Good Morning,
Last year, on this very date, was my first full day living in Lexington, Kentucky….at Lane’s End Farm. Here is MY JOHN walking ME around in the area right by my new barn. He was helping ME in the acclimation process to my new world. We were both so cozy and warm in our wonderful winter jackets enjoying quality time together…just as we had done so many times during the prior 5 years.
MEMORIES….they are truly something to hold dear! A charming friend of Dottie’s who was a very talented artist, Joy, used to always comment to her that “MEMORIES ARE ONE’S BEST PAINTINGS”!
It has been a fabulous year….and I am blessed in so many ways.
One very special way, which I deeply treasure is ALL of YOU. I am still in awe of how many special and loving FRIENDS I have….from all over the world.
Just yesterday, MY JOHN received a FAN LETTER from a 10 year old American girl, Tessa Mc Dowell, who lives in Moscow, Russia. She loves horses and horse racing. To quote Tessa, “I especially love the beautiful mare you trained, ZENYATTA. She is one amazing horse; one of the greatest ever.”
Tessa wanted to know all about ME….what it was like to train ME… how I was as a race horse and how I am doing now. This is so special. I feel very touched for several reasons. As I mentioned earlier in this Diary posting…I AM BLESSED IN SO MANY WAYS.
Additionally, as today marks my one year anniversary living at the farm, I’d also like to thank LANE’S END and ALL of the wonderful people here who have worked so hard to make this transition to my new ‘MOM-TO-BE’ life so relaxing and enjoyable for ME. To Charles, Matt, Sarah, and Donna….a special HIGH HOOF to each of you for all that you do for ME each day!
I am truly one very fortunate HORSE!
With Love,
Hugs to All~(A special HELLO to Tessa in Moscow!)
Z
Michelle
Yes, Z how fortunate you are to have such LOVING people around you. I have said many times that I am so thankful you ended up with your team. They are just the BEST! YOUR JOHN is a special man indeed. You are so special and so loved!!!
signofthetimes
@Kari B
Got a blank e-mail today ?????
Suzanne TX/CA
Zenny….I love this snow picture. Quite a new experience for you. John looks so happy to be walking with you. Stay warm. Can’t believe it has been a year.
Patricia
Love you always, sweet girl!!!!
Carole #42 Wisconsin
Z. Tessa was right on the ball when she said you were “one of the greatest”..every one loves you pretty girl.
@Kari – very nice video of our QUEEN.
Love you Zenyatta and you wiggling foal, kisses on your soft nose. XOXO
mary bobolis
Zenny, I loved your picture of a year ago with your John going through the acclimation process. I just don’t know how your team must have felt when they left you there, no matter how luxurious Lanes End is. The only hope at this point is in seeing how your half-sister E will be on the track. That article from the other day said that John has Ebby in your old stall and John said that Ebby covers massive amounts of ground, just like you did. I am anxiously awaiting anticipating dejas vous..
Joan Ludlow
I couldn’t say it any better than Stella did in the first reply for today. It makes me so happy to know how wonderful your first year at the farm has been. I hope this continues for many, many years. That was a beautiful photo of you and your John.
Debbie G/Kentucky
Happy Anniversary, Zenny! Your fans sorely miss seeing you on the racetrack, but I am so thankful that you’re so happy and healthy. And thank you, Lane’s End, for taking such good care of our girl!
@Terry Crow – Welcome back! We missed you terribly!
@Dawn Conrad – Happy Birthday! That’s so cool that you were born on Pearl Harbor day, considering your dad’s history. I had the honor of visiting Pearl Harbor several years ago. I never realized how deeply moved I would be by it, but like Barbara Grimaldi said, it’s sacred ground. The place just has an aura about it. You think about all the lives that were lost there, and you look down into the water and think about all the ones that are still there. It’s so great that you got to hear so many wonderful stories from your father.
maryp (New York)
Zenny/Dottie, Memories are Really made of THIS!
Barbara
This makes me happy as we were at Keeneland when you arrived. What a special memory I have from that :) Thanks to team Z! Love you Zenyatta…
Eveline / Maryland.
Nice addition to the Shirreffs barn http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66513/morning-line-moved-to-john-shirreffs-barn
Robin - Ventura CA
You deserve the BEST there is Zenyatta!
I LOVE YOU FOREVER AND EVER..
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Georgia Harper< Seattle, WA
Happpy 1st year Beauty it really did fly by. What a sad day this was for those of us who followed your career and loved to watch you run but so happy to know you retired healthy.
Thank you so much Dottie for keeping us all together through this wonderful site.
So happy to see Awsome Maria back in training!!!
Happy Birthday Dawn and love to all the Zen sisters and brothers
Abigail from Montreal
Hello Ms. Zenyatta, Baby-On-Board, Dottie & Zensters:
Today was such an unpredictable day that here I am, @ 7:24 pm Montreal time, finally thinking about having some supper! I feel the year since you retired to Lane’s End — like all years, probably, if we stopped to think about it — pass as swiftly at least partly because life is unpredictable and so, every year brings its own harvest of feelings, experiences, discoveries, surprises and heartaches….. On this day, a year ago, I was wondering what YOU were doing @ your new home, Zenny, and worrying (lots!) about Mario, John, Dottie, Steve & the Mosses and how they were coping with imminent separation from you. So this photo today is doubly precious, since it shows me a bit of what was going on at LE with you and those who love you and are closest to you……When I think some more, I also realize that all my Zen-friends were UNKNOWN because your Diary had yet to kick into gear and, I must say, it seems weird to think of a time when I DIDN’T know Dawn or Karen or Kari or Shari or Brenda S. or the Kennedys or signofthetimes or all of our community that I meet & read & commune with each night here. WOW! If ever we needed to learn about the magic of a given year opening before us, this would be MY STORY for sure! I can’t imagine how bereaved & lonely I would be without you, Zenny, and without your Diary that “keeps us in touch.” (For those mature enough to remember, losing Secretariat to retirement was like a light that too suddenly burned out. Horrible experience!!!!) So, as blessed as you are, big girl, I am doubly blessed by Dottie and her faith in the magic of horses and of those who love them forever AND by all my new friends here, whose stories and passions and humour and sweetness and trials & tribulations have made my life so much richer. THANK YOU ad infinitum.
@ Dawn: MUM’s THE WORD, SAGI GIRL!!!!
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
Dear Zenny, Today is truly a day of memories and also a day for thanks. It’s hard to believe that a year has gone by since you moved to your new home and in no time at all you will have your foal by your side. I love the picture of YOU and YOUR JOHN walking in the snow, getting to know your new neighborhood but, even more, I love the pictures of you playing in the snow, kicking up your heels as you gallop around your paddock, just being a horse. Life at Lane’s End looks pretty good for you and your new friend, Tasty. So many thanks are called for on this anniversary,
@ Mr.and Mrs. Moss – Thank you for making it possible for us to share in Zenny’s life.
@ Dottie – Thank you for being such an eloquent voice for Zenny.
@ John – Thank you for your skills as Zenny’s trainer and keeping her sound thru her athletic career.
@ All at Lane’s End – Thank you for taking such good care of the Queen.
Stephanie (S in San Diego)
@Dawn…HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY. WISHING YOU A YEAR FILLED WITH JOY OVER FLOWING
Allie from Texas
Zenyatta, just when I thought I was all out of tears from reading the touching stories of many of your fans when you retired, I ran across a YouTube that is absolutely one of The Best. Priscilla
Clark’s tribute poem to Zenyatta is set to powerful music and beautiful pictures that are guaranteed to make you reach for the tissues once more. The Name of the YouTube selection is: ZENYATTA~MIRACLES/POWER THEME 2010 HORSE OF THE YEAR. As Ann Moss said at the 2010 Eclipse Awards, Zenyatta has lifted spirits and filled hearts with joy and love. Zenyatta you are A MIRACLE.
Abigail from Montreal
WHOOPS!
Just checked & your FIRST DIARY POST was around NOVEMBER 9th…..hmmmm….I have NO RECOLLECTION of really becoming a ZENSTER until around now…..OKAY, so much for my long-term memory folks!!!!
Delrene from Carlsbad - (California)
I love MOrning Line – look who is going to be at Barn 55!!!!http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2011/12/07/morning-line-shifts-to-shirreffs.aspx
Suzen
Z & friends,
Happy Anniversary ! You have given us the best memories ever. And making new ones all the time. Glad you are enjoying every day; that’s how it should be. I have said it so many times, thank you for being such an inspiration to all of us. You and your “family” have brought the world of horse racing to a whole new level, with your positive attitude and outlook on life.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Weemissfrankie, 4.37 PST Hollywood Starlet. Hope so hard you win, don’t worry about the rail. Prayers going out your way for all to return to the barns safely.
@Sis Dawn, Happy Birthday on this your special day.
Love Ya Zenny
Peggy (N) South Georgia
If any animal lovers would like to see a fabulous holiday video that warms the heart see Share The Sheep at http://www.brooksbrothers.com
Past the Grandstand
Wow, Zenyatta! I was thinking over the weekend about how it’d been a year since your farewell at Hollywood Park. I can’t believe you’ve been away from the track that long. It seems like I just saw you in person headed to the track at Churchill Downs for a gallop. I miss seeing you on the track, but I am so happy that you have such a great life at Lane’s End! Here’s to hoping for a safe foaling and healthy foal! I love you, Zenyatta and I know all your other fans do also!
nina
You are a very special girl.Easy to love.
Alene
Hi sweet Zenny. I can`t even answer this one. Yes, memories are to be treasured because thats all we really have. When things happen and then they`re over our mind picture is only the “memorary”. Always treasure them and hold on to them. Lots of Big Hugs and Kisses, Alene
Allie in Texas
My sentiments were sincere. I apologize if I offended or upset anyone. I assure you that my intentions were good. Just wanted to share a Youtube.
Marty R / Colorado
This is the same kind of ground cover I’ve been seeing from my front windows.
I really love this picture. The emotion I’m seeing in the picture is like a father who has taken his daughter to college away from home and is having those last few minutes to impart wisdom, comfort and remind her she is loved.
John Shirreffs took Zenyatta through her racing career and brought her to Lanes End healthy and sound in body and spirit and the people at Lanes End have taken her through this past year training her for her new career as a brood mare in the same manner.
Mr. and Mrs. Moss, congratulations and thank you for choosing the absolutely perfect people to entrust to the care of this magnificient creature, Zenyatta.
Dottie, your love of the sport of horse racing and love of the horses that race is beyond extraordinary. And your perception regarding the people who came to love Zenyatta and needed to stay involved in her life is also extraordinary. Thank you for all you do for us on top of all you do in your professional life and not incidentally, being Mrs. Shirreffs.
This year has passd by pretty quickly. Now we just need to have patience for the next three months until baby Z/B Wiggles comes strutting into our hearts.
Heidi (Vallejo.Calif)
It’s been a year already? Wow, how time does fly by!! I remember feeling well, like I was losing a best friend that I’d never see again! I thought that I would have to check myself into “Betty Ford,” because, the withdrawls would be horrible but then, you’re wonderful Dottie created this site for Us Fans! I’ve been here since the very first Diary post and I faithfully read every word everyday! This site has enriched my life in so many ways and being in touch with all the Zenyattaholics, truly makes life worthy of the hard and sad times. I say that because, I know if there’s an issue, it can be shared here without judgement or ridicule. We have truly become Family through you, your team and the love they show. Absolutely, Amazing!
Here’s a video that I watch when I’m feeling down or when I have trouble on my mind. It always lifts my spirits and to know that you are always here, in oneway or another, cheers me up! For that, I Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPvwJpxV56U&playnext=1&list=PL7FEF8127C18135A9&index=41
Marty R / Colorado
@ Dawn Conrad-Happy Birthday. Hope it was a sunny day like we had all along the front range.
@ All who shared the links and videos- thank you.
There are horses to continue to watch and cheer for. Long live horse racing.
Sharyn ~ Vermont
Such a beautiful picture of you and John! Was that your first snow?? Sure can’t believe it’s been a year since you landed at Lane’s End. It sure does seem like such a wonderful envionment and wonderful people there too that care for you.
You are one special mare!!