Photo taken by John Shirreffs
Hello Everyone!
It sounds like all of you are off to a busy 2011! Mine has started out wonderfully.
Dottie has been telling me about all of the questions you have. We will do our best to address as many of them as possible often in the Diary. We’ll start with these:
1) YES, Mario does know I’m playing in the MUD…and he is so happy for me. He knows I’ve wanted to roll in the mud for quite sometime. NOW I CAN REALLY GET PLAYFUL OUTSIDE! Very cute! Also, thanks for letting me know Mario has his own Facebook page now. I can’t wait to tell him! SURPRISE!
2) Steve is fine. He is working away at the barn and all is A-OK with him. Obviously, he misses me a whole bunch…as does Mario and the rest of Barn 55…but they are so happy for me. John does his best to keep them posted on my activities. All videos and photos are shared with them constantly!
3) John’s watch…is the IPOD Nano. It is a great tool and also a fun new ‘toy’ for John. Lucky guy, I can still be with him 24/7!
4) My future breeding plans. The Moss’ will announce them soon. Many different things will go into this decision. Everything will be finalized sometime in January. With the holiday, many people have been out of town. It is also fun for ME to ponder who my first date will be. Gotta’ love it!
5) Other breeding questions will be addressed when breeding season begins. The breeding sheds in KY do not open until mid-February. I probably will not be bred until late February. Believe me, I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED!
6) A Jockey question was asked…what does ‘throwing a cross mean’? Dottie has called my guy, MIKE SMITH, for this answer. Mike’s quotes will be used for this answer. They are touching base later today. FYI…Many have asked…and Mike is doing very well. Dottie and John saw him last night at dinner. He is planning a trip to come see me soon. Can’t wait!
7) Video of an interview…John did an interview with Susan Ashbrook of Equine Vip. She granted permission for Dottie to mention it in the Diary. You may find this interview by going to www.equinevip.com. It is the first interview that comes up. My JOHN will be standing there with Susan. (He says so many fabulous things about me and my heritage. He also notes how amazing the entire thoroughbred breed is and his love for the HORSE.) Very special! Please enjoy!
8) Rhonda pointed out that I was recognized as the #1 Female Race Horse of All Time…in a recent Sports Illustrated Article. You may find this piece by: 1) going to my web-page 2) clicking on the Facebook symbol in the right corner 3) that will take you directly to the page you need 4) scroll down the left hand column until you see the term LINKS 5) approximately 3 down is the story TOP FEMALE RACE HORSES OF ALL TIME. 6) Click on this title and YIPPEE…there I am with my owners! What an honor! There are some really amazing historical horses being honored in this piece….and they recognized me with the distinction of being #1! I can’t tell you how PROUD this makes me feel!
9) P.Q…many have asked about her breeding plans and things relating to her. From the beginning, I did ask permission to discuss her name in the Diary. Her owners were so gracious and said of course! Any other additional information, I will need to be polite and ask if I can discuss it. As she is not owned by my owners, we must respect her privacy at this time.
P.Q. and I are great friends…and we do get along beautifully. We have BONDED nicely!
Oh, I’m getting a phone call! Someone in my family is calling to TANGO with me! (Gotta’ get ready for my close-up!) Sending BIG HUGS!
With Love,
Z
Jitka Bělušová
You’re a sweet girl, I like your diary and I’m glad you’re doing well :))
Ann
Dear Queen Z, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful new life with us and explaining so many details! Can’t wait to find out who your first date will be!
Joan
Lovely pic in the snow. Are those leg wraps on the hind legs??? Problem????
I do hope all is OK you number 1, you!!!!
Leslie Bonnette
Zenny – I sure hope that A.P. Indy is the choice for your baby’s daddy! I am thinking of names – Male – Zendy – Female – Zendatta.
Dottie – I was the one at Keeneland – in the bitter cold – that spoke out – we did not yell around our princess – “Thank You for the blog”. And I really mean it! 3 once in a lifetimes this year – WEG – Breeder’s Cup – and being that close to Zenyatta before her retirement!
Judy Gadwood Loves Zenny/California
Hi Queen Z! I have a question that some of us have tossed around… do you feel you are an “alpha” horse in a herd of other mares? Please explain why or why not?
XO HUGS & KISSES!
Arnie
Zenyatta = HORSE OF THE YEAR!!!!!
Elena Erdman
Hi Queen Z. Thanks for the great post. I finally got some sleep after working at the Tournament of Roses for two days. I have to tell you that the float Saving America’s Mustangs was glorious. They played Amazing Grace and that really got to me. I got shivers. The Mustangs at the beginning of the float were wild ones and gorgeous. The next day I was where they put all the floats so people can visit them, and guess what? I got the Mustang float. Did I talk about horses? Wow and Zenyatta, so many love and knew you and so there was plenty of Zernyatta and Mustang talk and it rained a whole lot. I got home with my white suit soaked completely and feet and hands frozen and a big smile on my face and checked this site to see you and went to sleep. I think you rock big big time, I love you.
Stephanie J Lambert
Zenny, be sure to let Mikey have the first Interview with your “date” as we all know they have to pass his inspection first LOL, I Love You x0x0x0x0
Stephanie J Lambert
A to Z , my name for your first colt as I am praying your first and only boyfriend for a while will be THE Man himself :)
Rhonda Clements
Wow I could not believe my name was mentioned in today’s diary post, I had to share the Sports Illustrated article with everyone. I am on pins and needles waiting to see if you will receive the honor you deserve as HOTY. So happy that you are having fun and rolling in the mud. Cannot wait to see who will be your Baby daddy. Love you Z and thanks to your family and Dottie for keeping us informed.
Trish & Mike in Colorado
Dear Dot-Zen: Thank you for the updates. How gracious of you not to comment on the full-court press by the Eastern U.S. turfwriters to promote a certain other. How ladylike and classy of you to take the high road !!! They seem to be getting their girths in a twist, though. All we can say is: they NEVER SAW YOU RUN IN PERSON, they never experienced your magnificence (or they just know what side their bread is buttered, perhaps).
Elena Erdman
How do I find Mario Espinoza on face book, there are a lot of them? Thank you.
Elena
Lynette Lucas
Queen Z- I love your posts!!! I look forward to reading your posts everyday!! Keep them coming girl!!! Love the current photo of you!!
Ella
“I LOVE ZENYATTA, FROM ELLA!” My mom is doing the post & she asked me what I wanted to say…XOXO
sue w
I am thrilled that you nswered so many of our questions! You and Dottie are quite a team.
It made me smile knowing Mario, Steve and he gang follow your daily. They played such a huge part in your life and helped make you the special girl you came to be.
I can’t wait for a video of your mud bath…bet you get full of the stuff and it must feel so good.
I want desperately for you to get HOY…my fingers, toes and eyes are crossed hoping the “folks” who vote understand your worth to the equine world.
Sleep well tonight. Love you bunches.
Maggie Logan
Hey! zenyatta i just wanted to tell you that i LOVE YOU and your the best race horse ever !! i’m going to come see you sometime i think i may see you eaither in 2011 or 2012 . thats what im asking for when i turn 18 to come and see you :) your amazing and your my Hero :) thanks so much for doing what you do race :) i watch on youtube all your races maybe 2 twice a day :) cya Have a awesome week outside cya :)
Diana a.
you are my hero! i love you Z…hope to be able to visit you some
day oxoxoxoxo
Sharon Call
Wow, Dottie, you really do read all of the posts! That is dedication and caring, if ever I’ve seen it. I love your writing style. It can’t be easy to speak from a human mouth and a horse mouth all at once. ZUDOS TO YOU! One of the things I didn’t see answered that a lot of people are asking is when can folks come to see the Queen? Will it be before or after breeding season? I know this must be a big issue since I’m sure there will be a huge turn-out for this and it would seem to me that before or during breeding season might not be an oportune time for this. I know from the posts that a lot of people are thinking about wanting to come around Derby time. As I understand it, breeding season usually runs from mid-February to June so the Derby probably wouldn’t be a good time. Has any thought or planning been given to visiting Z yet? Thanks to all of Team Z CA and Team Z KY for allowing her adoring public to share in her life and yours, as well. Also, because of what I’ve read in this web site that I didn’t know about before, I’ve sent a donation to Heart of Tucson for the care of Dyna King (BTW, he’s not a half-brother of Barbaro I just found out today)but that really doesn’t matter. What matters is that horse has so much heart to keep on trying. Watching him try to walk just broke me down in tears. As long as I live, I’ll never come close to understanding how people can be so cruel to animals (any animals). It makes me ashamed but then I think about all of the people that have donated to this organization and other rescue organizations and I know there’s hope for the world. I wonder how many people would never have known about this if not for this web site. Your good works just keep on going.
Jena Hobert
Zenyatta you and Dottie are amazing. I hope she writes a book about you. Thanks girls for bringing me up. Christmas and New Years have been very sad this year. I lost my sister. I hope to go to Kentucky to see you Zenny, maybe while Breyerfest and Equlicity are going on. Thanks for the up-lift Ladies. Love from me,Secsea Dance, Salawgi, Simon and Picasso.
Diana
Z, we love your diary updates & you all have SO much to keep us updated and waiting for more. We are all anxious to find out who your first date will be! I truly hope you pick a “winner” because you deserve the best. What a wonderful Mommy you will be!
Katie Ziberna
Who are you planning her to be bred to???
Mary McQuire
Thank you so much for these wonderful and informative posts. Don’t worry if you do not get HOTY. It won’t matter in the long or actually even the short term. Anyone who ever saw you run knows that you are one of the most exceptional race horses that ever ran a race. The award belongs to you. But it won’t matter to me and I bet it won’t matter to you either!
Jennifer Adelman
Dear Zenyatta, How exciting for you to be bred in just a few months. It has to be a science to figure out who is your best match. Best of all you get to be just a horse with your own beautiful paddock and be a loving mother. You deserve it!
You can see Life is Sweet soon I hope. A baby will make her get up before noon. You look just lovely with your BFF PQ.
Hugs!
Gloria
Hi Big Mama Z! I can’t wait to hear about the day Mikey comes to visit you. I’m already getting tears in my eyes hoping I can see some pictures from that meeting. You two are so cute together! You made for some of the best horse racing I’ve ever seen in my life. Two awesome athletes. I’ve got a great start on my Zenyatta scrapbook! I’m up to win number 17 next. Sexy + 17 as Stray Cats once sang! I have a blast looking back at my book remembering my favorite race horse of all time. And, it looks like it’s going to run longer than I thought, since everyone on Team Z is keeping us up with what’s going on with you. Whoo hoo! Glad your new year is going great. Much love to you and Team Z. Tango, baby…tango!
Rachel
For those of you who are worrying that Zenyatta’s back legs are wrapped: no, she has two tall white socks on both rear legs.
Sue
Hi Z, Can I ask a big favor please? My birthday is Friday the 7th and a BIG KISS from you would be the best gift ever. thanks, Sue
Rachel
No, actually, they are not socks put on by somebody. That’s her own natural pair of socks she was born with.
Janet Cutting
Hello Z, Dottie: I am also like Lizzy– a non-horse person, but learning– I hear everyone wanting AP Indy as Z’s mate–Please explain why and also I am happy to hear that Mike is going to visit Z. Mike you check out those boys for Z. Thanks Dottie for all the effort you put into the Diary. Zenyatta for Horse of the Year!! love to all, Janet C
Debbie
love you Z!!! xo
Juanita Denton
Hello Zenyatta! I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your diary postings. I’m so happy you are enjoying life at Lanes End! You are a very special lady!!!!