HAPPY DECEMBER 24TH TO ALL,
In honor of this wonderful time of the year, I wanted to share with you the new ZENYATTA LOUNGE for WOMEN. It was created for the women who work and live on the backside. It opened at Santa Anita last Sunday at 11. For years, we have had a wonderful REC ROOM for everyone to use…but the women never really had a place where they could just relax and visit. Thus, the thought was to give them a safe place where they could go and watch TV and movies, read, sew, use computer skills and in general just have fun and be themselves!
The hope is that they will make new friends and share experiences with them…and in general
just FEEL GOOD!
Santa Anita was very generous in dedicating the space for the Lounge with its’ own private entrance. Aase Headley and Haydee Vienna worked very hard on this project and coordinated everything with Dottie. My wonderful owners also helped to make this happen by donating the funds to help furnish and purchase all of the wonderful decor, TV, sewing machine, and computer items for this space. On one wall, there are photos of ME…and then the opposite wall is reserved for the Ladies to put up photos of themselves with their favorite horses. We really want this to be a GREAT SPACE for these hard-working women to enjoy themselves, relax, and share time with friends.
It was so sweet! When we had the grand opening Sunday, Beatriz G. (who is going to start doing hair and nails etc. in the backside SALON at Santa Anita) offered every single woman who attended a FREE FACIAL! What a generous thing to do!
Then the ladies wanted to have a holiday gift exchange. Names were drawn…and the fun started! Yesterday was the day of the gift exchange. Probably 30-40 women participated. The ladies had a fabulous time. They were all discussing their great facials from Beatriz…snacking on cookies and sodas, and celebrating the gift exchange. It was really a very special get-together. An overall festive time was had by all!
The ladies are also doing a terrific job keeping the Lounge neat, clean and in great shape. From all reports…THIS IS A HUGE SUCCESS AND VERY APPRECIATED!
In the future, we are looking to incorporate a “NIGHT OUT”…once a month…and a type of ‘BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION’ for all women who have a birthday that particular month. Additionally, we are trying to get some extra ‘classes’ offered of various types depending upon what is of interest to them! We are so excited.
In life, it is fun to help others and try and make a difference! It is also a very comforting feeling to BELONG to something and BE A PART OF IT and then share those experiences with others! It is our hope that this LOUNGE and the activities offered will help to do that. We want to encourage all who enjoy it to really feel good about themselves and the many things they can experience with their friends on the backside.
Relationships are important…friends are so special…and to offer the opportunity for these women to add more of these elements into their daily lives is one of our true wishes.
I’ll keep you posted. What a FUN WAY to celebrate the season…the opening of the ZENYATTA LOUNGE. THE HOPE IS TO HAVE THESE WARM AND SPECIAL FEELINGS LAST ALL YEAR LONG!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
With love,
HUGS TO ALL~
Z
saharagold
Can you let us know how we can donate or otherwise contribute to this worthy place? P.S. I’d like to visit sometime. Because of you, Queen Z, I am going to try my hand at handicapping and “playing the ponies.” I will be spending a GREAT DEAL of time at Santa Anita for the next 4 months!
cheryl
ZENYATTA the gift that keeps on giving!
Very very special that Z team, the BEST!
God bless and keep you all.
Terry
Another AWESOME thing dedicated in the name of TEAM ZENYATTA!!! You guys ROCK!!
Merry Christmas to all!
Jan Mitchell
Zenyatta and her wonderful Team Z sharing again. There has been no one like Team Z and how they respond to the people. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Rhonda Clements
What a wonderful thing Ann and Jerry have done, but that is the norm for them they seem to always be doing something special, I read about them donating often on the Old Friends site, a special place for retired race horses to go and live out the golden years, and Santa Anita to name this lounge after you the obviously recognize the major contribution you have given the racing industry, just by being you. I am sending wishes for Team Z, Mike Smith, the Mosses, Mike and Dottie and Mario and all the others and their families to have a wonderful Christmas. Never will you know how much I appreciate the gift we have been given her name Zenyatta.
Linda Moss
Zenyatta and Team Z – Best wishes for a wonderful holiday – you all deserve it for what you have given us! And love the new lounge – enjoy:
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=2634548622645&source=jl999
Sandra
It’s about time that the “Old Boys’ Network” recognized that there are a LOT of women who work and support this great industry! Congratulations and THANK YOU to Team Z for seeing this need and making it happen.
Now for the other tracks around the country to follow suit!
Fran
What a wonderful thing to do for the ladies Zenny. You have an absolutely wonderful family who always think of others; ways to make their life better. Merry Christmas to you Zenny and to all of your family; both old and new!
toi
Hi Zenny!
What a wonderful thing you and your people have done for these women! Your blog is so informative and. I look foreward to it each time. I think you are and will become a great voice for many things, including topics about you and your life on the farm, as well as horse racing, the backside, your charities, your people, etc. I know everyone loves to read about anything that you want to write about. Oh yeah, don’t forget to let us know how Sophie and the Moss poodles are doing. Have a very Merry Christmas and God Bless!!!
Sheri
That is so cool Zenyatta! A whole lounge dedicated to YOU! How many racehorses do you know of that have that? Horses in general? You must feel so special! I guess that is Santa Anita’s Christmas present to you! Love you Zenyatta and Merry Christmas! :D
janet
Queen Z and the ‘Z’ team…
Wishing you all a very Happy and Joyous Holiday Season!
Thank you so much for the continued Memories! So appreciated.
Love to all
Jan
RuthG
This is a marvelous new beginning for the ladies and in honor of one of the great ladies of racing, you Miss Z. Kudos to the Mosses and all who participated in making this lounge happen. Wishing you all a very blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year. To you Miss Z, lots of love, hugs, kisses, carrots, etc. from all of us who love you.
Bobbi
Team Zenyatta rocks!!!!
MaryMcQuire
How wonderful!!!! The magic of Zenyatta continues in so many ways. (And the Mosses and her team have a “little” something to do with it!)
peggy brown
Queen Z you have made such a difference to so many people in this world. What a thoughtful idea to have a ladies place on the backside thats safe, clean and useable. Leave it to Team Zenyatta to bring such an idea to fruition. The backside can be such a manly and “rough” atmosphere fo women, what a blessing to have a refuge. Thank to all who made this happen and here is the challenge to the rest of the tracks!
Dani
Hey Zenyatta! Santa Claus called and he wants you to guide his sleigh tonight. Now I wonder why that is?? :)
What a wonderful gift to the ladies of the backside. I can only imagine what it means to these ladies to have their own place to develope friendships and new skills. The gift of giving seems to know no bounds by the Mosses and the Shirreffs. Many thanks as well to those of Santa Anita and those who provided the special services – such treats to any lady. But it comes as no surprise to any of us as the Mosses and the Shirreffs gave us the gift of love by making us a part of Zenyatta’s life. For some of us that is one of the best gifts we received all year. It has meant more than can be expressed.
Thank you to those on Team Z California – Jery and Ann Moss, John and Dottie Shirreffs, Mario, Carmen, Mike, Steve, Michelle, Isabelle, Gary, Tom and Dawn. And Team Z in Kentucky – David, Sarah, Charles, Todd, Andy, Gieremo and Craig. And to all those who played a part in this magnificent mare’s life – who helped make her the loving,tender,funny,dancing queen and the unparalleled race horse that she is. We are eternally grateful – there is no finer group of people in the racing industry. I wish you all the most wonderful Christmas and a New Year full of great experiences and one full of happiness. And to Zenyatta – may you know great joy always and forever.
Warmest wishes – Dani
Samantha Peck
Thats so awsome that they did that!!! Queen Z, you are just so amazing!
lisa
This is the spirit of the holidays and the magic of Z it just keeps on giving
Carmela Bozulich
You are amazing…not just because you’re you, but because of what you’ve done has inspired so much more…this is much bigger than a gorgeous racehorse with a heart as big as the outdoors, and THAT is your legacy, Lady Z…your record will stand for all time, and no one can take that away from you. But it’s this ripple effect, the way you have touched lives that might not otherwise be touched…it’s such a gift, YOU are a gift.
Patricia M
You are wonderful, as are all of your human family. You are a special gift to the world, you are beautiful inside and out, and this is unmistakeable!
God bless all of you-
Love you forever, sweet girl-
Ellen Zachary
oh my gosh…what a wonderful thing to do…I am crying tears of joy and gratitude that your team has created this special place for women on the backside…Zenyatta Lounge..awesome…blessings to all of Team Z in the New Year…thanks to all of you for sharing Z with us and for making horse racing a better sport…
Janet Cutting
Well, Zenyatta you certainly come from an A plus, 1st class, family. We need to see people gathering more in person to share good times with– the emails, texting,cell phones cant match a warm hello hug, seeing the smile in someones eyes — just like you Zenny– you present a special “touch” to all hearts. Cheers, Happy Holidays, Janet C
Paula Higgins
Love the new Zenyatta Lounge!! Great idea and great name for it. Ann and Jerry Moss continue to be very generous. They are wonderful people and so are you Dottie for keeping us updated on the Queen.
Franci Nelson
What a wonderful idea. I have spent so many hours sitting on my couch sharing with my girlfriends. We all need a friend or two to help us or for us to help. Merry Christmas to all of you.
Suzen
Z,
You and your “family” have been an endless gift of joy to the world. The Zenyatta Lounge sounds like a wonderful place that will help and inspire all the woman of the backstretch.
Thank You again, and Merry Christmas to all!
Barb France
What a wonderful gift to give these ladies who do so much. God Bless them all and to all those who were a part of this project. Perhaps this could be a start of many other “Women’s Lounges” across the nations racehorsing barns!
Emily
That is such a fantastic idea! I love it!
Rilla
What a wonderful thing to do, especially this time of year. I used to be involved with the racing industry and as a woman there was no place to go. What a great idea, the ladies that put this together deserve a High Five.
Cheryl Heath
The love keeps growing and your light, Zenyatta keeps glowing. How very special. This is such a blessing for all to enjoy.
Because of you, we have the Christmas spirit all year long. Thank you so much and to all, have a great holiday.
Judy Gadwood Loves Zenny/California
Team Zenyatta just keeps on giving! I think this is a wonderful “gift”!
Merry, Merry Christmas to everyone.
Sweetheart, thank you for giving me smiles and laughter and joy all these years… I look forward to you postings because they make MY day.
{{Hugs}} and Kisses XO!
Bless you, Judy