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. Can we have a new Diary Post on the 8th of each month that way we can keep up with “12Z” month by month as he grows? :o)

  2. Thank you, Dottie, for this blog, and thank you to all the photographers and media that shared photos, video and background. I happened onto the blog last summer, and have gotten much pleasure reading it.
    Where will we be able to go for photos of this famous pair over the coming months? I realize there isn’t much news to report, but there are thousands of fans who will now feel deprived!
    Have a well deserved break, but please try to come back, Dottie. Many fascinating life stages for both and plans for Z’s next breeding lie ahead.
    To Zenyatta and Foal “12 Zenyatta” all good fortune, long lazy days of peace in the beautiful blue grass, and as wonderful a career ahead as God can grant!
    Sincere thanks,
    Nancy

  4. WHAT BEAUTIFUL PICTURES OF GODS FINEST CHAMPION AND YOUR PRECIOUS SON…I FEEL LIKE ONE OF THOSE GODPARENTS YOU MENTIONED…OR GRANDMA EITHER ONE…
    I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU BOTH…
    BUT I MUST SAY TEARS SWELLED IN MY EYES WHEN I READ ABOUT THE BREAK FROM YOUR DIARY…
    SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE MADE FUN OF ME (THEY DON’T GET IT LOL) BECUZ I READ AND WRITE TO YOU THRU THIS EVERY CHANCE I CAN…BUT OTHERS HAVE JOINED ME IN DOING SO…LOL…
    ITS ALL LOVE…PLEASE DON’T BE GONE FROM WRITTING LONG…
    ZENYATTA AND BABY “I LOVE YOU”

  5. You can’t be leaving us like this — at this glorious time in all our lives. So depressed! Why not just a little few updates now and then. Has someone at Lane’s End suggested no more Diary? Is there another reason? How can you leave us like this so soon after such a wonderful ride these last few days. Was it coming all along? Please rethink and continue — maybe less often. You must stay in touch. The heartbreak is tremendous. It leaves the racing world in such a void. My comments are sent with love and admiration, not admonishment. Just sad and disappointed. Feel abandoned after all the huge give and take between all of us from you and to you….

    • Victoria………..I sort of mirror your thoughts. I understand that Dottie “has to get back to work” but I honestly think there SURELY has to be someone associated with her that would LOVE to take over this diary. I was shocked when I got to the end of this diary entry and read the “goodbye”. Actually read it twice to make sure I was reading it correctly.

      There isn’t much we can do if they take down the site and this truly is “the end”. I know THAT hasn’t been said yet but that, too, is the impression I am left with. They could at least leave the site up so that we could all continue to meet here, chat, exchange information about Zennie and her foal as we find it, etc.

      Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone in your feelings.

    • victoria,
      i feel the same as you….flying high with happiness for Zenyatta having her adorable foal, and then having to do a complete about-face because of what feels like loss. not hearing from Zenyatta breaks my heart.

  6. Thank you for all you have given us, your fans, to the racing industry and to those often unsung, if not forgotten – the retired runners and the backside workers.

    The first photo of mother and son, “posing” for the camera so regally, would be a great addition to the shop. We “collectors” would love to have a copy for the crowning jewel of our collection.

  7. Thank you Dottie for being the voice of Zenyatta. I am very sad there won’t be daily Diaries. We all would love to see pictures of baby Z as he grows. They grow up so fast! Thank you again Dottie for ALL the posts, I know it was quite a large task! My love to Zenyatta & baby Z, To the moss’s and Lane’s End & everyone connected to Z. Until next time, GOD BLESS YOU!!!

  9. I was typing so fast before that I hit submit before I was finished.
    You my dear Zenyatta deserve all the time you need to bond with your adorable boy and reap all the joys and experiences of motherhood. We have all been so fortunate to have you and your connections share your racing career, retirement, pregnancy and delivery with us.
    We all will miss the Diary updates but can be content in the fact that we had them to begin with.
    The pictures today are truly marvelous and one’s we will all cherish forever.
    I will think of you and your little miracle everyday and wear my Foal Tag Jewelery (I have the neckless, and two sets of earrings), my “Z” hat and Zenyatta shirt. Plus you and your foal are the screen background on my computer (I have kept changing the picture as your life has progressed from racing, to retirement, to hanging out with your posse and then exclusively Tasty Temptation, to “Baby Bump” and now you and your prince will remain constant). Also the walls of my computer room are covered with pictures of you and my fridge has some pictures of you and you and your foal too. You have been and will always be part of my life in abstentia.
    My sincere gratitude to Dottie for her herculean efforts on your behalf and the exceptional Ann and Jerry Moss for allowing us all to share in your life and to YOUR JOHN who handled his Michael Jordan (make that Michelle) to perfection. Not to forget mentioning Mario, Steve and all the crew at Barn 55 and all the crew at Lane’s End and a huge SHOUT OUT to David Ingordo who had the good fortune and expertise to know a diamond in the rough when he spotted and researched and purchased you for the Moss’s. God smiled on the horse racing world when you were born and appointed all the right people to gift the world with your being and wonderful ears and marvelous, loving, intelligent, inquisitive temperment.
    God bless all your thousands of fans and we can all look forward to your and Bernie’s legacy racing and thrilling us in the future.
    Good bye for now precious gift and God speed to you and your progeny in the years to come.
    I will be in Versailles the second week in June visiting with dear friends and maybe, just maybe I will be able to catch a glimpse of you from afar if not up close and personal because your and your foal’s health and well-being are most important. At least I can blow kissess as we pass by Lane’s End.
    Please forgive any misspellings or typos as I am typing this with tears clouding my vision.

    • Judy,
      I just sat back and read my entry and realized I did the same thing! Tears of joy though as Zenyatta has pretty much given our world a tough of perfection in EVERY way. Her learning…racing….winning…foaling….and now being the perfect mom. We truly cannot ask for anything more…like you you I too hoep this is not a permanent goodbye. That would kill me and break my heart. What ever will we do everyday when we cannot meet here and share Z’s world and our own together?

      If for any reason ANY of the Zsters wish to keep in touch I have a website I would be overjoyed to continue our daily discussions and friendships on as we awat further Z news.

      Please feel free to join me…I would even happily create a subforum there for “All Things Zenyatta”. LOL!

      http://www.HorseRacingMania.com/forums

      EVERYONE is welcome….even the mighty Z to pop in and give us an update.

      • Thank you so much for the invitation. I would like to stop by the site to say hello.

      • I LOOK FORWARD TO IT ALL….looks like we will also have Z’s site to keep up on after all…I read the Mosses’s letter to fans last night and was thrilled we’ll still get periodic updates. WHo knows maybe we’ll even be talking about Zenyatta13 next year.

        Either way I am thrilled and excited to welcome ANY and all who wish to join us at HRM…I will also be following Abigail and Her VAULT. I am blessed to have “met” some amazing people her in Z Land and if I can contribute in another little corner of the web to keeping that love alive I am happy to welcome everyone to join us!!

        See you there! HOOF HOOF HOORAY!
        :-)

  10. I am so in love with these fotos of Z and her colt. I have had a name picked out for over a year for his racing name. Pass Line or Whats the Odds. I know there are different, but I am in the casino business and they are fun names.

    This is the most beautiful horse I have ever seen.

    Love you Z and baby z

    Michelle C

  11. Thank you Zen and Dottie you made my day at work so much better. What a dear post from you. You will never know how you and now your Boy have impacted so many. I have you and your PRINCE on my desk top and my patients come in a smile when they see you. So often that smile helps them relax and talk. Thank You Zen. ENJOY BEING A MOM

  12. Enjoy your time off. Thank you for the pictures and the memories! I’ll miss your posts but completely understand. (I’d want to enjoy him, too, if he were mine :))

  13. SAVE HOLLYWOOD PARK – any one interested in trying to save it as a Historical site take note of the process!
    WE have to try!
    http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/faq.html

    The above is the one that is the important site. SAVES from being demolished. Other sites that do not save from developement is:
    http://www.preservationnation.org/travel-and-sites/sites/western-region/sant
    a-anita-racetrack.html

    I just looked up Santa Anita, and it is not even safe.

    • Karen-This is a project worthy of consideration. I would think Hollywood park would qualify under “G”, but I used to call it the shrine, so maybe “A” would also apply. You are also correct in saying that Santa Anita is not safe. As long as a businessman owns it, it is in danger of being redeveloped. Anyone who knows about Frank Stronach’s previous business dealings should be concerned.

  14. Where can we see more of the pictures that Team Zenyatta and Mathea Kelley took? Your prince is toooo cute, surely they took more photos of you both! I will miss your updates but am so glad that you shared the last year with your fans!

  15. I will truly miss your diary updates but having a new grandbaby I understand you need time off to care for your son. Thanks for all the diary entries and good luck in your new role of mom.

  16. Beautiful Sweet Zenyatta and your Little Prince…….

    I didn’t always write on the blog but I did read it everytime, that was my connection to Z’s world. With everything going on in the world, this was always my HAPPY PLACE to read about you. I must say I have tears in my eyes, having to say See You Later Sweetheart. Enjoy your Little Bundle of Joy and don’t stay away too long.

    Thank you again to Dottie and the whole Z team for everything.

    Much love, kisses & hugs…….Take Care Zenyatta & baby boy.

  17. I understand the decision being made here but it doesn’t make it any easier to say goodbye. I always had this diary to turn to when people in my life were passing away and my life was getting lonelier and lonelier.. I treasure the good times I had when I met the dumplings at the races. I guess you might be a redneck if such a thing affects you this much. Goodbye for now.

    • Hey, don’t think your getting rid of us that easily Terry Crow! See you at the races, and that’s an order!!!

    • ♥ Your friends are as close as the nearest racetrack, Terry. You can always find us there.

      • Cynthia-I will miss your posts. After having met you at SA, I can truly say that you are one lovely person.

    • TERRY – No, you’re not going to get rid of us Local Z Dumplings if we have a say in it, my friend!!

      See you at the race track :D

      Judy G (wearing her Prison Uniform LOL) :-))))))

      • JAG-If Reader’s Digest still had the feature “The most unforgettable character you’ve ever met” I could write a story about you.

        • LOL – You just gave me the biggerst smile and laugh!!! You are TOO CUTE!!
          JAG

      • JAG, Terry, & Dumplings
        You are going to the Baby Shower on Sat.
        Perhaps there will be news on what the next step in communication with fans is.
        If you do hear something or just want to share, contact me
        marcheta@hotmail.com
        Thanks

    • Call me a Redneck! I feel the same, only I do not have Dumplin’s in person, but I have all of you here, and we still will have each other here….this is only temporary. The Queen will be back…(Dottie needs a vacationi.) I am so sad.

    • Terry, I plan to be at Santa Anita in November and I do expect to see you!!!!

        • @Terry: I know where you live and my truck has a winch. Just try NOT being there, buddy!
          diastu the AZ redneck

      • ME too!!! I’ll be there with a whole bunch of friends from my website…our biggest meet and greet yeat was when we all stood together and watch that UNBELIEVABLE stretch run int he 2009 Breeder’s CUp Classic….our first meeting was in 2008…this year will be our 5th annual so I am always looking for more horsey friends and would LOVE to meet my fellow Zsters!! Perhaps we could take over the entire infield!! LOL!
        Hope to see many of you there!

    • Terry, we have missed you at SA recently. But we surely hope to see you there again soon. Perhaps this Saturday?

    • TERRY! YOU ARE NOT LEAVING US BUDDY! YOU DON’T GET OFF THAT EASY!! I wonder why you aren’t at the track – you are missed every time we Z dumplings get together. Come join us!

      • The business with my friend Don has left me financially embarrassed. It will take me some time to recover. But, when I do, I will look for you, my friend.

    • Dear Terry Crow:

      Goodbye for now. Even when you know, you never know. Ha, ha. Hugs, JB

    • Facebook. Hope to meet many there. I’m Stephanie Adamson and the one in San Diego:))). No good byes…. Make me too sad.

    • Terry: I know how you feel, this site was a place I looked forward to any time, but in times of stress it really lifted my spirits. I hope you keep in touch. My email address is cujofrib@juno.com. Please, please email me any time. I will miss you and the other Z Fans and rednecks on this site.

      All: Please feel free to email me at my email address any time. I bought a computer just so I could check this site on the weekends. Can’t let it go to waste, can we?

    • Hi Terry: It was so nice meeting you and the other Z-Dumplings back in July. I had a great time that day at Hollywood Park and at Barn 55. I hope to see you and the Z-Dumplings at the track when Ebby runs her first race.

      • Linda-It was a pleasure meeting you at Hollywood park. Glad you enjoyed yourself that day.

    • Chester and I plan on keeping in touch!! Until you get a restraining order…

      • You have worked miracles with my man Chester. Susan-You are one of the special people on this earth.

    • Dear Terry Crow,
      Wipe my tears, shut my mouth and call me a redneck! We will figure a way to stay in touch somehow. You can’t escape us, you know; you are a dear friend of ours!
      Take care of yourself, and please DO keep the faith! Love and Hugs, always.

      • Marshall-Thank you. It is for people like you that I kept those silly jokes going. Take care.

  18. Oh goodness. I am so sad, can’t stop crying. This can’t be true but I know you must all rest and forward. What are we going to do, so inspiring and happy and wonderful. Dottie you and John have been fantastic. Jerry and Ann we will support every single horse you race. Mike you are one of the most fantastic people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. Queen Z, please find a way to let us know how you and your foal are doing.

    How about just a post once a week or something. Don’t close down the website because we can always read the back posts, if you can keep it open.

    I love all of you more than anything and since my husband passed you have been an inspiration in going forward.

    I love you Queen Zenyatta and your gorgeous foal.

    Elena

  19. My dearest Your A Mom, I’m having withdrawal symptoms already. But how lucky we have been that you and your incredible team have shared your life and racing knowledge with us. The planets were certainly aligned the day Team Z came together, each component so necessary to share such joy with the world. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for all that you have done. As much as I will miss your daily diary, I completely understand, I hope you will be able to post once in a while to keep us updated on all things Team Z. Wishing all the team much happiness and success. Until next time……..

  20. Zenny girl, we will miss you and little guy too! Please come back later on! We know that your Dottie is probably tired and has other things to do. I cried because I don’t want to miss hearing from you nor your little guy! Is your Facebook going to be up still? We all thank you Dottie and the Mosses from the depths of our heart! And we love you!

  21. Thank you Dottie and all of Zenyatta’s connections for sharing Zenyatta with us fans over the years. I have really enjoyed all of the pictures, videos and diary entries.

    I am hoping at some point we get another day to appreciate Zenyatta.

    I love you Zenyatta and I will never forget what you have done for me. Just because there is no Diary does not mean that I will discontinue following you and those cute ears.

    Your Forever Fan, Molly

  23. Beautiful photos. You and your foal will always be in my heart and on my mind. I’ll keep my ears & eyes open, hoping to see pics & videos. You are so deserving of a well earned rest. I’ll still periodically check in. I look forward to future diary updates. Enjoy being a mom. I’ll continue routing for the Z team every week, as I watch the all the races. You have made the racing community so exciting. Take good care Sweet Queen and Prince. Thanks to all of the Z team. Love you so much Zenyatta.

  24. Thank you so much for all the wonderful pictures and updates since the start of this diary. Reading about Zenyatta’s life has always felt like an incredibly priveledge and I cannot possibly thank you enough for letting us feel like a part of the Zenyatta team. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

    May the entire Zenyatta Team (both in Kentucky and California) be blessed with all the best kinds of luck. ♥

  25. I’m pretty sure that every two weeks or once a month Dottie will update her diary. We owe them all this time off. They’ve shared more with us in the last year or so than we could ever expected from ANY owner. We got the joy of seeing so much over the last few days since his birth than we could ever have imagined. Now we can look forward to our surprises and updates. We’ll see him progress and grow up more by seeing him every few weeks instead of every day. Boy, won’t we all be excited when we get our updates now. Don’t worry. Anne Eberhart, Steve Haskin, etc , they will be going out to Lanes End and doing photoshoots soon. This has got to be a very busy time for Lanes End staff and horse racing in general.

    • I think once a month on the 8th would be perfect. We could catch up and see month to month how much the little one is growing.

  26. Thank You All for shareing the whole experience with us…enjoy your baby boy, family and free time now…we all need time off and this is yours little lady…luv to u & urs…stay safe, happy and the wonderful …I miss the posts, pics and most of all YOU, but we all have our wonderful memories…tx…:=)

  27. With joy comes sorrow!
    The blessing of your colt is a shared memory for all.
    Dottie, you are amazing.
    You have taken us on this unexpected & magical journey.
    Like all journeys, it is time to end.

    Thank you to everyone who is part of the Team.
    Thank you for sharing Zenyatta, Jerry & Ann Moss.
    Thank you teaching & training, John & Dottie (Z and us)
    Thank you to all who cared so lovingly for her at Barn 55 & Lane’s End
    Thank you Mike for the great rides.
    I will miss the visits here.
    I do hope you will leave this online for awhile, even if you do not update.
    It is fun to revisit.
    Until we meet again!

  29. Thank you so much for this Diary, of Z’s life. It has brought her close to so many who loved her. My hope is that everything is OK by you Dotty. LOVED the entire diary and it is certainly worthy of becoming a book (with pictures). Thank U do much. We will miss the latest posts. I do see that the young Prince has a facebook page :-)
    THANK YOU…………. many times. God bless.

  30. Dear Z,
    I will miss the posts terribly. I know that you know how much joy you have given us on your posts. But I do understand. Little on are a lot of work and your handsome boy needs you.
    I do hope that we will still be able to see some picutres of you and your little one. I think occasional pictorial updates, would suit many of us just fine, so that we can all see just how you and your little man is doing (not to mention Tasty.) I would love to see you and Tasty in the paddock with your babies.
    Please take care,
    JoAnna