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
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Heidi–I agree with you. That was the very first Z-video I ever saw, and it just blew me away. I must have watched it a gazillion times.
@Kari Bussell–THANK YOU!!!!
Kimberly
Zenyatta, We are the ones who have been BLESSED to see you run and hear daily updates about you. Your family (Dottie) are truly special people……
Julie DuVall / Ontario, CA
I can’t believe it has been a whole year since you left California, Zenny! And in just a few weeks you will be “officialy” 8 years old!
carole Milby
It was so cold that night when you came to Keeneland, Z. I was there, and got to see you up close. You looked at me with your intelligent eyes when I said hello to you. You are simply magnificent. The year went by quickly, and I can’t wait to see your baby.
Lynne Langill
A very Happy Aniversary to you, Zenyatta. I am so very pleased that you transitioned so well to your new home and wonderful new equine and people friends.
Always thinking of you, your friend, Lynne
Linda in Fla.
Part of Zenyatta’s legacy and gift to horse racing will always be the great depth of emotion and admiration that she stirred in her fans with not only her amazing racing ability and stirring come from behind victories, but the personality she displayed in the paddock and on and off the track. She is one of a kind. My husband wanted me to post this advice for those of you fans who may be fortunate enough to receive for Christmas one of the new posters or limited edition prints. I’ve read with interest some comments about visits to the framers. Please consider going to one of your local framers. Contrary to popular opinion, they are not more expensive and will give your piece much more personal attention and care than the big box stores with their inflated prices and so called discounts. Not only that, they will spend their money in your local community. I know whereof I speak having been in the business for over thirty years. I am in the process of framing my copy and a customer came in today and saw the mounted print. When I asked if she knew who that was she replied that she did and added, “Isn’t she the most beautiful creature ever?” I of course agreed.
Karen Gogue
Heidi
Thank you for the link to the video…I had never seen that before! And here I thought I’d seen them all! LOL!
cerb
Happy Anniversary Zenyatta. We Californians still miss you!
Elizabeth in New Mexico
Zenny – An awesome year – what a RIDE YOU have given to all of us Z Fans! The most amazing part is that YOU are healthy and thriving – YOU and Baby Z! So excited to think of YOUR future and the future of YOUR new FOAL! So many thanks in our hearts for YOUR FAMILY and everything THEY and YOU have given! Who could ever have imagined that ONE Amazing Filly could sway so many lives! YOU make us SMILE! YOU inspire us!
@ Dawn – Happy Birthday Z-GIRL!
@ Everyone on Zenny’s website – Thank you for the wonderful posts!
To all of the People who have served to guard and protect us – Thank You… especially today in memory of all of those who were at Pearl!
An especial memory also for my Dad, who loved YOU too, Zenny. Together, he and I watched YOUR races with such anticipation and JOY! Dad was in the South Pacific on many islands in World War II for four years and then was in Korea for two. My Grandad, his Dad, was a horse vet and farrier and raced horses in Louisiana in the beginnings of horse racing there in the latter part of the 1800’s and through the first quarter of the last century. Such history!
So looking forward to the next chapter of YOUR history, Zenny, and Baby Z’s!
Irene Caty
Zenyatta, I do remember this day. My heart was so broken for you and that truely was a sad time for all of your California fans. I still love you the same today and I am glad that you seem to have adjusted in your new invironment. You have such a loving soul and you are likeing to much attention. you certinly deserve that and much more. There is so much greatness in you my sweet Zenyatta. I’m sending you much love and I do reconize your greatness.
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
Loved watching your maiden race from November of 2007. When you were loading they said “David Flores was wearing the colors of the Ky Derby Winner Giacomo, owned by the Mosses”. Who would have ever guessed they were going to be “your colors”!!!!
signofthetimes
Morning Line’s racing history; son of Tiznow
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/64577/morning-line-has-surgery-return-expected
M. Kern
I cannot believe that it’s been a year since you left California. We miss you Queen Z. I am so glad that you’re happy in your new home and everyone is taking good care of you. I love you and say Hi to Tasty for me.
signofthetimes
@Allie From Texas
Loved the video that you posted. Such a great chronology of her races and all things special about Zenny, including her stay at Lanes End, the photo of her with snow on her muzzle and all of her special people. Had never seen that video. Thanks
tony and sue
@Heidi, thanks for the link to that stunning video. We thought we saw them all but this was new to us. She is spectacular …and always will be.
DMCQ in AL
Hello Beautiful Zenyatta and Dottie,Your John, the Z Team and the LE Team,
I am so very grateful for the love and care for our beloved Queen. That would be You,Z.
@Dawn: I hope you have had a truly wondertul birthday. You have such a family of love here, including me.
@ Terry Crow: You have been missed and I look forward to reading your posts again.
@ Susan in TN: I love it that Chester and Chopper are getting a new friend!
@ Kari: Thanks as always for your links. I treasure all the tributes to Z and save them in favorites so that I can see them again and again.
@ All: I haven’t read all the posts for this week yet, but I look forward to taking time to do so.
@ All: I am going to report some really good news. Barbara G may have told you or one of the other EANDO members. I am so relieved and proud that I want to make sure you know what you have helped to do. I have posted on Z’s Face Book and tried to post pictures of Little Cloud’s mom, Spirit and Hana, but I couldn’t get the pictures to post. So, I’ll give you the good news and keep working on trying to get the pictures to post tomorrow. Drum Roll!! Celebration for Marlene’s successful rescue effort! Marlene Dodge was able to rescue a few of our four legged, graceful friends.
Little Cloud’s mom, two other pregnant mares and a little T-bred Two of those horses have been spoken for and will be adopted by a member of the Equi-Army-NDO team!!!! Linda Beard and her family in Texas will adopt them. The fortunate adoptees are Spirit and Hana. The little paint gelding will be on his way to Marlene soon. They had some good name suggestions, but settled on Zs Lucky Bandit for the paint gelding. The Z stands for Zenyatta, since she is the one who brought us all together. Lucky because he’s lucky we as a community were able to save him. Bandit speaks to the black mask he wears at all times! When I get a picture, I’ll try to post Z’s Lucky Bandit’s picture so you can see how pretty he is. Congratulations to all who could help and did so! You are wonderful.(If someone can talk me through posting pictures please do. I’ve done it before, but this time it kept going back to the box and browse.) Z hugs everyone!
Kathy
My how time flies, beautiful girl! Just think of how special next year will be……with a little four legged blessing running next to you! Love you so much, Zenyatta! (And you too, Dottie!) Lane’s End is a wonderful place.
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
@Barbara Wood – You are more than welcome! I hope it gave you JOY!
Heidi(Vallejo Calif)
Thank you for posting my friend Stephanie Lambert’s wonderful “World’s Greatest” video…We became friends at Mr. Shirreff’s Channel on Youtube a long time ago. She & Michelle agreed to joined me in my box at the 2010 BCC….and during the 2009 BCC I played this video over and over before and during Zenyatta’s race…(silly superstition).. the Queen needed no help!-LOL! It is such a very special video to me. It was a wonderful trip down memory lane I shared with Stephanie (Maine), Cynthia H.(California) & Michelle (Texas)… and others who sometimes post here. THANK YOU! It made my day!!! ….and
Thank you Zenyatta, Mr. John Shirreffs & Dottie Ingordo Shirreffs for providing the place where friendships can be made!
@signofthetimes- I am so sorry I sent you a blank email. I have no idea where my words went! I am the 2010 Space Queen of the Year and I am sure to win 2011.
Oh my, blush/blush!!
I hope I didn’t send blank emails to anyone else.I have no idea how I managed to do that! LOL! Sometimes you just have to laugh!
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
@DMCQ- Wonderful news!
Congratulations!
Linda Beard- on the precious additions to your family…and thank you!
Karen Gogue
Abigail
You have always been a Z’ster – Z Dumpling! The Z Spirit has carried you from day one – anyone who loves horses (and animals) and the sport of racing as much as you do has always had Zenny in their heart…the Spirit of Z enriches ones soul and leaves a glow that shines with an intensity of brightness and warmth and love… never to disipate nor dissolve over the passage of time. That is what ‘Spirits’ do, always there to be called upon, with the knowlegde that they will never leave you nor let you down…an endless supply available for the foundation of ones inner being… celestial heaven here on Earth. And once you have the Spirit Horse(Z)that sphere will rain upon you with more beauty and brilliance and love and understanding…we all are in Zenny’s world because of this ‘Spirit’ she bestows upon us, with a feeling we belong to her somehow – and to each other – and always will. I think of you often Abigail and cherish you too. The Spirit of Z soars through my heart – that emotional, moral, loving area of my heart – as she would want it to….to love, to care, to grow, to share and to feel…she WAS placed in our lives for that very reason and I thank the Heavens above for this blessing every day….
signofthetimes
@Kari B
Definately so. You are such a special person.
signofthetimes
Thanks so much to everyone for the great links and posts this week; which is Z’s anniversary of retirement and her new life at Lanes End; and her new soon to be born “baby” Z/B; Lots of nostalgia for Zenny’s racing career and hope/faith/best wishes for her in her new career as a broodmare, MOM. YOU ARE ONE VERY SPECIAL HORSE, ZENNY; WITH VERY SPECIAL TEAM’s (BARN 55 and LE).
Sally B. (Wi)
A special Anniversary to you Z!! You are blessed in many ways and I feel blessed being a part of you, your life through this post. My memories of you at the races and dancing are etched forever on my mind. Wi. has gotten cold but no snow yet. You and Tasty stay warm. I hope Dottie & John can go home real soon.
love with 2 kisses on your soft nose, one for baby z
Sally B. (Wi)
@ Dawn Conrad; Happy Belated Birthday wishes to you. Hope you had a special day.
Debi Hamari
Beautiful Queen Zenyatta!
I remember so well when you came to Lane’s End! It is hard to believe that was a year ago! The video of the first time you were released in the paddock is so beautiful and unforgetable!
Love and hugs!
Debi
Delrene from Carlsbad - (California)
@ Heidi – Thanks for that great video. That is one I have never seen. Loved it.
@Kari – what is the “title” or sign name or whatever you call if for John Sheriffs You Tube video. I would love to look at them. Thanks and hugs if you see this post.
Barbara Grimaldi/NJ
DORIS MCQUIDDY is, I am so proud to say, one of our team members. She speaks above about all the horses that Marlene Dodge was able to rescue days ago and how our team helped. To see these sweet babies, please go to equi-army-ndo.com and click on our HOORAY page and you will see the beautiful paint horse and the pregnant mares that were saved. Little Cloud’s mom is the beautiful mare on the left of the group photo. Thank you. (go to Campaign page first, then click on HOORAY in the right-hand column)
Kari Bussell/sending prayers & love from Tn.
@Delrene from Carlsbad
this is a link tom Mr. John Shirreffs Youtube Channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/jonshfs05?feature=watch
He is jonshfs05
Hugs & Joy to you!
Sweet Dreams Zenyatta & Tasty- I love you!
Stu
One year and the love and enthusiasm for you the Sherriffs,Mosses and all your connections is as strong as ever. We love you all
Yvonne and Maurice
Hi Zenyatta. Thank you for starting my Friday with a smile. It is wonderful to hear how happy and loved you are at Lane’s End and around the world. You have always brought out the best in everyone, you are truly an Angel in Disguise. Stay toasty, eat well for two and enjoy all of your barnyard friends. Love you, Angel.