Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #427

Mrs. Penny Chenery, her daughter, Kate, and Chris McCarron at the February 5, 2011 Vox Populi Celebration held at Santa Anita Park! Photo by John Shirreffs

HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY, MRS. CHENERY!

Good Morning,

What a lovely way to start the day…wishing Mrs. Penny Chenery ALL THE VERY BEST on her 90th BIRTHDAY! From my entire TEAM and all of BARN 55, we would like to send her the warmest wishes and a big HIGH HOOF on her special day!

I was very blessed to meet Mrs. Chenery when she came to Hollywood Park in October, 2010. She was there to present the Trophy for the Ladies’ Secret–G1. For this meet, Oak Tree was held at Hollywood Park. In this race, I was competing to remain undefeated and for my 19th victory in a row. It was quite a day! Mrs. Chenery wanted to come and see ME in the paddock and be there for the event. She commented to the press that “SHE WANTED TO SEE ME DANCE”! She later told them, “I WAS IN HER PRESENCE AND SHE WAS IN COMPLETE COMMAND”. (Blush, Blush)

When I WON…the fans went WILD! This victory now highlighted my career record at 19-0! I remember these moments…all of them…so vividly. During the Winners’ Circle ceremonies, Mrs. Chenery was absolutely lovely. She posed for countless photos and joined in many interviews with THE MOSS’ and MY JOHN. Her comments about ME, my racing career, and my impact on the sport were glowing!

Can you imagine how PROUD I felt! These gracious remarks about ME coming from the woman who bred, raised, and raced the CHAMPION, SECRETARIAT! What a complete honor!

During the next several months, Mrs. Chenery created the Vox Populi Award to honor the HORSE in our industry who did so much during the year to captivate the fans! She personally selected ME to be the first honoree. This season, a committee of professionals in our industry along with the fans voting determined the winner. Rapid Redux was honored and presented with this year’s AWARD!

For all of your years of total devotion and dedication to our SPORT, the Thoroughbred Industry, and the entire breed of THROUGHBRED HORSES, Mrs. Chenry, we truly want to THANK YOU, HONOR YOU, and WISH YOU GREAT JOY on your special DAY! From the bottom of our hearts and souls…WE ADORE YOU!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

With Love,
Hugs to All~(Happy Weekend Everyone! Enjoy RACING!)
Z

Reader Interactions

497 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Happy Birthday, Ms. Chenery. Not only did you do so much for racing but for women in general. It wasn’t so easy for women in the 70’s but your example inspired so many women to take a more active stance in moving through their lives. I know it did me. Never quit was your message and not only were you Secretariet’s voice but you were the voice for so many women. You are a wonderful person and have stayed true to your core beliefs no matter what. Thank you for that!

  2. / Reply

    A very Happy Birthday to Mrs. Chenery! She is one special lady who knew what potential Secretariat had and went on to achieve…. She knows how special you are to – not many achieve what you have!
    Enjoy your weekend with Tasty!

  3. / Reply

    Wishing Penny Chenery the best birthday ever! And Zenyatta, you are the sweetest and most considerate horse-you and your team are truly the best! Sending my Love & Blessings to you! Hope you have a fantastic weekend and that you enjoy yourself!

  5. / Reply

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mrs. Chenery! I am very new to racing and TBs so I can’t say I remember many important past aspects. However, I think nearly EVERYONE has heard of Secretariat, and I recently saw the movie – loved it! Thank you for all you have done for the sport and best wishes for a great day and a great year!

    Have a good weekend Zenny! (and TT too). The great day is getting closer and closer, and we are all on pins and needles. As someone said previously, “foal watch” among your fans has been going on for a long time – just switching into “high gear” now!
    Love from your Ohio friend, Sandy

  6. / Reply

    Hello Beautiful Girl,
    I see you are getting a little chunky around the belly area. I can’t wait for you to have your baby. I know that your baby will be as Beautiful as you are. I sure hope u have a little filly that looks just like you Zenyatta. But know matter what you have it will be Beautiful like its Mother. God Bless You Zenyatta. I love you beautiful girl. Know matter what you have God will Bless You With A Healthy Foal. Have A Wonderful Blessed Day Beautiful Girl. I Love You Zenyatta.

  7. / Reply

    Dear Z, TT and Z Fans:

    Happy Friday to you. Happy 90th Birthday to Mrs. Chenery. She truly is a symbol of Girl Power in a time when women were facing the challenge of equality in many fields. She certain was The leader for women in the racing industry. Admire and respect her very much. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ

  8. / Reply

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PENNY CHENERY! AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EBLOUISSANTE!

    Oh, how we remember that 2010 Lady’s Secret! We invited 25 good friends to join us in the Hollywood Park Turf Club to see the GREAT ZENYATTA run her last race in California. Some were fans, while others had never seen her run. But all knew her story — they heard regular accounts of her races and our visits to Barn 55. All were overwhelmed by her presence and performance that day. Indeed, the fans did go wild! The grandstand shook like never before or since. An unforgettable experience.

  9. / Reply

    Happy birthday Ms Penny! I was only 5 when Secretariat won the triple crown so I dont remember it I have seen countless replays of it and now the movie! Ive quite a few times! LOVE AND RESPECT FOR YOU!!! My two favorite horses RED AND THE QUEEN! LOVE TO ALL! GOD BLESS YOU MS. PENNY!!!

  10. / Reply

    Happy Birthday to Mrs. Chenery…….oh how I loved the movie…”Secretariat” …. I have seen it four times. I do not go to the movies that much but I did go to our awesome stadium seating theatre for “Secretariat” and my son gave me the movie for my birthday. I get chills every time I watch it and we know what happens. He had that awe that you give us Z….but I will say……I think your awe is more……..but we will not tell I said that. I get chills every day when I read about you……you brought us thrills when racing…..I about had a heart attack many times in my living room watching you on TV here in Virginia….now I see a picture that say Sarah took and I still get a thrill….a chill. Hugs to you Z…..

  11. / Reply

    Hi Zenny, I wish Penny Chenery a very happy 90th Birthday. What a wonderful sweet lady she is. Today is also my Birthday and I am honored to be able to share my day with Penny Chenery. I was there to see you win your 19th race and it was so wonderful and I also had the oppertunity to shake Penny Chenery’s hand. That whole day was such a grand day for me when it comes to racing. Your career was so amazing all the way through and I thank you for all the thrills. I do miss those times and will never forget a moment of them and I do think about those days often. Keep well Zenny and I am sending you love and kisses.

    • / Reply

      A Birthday Poem for Irene Caty
      January 27, 2012
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      Dear Irene,
      How great that you were there
      To see
      The Queen
      Win race number nineteen,
      And wasn’t it grand
      That you got to shake the hand
      Of the marvelous Penny Chenery
      And see
      Her in the winner’s circle stand
      To award Z,
      That winningest mare,
      The Lady’s Secret trophy!
      And now we learn
      In turn
      That you and Mrs. Chenery share
      The same birthday!
      To you we say
      Hoof-rah and hoof-ray,
      We hope you had a fabulous day,
      And that many more will come your way!

  14. / Reply

    Happy, Happy Birthday Mrs. Chenery!!! You have been such a wonderful role model for all women to do what you believe in and are passionate about no matter what the obstacles. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for the thorobred industry. May you have a fabulous birthday and 90th year!

    And you too Zenny are a role model to achieving what you aspire to. Can’t wait for the baby Z!

    Love from Lexington,
    Suzie

  16. / Reply

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS. PENNY CHENERY! SENDING PEACE AND BLESSINGS YOUR
    WAY! :) THANKS FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE AND CONTINUE TO DO FOR THE HORSES.
    AND THANKS ZENNY AND DOTTIE FOR TODAY’S POST AND PIC.
    LOVE TO YOU AND TO ALL IN THE ZENYATTA NATION,
    KATHY from SoCal xoxo

  18. / Reply

    Happy Birthday Mrs. Chenery. What a blessing you have been to the racing world. What an inspiration! I watched Secretariat win the TC, and to this day his Belmont is awesome. Hope you have a wonderful day and many more!!!!

  19. / Reply

    Happy Birthday Mrs. Penny Chenery, what an amazing, gracious, smart women you are. You have done so much for this wonderful sport that we love so much. I dearly wish I could have seen Secretariat run. Thankyou for being such a great ambassador for this sport.

    Zenny , I hope these last few weeks aren’t too uncomfortable for you. You look absolutely lovely in your photos. Take care of yourself and the wee one. Best wishes to Tasty too!! and have a great w/e :)

  20. / Reply

    Happy Birthday Mrs Chenery!
    Wishing you the best always. Thank you for all you do for Secretariat’s fans.
    We love our Zenyatta and thank you for being there for her special race and for the Vox Populi Award.
    Hugs and Prayers to all

  21. / Reply

    Greetings Zenny, Tasty, Dottie, Baby Dumplings & Zen-sters!

    I must echo all of the above in wishing Ms. Chenery a very Happy 90th Birthday. I well remember Penny Chenery during the Secretariat years. She was always so patient, gracious and charming with the press and Secretariat fans. In a way, she is the ancestress of Team Z, since the Secretariat Team were universally welcoming in sharing Secretariat with those of us who adored him and wanted to know more! more! more! about him. It wasn’t really the same when he went to Claiborne, even though the folks there were equally kind to the visitors who flocked to see him. But, then again, there was no telecommunications as we have today. Keeping in touch with Secretariat’s fans would have been impossible to do the way Team Z, Rachel’s owners & Stonestreet and others can do today.

    Then, when Big Red was so suddenly gone, Ms. Chenery came to the forefront again by opening secretariat.com, initially to help raise funds for a new Secretariat sculpt — now at Kentucky Horse Park for all to see. Then came the Maker’s Mark Secretariat Facility. Next came Vox Populi, honouring YOU, Ms. Zenyatta, in its debut year!

    You are an inspiration, Penny Chenery. A wonderful model for girls and women to emulate as well. You have always stood firmly on your principles and your passion for thoroughbreds and the sport is a beacon that just shines out.

    And Zenny, the OTHER thing that Ms. Chenery told Team Z was this: “I got the boy and you got the girl!” Of course, as in all things thoroughbred, SHE WAS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!

    Love you, darling girl.

  22. / Reply

    Happy Birthday Ms. Chenery!! I remember both her and Secretariat who was one of the first great loves of my life back in 1972 and 73. They took me on a trip I’ll never forget…Stay well Mr Queen…cannot wait for baby Zennie to come and as big as that baby bump is, I’m sure you can’t wait either. Love you always….

  23. / Reply

    Happy Birthday Mrs Penny Chenery , a champion of thoroughbred horse racing!! 90 years and looking wonderfull, God Bless you with many more.
    Thank you Zenny for letting us know of this milestone.
    Foal watch coming soon………..really exciting time….oooooh boy……can’t wait…..really looking forward…….gee whiz…..my husband thinks I’m losing my mind!!LOL!

  24. / Reply

    Happy Birthday Mrs. Chenery! I am fairly new to horse racing, and my very first “day at the races” was the day you presented Zenyatta with the Vox Populi award. I will always cherish meeting you briefly as you signed my poster, and felt that I was in the presense of someone truly exceptional and gracious. Thank you for all you have done for women and for women in racing….and thank you for making my first day at the races unforgettable!

    Happy Birthday to Eblouissante, too! Keep running like a girl, beautiful one!

  25. / Reply

    Happy Birthday to a very special lady! You have become a household topic of conversation as you are and have been my 11y/o daughter’s inspiration and role model. It makesmy husband and I so proud that she idolizes such a classy lady! May you have a wonderful birthday!!!

  26. / Reply

    CALLING ALL Z’ISTERS
    WE HAVE HELPED COMPLETE A SUCCESSFUL RESCUE OF THE 6 HORSES IN THE NEVADA FEEDLOT! WE HAVE CONTRIBUTED AGAIN TO SUCCESS OF HELPING ENDANGERED HORSES. MARLENE GAVE ME THE GOOD NEWS A SHORT TIME AGO. SHE SAID THE REMAINING AMOUNT CAME FROM A Z’ISTER IN CANADA, IRONICALLY WHERE THE HORSES WERE TO BE SENT TO SLAUGHTER. I DON’T WANT TO EMBARASS ANYONE BY MENTIONING A NAME, BUT YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    MARLENE WILL BE GOING TO PICK THEM UP THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK AND STOPPING BY SACRAMENTO WHERE I HOPE TO MEET UP WITH THEM AND TAKE PHOTOS OF OUR HERD TO SHARE. MAYBE THERE WILL BE A NEW NAMING OPPORTUNITY? WE HAD FUN WITH THAT THE LAST TIME!

    TAKE CARE EVERYONE — HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND WATCHING OUR BELOVED T-BREDS AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR BEING WHO YOU ARE — Z’ISTERS OF ZENYATTA!

    YOUR HUMBLE J

  27. / Reply

    “A special Happy Birthday to you Mrs. Chenery. I had the greeat privilege of being there when Secretariat won the Preakness and of course watched his other two victories on TV. What a remarkable horse and remarkable owner. Z you take it easy as well as Tasty and will eagerly awair the birth of your two babies.

  28. / Reply

    I have struggled with whether I should post this or not.
    Then, I had a talk with myself and said: “Wish I had known that before watching.”
    So, here goes. This is a spoiler alert about “Luck” the HBO show on racing.
    I did watch the show in preview around the holidays.

    It is well done on so many levels. It is about the track’s back area–all areas.
    It is about the fans–focus on handicappers & gamblers.
    It is about the owners and trainers and jockeys.
    The setting of Santa Anita is wonderful.
    For someone who has been to many tracks–Belmont, Aqueduct, Laurel, Hawthorne,
    Washington Park, Timonium, & Hialeah & Turf Paradise (probably left some out)–
    but not Santa Anita or Hollywood Park or Del Mar–this was the best racing travelogue.

    Now, to what my struggle with sharing is all about.
    There is a race scene in which a horse breaks down & is euthanized on the track.
    It is up close and personal.
    We all know this happens. We have watched this happen. And, it breaks our hearts.
    So, know that this scene is in the show.
    In what I have read in reviews, the show also has scenes where horses are injured by
    owners. To what extent this is part of the show I do not know.
    So, heads up.

    My solution is I will DVR the show from this point on so I can fast forward.
    Have a great weekend–I know Z, Tasty will.
    And, Dottie, John & Team–safe & winning rides!

    • / Reply

      Keta,I’m glad you posted about “Luck” and your qualms about the break down.When it first was shown,I was upset because I forgot to watch it, but after I read about that scene,I was happy to have missed it.I think it was totally unnecessary to have shown that scene ,even to the point of showing the needle with the green juice!!Even at the track when this happens,a screen is put up to spare us from seeing this !!!!! People are saying its a great show to help the racing game,I disagree,they seem to be showing all the bad parts ,such as the crooked gangster type things such as harming the horses for profit fixing the races,ecetera !!I have not seen the show and will not watch it,as I prefer to watch the positive things about racing not the negatives.Thanks again Keta for another thought provoking post !!

    • / Reply

      Thanks, Keta. I wondered if “Luck” was going to show the “seamy” and “real” sides of things graphically, as has become so much more popular in recent years with award-winning shows on cable-tv, causing me to increasingly give them a miss. I want to see “Luck”, but am unlikely to stick with anything that lingers with fascination on brutality. Forewarned, I can close my eyes, if need be.

    • / Reply

      Keta, thank you for your post, I think it will be a help to many. Steve and Lenny interviewed David Milch (the creator of LUCK) as part of their “And They’re Off” series on the BloodHorse. Lenny asked Mr. Milch a direct question about the breakdown. I don’t know if the link has been provided further down, but here it is for anyone who might to know alittle more about the show.

      http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/videos/watch/13E283B9-247E-4EF2-8F1D-D69163E162DB

      • / Reply

        Dawn, good post.
        I did go to the link and watch the interview with David Milch.
        It was well done & you can hear his passion for racing.
        The scene was not without compassion.
        But, when I watched the preview with no warning it was coming, it was jarring.
        Will I watch Luck? Yes, but not in real time. I will DVR it.
        That will give me control to fast forward over scenes I find disturbing.
        I will be interesting reading the Z posts afterwards.
        Have a good Sunday.

    • / Reply

      I watched the show as well and was very upset by that, they should not be showing that kind of thing. I don’t think I will be watching the series.
      Thanks!

  29. / Reply

    Happy birthday, Ms. Chenery!!!! I hope you have many more. Happy Friday to you, Z and baby Z, and to everyone reading this. Z, as far as i am concerned, you and Secretariat are the King and Queen of racing. It was only natural for you to get the first award :) Love you bunches!!

  30. / Reply

    good aftenoon queen Z :)

    “Ditto all the lovely sentiments for Mrs. Chenery on her 90th!”
    couldn’t have it any better.
    may god bless you richly penny chenery <3
    thx for being an inspiration to me.
    hugs/prayers to you. yoou're a wonderful woman

    high hooves to the rest of Z sis & TT too <3

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