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. Charlotte. Charlotte, please do not think I forgot about you and about the journey you took us thru with the beloved Noor. I need to just mention everyone, as everyone here has touched my life and my heart and my soul in one way or another. What would we do without you?

  3. FYI – I just read the “Talkin Horses” article on Bloodhorse about Zenyatta’s foaling and the Lane’s End participants noted that they will post updates on Z and baby on their website.

  4. DOTTIE: Thank you SO VERY MUCH for the diary entries and for all you have done to keep the fans of Zenyatta (FOZ – I like that!) “in the loop”. While reading the diary I would often think “How does Dottie do it all??” I really admire you and what you have done for the sport. (I guess that makes me a fan of Dottie – FOD!!)

    To all of the diary readers and those who posted, I have made note of all the email addresses and plan to keep in touch. I think Alex’s idea of keeping touch on Zenyatta’s FB page is a good one as well as Abigail’s The Vault. I also hope LE takes the suggestion to have a section on their FB page with foal news – but this is a VERY busy time for them. Since I plan to visit Santa Anita one of these years I would hope that some of Z’s fans would be able to meet me there and if anyone happens to be at Gulfstream Park, I would love to get together with you there. Ingrid (in South Beach) you can see we are almost neighbors, so I will be sending you an email.

    I never would have gone to the 2010 Breeders Cup if it had not been for Zenyatta, and I have to say that not a day goes by that I don’t think of that experience. When I do think back to those days in November I am SO very glad that I was there as it was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life!

    Dottie, aka Zenyatta has said “Until next time” and I take her at her word that there will be a future update. So, “until next time….”

  5. Beautiful Queen Zenyatta and Little Prince,
    What a beautiful journey we have been on with you, from being a foal to having your own little colt. We have enjoyed each day with you. You got me and many others following racing and doing what I can to help retired race horses. I hope that in some way, you will be able to keep us updated on your life and your sweet boy. You will always be in our hearts.
    Love and hugs,
    Debi
    Beaverton, Oregon

  6. Hi “ZENNY”. I am soooo upset!! I`m sitting here crying with a stuffy nose. I guess I`m being selfish but I don`t want to see you go! Please remember not to forget everyone and how much we love you and will miss you And of course your little boy. You play a very important part in my life. Whenever I felt down and out I went straight to your diary post. You were always able to give me the calmness that I needed. I will miss you very,very much. I know all good things come to an end but continue on in other ways. Just like God blessed you with your son. At this time I want to especially thank “DOTTIE”. Dottie you are an “ACE”. You portrayed Zenny exactly the way she would have acted and spoken. Again, thank you Jerry and Ann for sharing your treasures and John, Mike,all Lanes End,and barn 55. BRAVO!!!!!! I will miss you Zenny and you will ALWAYS remain in my thoughts. Good luck to you and your little one. Maybe someday you`ll feel like talking to us again. God bless all of you. Especially, my ZENYATTA….Will love you always!!!! ALENE

  7. Dottie and all of Team Z –

    Just want to say Thank You for all you’ve done to allow the fans to be a small part of Z’s career as a racehorse and now a mom. You all are amazing!

  8. Dearest Zenyatta and Baby Z:
    Thank you for sharing so much of your life with us during your daily posts. I will miss them, and watching your beautiful foal grow into the fine racehorse I know he will someday be.
    You are very right to take some time off to care for your little Prince and yourself. I’m sure Dottie can use the rest as well.
    Please keep us updated occasionally as your boy grows so we can see how you are both doing.
    You have touched so many lives and helped to imrove the sport of racing and also helped so many horses and people through your many kind acts of charity.
    A great big HIGH HOOF to you on a job well done.
    Peppermint kisses to you and baby Z and Tasty too!
    My love always to you,

    Maryann

  9. It is with a broken heart and tears in my eyes that I write this. How can we go on without our daily Zenyatta diary? It has become such a big part of our lives and to so many dedicated fans. My every day begins and ends with prayers for Team Zenyatta and now I will have no way of keeping up to date of the life of Zenyatta and her son. Today’s prayer is that all is well with each and every member of Team Zenyatta and that this will be just a short break. Zenyatta came to us at a time when our sport, hearts, and country needed a boost. Zenyatta, like Secretariat before her, was that boost. And now what do we do? Thank you Team Zenyatta for all you have done for the sport, the fans, and for horses…you are each “Angels on Horseback”.

  10. C’mon everybody! I do not know who said this first, but here goes! Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened! Zenyatta will still be at LE under the very best care. She will bring forth other foals, some champions, perhaps some not. I doubt the Mosses will ever sell any of them, they are really lucky horses! I am just content to know that Zen is in a wonderful place, just being horsey. God Bless You Zenyatta, you are an amazing gift, to all of us!

  11. I guess the first thing I need to say is THANK YOU to Zennie and her family…all of them. THANK YOU to Dottie for keeping us updated on our girl’s life. Please don’t take this the wrong way, because I certainly do not mean any thing mean…but I feel as though I have punched in the stomach with this post.

    Along with many, many others, I feel as though the Moss’s have allowed Zenyatta to become part of my life and I cannot imagine not being able to read on what is going on. Maybe I’m being a little selfish, but I have followed Zennie’s life since I first saw her as a three year old. When she raced, I was glued to the television. When she flew to Kentucky, I was a worry wart, making sure she arrived safely. A horse….I don’t even track my relatives flights, but I was worried sick about a horse!

    When she became preggie….I read every day to keep up; the week the colt was born, I checked every 10 minutes for updates. The morning he after he was born, I could not wait to get to work to check. Upon seeing the first photo, I cried out, “it’s a boy” and proceeded to shed tears of joy.

    Am I obsessed? I believe so….WHY? Because Zenyatta taught us to believe it is okay to be different. It’s okay to be a big girl. It’s okay not to conform. Along with the 100,000 other fans on FB, I love to follow her life.

    I pray with all my heart that everything is okay with Zennie and Tasty. Please Dottie…don’t shut us out of her life. Even a once a week post would be great. We love you and we love Zennie and her new Prince.

  12. Hi Zenny!

    I will miss your diary posts very much but completely understand that you need to focus your time on being a mom and enjoying life. All the best to you until next time! :o) And thanks Dottie! You are TOO AWESOME!!!

  13. I’m going to miss reading your diary entries! We will still get updates from someone on your team though, right? Or at least pictures?
    Love you Queen and Prince Z!

  14. I will so miss all your posts, Dottie. Thank you for all you have done to keep Zenyatta in our minds and hearts. Miss Z…you are a beauty and your colt is amazing.
    Thank you to all who treasure Zenyatta. She is, herself, a treasure!!!

  15. Have been feeling lonely and blue ever since I read your Diary, Zenyatta, I know that I am just feeling sorry for myself and what your family and friends must have experienced when you left California must have been terrible. Many have mentioned how awful the weaning process is. You are such a sensitive and feeling mare that I know it will probably be the worst experience of your life. I hope Ann and Jerry can be there to help you through that period and also that you will still like people after they take your precious colt away from you.You have always been so trusting and kind and I hope that never changes. I am remembering one post about a year ago when some fellow asked “Do you folks know that you are not really talking to a horse?” Some of us laughed and others were upset, but the truth of the matter is that I feel like I really was communicating with Zenny and I bet there are others that feel the same way. So Dottie you did a fantastic job of letting us experience the magic and heart of Zenyatta. Thank you so much.

  16. I read the DRF article and think, as happens many times, printed words are different than the actual intent. In this Diary post, Zen/Dottie mentioned a hiatus which means an interruption not an end. I believe the Mosses are thinking of a different way to communicate with the fans. They love this horse and foal and know what the fans mean to them and the industry. No way are they going to slam the door on us, We will be updated on Zenny and little Prince in some other way through this site. That’s what Dottie also said in the article. I intend to keep checking back here to see what direction they decide to take. By the way, I’ve enjoyed reading here and have learned a great deal about horses and racing because of the posters and Dottie.

  17. Dottie, through the sadness, the pain, the feeling of being broken..I have a thank you for taking us to a place no one has ever taken anyone before and no one will ever do again, I am sure. We know, if you are gone, so is the Diary. No one else could do this! You speak Horse, you feel, you love, therefore, we can speak to Zenyatta thru you. Last post someone said we were pretending…no, we were NOT, as long as you are the “Voice” of The Queen..we were not. No one else can do it and I am glad no one tried to take your place without telling us, believe me, we would have known the difference…that we were not talking to Zenyatta. Thank you for this wonderful, amazing, loving journey. I love you, Dottie, and you are beautiful….Lisag

  18. Thought I would end this poem with a happy ending unlike my one above

    Each post filled my heart with joy
    They love you shared inspired us all
    Now as the moon comes up
    I stare outside
    Wondering
    Thinking
    Will tomorrow be the same?
    No post
    No pictures
    When will we hear from you again my dear?
    Will we?
    So many questions without answers
    But I know in my heart
    That no matter the hardship
    The love will stay
    The love we have for you
    Will always be present
    You can see it
    In each and every comment
    The love we share is inseparable
    No one can take it from us
    But again it is time to say good bye
    But it will only be temporary
    As you cannot keep the Aunties away
    They will come each and every day hoping that maybe just maybe
    A new post will appear
    Now the moon shines
    Reminding me of that night
    The prince was born

    • Lisa…………my email is CarolinaJude@aol.com……….so check your Spam folder from time to time in case an email from me to you ends up there!

      Gosh I am going to miss EVERYONE here……….

      Judy

  20. Some last minute advice to Zenyatta before this all goes away…”SHOW HIM HOW TO DANCE!!!”

  21. Zenyatta and Baby
    I too will miss your daily post, but understand that you need the time to spend being a MOM. You and your baby will be forever in our thoughts and hearts. Until Next Time Take Care. Love and Kisses !!!

  23. Please accept my thanks, too, Dottie, for all of the joy in reading this diary. You’ve conveyed Z’s thoughts so perfectly it will be quite an adjustment to not come here everyday. This is for Ann Moss…..though we don’t know each other or ever will, I want to tell you I think you are just such a special woman. The way you talk about your Zennie and the emotion that is evident. Speaks loudly to your internal makeup. My daughter paid me a beautiful compliment last evening, after she watched the HRTV video clip, she turned and looked at me and said, ” she’s like you “. Thank you to you both for sharing your Zenyatta for all this time, thank you to everyone who had a hand in her care and loved her along the way. God Bless All of You!

    Roseann

  24. Dear Everyone,
    I haven’t read thru all the posts today (and I will), but I really didn’t see this coming! I do hope it is a hiatus and not forever. I certainly understand that Dottie has done SO MUCH for us and she must be so busy- who wouldn’t need a break! I do feel very grateful to Team Z, the Mosses. But right at the moment, I just feel the loss.

  25. Okay I love how today when I got home I thought “Oh I will just ready Zenny’s post hopefully about how good the foal is doing and then I will get off and do some homework for next week.” Yeah right… Of course Zenny you little schemer you go and mess up my plans by throwing a bomb on me!

  26. While I knew this time would be coming soon, I hadn’t anticipated how I’d react. It’s been so heartwarming to be able to check in on Z daily and thrilling to see the Prince. Thanks to Team Zenyatta for all of the love and care that you’ve shared with us through her, to the Mosses for sharing your Queen with us so publicly, and Dottie for the wonderful spirit which you have shared in the updates. You’ve brought joy to so many of us and educated us along the way. Thank you.

    Take care Zenyatta and enjoy your Prince!

  27. Zen,
    A new mom needs to focus her attention on her baby, for that I respect your time to nuture your baby. For us humans, it is harder to let go…will miss the almost daily posts.
    May I ask a favor? The final post hasn’t been posted about your paddock mate Tasty, will be wondering???? Thank you for sharing Zenland with all us humans.:)) X&O’s to you & baby.

  28. I would like to take this oppurtunity to thank very much Jerry and Ann Moss, John and Dottie and the rest of team Zenyatta, and all of the people at Lane’s End for allowiing all of us to share in the life of Zenyatta. You opened a whole other world of horse racing for me and I will always treasure it. If I am ever in Kentucky, I would love to come on a tour, and Zenyatta and everyone at Lane’s End.

    Best Regards
    Lynne

  29. Thank you Dottie for all the great times !! It was a pleasure reading your blog and thanks to all the Z team for sharing her with us. G-d Bless.

  30. Thanks so much for taking the time you did to keep us all in touch with the Queen. I am sure–or at least, very hopeful— you will be back to keep us abreast of milestones, but Life changes for all of us and we have to accept those changes the best we can. Thank you for the ride, dear Dottie and Queen Z!
    God Bless!!!