Good Morning,
Thank you so much for the kind comments about yesterday’s Diary. It was very special for me to write my thoughts on behalf of Marjorie and Abigail and the friendship they shared.
I had a bit of ‘video’ time posted for you yesterday. If you click on the FACEBOOK symbol located in the right-hand corner of my home web-page…it will take you to my FACEBOOK page. Then click on WALL and my video will be there.
Enjoy! Click on this FACEBOOK symbol often. We try to post things here for you to see and read as well!
ALSO…YIPPEE and CONGRATULATIONS to WRIGHT THOMPSON! It was announced yesterday that he won the 2010 Media Eclipse Award for Writing in the Feature/Commentary category for “THE LEGEND OF ZENYATTA”…which appeared on espn.com October 10th. Wright spent several days with us at the barn before doing the article. He was ‘one of the guys’…following John all day during training etc., jumping in the car with Michelle to go to Costco to buy my Guinness, helping with tasks around the barn, running for Starbucks with the staff after training hours…and just being one of us! He is a great guy and we are so proud and happy for him! This is a wonderful professional achievement!
You may find the article on line…http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/eticket/story?page=101104/Zenyatta
(Too cute, Wright emailed Dottie a few weeks ago…and he reads my Diary every day! He really gave me ‘several pats on the back’ for my writing skills. As he is a professional writer…this really made my day!)
In the I WANT TO GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY DEPARTMENT…this morning I wanted to share with you a photo JOHN took of my dear family member, SOPHIE! As you may know, SOPHIE is one of my very special friends. I’ve known her since she was a few weeks old and weighed 1.8 pounds. (John teased her then that she looked like a snowball in his hands.) Now she is a ‘big girl’…all 10 pounds of her!
As you know it has been raining quite a bit in CA for the last several days and it is very muddy and wet there. Well, our adorable SOPHIE wanted to go to Santa Anita and play! Often John and Dottie will take her walking there and she loves to go in the mornings with Dottie during workouts etc. Well, in the rain yesterday, she had to stay home. I know her so well after all of these years and feel like I can read the expression on her face. She is thinking…Hmmm, you guys, Zenyatta is out playing in the snow and having a GREAT TIME with P.Q. and I am inside…waiting for the rain to stop! Boo-hoo!
Dearest Sophie, I’m hearing the sun is out this morning in Arcadia…so you will be out playing soon. Great to see a photo of you again and touch base! Miss you!
I’m sending you and all my friends a big HUG! We’ll keep in touch!
Enjoy your day!
With Love,
Z
Gloria
I had to laugh at the “writing skills” comment coming from a professional writer. The Queen can do it all! I read the Wright Thompson article about a month ago and loved it, including the pictures and video! Congrats, indeed. Good stuff and loved the comments he got from Ann Moss about possibly keeping you here in California! Seems Mr. Moss wasn’t having any of it! :-) Well, I give her credit for trying. Sophie is sooooooo cute! I want to see her at Santa Anita some time. Aww. Well, Big Mama Z, I hope you continue to do well and you’re happy. I want to see the dapples on you forever! Lots of love, always!! XOXO
Toi
Hi Zenny!
In Japanese, Sofie is so kawaii! That mean’s super cute! I’m glad we got an update on her, because my two favorite things in the world are poodles and horses. Have a Happy New Year!
Rita Stack
You are so beautiful Sophie, I understand how you feel about the rainy days. I grew up in Ireland and it was like that most of the year. my dog Brad was feeling as you did but he got to go to the park today and had great fun. Z you are so thoughtful of all your friends, a true inspiration.
max
Videos on your Facebook are excellent. It is a pleasure to watch them.
You are beautiful in very way possible.
Paula Higgins
Sophie Sherriffs is absolutely adorable!! What a lovebug she is. I have a miniature schnauzer, Ralphy, who is the center of our world. I suspect Sophie is the center of the Sherriff’s household too. I am impressed with how clean she is. White fur balls are hard to keep clean/perfectly white.
Thank you for posting the Facebook link. Just wonderful. Wright Thompson’s article was phenomenal. I have it in my “saved” files.
Debbie
love you Z!!! I’m still crying -love hearing daily from you, it helps so much!! xo
Sarah Powell
Thanks for the link for the espn article – I’ve started printing them so I can read and reread! I think Sophie is really wishing she could see her friend,
Lady Z!! John really needs to get going on a “coffee table” picture book of
Queen Z from foal to Momma Mare!!
Sue Fredrick
Zenny, what a cutie, I myself have two cocker spaniels which are the loves of my life. Dogs are so loyal and we all know what “dog” is spelled backward. Well I’m so happy for Charles and you on the award, but maybe next year He can try for Shirtless Horseman of the year, Ha Ha. I have managed to find out more info on Eblouisante (Vertigineau and Bernardini) and I’m happy to say she will go to John’s for training, and Mr. Kronfeld (Maverick Productions) said he sold her privately. I hope it’s the Mosses !! At least we will have a new Zen relative to watch until your baby comes. I have been watching the old AP Indy Youtubes and anyone who isn’t familiar with his accomplishments should watch them. I sure hope he will be the first daddy as he is 21 now and we don’t know how long he will still be potent. Thanks Dottie and John for your postings, I sure would be honored to meet you someday, and will watch your horses and root for them. Luv
Mary Stanford
Sophie is so cute… and you Z you are so beautiful….I am sure the two of you have brought so much fund and joy to Barn 55.
Love your post….and yes tell Dottie she is a great writer with the way she helps you get the perfect words out. :)
Love you Z……
kristen
Zenyatta,
Can you tell us about your sleeping habits?
Thanks!
vicky
I believe Sophie is a Toy Poodle. This video ‘How to Teach an Impossible Trick’ is of my Toy poodle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htnfSWHFQ68
I have quite a few of him working, and also of foster dogs that I work with. I hope this is enjoyable to people.
Thank you so much for keeping this diary going. It is appreciated
Ann Maree
Hi, Z-girl, I’m so glad you all wrote about Wright Thompson receiving the Media Eclipse Award for the ESPN piece that he did about you prior to the BCC. I was very moved by it when I first read it and I posted the link in various venues, including at my blog. Can’t wait to go back and read it again…truly a fine piece of investigative sport journalism. I even wrote him a note and thanked him at the time.
More on Abigail Anderson…I posted her article on my Facebook page and got a lot of feedback from many fans of yours who were so moved by all that she had to say about your ancestors, and her comments about you. She is truly a very special and talented lady…sure hope we get to hear more from her.
Love Sophie! She is a real sweetheart, for sure! I have a rescue 4-legged friend. Her name is Lady. She’s part Jack Russell terrier and part beagle, and has been my friend for 7 years.
Take care, Z. Hugs! Your friend, Ann Maree
Jan
Zenyatta,
Thank you John and Dottie for the picture of your sweetie-pie Sophie, John, you sure do have some good looking gals there.. Z. keep the video’s and pic’s coming. Wishing all your CA & KY famlie’s a Happy and prosperous New Year.
Judy Sims
Hi Zenny:
Sophie is so adorable. Thanks for posting the picture. John takes good pictures and Dottie writes so well. They should write a “Picture Book” about you and the other wonderful animals that are in their lives. You, of course, would be the “lead” character!
I had found Wright Thompson’s article awhile ago and made a copy for my “Zenyatta Album” I have been putting together for months. He certainly deserves the Eclipse award. Fabulous piece of writing. Of all the articles that have been written about you and your team his is the best. You truly are a living legend. Ordered a “Z” hat from the Merchandise section of your website today and got an email already saying it has been shipped. Can hardly wait to get it. Hope you and P.Q. had another fine day together.
Hugs & nose kisses.
Judy 8-)
Debbie
Sophie you are too cute! Good thing you are not with Zenyatta now or you might get lost in the snow. Maybe you can visit in the spring. Hope we all get to visit her also!! Thanks for all of the updates and congrats to Zenyatta and Charles for their awards, hope to be congratulating Zenyatta soon for HOTY!! Have a happy and safe 2011!
PJJ
I believe Sophie is a Bichon Frise.
Patti and Don
THE ADORABLE, LOVABLE, CHARMING SOPHIE SHIRREFFS IS TRULY A VERY SPECIAL GIRL. IMAGINE BEING YOUR DEAR FRIEND, QUEEN Z, AND HAVING DOTTIE TAKE YOU TO WORKOUTS IN THE MORNING. THAT SOUNDS LIKE QUITE THE “DOG’S LIFE” TO US.
LOVED THE VIDEO. GUINNESS, CANDY CANES AND ALL THOSE OTHER GOODIES. YOU TRULY MUST HAVE BEEN A VERY GOOD GIRL THIS LAST YEAR. SANTA AND YOUR FANS SO APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE GIVEN TO THE RACING WORLD.
HOTY IS THE ECLIPSE AWARD WITH YOUR NAME ON IT.
BY THE WAY, TELL SOPHIE HER AUNT PATTI MISSES HER. HANA IS EATING ALL SOPHIE’S DOGGIE TREATS.
GIVE PQ A CUDDLY NUZZLE FOR US.
HAPPY NEW YEAR :)
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
I absolutely enjoy coming here everyday to read your diary Zenyatta. It is like getting my daily dose of love. Thankyou for continuing to share your life with us-it would be a lonely world without hearing about and seeing you. You have been a large part of my life for the past three and a half yrs or so. Hope that you will always have a diary and facebook page for us all to visit. Want to thank Dottie for helping you out with all the writing you do Zenyatta. Dottie is just fantastic, she is a real gem.
Take care and be happy Zenyatta!
Love & Blessings
Cathleen
So adorable. Zenny, I bet you miss Sophie! I watched your video on Facebook and you sure love the camera. As PQ wanders away you walk right up to the camera and stick your face in it so we can get a good look at ya. John trained you well! LOL! Any special plans for New Year’s Eve? XOXO
Megan
Thanks for this post.Good to know how to get directly to the videos.So very generous of you to share your daily life with us.I’m sure you miss Sophie,she is very cute,just like you.Have a great day too.Love you Zenyatta.
Peggy
Happy New Year ZenYatta. Please tell Dotty, john, Ann, Jerry Thank You so very much for this diary and the updates on you. I just have to say this is just so wonderful to the contrast on how Rachel Alexandra’s connections have handled her. I read somewhere that one man said it was as if Rachel had dropped off the planet. I did by accident,(or devine intervention) get to see Rachel for a few minutes last fall. On a tour of the backside at churchill Downs we asked if we could see Rachel if she was there, she had just ended her 2009 race year and was indeed back at her churchill barn. We were told though, that we would not get to see her. As we neared Steve Asmussens barn, we did immediately see her beautiful face, yep, she was being walked in the barn area by I assume her groom, the lady driving the van said we had all stumbled on some good luck that day. He walked her back around and let us see her from the van for just a few minutes. It was thrilling. I tell you this, because I got home and found out bad news that I had a cancerous tumor. Anyway, this year has been hard, but they got the tumor and I have had good news since, my tumor was small i finished my last reconstruction in september and guess what I saw you at the breeders cup,Zen it was so wonderful seeing you. Eash day of all our lives is so important (all of us) Thank your connections again so very much for sharing you with us, and I hope so hard maybe to get to see you again one day. Love Ya Peggy
Michelle
I love reading your posts every day. You are such a lucky girl to have such a loving family. I didn’t get to post it yesterday but I love that John put an angel in your bridle when you raced to keep you safe. He is a special man.
Linda / NJ
Hi Zenyatta: Yes, your friend Sophie is looking a little sad. Hopefully the sun will come out tomorrow, so she can go out and play. The video of you is great. I can see you still love the camera. That was so cute with you walking right up to it. Wow, the snow has almost melted in KY. I wish it would melt quicker here in NJ. Oh, I meant to tell you, I was really impressed with what a huge paddock/pasture you have to graze in. Thanks for reminding us about the Facebook Wall Tab. I have never clicked on it until tonight. What a nice suprise. I enjoyed looking at all your photos, especially the one of your Mom. You look just like her!!! Does your mom live at Lanes End too?
It seems you got a lot of candy canes. A nice treat before bedtime. Do you lie down in your stall at night and go to sleep? Take care, Love, Linda
Vicki B.
It was great reading Abigail’s piece, and several others by Steve Haskin at BloodHorse. They were wonderful. I also found 6-8 others weighing in on the HOY, and the great variety of all their arguments surprised me. At least one guy spoke of the undeniability of the regional, friends, & associates bias that affects him, altho others try to imagine it does not play a part. That was good to see in print, too.
Jess
i am glad Sophie is doing well Zenny. I know you must miss her terribly. Maybe she’ll come along for a visit to see you when John and Dottie fly down to see you in Kentucky. I will certainly see you soon in the good o’l Bluegrass region!! Love your fan,
Jess
NorCalFan#1
Yes, we hope the rain stops soon for Sophie! She is so adorable. One of my favorite videos of you, Z, has a bit of Sophie in the cutest little red sailor “dress” I’ve ever seen! In fact, your whole family’s in this one–at Del Mar for your 18th consecutive win! You looked awesome!! Enjoy everyone!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vNAyhDi8Ic&feature=fvsr
Ensign
Regarding Dynaformer & Zenyatta,
Dynaformer does not breed maiden mares. The reason is more about ‘sexual compability’ and a maiden mare to put it quaintly. Dynaformer is a LARGE stallion… It’s nothing to do with the potential size of a foal the mare might have.
There have been studies done that prove that the mare’s body determines the foal’s birth size. Shetland ponies have been bred to draft horses & successfully delivered the foals. They just grow very quickly once out. There should be no real concern about Zenyatta and the size of the stallion she’s bred to. If it is AP Indy, he’s not that tall anyhow….just WIDE and FAT LOL.
Lisa T
Awww little Sophie is adorable, I be she misses you terribly. Thanks for the link to the article, looking forward to reading it. Hope you had a great day Zenyatta and thanks for staying in touch….we all look forward to your posts, videos and pictures. YOU ARE LOVED BY ALL ZENYATTA!!! :)
Cathy P
Hello Zenyatta, yes Sophie is quite the little cutie isn’t she. I bet she misses you a lot. Maybe you could ask John and Dottie before they come see you next time to bring Sophie with them, I know that Southwest Airlines lets small dogs on the plane for only $75.00, and I’m sure they would bring her if you asked them. I hope you have a great day Zeny. Love you and big hugs to you.
Martha Lydick
Zenyatta is truly a lucky horse to have found the perfect family. I hate to think what might have happened if other “great” trainers had gotten her.