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. Oh my…I should not have checked my phone at work!! Tears are pouring. I certainly understand that it is time to allow Z to be a Mom, but we will all miss you and Dottie terrilby. This has been one fantastic ride and everyone on your team has been beyond gracious. Thank You Dottie. Thank You Ann and Jerry. Thank You John. Thank You Barn 55. Thank Yon Lanes End. Thank You Dear Zenyatta and baby boy.

    To all my Z Dumplings friends…I hope we can find a way to continure to stay in touch. See some of you at the shower this Saturday (I hope) and look forward to meeting others at the Breeders Cup.

    God Bless you all and Thank You!!

    • How about Z’s facebook page, we can talk about racing and Z and the foal there????

    • Dear Stephanie in S.D.:

      Have fun at Z’s Baby Shower Saturday. Was a pleasure knowing you. Hugs, JB

      • Judy, I will miss you! Always loved your posts and your signature sign off “hugs”. Your writing has such a sincerity and warmth. Thank you and God Bless! Hope to meet up again here when news of our dear z and baby is shared. Love, Steph.

  4. The ride of a lifetime is truly putting it mildly, what we have all experienced with you, Zenyatta. There are no words to thank you or or team Z for all that we have experienced together in the past happy and glorious years.
    Tears roll down my cheeks now knowing that you are not going to be coming here each and every day anymore, but heck, that is to be expected, you are a momma now and have so many things to do and attend to. You will truly be missed but will always be in my daily thoughts and in my heart.
    You take care of yourself and your little dumpling, you have brought so much happiness and love to everyone and have brightened my life.
    You and your son are truly my shining stars and sparkle and shine brighter than any star up above.
    Thanks so much for the wonderful memories-till later…….
    Sending my Love & Blessings along with my prayers, always
    LouAnn Cingel
    Oh gosh, I’m gonna miss you!

  5. so sad to read you won’t be updating us anymore. You have quite a fanbase Z, but I can understand the need to be away from the spotlight for now. I will miss your posts…gone but not forgotten. Take care

  6. We will miss you terribly. Keep us informed on your precious bundle of joy. Please tell us his name. Dont know what I’ll do not being able to check in on you and your bundle everyday. Out of sight ,forever in our hearts. Thank you Dottie, Ann,Jerry and Mikie. May God Bless you and your baby.

  7. Dear Dottie and Zenyatta:

    It will be sad not to hear from both of you for a while.

    We understand and hope you will not be away too long. Please consider writing once a week when you are ready and share pcitures of your bundle of joy.

    Please let us know when Tasty has her baby. We have grown to love her too because of you, Zenny.

    Thanks a million for all the postings. I learned a lot about horses and the industry and hope to learn more in the future.

    Love and Hugs, Marilu

  8. I wish I could be as gracious as so many above but I find that extremely hard to do right now. Dottie, I understand your needing a break. I can’t imagine how you kept this up this long, but I honestly don’t know how in the world I’ll get by without this diary to come to to keep up with Zenyatta and now her new baby. I was so looking forward to hearing about his growth and development and who Z’s new “boyfriend” would be and all of the other wonderful things I’ve learned from you. Please, Dottie, can you keep the diary posts coming even if it’s only once a week or once a month? Please reconsider. There’s so many of us that need this.

    • I am with you Sharon. I have been crying for 2 hours just thinking the diary is gone. Zenny is gone. That might sound silly to some people that don’t understand what a light Zenny was to us. A light that has been turned off like a switch. gone
      This is a very sad day.

  9. Oh, no, how sad, but I know how time consuming a daily diary posting must be! The post didn’t say the break was “forever,” so let’s hope we get occasional pictures and postings. And please, please, tell us about “Tasty” and her foal … I still miss Pirate Queen, too. Thank you, Dottie, and all of Team Zenyatta for the diary postings that kept us up-to-date on the Queen’s doings up to now. Those ears on “12 Zenyatta” are so like Zenny’s. Take care, all!

  11. Dear Zenyatta and Dottie and all of the folks at Barn 55 and Lane’s End and your human Mom and Dad. Thank you so very much for bringing Zenyatta to us on a daily basis. It has been a phenomenal run. So wonderful to feel like part of the Z-nation. Zenyatta, you gave me the ride of my life and I, of course, same as the other fans will miss the daily postings. But know, dear Z and baby you will never be forgotten, you will live on forever in my heart as the greatest racehorse I have ever seen.
    You and your dear scribe, Dottie are one in a million. Words fail.
    Thanks to all the friends I’ve made over your website. It is a world of Zen-love right here on the internet. Thanks everyone for sharing so much of yourselves and such incredible information on her site. Think of what we have accomplished with helping other less fortunate horses. It’s amazing and all good.
    I hope you keep the website in its present form just so we can come back and re read and look at the pictures from time to time and remind ourselves of the joy you brought to each and every one of us. Enjoy your new baby Prince and we look forward to hearing about him and of course you on your Facebook and his Facebook page. It is not goodbye…. just so long for now and Aloha. Here is a kiss for you and him on your soft muzzles. A big THANKS FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
    See some of you at the races!

  12. Dearest Zenyatta, I will miss you. Hugging you one day is on my bucket list and I will never give up on that wish. Look forward to watching all of your Little Zenys progress as they make their way to The Winners Circle. Thank you Dottie and Zenyatta for such an enjoyable and heartwarming experience. You are loved to that Full Moon and back. One last kiss for your soft nose, Zeny. Love Ya forever.

  14. Thank you for the great pictures! Can’t miss those ears. To all of Z’s connections I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the countless hours, updates and special treats for all us Z Fans. You have opened up your world to include us all. We will cherish these memories always.

    Enjoy Motherhood. Dottie, I tip my hat to you as have taken on a roll of true beauty and love and have become an inspiration to us all. Thank you!

    Lots of Love always,
    Jackie

  15. As others have written, I’m trying to type through the tears. The pics are beautiful but I’ve never seen a bad picture of you and your little prince is following in Mom’s footsteps. I understand what a big job it is to keep up with the diary and we’re all so grateful that we’ve been included. I surely will miss my updates and will miss hearing what all the other Z’sters are up to as well. What a big hole will be left behind! I hope, hope that this is just a break and we will still have updates from time to time. Thanks to all Z’s connections – but most especially Dottie.

  16. My Queen and My Prince, I will continue to visit Zenyatta’s World every morning and every afternoon, and will patiently wait for your next post. I love you, I need you, I want you…My heart hurts, my eyes are swollen, my life feels only half full…until you post again, I will be waiting and I will write you…you will have alot to catch up with after your rest. I feel this is a nightmare, I will wake up and everything will be as it was. All the Dumplin’s here, we will comfort one another….until then

    Your patient, faithful and humble servant….Lisag

  17. I have been visiting your website on a daily basis since November 2010 and I enjoyed reading your updates and posting comments. I thank you and Dottie from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful updates and pictures. I will definitely miss it. However, I understand that you need to take some time off and devote more time to bond with your new foal and focus on being a mom. I know you have to spend quality time with him since in a short time he will be weaned. I love you Queen Z and have fun being a mom. Just a thought – perhaps a monthly or bi-monthly update would be more feasible for you and Dottie. Hugs and kisses to you, the little prince and Tasty. I hope we get an update regarding Tasty soon

  18. OH! My adorable Zenyatta and baby prince, my heart is broken and my tears start running I going to miss you so much, I only hope everything goes well with your baby,
    I wish you and every one in your team the best, your little baby is the most beautiful baby horse I ever saw, love you for ever and ever. Ingrid.

  19. You are so right……… know those ears anywhere. I will miss the daily post….but understand that a break might be needed by all. Thank you Dottie ….without you….we would not have so many wonderful posts. Thanks to all for the pictures. Maybe in the future….. there could be a weekly or even monthly post with a picture. Thank you Jerry and Ann for sharing Zenyatta with all of us…….you are dear and caring people. Hugs to you Zenyatta and to your colt……….and hugs to Team Zenyatta.

  20. Queen Z….you and Baby Z look so happy together. As others have said I will miss the daily updates of your life. The Moss’s and Dotie and John and all the other Z family members will be missed too. Please consider updates for all your fans even if it is just a few times a month. We Z lovers are such a close knit group we will also miss our friends that we have come to know through you Zenny.
    It will be harder for us to keep track of you and Little Z but your fans are a determined group and we will not let you slip away from us. You are so very special and we have all been blessed to have you in our lives! We love you Queen Z!

  21. Momma Z and Baby Z/B: I love you both, you will be missed but NEVER forgotten! I understand that the whole “Mommy Gig” needs to take more and more of your time. Please let us know how you and Baby are when you get time again.
    Love love love to you both,
    (tears as I type)
    xxxxoooo

  22. Something kept sticking in my head ” Happy Trails to you…. keep smiling until then ; then not too sure about the words, other than…… until we meet again”.
    Love you lots Big Mama Z and baby.

  23. I shall greatly miss your diary and all your loving comments. But this will be a beautiful beginning for you and your baby. I will always treasure the opportunity to have shared the wonderful moments of your life and look forward to hearing about the wonderful future that awaits you and your colt.
    God bless you you forever. You are a great friend and an inspiration. So much love for you and your baby…….

  24. Just like everyone else, I will miss the updates. Thanks for allowing all of us share in Zennies and her foals life, it was a wonderful ride!!! Looking forward to the future.

  25. Adorable…from the tips of his ears ot the bottom of his toes! Enjoy your time with your new little one. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Your adventures will be missed but the love we all feel for you, your team and now your foal will continue…long live the Queen!

  26. Dear Zenyatta:
    Thank you so much for sharing this journey with us. You have had such a positive impact on racing and I appreciate you taking all of us along on the ride. I can understand that everyone involved in this has devoted a terrific amount of time to keeping us informed of your every move through your racing and now your motherhood.
    Dottie, you are indeed the voice of Zenyatta and I hear you loud and clear. A break is indeed called for and much deserved but please continue with the occasional diary entry so that we can follow our Queen, her Prince, and all of the important milestones yet to come. I will indeed miss the daily diary but they are time consumming and you do deserve some quality time off.
    In the meantime I will have to be content with hugging my Zenyatta Plushie and gazing lovingly on my autographed print of the Queen’s Dance. All the best to Barn 55 and ALL of the members of Team Z! Love you guys!

  27. You have all been so gracious and kind.
    Thanking you all.
    Love you Zenyatta and your little man.

  28. Your “maternity leave” has caught me completely off-guard, Z. Stunned is probably more appropriate. I understand how much effort you and Dottie have put into your diary since you retired. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for letting us into your world and go through this career change with you. Withdrawal symptoms have started to set in already. I do hope you can manage a quick note or photo now and again. I was also looking forward to the pictures of your beautiful colt as he grows, seeing you two romp together, and learning about the “schooling” experience. I know Dottie has other horses to manage, too. Might I suggest a weekly or twice a month update? Is there any sort of anticipated schedule? I am just wondering how to know when to check the site for updates since it won’t be part of our regular routine now? I guess those of us on FB &/or Twitter can check there. I think I’m not the only one who would also like to be kept abreast of your charitable/fund-raising efforts. After all, WE support who YOU support.
    Thank you again for giving us so much access to your life. We are a dedicated bunch and will eagerly await any news from you. May the heavens bless YOU, babyZ and all of Team Zenyatta and your Lane’s End team.
    Much love and peppermint kisses to you all!

  29. Thank you Team Zenyatta! It’s been a great ride! Love you with all my heart Zenyatta & #12 Zenyatta! ^-^

  30. Please please keep the pictures coming on facebook. Thank you so much, Zen and Dottie, for keeping us up to date. The crown prince will be the most watched foal in history!