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
Gloria Jeanne
Dear Zenyatta and Team,
You ran a fantastic race! I am glad you are home safe and sound. You are still a star and the best racehorse I have ever seen, thank you for all you have given to your fans and everyone around you. There is no debate here about how good you and Mike ran on Saturday – your record should be 19 and inches to 20-0. I know you have to retire at some point but I’m not sure everyone is ready for that. Lots of Love to you Zenyatta!!!!
Karen Price
In my book you are the Queen!!!
Agatha Smithers
Although I would have loved too see you beat the pants off that youngster, I am just as happy knowing you are so loved and cared for! You get to walk away from racing with no terrible injuries while so many are not so fortunate.
Horses are a gift from God and we humans can not hold same to your beauty and strength. Thank you for letting us share and be a part of your life! And let that Kentucky sun shine down upon you!
Debbie
Everyone loves you even more! You are the Queen forever! Keep whispering “Dubai, Dubai”. Maybe, just maybe one more race?! ((HUGS))
Linda
Would have loved to been in KY to see in person. Thank you for giving us hope in today’s hard times. Thanx to all the connections for allowing the fans to have so much access. Others in the business should follow the example of your trainer in caring for the horse first with money second it would give the industry a big boost. Good luck to the next HOY !!!!!!
Judy Tyler
Zenyatta and ALL her connections are simply THE BEST! First off, thank you, Zenyatta, for being the spectacular star that you are, and for giving your adoring fans so many wonderful memories! And many thanks to John Shirreffs, Steve Willard and Jerry & Ann Moss for being so generous and kind about sharing Zenyatta with those who love her so much. I was lucky enough to visit her at Hollywood Park during two of her morning workouts (even got to give her a mint!) and hope to have one more chance to see her there before she goes to her new home. Finally, a huge shout-out to Mike Smith — a fantastic jockey with a heart of gold who deserves tremendous praise and accolades for guiding Zenyatta to so many amazing victories & who helped her pull off a near-win against the very best MALE horses in the world on Saturday!!! An incredible performance for which Mike should feel nothing but pride! Zenyatta is a permanent fixture in my heart as well as the thousands upon thousands everywhere who have been inspired by her greatness!
With deep admiration and appreciation,
Judy Tyler
Los Angeles
Leslie Simis
Lady Z…Words cannot describe what you have accomplished in your extraordinary career. We have been so blessed to have witnessed your greatness every step of the way. Thanks to Team Zenyatta for sharing her with us for 3 glorious years. You will forever be remembered as “Perfect ” in my eyes. I am so grateful to have seen you many times, and had the priviledge of photographing your beautiful self ! God bless you and your team, and we look forward to seeing baby Zennies in the near future !!! Love you Z !
Carol Porter
I am so honored to have had the opportunity to watch this National Treasure, Zenyatta!
The entire group has been so generous with their time in allowing all of us to meet you!
Thank you for your generosity and bravery!
dave
Z- any chance your owners will let you run again next year? You are now CLEARLY the best horse in the world- now that the “perfect” monkey is off your back- maybe travel around- win anohter half dozen grade ones and get some revenge in next years classic? no DR to Blame- but two more jumps and you had him-your trip was tough- you lost NOTHING in defeat-and you should go down as the best female and really one of the top 5 horses of all time…love to see you run again- you still look invincible-even in a nose loss.
Sharon Call
Dear Zenyatta:
Last Saturday, I watched a truly great horse run her heart out losing the Breeders Cup Classic by a matter of inches. I’ve read a lot of comments on the race and feel that if you had one more stride you would have won. Regardless of that, you are still the finest horse I’ve ever seen run and I’ve seen a few over the decades. I’ll watch for your offspring in a few years and I wish you happy grazing and a great life, which you richly deserve. Best of wishes to your owners, trainer and the great Mike Smith, your jockey, who rode the best race he could under the circumstances. Mike, don’t blame yourself for anything. You rode the race the way you saw it. You and Zenyatta were a wonderful team.
Ginny Wood
You are one of the greatest horses ever. What makes it all so special to us in the racing world, is the fact that your owners and connections make you accessible to us! All of us feel like we are a part of your team. Your owners are very special people – they truly have a partnership both in marriage and in racing. Can’t wait for your foals!!
Franci Nelson
We are all so proud of all you have accomplished in your racing career. It was such a joy to watch you run. Enjoy this new chapter in your life. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
Barbara Brayton
Well done, sweety. You almost had him, and if he gets horse of the year, it will be a shame. We all know who should get it. Much love, Barb
Andi Schreibman
You can just keep on dancing girl with your head held high. You were a phenomenon at the Breeders Cup, and you just ran out of track…just a few feet more and you’d have had the race without question! It sure was one of the most exciting races I’ve ever seen. No-one could have asked more from you or Mike, and you delivered, even if you didn’t win. You go have a fabulous retirement, enjoy teasing the boys, and I know you’re going to be a wonderful mama. Can’t wait to see the babies! I will miss watching you running on the track…you have never failed to bring tears of joy and amazement to my eyes! Wishing you a long life of green pastures and happy days ahead!
Roxanne Cook
A life-long race fan, you have fullfilled a dream to witness true greatness in person. Thanks and all blessings to Team Zenyatta for sharing the story with us; please keep the updates (and photos) coming!! Horse of the Year; Horse of the Decade; Horse of A Lifetime
Vickie
You were and are number one in my heart!
Maria Høst Andersen
I don’t know much of the racing world in the US but after seing the video on YouTube with your run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic tears just ran down my cheeks – if anyone has ever deserved to win EVER it has to be you in that race. Such courage and spirit despite your bad start – I can fully understand why people around the world have lost their hearts to you and you are an inspiration to both animals and people – you are a true fighter and a once in a lifetime champion.
I will keep my fingers crossed for you in your future breeding career hoping that your offspring will bear your personallity, courage and spirite. Huge kiss from Denmark
Ellen Robertson
To all at Team Zenyatta;
THANK YOU! Thank you for sharing this amazing horse with us. You have run 20 spectacular races and are all superstars in my mind. I find I am sad I have no more races to look forward to, but I know there’s probably nothing left to prove on the track. I do hope I’ll have a chance to meet Z and thank her in person some day. Much Love, Ellen from Mariposa
Pat Bisczat
Well Girl, you are awesome!!! I dont usually go to these events because i am not fond of these large crowds, but you were the reason I went, and what a thrill, i will never forget!
thank you for it all! I almost agree with Mike Smith, that no Stud is deserving of you!
Nina Kirkland
Zenyatta, you are such a wonderful horse. I hope it’s in the future for you to have lots of babies and enjoy bringing them up. Of course, you are so well endowed and fast you might want to race some more before you give that up for the home-life.
Martha
Dear Zenyatta,
You are the Horse of My Heart! Such a beautiful champion inside and out. Thank you for being a lady and inspirational at every turn.
DeAnn Barker
I fell in love with you at first sight.
You so seem to be living life to the fullest!!! You are enjoying the best!! Watching you -You were having sooooo much fun–racing. Now you are to have so much fun in a different way. Hopefully becoming a mother to as spectacular colt or filly as you.You certainly do deserve it!!!!! I hurt so bad for you(more than for your owners and jockey) when you came in second by a whisker. Maybe we all have to learn to be HUMBLE in order to go on and appreciate the rest of life.Would love to have a picture of you —signed by you. You are SPECIAL!!!!
Anne Martin
Dear Zenyatta,
No athlete has ever made such a classy entrance into Churchill Downs as you did the other night! You have managed to turn the spotlight away from all the negatives and all the heartaches in the world, and taught us to smile and believe in ourselves. While our hearts were broken when you won second place at the Breeders Cup, it took only seconds to realize how much you have given us over your past 20 races – you personify courage, charm, and class – you have shown us that we can win the race even from the back of the pack. You have shown us how vital it is to never, never give up. We will remember and cherish you for the hope and joy you brought to our lives. We cannot thank you enough!
Gina Nichols
What an amazing girl you are, with such a huge heart. We are all anxiously awaiting who is going to be good enough to be Zenyatta’s boyfriend.
Thank you for making horseracing exciting again.
Warmest Regards,
Gina
Diane Robinson
Dear Zenyatta, You may have not one that one last race but you are a winner to me. We can’t forget you won 19! Plus you are such a kind and gentle girl and you are a wonderful ambassador for thoroughbred horses. Thank you for that.
Pattie
Dear Queen Zenyatta:
I LOVE You so much!! You will always be THE QUEEN OF RACING :) I am an older lady from the East Coast & I haven’t felt so much love and admiration for a horse since Secretariat. Thanks for re-kindling the Flame!! I pray, you win Horse of the Year, because you deserve it!! May God Bless You.
Monica Maruyama
Dear Zenyatta,
You are the HOrse of the Century!!!! Thank you for the inspiration that you have given to all of us.
We love you, and you are etched in our hearts forever.
Cathy
Z,
You did great and are beautiful. Congrats on winning second place. I know you let that little boy win. What a girl!
Linda Robb
I am SO glad that so many people came to see “The Queen” the day after her valiant effort and made her feel so special(which she is)
All her fans love her and want her to win offically (what she already is):
Horse of the Year
Please convey to Mike Smith that he did the best job anyone could have to get her there….it was just racing luck…no-one is blaming him.
LisaGood
I am glad you made it back home safe and sound. You are a beautiful mare and I want to thank you for giving me the great experience of getting to watch you make the racing industry so much better. Congratulations you are the best horse that the race industry has ever seen. Good luck in your ventures for the rest of your life. I know you will be taken great care of. Thank you for giving me the oppurtunity to be a part of the millions of fans that love you!