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. Good evening Zee & Wee(one),

    You take good care, you hear. Don’t take any wooden carrots. Always be good to the Wee(one), he’s just a little guy, he doesn’t know any better, yet.
    But I know you’re a good Mom, you’ll teach him everything he needs to know.
    Good night, Farewell, Aufwiedersehn, Good Bye
    So long, Adieu,

  2. Dottie, you have done a remarkable job as Zenyatta’s Voice. This Diary has always been such an upbeat and caring site, that I really hate to see it end in devastation this way. It seems like something is wrong and it would be very reassuring to many of us that care about you, if you could write a note to us as Dottie. Thank you.

  3. To everyone who made the last 14 months possible – THANK YOU will never be words enough for the LOVE that has multiplied.

    It would be great to see pictures of John and Dottie as they visit Zenyatta and “12Zenyatta”. I really want to see all of the love and respect between John and Zenyatta. That is truly an amazing gift to all of us, and proves that there are wonderful people in racing.

    Whenever you can post new pictures, everyone will be grateful!

    Lots of Love,
    Robin in New Jersey

  4. Wow, I didn’t see this coming at all. Does this mean that the door to Z’s diaries is closing for good or just a hiatus? I so looked forward to all and any news and pixs of Z and her new young foal so the very thought of not continuing to have this site to visit saddens me. I will always be grateful to Dottie for all her dedication and commitment and hard work to be the voice of Z and also to Jerry and Ann Moss for sharing their beloved mare with us for so long and for enriching the lives of so many countless friends and fans. You have always thought about what was best for Z and have included us fans in her life every step of the way…you’ve never let us down and I can never thank you enough for that! Love you to infinity dear Z and precious baby boy!

  6. Love ya Zenyatta! You’re the Greatest! Lots of xxxoxoxoxoxoooxoxo from Southern California

  7. Zenyatta I’ve never used your website for personal reasons, but since I’ve posted earlier today, I guess I will take this time to say to all Texans, especially Lisag, there are so many horse lovers here; horseracing and rodeo horse lovers. I live in Decatur, just northeast of Dallas and know many horseracing fans. I too am very sad. I personally believe there is more to this than just a, “last day posting”. It will be a while but the truth will be out. The better way to have handled this was to give all of Zenyatta’s followers a 2-3 week notice that the post will be ending (my opinion). In fact I noticed it interesting that the “ending’ was told to us at the middle of Zenyatta’s post, not at the beginning! I know as humans it’s none of our business, but as fans to Zenyatta, it should be our business. When a superstar goes away that fast…one questions why? Love you Zenyatta, my baby girl

    • @Dallas, you are lucky girl that there are horserace lovers where you are, last night Jan & I found each other…she has the same problem I do. I try to bring up horses, Zenyatta and eyes start glazing over; and I know this may be very hard to believe, but I have ran into people here that do not know who Bo Derek is…or one said, yeah, didn’t she do a movie a long time ago?? I miss the excitement shared, and here I have the excitement again…Jan & I will be going to Lone Star..you wanna come to?..Lisag

  8. I am so shocked and sad. But i guess “all good things do come to an end”, as the saying goes, and I’m sure Dottie is ready for a diary vacation.

    Zenny, you are already a wonderful mother, just like your mom Vertgineau most likely taught you to be, and because you are such a loving horse yourself.
    We will miss your “wonderful words” and Dotties as well, and will keep in touch any way we can.

    God bless to all lucky enough to be your family, you will all be missed.

    Till we meet again………………………

  9. Dear Zenny:
    My goodness, this news comes as quite a shock. It seems that all of us no more welcomed your little one into the world and now we are saying good-bye so soon. I am so sad that we will not be seeing pictures of your little one on a regular bases. We will really miss not seeing 12Z as he grows up. I was really looking forward to that.

    However, Zenny and Dottie I want to Thank You so much for this incredible journey. I don’t think fans have ever had the opportunity to follow a racehorse from the track to retirement to Zenny’s first date to her first baby. I know I haven’t. It has been so much fun! I really appreciate your dedication to all us fans.

    To the Z-Dumplings: I still have my name tag, and I plan to use it again, so please let’s stay in touch. I had a wonderful time on Gold Cup Day. It was so nice meeting so many of you.

    To Trina Nagele, thank you for your wonderful birthday poems. I know I will treasure mine.

    To John, thanks so much for letting me visit Barn 55. If it wasn’t for this site, I never would have met all of you. Thanks to Steve, Michele and Frank for such a wonderful visit.

    To Dottie: Thanks again for EVERYTHING. We all really appreciate YOU and YOUR EFFORTS with making this site such an inspiration for all of us.

    Thanks for all the memories. I will truly miss this community of such WONDERFUL people!

    Zenny, what can I say: I will miss YOU So Much. I will never forget Race #18. Seeing you race at the Delmar was one of the highlights of my life. You take care girl! I hope to really meet you someday.

    Love,

    Linda in NJ

    • Linda-Meeting you on Gold Cup day was a real pleasure. Thanks for giving me a ride to my car after visiting Barn 55.

  10. Well, dearest Z., I guess it’s goodbye for now. I’m not sure this diary will be up tomorrow, so for now I want to say just once more, “Love you always”. And to all my dear friends here, the same.

  11. Wonderful Zen and Baby, I had computer problems today, nasty virus, and was pacing while it was being fixed because I couldn’t wait to see the diary and the new pictures I knew would be there. Then I get to the sight and my heart just breaks as I read the end of this post. Oh my gosh, I’m thinking she said ” taking a break”, when I worked I took my break and then I came back to work. That’s what she must mean, it’s just a “break.” But after reading all the other posts my heart started to sink. We have had so much fun on this diary, and supported each other thru so much personal heartache, even lost one of our beloved members…….what’s going to happen to us?

    I hope it’s true they won’t take the sight down and we can keep in touch and occasionally there will be a post or pictures. I’ve grown fond of so many of the regular posters, in many ways I think I know you. We’ll all miss Terry Crow and his redneck jokes, and of course this was our link to Kari. I’m going to pray they at least keep this sight for us and that we will continue to hear and see insights into our Great Zen’s life with her precious baby. Love you all
    Kisses on your noses Z and 12Z and TT and foal too Auntie Sue

    • Well, at least you and Sally will not have to mud wrestle now. I declare you two to be co-presidents of the Wisconsin chapter.

  12. My Dear Everyone,
    I haven’t taken the time to read everyone’s posts today because frankly, I have been really so sad over the loss of this daily coming together that we have shared with the Great Zenyatta. Someone may have already suggested this, but what if the site is shut down and we can no longer even talk to eachother? WHAT CAN WE DO TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY TOGETHER? Can someone collect our email addresses and come up with a way for us to stay together? That would please me so much and also we can continue to talk about our Great One and her Little Prince with what we can gather in the public domaine or from someone who goes to the track or to Kentucky?

    Frankly, I am also worried that I won’t be able to reach those of you who worry so much about the plight of unwanted and endangered horses. OUR DEAR MARLENE DODGE HAS A RESCUE IN PROGRESS. HOW CAN WE SAVE THOSE 7 HORSES WITHOUT A WAY TO TALK TO EACHOTHER ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON? PLEASE DONATE. I AM REALLY GETTING SCARED WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RESCUE ALL OF THEM. http://www.valleyviewranchrequinerescue.webs.com.

    Some of us have joined together to do other things, like research projects and keep in touch on activities. HOW WILL WE DO THAT? LOSING DAILY CONTACT WITH ZENYATTA IS GOING TO BE HARD, BUT I DON’T WANT TO LOSE ALL OF YOU TOO.

    Your humble J

  13. Thank you for the hundreds of hours you dedicated to this forum. Well done. You deserve a break. Enjoy, and take care.

  14. Zenny, I love you. You have kept me going for the past few years. My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer, we got through that. A year and a half ago he underwent aortic valve replacement. We made it through that. But what you need to know is, YOU helped me through all of it. You have been such an inspiration in my life. I cannot imagine getting up in the morning and not hearing from you, or just knowing how you are doing. I have cried all day. I love you. Dottie, thank you so much for saving my life. What you have done is a wonderful thing. God bless you.

  15. Zenny it is time for you to just be A MOM…. I want to thank you Dottie for the wonderful
    website and all the time you have put into it…. I love the photos of our beautiful QUEEN and her prince….. We are all saddened but completely understand. I will be asking about Zenny every time I see you at Santa Anita… Thanks again…. For the last time I will
    say NITEY NITE ZZZZZ.

  16. I also feel ill. This sudden ending is very hard on ones system. A 2-3 week notice would have given us time to say goodbyes and to review older diaries. Please leave this blog open for a week or two and please consider continuing the Diary once you are rested. Dottie thank you so much for your words of encouragement, equine lessons, funny stories and pictures. The quality of this Diary was unbelieveable for as many posts that you created. I am sick at heart right now, but am hoping that you will somehow help us to understand what has happened.

  17. Hi Everyone-

    First – I don’t think this site is going anywhere as it’s Zenyatta.com and host’s her store, photo’s, bio and most of all the Diary postings.

    Second – I think that Zenyatta may need to bond with her foal and having camera’s and people around on a daily basis may interfere with that. I really think that we need to respect this wish that Zenyatta and her writter Dottie have expressed as she respectfully thanked us.

    The post did not say she will never write again they are just taking a break.

    Belive ME – I know this is not what any of expected. But as Zenyatta has said in the past…. things change quickly, make sure to stop and smell the roses.

    I just hope that everything is ok with Dottie and Team Zenyatta.

    Hugs – I ask that everyone stay positive for Zenyatta and Dottie’s sake. {PLEASE)

  18. So I have actually never posted here before. I read Z’s diary daily and follow her and others on Facebook. As a huge Zenyatta fan and admirer, I am truly grateful for Z and her family and connections. I regret not being able to see her race in person – my father passed away breeders cup weekend 2010 and so sadly I never got to see Z’s final race and meet her. We have pics of her here at our house, wear her shirts and hats with pride as she is truly our favorite famous icon. The baby is just beautiful and those ears are so precious, I do regret we will not see anymore posts. I hope that nothing is wrong and that she and the little guy are safe and well. I also hope that her team will reconsider suspending her blog. Zenyatta has done more for racing than anyone could have ever imagined both on the track and outside as an icon for the sport. The horses are so beautiful, smart and brave they really deserve to be showcased more for their personal efforts and I applaud her family for sharing her. Zenyatta paved the way for that and so many now to follow, she is so deservingly loved and is certainly a special horse. Jerry Moss said on the HRTV interview that she let us into her life and she just loved everyone. So I do hope we can continue share in her life maybe not daily but certainly in a way that does not violate her privacy but helps to share the good that can be accomplished in the racing industry. Thanks Zenyatta team, I do hope you will let us know soon what the new venue for sharing will look like.

  19. Mama Queen Z, thanks for letting us “live” with you for the last 15 months. You are a gracious hostess. Your little “Prince” is beyond words of adorable.
    I sit here with hope and positive thoughts about what the future holds.
    Truly love you, your little one and your Team.

    Your Lady in Waiting :)

  20. Change can be both happy and sad. Happily, you have become a great mom to a beautiful colt. Sadly, your admirers will find an empty spot in their days. I hope that you do return and that we that follow your life will find another way to keep in touch with you and your little one.

  22. TO ALL: Go to Home on Zenyatta.com. A letter to fans from Ann and Jerry Moss! There is hope!

    • Thank you for the tip about the letter on the website from Ann and Jerry Moss. This is great news.

      We will still have some continued access to our Z, and possibly to comments from the prince 12Z. As first foal to the Queen, no doubt prince 12Z has the royal genes and will be able to talk within a few weeks. His sire certainly knows how to send out press releases.

      LisaG. You can now get some sleep tonight. If certain people think that you are horse crazy, you have a lot of company in the love of Z department. Hang in!

        • I am glad that you are okay. The thought of losing access to Zenyatta was stressful for everyone, much more than I would have personally expected. I understand how you felt. We are all dependent upon Z now. I think back to the thrill of her courageous run in the 2010 BCC race and her HOTY award. She is and always will be an icon of racing.

  23. Went to Facebook and found “A Letter to the Fans” from Jerry and Ann Moss.
    But if y ou go the ‘NEWS” header which is to the right of “DIARY”, everyone can read the letter.

  24. How is Tasty? Hope when she foals you two can share the pasture again. Be fun for the foals, too! Enjoy your time off from writing and look forward to your return one day!

  26. I have only posted two or three times, but I revel in the spirit and sharing on this site and wish that I had known Zenyatta in the same way as many of you do. I came to know her only after the “60 Minutes” segment and followed her pregnancy, complete with lovely photos and many visits to YouTube. Who would not be enchanted by such a story and, now, such a gorgeous colt, already her mirror image, with an amazing future.

    My only concern is that all is well with Dottie, a lady who has provided us all with such a lively, beating heart to this site, and with insight, knowledge, sensitivity, and a joy in the fans with whom she communicated.

    I received my Zenyatta tee-shirt today; bubble-gum pink and joyous. But at this moment, really, I could weep.

  27. Thank you Zenyatta and ALL your connections! You have done so very much to benefit the great sport of Thoroughbred Racing! I’m sure that all of you will continue to work on this and part of this is bringing up little one extremely well. (Be sure to groom daily, those special ears! They were the first thing I spotted in the first public photo!!)
    I’ll be looking forward to hearing more AND am hoping your base will be in California!
    Tell Dottie that I’m excited about Betfair’s involvement with HP and I hope she shows them how to connect “market” to the community!!! She has a wonderful knack with this because she is genuine!!
    A fan,
    Ann (LOL ~ Just noticed! Well, it’s better than Annie Fannie!!)

  28. I, like most of Zenny’s fans find the idea of no diary a very distressing situation. I truly hope that we can be weaned slowly. Maybe every couple of weeks or so (or even once a month) we could get some information on how you are doing, who your next beau will be and how your colt is growing. You were John’s Michael Jordan and we became your fans. You both were the top in your profession and very charismatic. You and your team have brought so much into our lives that the it is though you have truly become our Zenny. I can’t thank you family enough for all they have done for you and with you and for your fans. Dottie, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!!!!

  29. My dearest Zenny, i must say that the tears are pouring down at a steady pace. This is so sudden and sad. I realize much work has been put into these daily posts and I’m sure you need a break and so does our sweet Dottie. We all appreciate what you have done to keep us so informed sice your Retirement Zenyatta. I love you so much and now I am so happy that you have that handsome Colt that is so much like you. I was so happy to think I would be able to follow you both for a period of time. I will always think of you daily as I do now and remember how beautiful your loving Colt is, he surely reminds me so much of you. That star on his forhead is so special. Good luck to both of you as you teach your sweet baby what he needs to know as he goes forth with his life. You are very smart Zenyatta and I know you will teach him well. I hope you will have your Dairy Post back soon so we can all follow how you are doing. I will love you forever and never stop thinking about you and pray that I will know about how you are doing some how. I won’t be able to go to the Race Track because I will always have the feeling that you are gone. It is hard to believe the deep love so many have for you but it is a fact and it isn’t going away and you deserve every bit of it Queen Zenyatta. Please let us know if Tasty is ok and also her Foal. God Bless you Zenny and your beautiful Colt.

  30. Thank you so much for allowing us to be part of this wonderful creature’s life. What a thrill and a blessing it has been to watch her and love her. Thank you for the hard work that must’ve gone into getting this diary posts out! I’m sure you can see that we, the fans, have enjoyed the posts very much. We all have sat on the edges of our seats with every recent post waiting for Zennie’s little foal. Thank you for letting us be apart of that. There’s only one Zenyatta and what a privilege it has been to be able to show our love for her via these posts. Thank you very much. God bless you all.