Good Morning,
You are all being so sweet about everything pertaining to ME! I am so touched. In yesterday’s photo, Joan, and several others of you, worried I had on bandages while in the paddock. You are so kind. I am fine and doing great!
Here is a picture taken while I was at Barn 55 showing how much WHITE I actually do have on my hind legs. In racing, they refer to white on the legs like this as ‘socks’.
Many of you may not have realized this…as I wore ‘white hind running bandages’ in all of my races. They were trimmed with 3 blue…’Shirreffs’ stable color’…tapes. The tapes help keep the bandages in place…and I think adds a bit of a design to them as well.
The purpose of these hind running bandages is to provide a bit of protection as John didn’t want ME to brush my ankles behind while running. This adds a precaution in preventing this from happening.
You may also have noticed from earlier photos of me that in the morning, I would wear BLUE POLO bandages on my legs. This is done for the same reason. Just a precaution to keep ME from brushing my ankles behind while training.
Many trainers use these types of bandages and for the same reason. The color of the tape and the polos usually ties into the barn’s stable colors. John’s stable color is ROYAL BLUE…so our tapes and polos are in a royal blue color.
The same is true of the saddle towel that a horse wears in the morning while training. Each trainer has a personally designed saddle towel which his/her horses wear each day while on the track. This is done so the ‘clockers’ at the race track have an additional baseline in identifying the individual horses for workout purposes. John’s saddle towel is royal blue with white lines. You may have seen it on me in photos.
Thus, when Shirreffs’ horses go to the track each day, they wear this saddle towel. They usually have on blue polo bandages as well. All of this is done to help the clockers be able to accurately monitor each horse. This way they can report the works and activity properly for the fans to use when handicapping. During the morning training hours, so many horses are on the track, training, breezing, galloping….that these tools are very helpful in making the horse identification process easier for them.
Have a great day!
With Love,
Hugs to all~
Z
ira
You’ve got my vote for Horse of the Year. Horse of the last 3 years!
Megan
Love the info.Love the blue.Love you to Zenyatta.
Barb France
“You look marvelous” in that pic…but then again I say that with every picture! Love all these informative posts…Thanks Dottie, learning so much and lovin it!!
Debbie in CO
Queen Z, you are lovely in KY. Beautiful girl in a beautiful place. Love your socks! My girl, Abby, has two hind socks too, only not as high as yours. I call her my “bobby sox kid”.
Love your posts and all the details. We can’t get enough of you, ya know. Sleep well lady.
Charlene Wolff
What is “breezing” and what is galloping? I’m not familiar with horse racing terminology, or horses for that matter. I’m learning a lot through this website… IT’S THE BEST! I became a fan of Zenyatta’s just before her last race. It’s unbelievable the love she receives from the whole world. She’s definitely one-of-a-kind. Thanks for sharing in your website.
Kimberly
Good explanation Queen. Thank you for that. When can you have visitors???
Barbara Wood
Dearest Z–
Thank you for the info. on the various bandages. Your website is addictive to all of us who love you. We can be ourselves here without people rolling their eyes, etc.
As a former teacher, I am THRILLED that so many teachers are teaching about you in their classes, after all, you are a huge CURRENT EVENT (and we hope it stays that way). The Liza G. Fly song is perfect. Love you always.
Irene Caty
Dear Zenny, I saw the bandages yesterday but did’nt think much of it because I really dont know much about that at all. I am not a horse person. I went to the races a couple times of year because I think all the horses are just beautiful and loved to see them parade in front of the grandstand before the race started. I did farely well with my betting and always had a fun day at the track. Thats about it and then along came Zenyatta and it all changed. I fell in love with her and saw raceing in a more serious light. I have learned more about horses since then but there is much I dont know. Zenny you have tought many of us alot about raceing and horses in general. I will never forget all I have learned because of you. I had never seen Hollywood Park before because of how far away it is from Lake Elsinore where I live. I went to see you race there and I found that Hollywood Park is my favorite race track. The people you meet there are so friendly and it feels like we are all one big family and of course we all had one thing in common,Queen Zenyatta. It did’nt matter if you were raceing that day or not but your presence was there because that was your home. Now you know how one fan of yours feels. Those are wonderful memories for me and thank you for that along with all else you did for so many people. I appreciate your greatness. It was so good of steve to come by and spend some time with you. I hope he does this from time to time in the future. It will be good for both of you. I wish the best for you Zenyatta and will love you always.
deana dameron
Hope everyone had a good New Year! I just found 3 pics of Eblouissante. If you go on the Zenyatta facebook page, and click on photos, she is not far down on the 1st page. If you put your mouse over the picture, it will tell you who it is. Read the blog on the left hand side of the page, and it says she went to John and was sent back for further training??? I had info. earlier that her breeder Eric Kronfeld was sending her to John but did not know she had been there. See how she is kissing the guy’s hand? Just like her sis. Her dam is Vertigineaux and sire is Bernadini and she is already 16 hands. Bernadini’s sire is AP Indy-a sign of what a cross of AP Indy and Z would be-hmmm…? Let me know if you have any trouble finding it. The pics are kinda cloudy. Also, her half sister-Balance (Vertigineaux dam/Thundergulch sir) is being bred to Street Cry. She won 3 grade 1 races shortly before Z. Should prove to be some interesting racing in the future. Also, are any of you watching Souper Spectacular? His sire is Giant’s Causeway and his dam is Vertigineaux. He like Z took a little time to grow into himself but like his Dad he is mainly a turf horse.
Nancy
Zen ,
Love that photo of you in breeders cup classic
Champion blanket/sheet. Guess that means you
win horse of the year. Whether you beat the boys
together or separately or together it doesn’t matter.
You are the first female thoroughbred race horse to
beat the boys in the breeders cup classic. Yeah!!!!
Have a great run and roll in the paddock and a cozy
warm night. Heard KY is getting warmer !!!!
Valerie Chase
You gorgeous girl! You could look good in any color, but the royal blue is very fetching! Thanks for sharing Z and D!! :)
Sandra Ryan
Is that your wedding dress?
Michelle
I love reading these diary posts every day they always make me smile.
Another thing that made me smile. I told you the other day that my husband bought me your 2011 calendar from Coady Photography. It is all pictures from the 2010 Apple Blossom. For the month of December my sister-in-law and I are in the picture with you. We are so excited about it! Of course no one would know it was us except for us because we know where we were standing. Also, this week I wrote to a reporter that has a vote for Horse of the Year and told her that I thought you should be Horse of the Year. She quoted me in the newspaper, I couldn’t believe it. I feel famous now being on your calendar and being quoted in the newspaper. You are so special to so many of us.
deana dameron
OH Sandra, Behave!!! LOL!
Robin
Hi Zenny!! Wow I am learning SO many new things about you and horses in general. Thank you once again for putting our minds at ease. We just worry about you!! Stay safe and warm pretty girl!! Love you! MUAH!!! XOXO
Kristoffer Nielsen
We are so grateful that the posts are continuing! Thank you to Zen and connections–you are very special for sensing how important this horse is to many and for your generosity in continuing to share….
deana dameron
Add to above post about Z’s family. To make it less confusing to see the pics, go to fan photo’s of zenyatta-(on facebook) shows pics 2-346. Just click on Dottie’s dog and it takes you right to the pics. Eblouissante is just below Sophie-Dottie’s dog. Hope this wasn’t too confusing.
Linda Henderson
Thanks for the information, dear Zenyatta. I have been to Clockers Corner at Santa Anita but I did not know how to identify stables. I did love being there. It was glorious with the San Gabriels in the background. I would not tire of that view.
sg
Nice (new) video on facebook.
**Few questions and observations on video for horse people.
1) It kind of seems dangerous to let Z take an entire carrot in one fell swoop. Is this the norm or could this be dangerous (choking)?
2)To me, Z kind of looked a little fidgety. I wonder if it’s because they no longer put cotton in her ears like they use to at 55.
3)Lastly, one thing that I always observed with Mario is that he appeared to have some control when it came to visitors. There always seemed to be a calmness and order when visitors approached Z. In this video it didn’t appear that way. I think visitors need to realize that care needs to be a priority with Z.
My two cents. Please set me straight if I’m off base. :)
Kimberly
I love you Zenyatta! (and Dottie!!!!) your #1 fan in Montana!!
Leslie R.
Hi Zenny, thanks to you and Dottie for another informative post! I always look forward to reading them. I know others have mentioned this, but I agree, you and Dottie should write a book. It would be wonderful, like you!
I hope you have a nice night!
Love you,
Leslie
Char
I sure do enjoy all of the diary posts. I thought it was interesting that the Breyer Christmas ornament of Zenyatta showed her racing without her white wraps and blue tape. Looked strange without them, but I was still happy to hang it on my tree. Thanks for all the updates, it’s nice to know that Zenny’s doing so well :)
Bob Rose
I look so forward each day to read you and Dottie’s newest postings! Not a day passes that it doesn’t bring me tears of joy. I also love to listen to Liza G. Fly’s song to you as I browse trough here. I doubt there will ever be a draught in Cali again, cuz I know the solution now ;) Enjoyed ur diary page. You are absolutely the greatest horse ever foaled in every way I can read a horse, and with a lifetime working with so many of them, that leaves nothing overlooked <3…oh, my daily routine ends each nite listening to every song Liza has sung. What a peaceful nite's sleep you and Liza set me up for :)
sherry drish
thank you Dottie for all the info, what a great pair you and John are, he takes wonderful pics and Zenyatta and Dottie share the updates. The Moss family are so kind to share Z with the world of horse lovers.
Zeina
Hi Zenny!!
So glad everything’s going great for you. By the way, only yesterday I wanted to compliment you on how lovely your socks look! You ARE a superhorse!! You are so beautiful that any color would be simply stunning on you!
Plz take care and say hi to Dottie and all your friends and family and pl z keep us posted.
Love always, Zeina
And thx again for all thr wonderful info.
lizzy
Thank you for another beautiful post.
Happy Wednesday
Morgan
Well good to know your okay i still miss seeing you gallop on the track and i love you. Lol if i got to breed you i so know who i would pick. Big Brown because for one he is as handsome as you are beautiful and he almost won the triple crown! and you almost went a perfect 20 for 20 luv ya kisses.
Julie Ann in O.C. CA.
Dear Zenyatta and Dottie,
Thanks for another informative post! You’re two great teachers! Abrazotes! Julie Ann
Nancy
Lady Z, you and your team have obviously raised the bar for other race horse owners and trainers. I see that Uncle Mo is making Internet friends and fans. This may be the answer for racing and race tracks in these difficult times. All of you should feel proud and happy because of this lasting contribution. You ROCK!
Retrospectiv
@ SG above.
.
Yes, feeding a horse an entire carrot like in the video is a great way to make a horse choke. You should never feed carrots like that. Eaither have the horse bite off pieces from the whole as they eat, or break them up for them. I cringed when I saw the boy give her one full length one, and then shove another in her mouth before she’s even finished chewing the first one.