Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #457

Here WE are! All of today’s photos…Courtesy of Mathea Kelley and Team Zenyatta

Dear Beloved Friends,

Wouldn’t you know those EARS anywhere? I love looking at THEM and every single part of MY adorable colt! This entire experience is very precious to ME and to my entire TEAM!

On this day, I wanted to share a few more of my favorite photos with YOU. After all, I think this fortunate foal is blessed to have the most GODPARENTS of anyone in history. I truly can’t THANK YOU enough for the way you have embraced both of US….ME for so many years….and now my ‘Dumpling’.

Many of you have asked about HIS NAME. At this time, my colt does not have an official name. Per the standard practice in our industry, he is referred to as “12 Zenyatta”. His halter tag reads this way indicating year born…and Mom’s name. I know Ann and Jerry so well and can only imagine how many countless hours they will spend discussing this to make sure he has the perfect name. I trust their judgment completely!

The most fun he and I’ve shared so far is when he ‘takes off’ to run in the paddock. Just like in MY RACING CAREER, I give him a head start (on purpose)…and then I catch him in a FLASH! This is one FUN GAME we play…and I’m loving every single stride.


I must say, having been a MOM now for a few days, I’m already applying some of the basics of MOM 101. (A HIGH HOOF to my Lane’s End pals for tutoring ME with some special GREAT MOM TIPS.) I’m really doing very well at ‘my new career’ and am rather proud of myself. (Blush, Blush)

My baby is by my side every moment….and I am loving it! We walk together, eat together, cuddle together, and learn together. I’m getting a daily education on all of the right things to do for him…and I’m hoping in return he is learning to be ONE FINE COLT from ME!


In life, things go FULL CIRCLE. I have gone from being a foal…to now having one of my very own to care for each day. In between these 2 stages of life, I have been incredibly blessed to achieve countless amazing accomplishments, a great deal of success in my profession, and to meet and share MY LIFE with some of the finest people one could ever hope to call her FRIENDS!

I do feel at this time, it is extremely important for ME to take some time off from my daily DIARY writing and allow myself the opportunity to BOND EVEN MORE to MY NEW FOAL and FOCUS on being his MOM. (I think in human terms, this is called a child-rearing leave!)

From the bottom of MY HEART, I want to THANK YOU for the joy, support, and love you have brought to ME over these past years. As I’m putting my “writing hooves on the shelf for a bit,” I also want to thank the countless people who have submitted photos (Sarah, you have been so kind) and written so many treasured responses in relation to the Diary entries.

Dottie and I wrote the very first Diary entry on November 1, 2010. We have cherished every single moment of sharing all of these experiences and memories with you….OUR DEAR and TREASURED FRIENDS!

Again, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING! I will think of you often during my time off…and I hope you will do the same of ME….especially when you see the letter “Z” or hear any of my favorite sayings as ….”Too cute…Blush, Blush…It’s ME…Wink, Wink, BARN 55, High Hoof and I’m a MOM.”

WHAT A RIDE WE’VE ALL SHARED!

Until next time…

With Love,
Hugs to All~ (I so mean this from the bottom of MY HEART!)
Z

I’d respectfully like to add a SPECIAL NOTE OF THANKS and a HUGE GROUP HUG to all of the people who have done so much to orchestrate and guide my racing career…and now my life as a broodmare. It is such a large and loving group which would include but not be limited to: all of my dear pals at BARN 55, LANE’S END, MY ANN and JERRY, MY JOHN, MY MIKIE, MARIO, FRANK, CHEVA, MICHELLE, DAWN, STEVE, and so many others!

Then, of course, I’d like to send a very special HIGH HOOF and one very BIG HUG to my writing partner, DOTTIE!

Reader Interactions

1,307 Comments

  1. What beautiful pictures. Big Z looks fantastic as does her colt. I miss seeing her race, but am hopeful that the little guy shows up in May 2015 – maybe for the Derby? Or maybe he’ll be a late bloomer like his mom. Life goes on, in wonderful ways.

  2. Zenny, I don’t know what else to do – BUT POST! For now my world has stopped ….

  4. Dear Zenyatta I can’t help crying. I am so going to miss this part of my life. I am so bonded to You and this Family. I don’t have much of a real family anymore and this is so hard for me.You have become so important in my life. I always looked so forward to the new diary even if i did not post. Oh my I love You and my Z Family just so much. I want to thank you for allowing me and the children to learn from you. We did learn so very very much. When I tell them tomorrow I know I will cry. Some of them will too. Today we played a game and some of the teams wanted to be called Baby Z. They love you and the baby. I have been so proud to be part of anything ZENYATTA. I also want to thank the special Z Family who sent me gifts and picked me up when I was down. You will never know how important your words have become in my life. You made me feel special. I will never stop using my precious race horses in my classroom, Thank you Mr and Mrs Moss, Dottie and that sweet Sarah. Sarah it was such an honor when I met you. You are all in my prayers every night. I so fell in love with Kentucky last summer. I could move there now. If any of my Z Family want to stay in touch my email is Titus8@yahoo.com. I love you Zenyatta FOREVER. HUGS AND KISSES, Shari XXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOO

  5. Oh, Ingrid, bless your heart. One thing you can be very sure of, or rather, two things: Zenyatta will never leave the Mosses, and her colt will never see the inside of a sale ring. She and he will be protected always. Hugs to you, and God bless. Ann Maree

  6. Thank you Zenyatta and Dottie for ALL the years of photos and up dates. I certainly am grateful to you and all. I will miss you, Zenyatta, and now your little son, too. You are always in my heart. I love you always. Blessings and joy to you and all. Thank you, again.

  7. Thank you DOTTIE for these wonderful posts this past year. I cannot
    truly express in words just how Zenyatta helped me in my life.
    Blessings to her owners, the wonderful staff at Lane’s End, you & your John
    all of team Z back at CA. I have tears in my eyes just now but my heart
    is full of gratitute for having the honor and privilege of being involved
    with the one and only QUEEN OF RACING .
    Much love always.

  8. Abigail, Abigail….remember last year you sent us a link on Man O’ War? Was it fate, what was it? You sent it when I was studying him. I loved it, I hope I told you so. Everyone probably knows I do not like the ‘silly’ names some racehorses have, not that Man O’ War is silly, but I just could not imagine why someone would name a horse with the word ‘War’ in it. Guess who felt really silly when I found out how and why this great horse is named Man O’ War, yea, ME. It was a wonderful story how he got his name. Yes, Abigail, is another I have learned so much from.

  9. Zenny and Team Z,

    Thanks for sharing so much. I hope you will give us a monthly update or so.

    He really does resemble you, Zenny; those long hind legs are going to give him an “unbelievable” stride.

  10. Oh my I am so bummed. I check your blog every day. However, being
    a mom and a grandmother I completely understand. I can already tell
    you are going to be a wonderful mother. Thank you and everyone that
    allowed all your adoring fans to share your journey. So take care of yourself
    and your colt. And a big thanks to your owners, trainer, and everyone
    at Lands End! I will never forget your beautiful dance <3
    Love always!

  11. like a long lost lover waiting for her return…we will wait for you zenyatta queen of the racing world! dont make us wait to long! you will be missed! take care of your lil one and you take care too! thanks dottie for the wonderful stories!

  12. My precious and darling Zen,

    Although we will miss you and your gorgeous and blessed Zendini, you must go and be a MOM…
    I thank you and your voice Dottie for keeping us in touch with you and your life; and I am sure you WILL be back when the time is right….

    Until then PRECIOUS, may God keep you and your little one safe….

  13. I would like to say I am going to miss you all! I am so sad about this and I am crying as I write this. Miss Z you have brought so much joy to my life and I am not sure if I would’ve been able to get past my dad’s passing and my horses passing without you. Those were the two roughest months of my life but you and everyone here made those days that I just felt like crying bearable and happy again. I would like to thank everyone on here for all of the laughs when I really needed them. I would also like to thank you all for the love and support that I have gotten on here. I feel as if we are one big family and I am so upset to know that I every day I will not be able to go on after a rough day at school and see all of you and smile. You are all my inspiration and I hope that when I am older I will be able to half as amazing as all of you. I love you Z so much! If I could talk to Dottie right now I would tell her how much the posts mean to me and I how much they make me smile and that from the bottom of my heart I thank her! Z has taught me so much about love and friendship and I will always remember that. Everyone on here has taught me something that I will never forget and I promise you I will never forget any of you. Here is a poem I have written in all of your memories.
    That first day
    Tears streamed down my face
    Where could I go?
    Who could help me?
    Then I opened my computer
    Staring at the illuminated screen
    I thought
    Zenyatta
    She will help me
    Slowly I typed
    My first ever post
    The post that changed my life
    From that post my strength gathered
    I now knew where to turn
    Every day as we lay in wait
    We aunties talked
    Chatter filled the site
    Love poured from each and every post
    Slowly I learned
    Even if you have been hurt
    There is love to go around
    No matter what it will find you
    Now it is time to say good bye
    One last post
    But many tears to follow
    I will miss the laughter that rung out
    The looks from my mom
    But most of all
    I will miss you all
    Closer and closer the time draws
    Pulling at me tugging
    Telling me to go
    But I want to hold on
    To that very first post

    All of you have inspired me and even though the time has come I will never forget those lessons. If I tried to thank you all individually it may take all night but I hope you all know that from the bottom of my heart you have changed my life. As one of my favorite songs says “Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better but because I knew you I have been changed for good.” (For Good from Wicked) Through thick and thin you have all been there for me and I thank all of you for that. I hope someday soon if we get more Diaries that I will be able to talk to you all again. I love you all so much and good bye for now. (Aka I will still be replying to people and stalking the site)
    THANK YOU ZENYATTA, DOTTIE, LE, THE MOSSES, JOHN,MIKE, MARIO, AND EVERYONE WHO WAS AFFILIATED WITH ZENNY!

    • Now here’s the biggest problem about ending this diary. Not only will we miss out on frequent news updates of Zenyatta and her colt, life at Barn 55 and everything else that Dottie writes about but we will miss out on beautiful posts like Sierra’s.

      Dang, Sierra, now you go tme crying again. What a beautiful and heartfelt poem.
      WHERE will I/WE go to find comfort from this incredible collection of people who have come to Zenyatta’s diary.

      I can’t help it but I am beside myself with sadness over this loss. It only exemplifies the power of bringing people together for a common interest.

      We’ve got to figure some way to keep us together.

    • Sierra~ What a beatiful post and an even more beautiful poem….We have all felt these things that you wrote about…..Zen Nation is a wonderful world that we will all miss….
      Love and HUGz to everyone….
      Zenyatta’s # 1 fan in Montana

    • SIERRA: I don’t know you at all really and I know I don’t post often, but you were one of the many people here who lifted me up when my dog, Buddy, died a few weeks ago. I always meant to tell you how much you remind me of my daughter and I have enjoyed your posts so much. I especially loved how hilarious you were the night baby Z was born, and right before and after. Zenyatta and all of you lifted me up in such a sad time. Like you, I don’t feel like I could have made it through that time without this place. Now all the heart break is coming back. Anyway, just wanted to tell you that. Thanks

    • Beautiful, beautiful poem, Sierra! I too was feeling despair, but Jerry and Ann have stated in the NEWS section that Zenyatta’s website will go on and we can still talk together here; and someday, Zen/Dottie will join in again. I BELIEVE!!! Bless you and all the wonderful people who post here!

      • I hope you are right, Trina. Let’s just hope that this is like Bobby stepping out of the shower on Dallas and finding out that the previous season was all a dream.

  14. Zenyatta and 12Zenyatta,
    Thank you for everything, all the updates concerning your life in racing to your first foal. So sorry we will not hear from you for a while, and I hope it is just for a while.
    Thank you to all Z’s connections and Dottie for being “the voice”. May be we could get updates once a month, with some pictures etc.
    Ann Maree really said it all in her post, she describes perfectly how we all feel about Zenyatta. I do hope we get info. on Tasty as we have grown to love her too.
    This is not a good -bye, just UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.
    LOVE YOU ZENYATTA and 12ZENYATTA. hust to you and tons of peppermint kisses on your soft noses. XOXOXOXOXOXOX

  15. My Dumplin’ Badge will be worn with pride at Reminton Park, The Mesquite Rodeo and Lone Star Park (if it would stay open long enough). Thank you for all the work you put into the badge, and the love you put in the badge. I love it so, I love being a Dumplin’.

    • We’ve never made it to Remington Park, but next time I go to LSP I will look for a Dumplings badge! :) It was so hot last year with the drought I didn’t get out there at all, but I’m hoping to this season.

    • I love Remington and Lone Star. Got to visit both when my daughter was living in Fort Worth. I must admit I did not see any dumpling tags.

  16. I am so sad to hear this. I looked forward to seeing the pictures of you and your baby.
    I hope that it isn’t long before we can hear the wonderful things going on in yours and your baby’s life. This last entry sounds so final like we will never hear from you again :-(

  17. I truly love you Zenyatta and will miss you very much. Thank you to all. Please take care of yourself and baby Z.

  18. Lisag I am in Dallas and would love to talk horses with you. That is how I have always felt. Thanks so much to everyone that has had so much input on Zenyatta’s site. I have truly enjoyed learning so much. Hugs to all….

    • @Jan, you are a miracle. People think Texas is horses/Cowboys…not in Dallas and you know what I mean. Fort Worth, yeah, but not Dallas. I live by the Mesquite Rodeo, and the cowboys and horses and bulls come to visit. My E-mail is lgstan7@att.net. I am going to post for @All when and if I can quit posting. Please let’s talk horses and head out to Lone Star Park.

      • Would love to go there, just have never had anyone to go with. I live in North Dallas , so not far from you. I will email you and then you will have my address.

        • I never had anyone to go with either. I will tell you, the people I work with think I am out of my mind. My family is much nicer, but I can only imagine what they say behind my back. Hahaha. I lived in CA, went to HP, Santa Anita, Los Alamitos, and Del Mar on long weekends, I moved here and I had a culture shock. They like to gamble here and will drive to OK to do so in a casino or play Bingo, but the thought never occured to them to go to Lone Star Park, if there were more people, maybe Lone Star would stay open longer. I really hope the Native Americans buy Lone Star, I heard rumors…they really made a wonderful place of Remington Park, and more. Good business sense.

  19. Zenyatta – I have so admired you and your accomplishments. I hope you don’t stay away too long. Your updates are the first thing I read each day when I get home from work. We ALL hope to soon hear more from you and get to see pictures of you and your foal growing up.

    Come back soon!!

  20. Oh Boy! Reading everyones comments is beautiful and inspiring. Not much to add to all the feelings and sadness in learning of the cessation of the Diary. I hope there will be a comment from time to time so we will not be so lost. It has been the utmost pleasure to be a part of your life Zenyatta. In person and via the Diary.
    Dottie, you are an inspiration to us all. Your thoughtfulness, kindness and wonderful ability to articulate information for us is second to none. It has been a pleasure to have met several times starting back at barn 55 till last Saturday at Santa Anita. The giving of your time can never be repaid. You know Zenyatta so well. If you see any of us at the track, let us know any important information if you can.
    Thanks to John, The Mosses, Mario, Steve, Cheva, Michelle, Frank and all the others at Barn 55. Thanks for all you have done to accomadate the fans. Hope to see you when Hollywood Park opens for racing again.
    Zenyatta, you have inspired the entire racing community in so many ways. I respect your and the colt’s private time. It is very necessary for you both. Some things are more important than others. Your friends at Lane’s End have so much to do these days, it is difficult to keep up with the fans. Sarah, you must be exhauted by now. Thank you for all you have done and also to all of Lane’s End staff. KUDOS! You are the best.
    I will miss the Diary sooooo- much, but I understand.
    I wish the very loving best to you Zenny and you LITTLE PRINCE.
    Withdrawal will be difficult and lonely, which I am feeling already.
    I hope Mario will be able to see your Baby soon. It is like a grandson to him you know.
    Bless you Ann and Jerry for your sharing your beloved “GAL” with us so intimately. See you at the tracks hopefully.
    Love you all till next time
    Maureen P

  22. Dear Zenyatta,
    With tears in my eyes I want to say ghat I love you so much, You have touched my heart and am so glad that your are happily a mom now. I feel heartbroken that we will not get to experience updates on you or your son anymore.
    You baby is such a precious little one.
    Do you think Sarah could at least post pictures on the website or is it going to still be in existence? What about your Facebook or twitter? I do hope that your team will leave the website up so we can look back on it when we need. Our Z fix.
    God Sent you to this earth as a special and unique creature and you have meant so much to us. Please give your little one a kiss and tell Tasty we are going to keep her in our prayers for a safe and healthy baby too!

  23. Dear Zenyatta:

    @Terry Crow – You don’t have to say “goodbye.” They have all reminded you, they will see you at the track. Regardless of finances you can still reach out through e-mail. Yes, I realize it is not the same thing but no one has to be alone, and you are definitely NOT alone; you have formed bonds that can never be broken. It was one heck of campaign and thanks to you and Diana S. it took on a life of its own.

    @Karen Gogue – As always you are one eloquent lady, quoting Camelot. How very appropriate for this day. I am so glad we are friends for nowhere is there such a gentle soul as you, elegant and classy.

    @HappyHarriet – I commend you for posting what many are thinking, including me.

    @WISH – Wouldn’t it be nice if Ann and Jerry Moss bought a place here in California? That way they could bring Zenyatta to California to breed, once her foal is weaned, with Giacomo. That way all of Zenyatta’s legions could be close in anticipation of a California foal. She could then be returned to Kentucky to continue breeding since that is where the boys are. It’s just a wish.

    I feel like I am attending a funeral and I sure don’t like that feeling. I buried *Noor and I feel as if I am going through it again. The feelings are similar to when I received word of Mrs. Allaire du Pont’s passing; there was no longer that connection. Yes, I realize Zenyatta is very much alive but that invisible silver thread that connects her to everyone will be missing.

    • Char, I wish that I could express myself as elegantly as you do (and others here as well) your friendship HAS meant the world to me and I cherish every minute of our time together, some day we will meet face to face! … And I love you!

      • And Char, thank you for inviting me into your world!

    • Dear Char: We had quite the roller coaster ride, Girl Friend. You made history – don’t blush. But we met here. Zenyatta brought us all here. So many branches to this family tree have grown long and strong here. The leaves may drop, but this tree is one tough cookie with deep roots. It ain’t going nowhere. And you better make it to BC 2012 ’cause you are gonna get one HUGE hug.
      diastu in tempe

    • Charlotte-Thanks for the kind words. Responses on this site have lifted my spirits. And, I will never forget the Noor saga and the small part I played in it. You are a person I greatly admire.

  24. Well I am just heartbroken there will be no more Zenny diary. I was really looking forward to hearing about all of her adventures with her baby and Tasty and her baby this spring. I don’t really understand why the diary is ending but there must be a good reason. I hope Lane’s End will at least keep us updated with a photo or two now and then. I really feel lost, Zenny and Team Z has been such a bright spot in my life for so long. I want to thank Dottie and all of Team Z for all you have done.. you guys are truly the best. I love you Zenyatta.

  25. Oh, Zenny! No! I don’t want you’re posts to stop!! :( How will we get news and pictures of you’re foal?!

    Please start writing again very, very soon.

    I will miss you extremely :'(

    Love, Katie(future jockey)

    • Where is our Trina? I need to thank her for inspiring me to write more poetry. Of course she slips out right when we need her!

      • …and I would like to encourage you to continue writing poetry also.
        I already copied and saved the above poem. You have a real gift.

  27. Oh how I loved coming home from a stressful day at work and sitting down at the computer and reading your daily diary. I will miss it so. The photos of you and your baby are absolutely beautiful. Thank you to all of team Z for the beautiful moments we have all been able to share. May God bless all of you. I will miss you Zenyatta and your beautiful prince:-(!!! xoxox

    Wow, I am really sad!

  28. How we shall miss your posts, Zenyatta and Dottie! Thanks so very much for all your wonderful news and photos. Hope to hear more some day, but we hope you enjoy your time with your little Prince, our Queen! BTW, we love our new Z t-shirts–just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. :-)

  29. I am remembering some of my favorite posts such as the Belmont, sharing how I met Penny, the Zenyatta bronze contest, being the 14th card drawn, and of corse the royal birth.

    BIG HIGH HOOF to Dottie and blog followers such as Dawn Concard (the Bronze winner) for all of the hard work, dedication, and love that was shared.

    Since the birth, I can’t help from thinking how could Dottie “sugar coat” the eventual separation of Momma Z and baby in the next 5 months (per standard practice). The cries of the mare and foal are real….no way to sugar coat that. I hope that things will be done differently with the Little Prince.

    THANK YOU DOTTIE for such a great ride!!,

    Love you bunches

  30. I was very surprised to hear the news today. I’ve read every diary since the 2010 Breeder’s Cup. I rarely post but wanted to make sure I did so today. First and foremost, congratulations Zenyatta and team on the most handsome baby colt ever born! I’m so thrilled everything turned out just fine. Also, thanks to all of Z’s connections for keeping us so well informed. Given the abrupt notice about the diary, I’m thinking Lane’s End may have requested less publicity about Zenyatta right now. Jerry and Ann Moss were just there and one of the article’s about the birth noted that Lane’s End receives a significant number of inquiries about her and items for her every day. I wish the Moss’s had their own KY farm like Rachel Alexandra’s owners. While I wait for the diary’s return (hopefully), I’ll always think about Zenyatta who inspired me to start following TB racing. I will keep myself occupied with the gorgeous Hansen and wonderful Union Rags. I’ll also be excited to see Havre De Grace return later this month. Best wishes to all, especially Z and baby : – )