Good Morning,
It is now just a few days before Christmas! SOPHIE looks like she is anxiously awaiting her presents from Santa Claus. I know she received a big package from STELLA and VIOLET last Friday…as they were busy sending out their holiday gifts. Rumor has it she opened them all immediately ! You know how it is….she just couldn’t wait!
Oh, look….I think I’m in the picture right next to SOPHIE! I so adore the fact that I am truly very special to my California families!
I know my BARN 55 pals still think of ME often! As MY JOHN said to Dottie just last night….ZENYATTA will always be a big part of our lives and in our hearts….ALWAYS!
May all of you who are busy with this year’s HOLIDAY RUSH take some extra time to enjoy spending special moments with your loved ones. Our wish is that you are ALL blessed with great health and many memorable and happy moments during this holiday season and throughout 2012!
With Love,
Hugs to All~(A special big hug from the SHIRREFFS’ HOUSEHOLD TO YOURS this holiday season!)
Z
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z Fans:
Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Love and Hugs, Judy and Russ
Emma
Have a merry christmas Z
Ingrid Arnone. South Beach.
My adorable Zenyatta, sincerely, I wish to you and to your adorable family, the best HOLIDAYS EVER, and God Bless you for your kindness to all of us…
To all Z fans, Happy Holidays, with all my love, Ingrid.
Abigail from Montreal
@ Kathleen & Dawn: It makes me so PROUD that you enjoy THE VAULT and thank you a million times over for the wonder-full feedback. Dawn — you write so beautifully — REALLY. It’s about time you started your very own blog girl! Love X 2
Mary in S. Florida
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)re: War Horse – I saw the play in New York and want to encourage you to see it. It takes place during WWI, as you know, and war is sad but the 2 main characters (one is Joey, the “War Horse”)get through it. GO SEE IT.
Deborah Richman from So. Cal.
Sophie, you are BEYOND adorable!! And you look like you have been a very good girl indeed.
You must bring a smile to everyone you meet!
I want to wish our dear Z, her beloved Ann and Jerry, her dear John and Dottie, her California and Kentucky Teams, and her huge, ever growing family of fans JOY, PEACE, HEALING, and LOVE in this season of light.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all!
Deborah Richman from So. Cal.
Looking forward to seeing fellow Z Dumplings at opening day at Santa Anita!
Deborah Richman from So. Cal.
RIP beautiful boy, Chocolate Candy.
Candace Jones
I cannot wait until Dottie gets the present I sent her!!!!!!! You will love it too Z!!!!
Georgia Harper< Seattle, WA
@Barbara Wood I will give little Autumn a big hug from all the Zenny fans I will see her Wednesday.
I am so sad to hear about Chocolate Candy there he was just out having fun
Love and hugs to all
Debbie
hi Z! Happy Holidays to YOU and the Sherriffs and all!!! Love YOU gorgeous mama xoxoxo
Julie DuVall / Ontario, CA
Here is another day-after-Christmas present for everyone going to Santa Anita: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/66697/heroic-santa-anita-paddock-guard-to-return
It’s going to be a great day!
I hope the packages I sent to Lane’s End and Barn 55 arrived on time (if they haven’t arrived already)!
Sophie looks adorable under the tree! Do you think she’ll be at the track on Photography Day? She’d be a VERY popular photo subject!
Sally B. (Wi)
Sweet Z; I had to take a double look to make sure that was Sophie & not another cute stuffed animal!
It has been so remarkable to stay in touch with Z (Dottie & John); to learn, to smile, to laugh, to pray, to share, and to love. We have all come together. This is a wonderful journey; thank you and thank you Zsters!! FELIZ NAVIDAD! MERRY CHRISTMAS!! or HAPPY HANEKKUH to Zenyatta, Dottie, John, Ann, Jerry, Mario, Mike, Steve, and all your other connections from Barn 55 to Lane’s End and to all that love you on this post.
GOD BLESS YOU WITH GOOD HEALTH.
love you Z with 2 kisses on your soft nose, one for baby z
Debbie G/Kentucky
Such tragic news about Chocolate Candy. It’s just not fair that these beautiful creatures are so strong yet so fragile.
@Alex Bowdoin – I’m with you. I can not see any movie if I think there’s even the slightest chance that an animal will get hurt. My best friend wanted me to go see Marley and Me, but I said No Way! I’m just too soft hearted when it comes to animals.
Trish & Mike in Colorado
Thank you for all the wonderful, enjoyable posts and fabulous pictures. I still maintain that Dot-Zen should get an Eclipse award for best turfwriter.
Julie DuVall / Ontario, CA
Overnights for Opening Day: http://www.santaanita.com/sites/default/files/live_racing/overnights/2011-12/overnight-2011-12-26.pdf
I see that YOUR JOHN has two in the 5th race:
DEATH STAR / Mike Smith / St. George Farm Racing
RANDAZO / Victor Espinoza / Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Moss
as well as MR. COMMONS in the Sir Beaufort Stakes (race 8).
Gloria Jeanne - The O.C.
http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/7178490/zenyatta-blame-year-later
Just in case you have not seen this story about Zenyatta – it’s looking back at the last year.
Snoprinz
Zen, Merry Christmas to you and your human connections. May the New Year bring you and abundance of blessings.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
What an adorable picture of Sophie and I don’t think there is anyone who could turn their head away from that special little girl! I bet Santa has loads of gifts for her and so many of us out here wish Sophie, John and Dottie Shirreffs the Merriest of Christmases and an exceptionally special and pleasant 2012.
With the h9oliday season right upon us now, so many of us get all engrossed in the shopping, the food, the get togethers, parties and what not and have a tendency to let the most important of all things slip by and before we know it, the festivities and important one of a kind moments are here and forever gone. We all need to remember to give of ourselves and count each and every moment as very special. Love is the most incredible force in the world, and it’s something that needs to be shared. Hope things are going well for you Zenyatta and that your family is planning on coming and visiting you during the holidays. Sending my Love & Blessings with lots of hugs and kisses your way!
Joan Walls
Zenyatta – Many blessings for this holiday season and the coming New Year are being sent your way. You and your “family” have allowed us into your lives and thoughts. What a wonderful blessing that has been for us.
#1 New England Fan
Sophie you are just adorable!
Warmest Christmas wishes to our Queen and her amazing team. Special thanks to OUR DOTTIE for being such a creative, educational, uplifting and generous voice for Zenyatta.
@all who visit Zenyattaland — thanks for all your wonderful posts. You are such fun and caring people, visiting this site is one of the best parts of my day.
Christmas love and peace to all.
Annie B in MA
WILD HORSES
Little Sophie Shirreffs is so adorable! Love ya Big Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Lori
Cynthia H./Santa Anita Girl
Hi Miss Sophie Shirreffs,
I was so happy to have the opportunity to meet you at Santa Anita this past year. I can attest, that you are the sweetest, most scrumptious little angel fluff girl ever was! And just look at all the gifts which Santa has left under your tree! WOW! Santa visits your house really early! That must be because you are such a very good girl always, and affectionate and kind to everyone you meet. What do you suppose is in the GREAT BIG box? Next to you, it looks almost as huge as Zenyatta’s soon-to-be foal! It would take a multitude of chew bones to fill that container, wouldn’t it? I spot something which Santa brought to my house, too. I think he must have made a special stop at Zenyatta’s Shop before he began his early run! I hope that your Christmas stocking will overflow with your most favorite treats and goodies of all kinds! Love and hugs to you from all of your many fans, and extra hugs included for your adorable Mom and Dad, too! xxxxooo
Carole #42 Wisconsin
So sorry to hear about Chocolate Candy RIP.
All, Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years, especially when we can look forward to two new foals in March.
Love to Zenyatta and TT and their babies in waiting, kisses on your soft nose. XOXO
Eveline / Maryland.
Very interesting article about war-horses. Don’t forget to watch the video’s. http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/12/142.shtml I have not had a change to catch up with all the comments, hopefully soon. I’m sure I missed quite a few poems by Trina.
Rachael
Merry Christmas Zenny!!!!! You’ll always be in my heart and mind, I still watch your races constantly; they never stop giving me goosebumps! Can’t wait for Spring of 2012!! Love you Zenny!!!
Jeanie
CALLING ALL Z’ISTERS
MARLENE DODGE JUST PUT OUT A CALL FOR ACTION ON THREE ADORABLE HORSES SET TO GO TO A CANADIAN SLAUGHTERHOUSE ON DEC. 28. YOU CAN SEE THESE THREE AT http://WWW.VALLEYVIEWRANCHEQUINERESCUE.WEBS.COM. WE NEED $1,875 TO RESCUE ALL THREE. PLEASE GO TO THE VALLEY VIEW WEBSITE TO DONATE! I WOULD SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS, BUT NOT FOR THESE THREE IF WE CAN’T HELP THEM. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. YOU ARE THE VERY BEST!
YOUR HUMBLE J
Linda M
Susan G & Susan Frederick – thank you for your kind notes and wishes!
Paula Higgins
Sophie is probably the most well behaved dog I have ever seen who wasn’t professionally trained. She always sits still for her pictures, something my Ralph wouldn’t do for love or money. She has the sweetest little face. A little love bug. Wishing Sophie Shirreffs and Stella and Violet Moss a very Merry Christmas! I hope all of Barn 55, John and Dottie, and Ann and Jerry have a wonderful holiday season. Wishing our big girl a happy and healthy year ahead. I am very sorry to heear about Chocolate Candy. A horrible accident. My sincere sympathies to his connections as well. May all the bloggers on this site have a happy and blessed holiday and healthy new year.
Brigid Matthews
On TVG last night, I watched the 2010 Vanity. Zenyatta was ELECTRIFYING from pre-saddle to winner’s circle. I had forgotten how it was. What a class act! And her family, too. Thanks again for continuing to share her.