Queen, and have a lovely Monday!
Love and hugs,
Stel
Cheryl Smith
Sad news, RIP Cloud Man. My sympathy goes out to all involved!
Rosemarie Cola
As others have said, I am truly sorry for the lose of your wonderful horse Cloud Man. I always rooted for him when he raced and I when he came on to the track yesterday, he looked so wonderful and brimming with power and life, I really felt today would be his big win. I am sure Mike did the best he could to pull him up and I hope he does not blame himself for this terrible event. I do know that he must have had a wonderful life being part of Barn 55 and so In closing, I will say, he looked like a sure winner coming around that turn and for sure he went out a champion. Run on Cloud Man! You will be missed beautiful son. Ps thank you for letting us know about his passing, I am sure it wasn’t easy for you to post.
Anne
My heart breaks when I hear news such as this. The tears just won’t stop. Cloud Man was special from the first day he set foot on the track. It is so hard to believe that this happened but one bad step can cause such a tragic ending. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of Team Z. They need to know they did what was best for Cloud Man even though it wasn’t what we hoped and prayed for. These times must be so difficult for John as he is such a stickler for detail. One day have such a fabulous day and the next tragic. Just proves how fragile these athletes are.
Cloud Man was such a handsome and proud boy. He joins a cast of many knowing he will never be forgotten. RIP
Roxanne Cook in CA
My deepest sympathies to Ann & Jerry Moss and all in Barn 55 on the devastating loss of this beautiful animal who was always so full of life on race day. Bury your tears in the manes of those you love.
Shari Voltzfrom Ohio
Dear Zenyatta and All of Barn 55. May God Bless each of you and know that Cloud Man has crossed over to Rainbow’s Bridge. He can run and never feel pain and always be young. My heart is breaking for all of you. Sending many thoughts and prayers, Shari
Christine in Michigan
My heart is breaking with this sad, sad news. Prayers go out to all of Team Z. I will look for your reflection in the clouds.
Diana_NV
Very sorry for the loss of Cloud Man. This is a tough business and when things go well, there’s no equal, but when they don’t, it’s emotionally devastating. These horses are bred and born to run and they love it. Cloud Man was doing what he loved. RIP.
Lorri Hix
I am so sorry for the loss of Cloud Man! Very heartbreakening for sure. My condolences to all of the connections. xoxo Kitty looks to be having some peaceful time under the tree!
Michelle
I am so sorry to hear about Cloud Man. I was watching yesterday and had a bad feeling. I knew if anything could be done to save him it would be done. This is the part of the sport that makes me wonder why I watch.
Luise F. McAllister
Dear Zenyatta and family so sorry to hear the news of Cloud Man what a beauty, but I think Gretchen Jackson said it best when Barbaro had to be put down I quote “Grief is the price we all pay for love.” My sister Sandra and I are huge fans of horse racing and this is one aspect of it we do not like. You are all in our thoughts.
Anita in CA
I’m so sorry for the loss of Cloud Man. It was just so great to see all of Z’s family together again yesterday. It must be devastating for all of you. I am thinking of you all today with love and prayers.
Yvonne and Maurice
I am so heartbroken – please accept our sincerest condolences to everyone involved with Cloud Man. This is so very sad. Words cannot truly express my feelings at this time. I was praying for a wonderful outcome, I could not catch my breath when I saw your diary. I know his memory will be treasured by everyone.
Sue Fredrick - Wisconsin
It is with a heavy heart that I read this post today. Sincere condolences to the Mosses, John and Dottie, and Mike Smith on the loss of your lovely Cloud Man. RIP
HAROLD MOORE AND SARAH POWELL I too lost my wonderful rescued cocker spaniel OPIE yesterday and I share the emptiness that one feels in their heart with you. My only salvation is the Rainbow Bridge where we know they are again whole, happy, and waiting for us. Time dulls the pain but we never forget those special souls that are ours for so short a time. Hugs sent to all of you!
Karen
My condolences for the loss of Cloud Man. Thank you for taking care of him in such a humane way. Sometimes the best thing to do is also the hardest thing to do. My prayers for all of you.
Ida Lee
I did not hear about Cloud Man until now. I do know this was a devastating weekend on the track with so many of our equine athletes losing their lives on the track. Even Bob Black Jack was vanned off the track but he, thank God, is going to be OK and was retired. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m also so grateful that you, my Queen, retired safe and sound. This sport is definitely not for the weak of heart.
Mike Sekulic
My condolences go out to John, Dottie and the Mosses. What a sad thing to have happen. He was a beautiful horse.
The Kennedys in San Diego
We are saddened by the loss of Cloud Man. And, Abigail from Montreal, whenever we visit Barn 55 and see clouds playful and romping, we will know that is Cloud Man bringing his blessings.
Mary Copelin/CA
Jerry and Ann, John and Dottie and All of
the ZTeam – I cannot put into words what I feel about your loss.
Bless each and everyone one of you at this horrendous time.
Mary
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Oh Zenny,
This is so sad. There is nothing I can say that would be more meaningful than the eloquent words already posted (especially from Karen Gogue and Ann Maree). Sincere condolences to the Mosses, Mike Smith, and everyone at Barn 55. As many others have noted, I’m so grateful to know that you are in such a safe place with such loving care. Love from your Ohio friend, Sandy
Georgia Harper< Seattle, WA
I did not know about Cloud Man either until just now. I watched the race and was so sure he would be okay. I can’t even imagine how sad your wonderful and loving team must feel this morning, what a sad ending to a lovey weekend. I just thank God that you were able to retire safe and healthy.
D Stuart
@Dear Mr. & Mrs. Moss; Mr. & Mrs. Shirreffs; Mike Smith; and all of Barn 55 and Team Z: I am so terribly sad for your loss. I hoped through the night that Cloud Man’s injuries could be repaired and he could live out his life surrounded by your love and care. Now – he really IS a “cloud man” – racing pain free with the many greats who met him at the Rainbow Bridge. I cherish the brief moments I shared with him at Barn 55 and will miss his presence in our physical world. His spirit lives on. May you be comforted in time by all our love and virtual hugs.
Diana Stuart (diastu in tempe)
PerkyGreen
It is always difficult to be a part of such a devistating loss,especially one of mother Earths precious treasures.It is quite evedent that the Team Z is so envolved with entricate care of their horses.No doubt Cloud Man will be sorely missed. Thank God our BIG GIRL is well,and safe
Toi
So sorry to hear about Cloud Man. Rest In Peace sweet boy.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Sincerest condolences to Ann and Jerry Moss, John and Dottie, the grooms and staff at Barn 55, and Mikie. HUGS to you at this painful time of loss. Our tears mingle with yours.
RIP Cloud Man, gone too soon, but immortal in our hearts and memories.
@Harold Moore–Condolences and hugs to you on the loss of your little America Eskimo Susie, gone to the Rainbow Bridge. She had a wonderful life with you and will live forever in your heart.
@Brenda in Atlanta—THANK YOU for the beautiful quote from Dickinson “Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.”
@Abigail—THANK YOU for your touching posts.
@MLV—THANK YOU for sharing with us about your heavenly horse, still engaging with those on this side of the Rainbow Bridge..
Maureen Santa Barbara.CA
I went to the races yesterday to especially to see Cloud Man run. Leiana and I went to Barn 55 and saw him. He of course was in detention and there was a guard there. He even put us video. We laughed that we couldn’t possibly hurt Cloud Man in any way. Little did we know the future. Steve said he should run quite well and we were excited for him.
We watched him dance in the paddock and got lots of pictures. In the race when he was pulled up I was just lost. The outrider came back and she said he was okay so I felt better. I also talked to Paul of TVG on the way out of the track and all he knew was a cast was put on out on the track. So I came home not to worried. So this morning the news devasted me. So like all of you tears are flowing and so like MLV put the information about her horse helping other horses cross over, I am sure he was with Cloud Man and they with Irrefutable are running and playing and want us to know everything is okay and we are to grieve for ourselves and be grateful for the time he was here with us. I know the Moss’s would have done whatever was possible to save him so we can rest with that knowledge. Blessings to Barn 55,Ann and Jerry and especially John who so carefully cares for his”children”.And thank you Dottie for getting to us so quickly. You know how much our hearts are breaking.
Denise Skladany
Very sorry to hear about Cloud Man. Wish I could lessen the grief for you all; however, it is a small price for love.
JAG ~ Zenny & John Henry Live In My Heart / So. CA
I am so sadden over the loss of Cloud Man. I lit “cloud” gratefulness candles last night, and on Zenny’s, and on John Henry’s, asking for blessings.
~~~~~
The Lord works in mysterious ways ~ the “highs” of three wins on Friday ~ to the loss of Cloud Man.
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Ann and Jerry Moss, John and Dottie Shirreffs, Mike, and everyone at Barn 55, my sincere condolences!! If I could give each of you a hug, I would. I’m sending internet {{HUGS}} XOXOXO
~~~~~
John Henry was at The Rainbow Bridge to greet Cloud Man… then they ran into the pastures together. John took him over to meet Secretariat, and ALL THE GREATS, who live in Heaven! They run and buck and kick and enjoy their “new” lives with the newest cloud: CLOUD MAN…..
~~~~~
Zenny ~ Sweetheart,{{HUGS}} to you and Baby B/Z XOXOXO
Judy G
Gloria Jeanne - The O.C.
Sad news today, I am sorry for your loss.
roseann
I am so sorry we lost Cloud Hopper..it does seem like we are losing way too many of late..take care of yourself Z..drink in the sunshine and get ready to be the great mama we know you will be..