Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #413

Hmmmm! What's happening today? Photo from John Shirreffs' files

Happy Friday!

I sincerely hope the first week of 2012 has been a very good one for you, your friends and families! The NEW YEAR here at Lane’s End is off to a wonderful beginning. The weather in Lexington has really been rather pleasant. So far, it has been a much more mild winter than I experienced last year when arriving at my new home.

Dottie was teasing David this morning and asking…”What happened to the 7 degrees we were in last December?” It has not been anything like that to date. I must say TASTY and I are enjoying all of our time outdoors. It has rained a bit and that is terrific! The rain has provided ME with several fun opportunities to ‘roll and play in the mud’. Fortunately, Matt takes such great care of ME that I was ‘bathed and polished’ afterwards! He is such a GREAT SPORT! I am truly one fortunate horse to have so much personal attention!

Many of you are already keeping track of the time until MY BIG EVENT happens. Since it is so new to ME…and this is the first time I am experiencing all of the life changes with becoming a MOM…I am going day by day, taking great care of myself, eating right, and enjoying every moment!

We do have something very special to share with you today. Last November, when the video feed was being organized for my ZENYATTA BREEDERS’ CUP PARTY, I was able to meet MY PLUSHIE for the very first time. This PLUSHIE was created especially of ME for ME! I was able to see it… play with it… and ‘check it out’. What a thrill! I must say (BLUSH, BLUSH), I think they did an absolutely fabulous job capturing ME and ALL of my features! Purchase one here.

CAN YOU IMAGINE ME and A BABY ME?

The thought of having someone to nurture and care for is truly something to appreciate and look forward to in each of the coming months!

With Love,
Hugs to All~(Have a fabulous weekend…and enjoy all of the good racing around the country!)
Z

Reader Interactions

440 Comments

  3. / Reply

    As someone who peddled plush, i.e. – owned a teddy bear store – for many years I have to say this is the most adorable equine plush item I have seen! It is too cute and of course I will have to order one to join the hug of teddy bears that crowd my house, along with the Breyer horses – lol! Yes, I am a collector, but I haven’t been featured on that hoarders show yet – ack! Thank you so much for sharing the beautiful photo from John’s files and for sharing the video as well. My heart is lifted once again. Thank you.

  4. / Reply

    I love the Plushie. I do believe I will have to get one!! This is a sweet video. Thank
    you for putting it on the site for us. I wish everyone a Great Weekend! HUGS TO ALL

  6. / Reply

    @all — am I the only one who, after pressing the start button, fully expects that our Queen is going to begin speaking in English, and sound exactly the way Dottie writes? Z is so sweet in this…she’s simply the best and so beautiful….I am in love all over again….
    Annie B in MA

  7. / Reply

    Can’t wait to order plush Zenny x 2 from home. You know, I love my Bronzatta, but I have been waiting and hoping for a plush/stuffed Zenyatta for a long time, because it’s soft when you hug it. The cat’s meow!

    • / Reply

      Thankyou for Barbara’s Post, she’s so talented.
      It was sad to see some of my favourite horses had passed away.
      So sorry about her mom too!
      Time is fleeting…

    • / Reply

      Doreen in CT – Thank you for the link to Barbara Livington’s memoriam to those we have lost in 2011. The pictures were breathtaking. Condolences go out to Barbara on the passing of her mother. Being so close to my own mother, our time together is a blessed gift.

    • / Reply

      Dear Doreen in Ct.,
      Thank you for the BL Blog on horses that passed over the Rainbow Bridge in 2011. Love her work. RIP to all of the Sweeties. Hugs, JB

  11. / Reply

    Absolutely love the pic of you Zenyatta and the video of you checking out your new plushie is so cute. It looks as if you approve of it indeed. It is absolutely adorable.
    Glad that the weather there where you live is still enjoyably pleasant, and yes, it is so much warmer this year than it was last yr at this time.
    Wishing you and tasty the best this weekend, you both have a fun time frolicking in and around the paddock.
    Sending my Love & Blessings to you

  12. / Reply

    @OH ZENNY! You’ve done it again! Straight to my heart (and wallet) with something totally irresistable! I can’t wait for my Z & Baby Z Plushies to arrive! Now I need to figure out where to put them so my real furries can’t get to them!
    @All: Have a great weekend. I’ll be posting more from home.
    diastu in tempe

  13. / Reply

    Dearest Zenyatta,

    I’m glad to hear that you’re having mild and enjoyable weather. It’s very warm here in south Texas, so warm, in fact that our horses spend most of the time in the shade. We are still in a critical drought here in our area, so please send up a prayer for rain for us. There’s very little hay to be found, especially horse quality hay. That blue grass that you get to graze upon looks so lush and lovely. I’m so glad that you have such a wonderful

    Have a nice weekend with Tasty and all your Lane’s End pals.
    Love and kisses,
    Stel

  14. / Reply

    What a beautiful photo of the overseer of Lanes End Farm. She is magnificent and of course, intriguing. This picture reminds me of something I have wondered about. Zenyatta’s halter seems to fit very loosely while Tasty T’s halter is snugger to her face. Does anyone know if there is a reason for loose or snug or is it just a preference? I admit to being a worrier and I wonder if there is any danger of Zenny getting caught on something with her halter, like when she’s standing in the trees.

    I also love the video. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen her moving around. Sarah really has to stretch up there to pet Zenyatta on the neck. A roll in the mud. Now that would be a video to see, too.

    Tonight my other animal interest starts back up. Professional Bull Riding begins the season in Madison Square Garden. There have been bull riding events going on, but the top forty riders participate in the Ford Built Tough Series that’s televised on the weekends.

    Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Especially hope all horses and riders have safe races.

    • / Reply

      It is very strange to me that all TB on breeding
      Farms were haltars for the reason you are stating.
      However, I think they do so they are easier to catch
      Should there be a storm or something. The halter both
      Zenny and Tasty have on are leather so the will break
      At the various connections should they catch themselves.
      The benefit out weights the risk I guess.

      • / Reply

        Thank you for the reply. It’s good to know the halters would break if the horses were caught on something. Don’t have to worry so much now. And I guess the folks do need to have a way to catch the horses in a hurry if need be.

      • / Reply

        Dear Signofthetimes and Marty R:
        Interesting info about the halters. Do you think the necessity for the Foal Tags might also have something to do with their wearing halters? The Tag is on the left side of Z’s halter. I guess TT has one too. Hugs, JB

        • That thought had crossed my mind, too, but ???? I’m clueless about that. I do know the foal tag went on Zenny’s halter pretty fast. It was already there when she was let loose out in her paddock. She and Bernie hadn’t even met yet. tee hee
          Judy, it’s good to see you posting more often. I hope that means Russ is improving.

  17. / Reply

    Oh my goodness…where have I been! The site has changed…I love it! This video is adorable. Her ears make me smile. How lucky they all are at Lanes End to see her every day.

    Have a lovely evening. Thank you so much, Dottie, for all that you do.

  18. / Reply

    Your plushie is very cute but it is 2nd best to getting to stroke your silky neck when I was privileged to meet you at Churchill Downs!

    • / Reply

      Thanks for posting this link; Bernie’s daughter wins in his style.
      Seems like his sons do better than daughters; looks like that
      is turning around.

    • / Reply

      Dear Abigail:
      Congrats to Bernie’s Daughter, Gamilati. Thanks for posting the info. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Abigail, thank you for sharing this remarkable young lady with us!!! “Bunny” writes beautifully. The stories and pictures on her site are amazing. I read not only the piece on Pepper’s Pride but several of her other posts as well. Horse racing certainly needs wonderful young people like Becca to become a part of it. I loved reading about her visit with Pepper’s Pride. I visit Taylor Made each time I am in Lexington, the farm is amazing and everyone there is so welcoming of thoroughbred fans. When I was there in July we went up to see the broodmares. Unfortunately, PP’s filly was having an off day and they did not want to stress her. Getting to see her pictures and reading the story that Becca wrote was the next best thing. I normally do not post to other sites at all, but I tried to leave a message for her. It would not take it without a blog account, which I do not have. I hope that maybe she will join us here at Zenyatta’s site. She would be a wonderful addition to the Z-sters.

    • / Reply

      Thank you for the link to Bunny’s blog! She seems to be a talented young writer and as you said, the future of the sport. There is another young blogger that I follow, Mary Cage, who writes Past The Grandstand on the blogger web-site. Wonderful to see these young girls have such a cool way to express their love for the horses! I think I need some new glasses with all this reading – lol!

      • / Reply

        Celeste in TX – I follow Past The Grandstand also and always look forward to her posts here. Mary is great!!! It is fantastic to have such talented young ladies writing about the horses and the sport of racing. They give us some wonderful insite.

    • / Reply

      Thank you for the link to Bits n Bunny. What a good little writer she is! It’s good to know that there are young people like her out there. You’re right, Abigail, her and others like her are the future of our sport.

  23. / Reply

    @ Barbara Wood – I read Horse and Man almost on a daily basis and truly admire her blog. I was thrilled to see their goal had been met for this big boy in need of care and I want to believe they can get his best friend from the uncaring person that keeps him. I have never used Pay Pal so I went right to the website of the Rescue Group. So happy he will never be neglected again. I encourage more of you to enjoy the HorseandMan blog. She has lots of good info too.

    In a perfect world all horses could be loved and cared for as much as you Zenyatta, but at least we can get the word out to others in need. Thank you Dottie for allowing us this forum to pass on information of those needing our assistance.

    I would love a lesson in how to find Cigar on the Kentucky Horse Park web cam. I went to the Web Cam but could not find Cigar listed. Any tips? What am I missing?

    Zenyatta and Tasty have a wonderful weekend and hope the weather continues to be mild. California has lots of sunshine and big waves in San Diego County west facing beaches. Brrrrrr water temperature though!

    Must go back and catch up on some posts. Re watched your Lady’s Secret race and Lisa’s song. Always uplifting.

  24. / Reply

    LOVE this plushie and oh, the video was wonderful! I can’t wait to have my own mini Z and mini Baby Z at my home–give me someone to cuddle when my cat is being aloof. LOL

      • / Reply

        I think it must be. But Mike’s FB page has no mention of Champagne de Oro, and I found no search links that clarify – they all say “Mike Smith”, but none say “jockey Mike Smith”. There is an Irish trainer always named “Michael Smith”, and a “Mike Smith” who is an owner of three horse centers teaching riding in Maryland, but those seem unlikely Cd’O owners. so I give up.

        • The jockey, “Mikey”‘s legel name is Michael E. Smith. I see him at the track and say hello often… I could ask him if this is HIM :-D

        • @signofthetimes, yes, I also thought we might have to ask him. I live close enough, but JAG gets to the track way more than I do, so Judy if you get a chance, please do. Thanks.

  26. / Reply

    Zenny, your plushie is just TOO CUTE! I’m going to have to wait to order one because I just had to buy a new camera lens. The lens I’ve been using since the 1993 Breeders’ Cup has finally given up the ghost … I’ll be sad to see it go, because it’s the lens I took so many photos of YOU with.

  27. / Reply

    O.k. I’ll admit it. I just ordered a children’s toy for myself. My 25 year old nephew, who was sitting next to me as I did it, is laughing his head off. I don’t care. I had to have Zenny’s plushie, especially after seeing that video. Absolutely hilarious. She looks simply beautiful as always and very happy eating her carrots and sniffing her plushie. Thanks JAG for the Bloodhorse list. Zenny had better be at the top or they would be hearing from us.

  28. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta you are so smart honey. What an AWESOME video. I bought one. I love that it is your Plushie. I am excited it will be signed too. Oh my you are all over my house. I will take it to school to show the children. I love you so sweet girl. Hugs and Kisses, Shari XXXOOO
    @ Dawn Larry is better. Now I have to calm down :)

    • / Reply

      I was going to send you and e-mail that said, “THE PLUSHIE’S ARE HERE, THE PLUSHIE’S ARE HERE”!!! I ordered one too. How fun!! I am so happy to hear that Larry is feeling better. Yes, we don’t want you to get sick too, take deep breaths and think soothing Z thoughts.

  29. / Reply

    Hi Zenyatta. Just love the video of you eating your carrots and viewing your plushie. I just love it and will have to get one!! I would just love to see video of you rolling in the mud. You are something, just beautiful. You sure do pick up my spirits every day. Will be going to Lone Star for a great day of racing tomorrow. Love you big girl. Stay toasty with Tasty, I know you are eating well and having loads of fun. Love you, Angel.

  30. / Reply

    Dear Zenny,
    Oh my !!! How very beautiful and something that everyone can purchase.
    And a baby Z, even if the real Z/B foal does not look like you, it will be such
    a precious gift to have. Nina was talking about making a bronze foal to go
    with your Zenyatta bronze. If that happens, we will all be in envy of “measurement
    day”. How very thoughtful of your Team to have this made. Those who “foal sit”
    will have to spend some time with Mario learning to speak “horse”.
    Hope you had a great friday. Sweet dreams of “foals jumping in your head”
    XXXXXOOOO

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