To all my dear, loving fans,
I want to THANK all of you for your support, encouragement and love.
I gave it a good GO in the Breeders’ Cup Classic…and tried my best! I’m home now at my Hollywood Park Barn. The flight back to California was great. My friends, Mario, Frank and Harmonious, traveled on the plane with me. It was a smooth trip!
The last week has been exciting and thrilling! I had a great time in KY and everyone was so kind to me. I posed for hundreds and hundreds of photos yesterday alone with so many fabulous fans. They brought me Z cakes, apples, peppermints, and carrots. They hugged me, kissed me, and made me feel so special. I am one lucky mare.
Then when I got back to the barn there was a great WELCOME HOME ZENYATTA sign hanging at the barn. People signed it with such sweet messages for me! Everyone makes me feel so special.
Today, I’ll walk and relax a bit and, of course, GRAZE! LUCKY ME!
Hugs to all…and again…THANKS TO ALL OF YOU for being so loving and supportive of me and all of TEAM ZENYATTA.
With great appreciation…
Love,
Z
Susan Davis
Zenyatta, I only saw you one time, the other day at Churchhill Downs 2 days before the race, but I was hooked and am forever your devoted fan! You have so much charm and personality. I watched the race on tv and it brought tears to my eyes when you lost: I was sad for the rest of the day. YOU will always be my favorite horse! I would love to see you be chosen “horse of the year” Your devoted fan, Susan Davis
Jenny
Though you lost the Breeder’s Cup, you are still a winner in everyone’s eyes. I have boycotted Thoroughbred racing since the tragic breakdown of Ruffian, but I would have renewed faith in the sport if trainers would treat their horses as they should be like yours did and not begin racing them when they are still babies. You are a true champion, Zenyatta, and I feel very priviledged to have been witness to your glory. Enjoy your retirement.
Barbara Schmidt
Zenyatta-
You are the FIRST LADY OF RACING. I have
been on the track all my life and have
never cried over a race till Saturday.
You are the winner and you and MIkey did
you best. You are a horse we will never forget.
Jeanne Hogenkamp
Just got home from the Breeders Cup and Zenyatta is still #1 in my book. She was the best horse that day and always will be!!
Bonnie MacRaith
Ah, Zenny you have brought out the love in so many of us, one wonders sometimes who you really are, besides a horse that is! Please extend our warmest wishes to John Shirreffs, Mario Espinoza, Steve Willard, Ann & Jerry Moss, Dottie Shirreffs and all the other wonderful caretakers. You guys are the best and so loved by many. I know you’re disappointed, who would not be, but in some strange way Zenyatta became even more revered by what she did at the BCC. What she overcame was huge! Love, Bonnie
Judy G (California)
Welcome home Queen Z! You are awesome! Your fans love you more than ever… if that’s at all possible! XOXO
Linda / Maryland
The whole country loves you ~!! You are the ideal horse, demonstrating your spectacular racing style, your dancing and posing to have your pictures taken, your perfect body and head. Never, in a lifetime, will anyone meet a horse as wonderful as you are. Be happy in your retirement and raise your beautiful foals. Remember if you ever want to leave Kentucky call me and I will come right out and pick you up.~!!! I wish that I could really express the greatness that you are but the words are beyone me. Chin up and stand tall you are precious!!!!!!
Paula Higgins
To Zenyatta and Her Connections:
I have seen alot of races in my lifetime, plus Zenny’s previous 19, but NOTHING compares with that stretch run (Secretariat’s Belmont the exception). It was jaw dropping. When the race was over, I turned to my husband and said “That was her greatest race she has ever run!” He agreed. We couldn’t believe it. Go to the internet if you haven’t already done so and see what the chattering class is saying. Even her naysayers are acknowledging her greatness. She has a lion’s heart this horse and we have been so blessed. I hesitate to say this, but I am going to anyway: consider bringing her back for one more year if she is up to it. Think about it. She is a National Treasure and I think she has more greatness in her. She owes us nothing and neither do you, but it is something to think about. My best wishes to all of you and deepest thanks.
Paula Higgins
Lanie Johnson/Ky
Hi Zen and crew!! What a fabulous time for all of us..to know you..is to love you! What a magnificent race..as always..you are one in billions!!Here in Ky is where we hope you will be retiring so we can visit you..I plan to bring my grandkids!! You have made our hearts warm during these hard times..we will never never forget you..it’s just not possible!
Enjoy every moment of retirement..no one deserves it more! God bless to you and all those who are fortunate to be there with you and love you. How wonderful it has all been..reminds me of these words..”I could have missed the pain..but I’d have had to miss.. the dance.” Saturday was no loss lady…you beat them all..our hearts were with you and Mike and all of your family.Be seeing you soon under the moon over Ky! The Bluegrass pastures await you sweet girl!! You rocked the world!!!
Michelle Cauble
Dear Ms. Z ~ Somehow I think you understand that you remain in a class all by yourself – incomparable and still as perfect as ever.
Love from yet another adoring fan,
Michelle
ALISON
ZENYATTA…You did an Amazing Job!!
Tracy
Hope we do not loose touch with you.
ROBIN BEERS
You showed all those who had any doubts that you belonged in that Breeders Cup Classic…you are awesome; Love Robin and Vienna Colleen(whinney and nickers)
Sandra Bennington
Dear Zenyatta,
I am glad you back home here in California and at your home at Hollywood Park,and all your fans came to see you & welcome you. I would love to meet you & give you a kiss & a picture with you. I don’t know who to contact to have my dream come true. I love you sooo much. I talk about you to my family & friends all the time. Your are truly the BEST horse there ever was. No horse has ever accomplished what you have done. I would love to see you race one more time to reach 20 wins. Your are such a loveable horse with the greatest personality, I can see in your eyes how you adore your fans. Love you & happy grazing,
Your biggest fan, Sandra Bennington
justanotherzfan
Perfection…it isn’t necessarily messured by the number of wins on the track. It’s having the heart, soul, and guts to give everything you have; everytime. It’s having the courage to face whatever comes your way. It’s never looking back with regret or resentment. It’s loving everyone…from those closest to you to the fans you’ve never met…and making them love you in return. In the 2010 Breeders Cup Classic, Zenyatta showed us true perfection, even in defeat. Long live the Queen. And thank you for the wonderful memories Zenyatta.
L Stahl
Zenyatta made history regardless of the loss by a nose.To Team Zenyatta you did a wonderful job with this mare from the start of her career and to her future as a brood mare..A horse like her come once in a blue moon..
Kevin Stark
Thank you to Zenyatta and her family for all she has done to bring new excitement to the sport and bring a new generation of fans. As time passes and I talk to people who are just then becoming fans of the sport I will get to tell them that I got to see the amazing Zenyatta in person and many times on television. I hope I get to see her babies grow up and make their mom proud. Every one of them will have millions of fans and bring back memories of their amazing mom.
Jennifer Hodell
Zenny you are truely a class act. You were the winner in the Classic and ran your heart out to make it your best race ever. And you did it all for us. Your fans. I loved you the moment I saw you when you ran your first race. Please thank John for all the video’s of you and for really letting us get to know you, Mario and the entire Team Zenyatta up close and personal. I so much enjoyed the adventure. Enjoy life now and rest a little. You deserve it. No matter what, you ARE the Horse of the Year and more so Horse of the Century. Here is a kiss for you right on the nose and take care. Love you so…Jen
Elyse Mach
Z., YOU ARE THE HORSE OF THE YEAR AND THE HORSE OF A LIFETIME! How fortunate we all have been to see you run and win so many thrilling and absolutely fantastic races. Thank you.
Kat
Zenyatta and Mike….what a ride!!!
SHARON MALONE
Dear Z. I was with you all the way! I live in California also (La Costa) and am glad you are home safe and sound. I am so proud of you, you are the best! Love always, your La Costa fans, and we are legion!
Cindy Gambrell
We love you Zenyatta! You were as amazing in defeat as you have been in victory. You are not only our Horse of the Year but Horse of the Decade. Saturday’s race proved that you are truly a Champion for the ages!
Debbie Trujillo
Queen Z you are the greatest, most magnificent race horse I’ve ever witnessed. In my book, you won Sat. and every day. I told a few non-racing horse owners to watch you if they could. They took the time to call and email me to say you had them entranced and they could not take their eyes off you. One called you magnificent and remarkable, the other said they had never seen anything like you and your performance before. Horse of the Year? Not good enough. Horse of the Millenium! Glad you’re safe, eat your grass and lots of carrots. Love you
Joe
We Love you Champ thank you for the last couple yrs
Tanya Miller
Zenyatta…..you are a shining STAR in a world that needs it so very much! The world thanks you for all the joy and happiness you have given us!
Tanya Miller
With such a beautiful spirit, you must be related to Secretariat!!! The world LOVES you, magnificent one!
Ron Parker
For a pro-Zenyatta view of the Horse of the Year controversy, go to http://www.reines-de-course.com.
janet
Dear Queen Z and the Z team,
Thank you for a wonderful ride. You gave
us many thrills and alot of excitement along the way.
I was so happy you came through your last race without any serious incidents and you proved yourself so nobally.
The tears I shed after the race weren’t due to your loss, but mine. I will never see you race again. That was your last HOORAH and you were magnicicant to watch.
My greatest desire now is that you remain Happy and Content in your future.You will be greatly missed.
Thank you so much for being you!
We love you so much Zenny.
Jan
Valeria P. Cannon
Hi Zen, I just want to say Thank You for your excellence, your graciousness, and your professionallism. I’ve enjoyed horse racing since I was introduced to it by my father and saw Canonero II win the Derby in 1972. That began my love affair with the magnificent beauty (physical and spirit) of the horse. There a few horses that have a special place in my heart, Canonero II, (Slew)Seattle Slew, Secretariat,(That Left-footed Horse)Alydar,
(Slew’s Baby)Swale, (The Lady)Ruffian,(Sheba)Alysheba, Barbaro, and now there’s you! Very few times in life does someone/thing comes along and touches you in a way that says life’s pretty good no matter what the circumstances, just maybe there’s still some pure grace and elegance left in the world. For me, you’re right up there with Slew and Big Red! You are most definitely the best of your father’s progeny. They say that the heart of the sire is passed on to his daughters and from the dam the fire (spirit), you got the best of the best. You’ve reach the heights of your profession and will go down in history as the best horse that ever raced, your stamina alone is awe-inspiring. Thanks to the ‘Team Zenyatta’ for sharing you with the world and you for being the regal Lady that you are. You brought back hope and dreams to little girls (and little girls at heart), that anything is possible! Run strong, happy and free ‘Z’, for you will always be Queen of our hearts! Your majesty will forever reign in the hearts and minds of those who dared/longed to believe, just maybe…..You honored us with your prescence and gave us a glimpse into the life of an Exceptional Racing Star, none other has done that.
Thank you seems to pale in compare to what you given us and you didn’t have to. Enjoy your retirement from the track but not from having the time of your life and just being ‘Z’, you’ve earned it! Just don’t forget us because we will never forget YOU! Your name will be spoken in the same breath as Man O War, War Admiral, Citation, Whirlaway, Seabiscuit, Big Red, and Slew, Ruffian, and Personal Ensign, etc. You’ve outshone your dad (Street Cry), and your brothers (Street Sense, and Street Boss), and long after we all are gone, your legacy will still shine in the annals of supreme athletes. Go girl, you did good!! Tell the guys they were ok, too!:) Shine on, Your Majesty!!!!!
Love You Much,
Valeria
Margo Johnson
you missed by a nose by a kid in his backyard, with his ball! this doesn’t diminish your greatness one bit! but now I worry about you. Your whole world will change. none of the same people you’ve been around for the last 6 years, a new barn, different smells. Is anyone familiar going to help you transition to your new life? are you going to go into depression? Is anyone connected to this “herstroy” mare going to help her adjust? or is she just abandoned to a different life that she might not like? I will be constantly checking this site to know that she is happy. I love this girl and we want to know how she is adjusting and progressing. Please keep us updated.