Good Morning,
Today is a big THANK YOU DAY!
Look at the beautiful sky! The France family sent this photo to John and Dottie. They commented in the note…when first seeing this sky, they thought of ME! To quote Barb…”we spotted this ‘Z’ between Mt. Baker and The Sisters very early one morning last week. FIRST THOUGHT WAS… ZENYATTA!” This is so sweet! The sky looks amazing…and the BIG Z…is a WOW! Thank you for thinking of me!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUE! May this be a healthy, joyful, and blessed year for you. I guess this January birthday thing is really popular. My horse friends and I all had a great celebration on January 1st. Enjoy your day!
I do want to extend a BIG THANK YOU to Shari Voltz’ 5th grade class in Ohio. The gifts and goodies you sent me are so appreciated. I know Sarah sent you a note…but I wanted to do so as well. I hope that all of these students are having a good time learning different things from me. This is the third class I have heard from…one from the East Coast….and another from the San Francisco area. You know how much I love children…so this means a great deal to me!
Additionally, THANK YOU for the kind comments about TEAM Z and THE SPECIAL ECLIPSE AWARD they are being honored with this year! My TEAM is so excited…and deeply honored. It has been an amazing 4 1/2 years…my time at Barn 55. I am so proud our INDUSTRY is recognizing MY TEAM for their effort, hard work and achievement.
The Awards are on January 17th in Florida. I know LOTS of photos will be shown of me that night. My friends and I will be watching from our comfy stalls at Lane’s End. Let’s hope it is a night for Carrot Cake and Guinness for ALL! We are keeping our hooves crossed…for sure!
Lastly, I know I’ve said it before…but I truly want to say THANK YOU again to ALL OF MY FANS! Your support, love, kindness, notes, photos, gifts, and hugs have really helped me to feel SPECIAL! I know how much I deeply appreciate your thoughtfulness…and my entire team feels exactly the same way! It really has been a TEAM EFFORT…AND THAT TEAM INCLUDES EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU! WHAT A TIME WE HAVE ALL SHARED TOGETHER!
Dottie has a dear friend, JOY, who is extremely artistic! Joy commented to her one afternoon…”I have always felt the memories I have in my life are truly MY BEST PAINTINGS!”
With this thought in mind, I hope that in some way my time at Barn 55 has helped you to add some ‘beautiful paintings’ to your life!
With Love,
Hugs to All,
Z
Sarah Powell
Awesome picture for an awesome horse – so glad we got to see it. Surely this is a sign?! Thanks for sharing this picture with us. Any progress with John’s pictures? We never get enough of seeing her.
Darla
You truly are our gift from God!!
Joan
What a pic, the Z is so great. It was destined the ones who saw it, knew of you Bg Z.
Someone asked if the Eclipse Awards would be on TV. TVG will carry them again this year. I gotta warn you though, last year was a tough year to watch and Z not get the Award. I am hoping for a better outcome this year. Good luck Big Girl, but you are far greater than any award.
Love ya.
Margaret
Oh Z you just have to know this. I got a wonderful pic of you under your tree that last Sat morning at Barn 55. John is half buried by the leafs of the tree (you can’t see his head)and Mario is there holding your lead. You have your nose to the ground looking for some grass.
It’s the one photo that I chose to enlarge to poster size and sits on my landing. Therefore everytime I walk up and downstairs I see you! And then I will never forget the hug you gave me. What a very special moment that was. A real life hug from Z herself.
Special hugs Z. I love you.
Nana G
I just received my “Bloodhorse, Zenyatta commemmorative edition” in the post. A wonderful read about everyone’s favourite horse and the most beautiful picture which, incidentally has pride of place in a frame on my mantle.
It is just so amazing to me that even from this distance (Australia) and even though she has retired. So many people just can never get enough of the mighty mare Zenyatta. We are not likely to see her like again for a long, long time.
Thank you Team Z for sharing and continuing to share this amazing soul with the world.
Tory
Another one of God’s gifts in the form of Z!
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
What a beautiful photograph and so spiritual and mystical with the Z! The skies are definitely putting out the message that you are the number 1 horse!
So glad that you are getting lots of goodies and things from some of your younger fans, it is wonderful that the younger folks are learning about horses and racing through you and your team-a very positive thing.
And yes, Zenyatta you and your team have added many wonderful paintings to my life in the past few years-thankyou for all that you have done for me, means more to me than you could ever know. Stay happy Zenyatta!
Love & Blessings to you-
Melinda
Zenyatta ….. you are just he most special horse EVER! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE YA!
Susan
The sky picture is lovely. Z could you please tell Khara that the Mosses would probably tell her to help support thoroughbred retirement at Old Friends in Georgetown KY….they have several horses there …Kudos and Cherono are a couple and…Rhulman (a very famous runner of theirs) was retired there before his death in 2008)….anyway…it’s a wonderful organization that retires stallions! I know you know about it Z and you are not too far from there now! You could tell her to check out their blog and website…oldfriendsequine.org! I know the Mosses would appreciate her support for them! Have a great weekend…I think you are going to get snow again!
Sharon
I agree with many posters that you are GREATER than a HOTY award. Having said that, it would be a joy to hear your name announced as HOTY and then. . .let the Guiness flow!!
Debbie
Beautiful Zenyatta!!! Each time I watched you run I thanked God, because He made you perfect and you are a gift to all of us! You bring me joy! Hugs XXO
Debbie
PS: January 17 I will have my cold Guinness ready.
Linda / NJ
Hi Zenny: My goodness this photo is absolutely amazing. A big Thank You to the France family for sharing. I hope Dottie sent this photo to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association because if they still don’t get it, and still have doubts, now all they have to do is look up to the heavens. The guardian angel that John placed on your racing halter is sending a sign! I am very excited to hear the HOTY announcement on Monday, January 17th. I hope they rollout the red carpet for the Mr. & Mrs. Moss, John and Dottie Shirreffs and for Mike Smith who always brought you home safe. Do you know if this event will be televised? It should be this year Zenyatta because of you! You and TEAM Z have done so much for this sport. I know I will never see anything like your career again in my lifetime. You are the greatest! Love, Linda
Jan
Zenyatta,
God bless our gracious Queen, and all of her wonderful
caring Team Z. We love you in Texas. (:
Gloria Jeanne
Hi Zenyatta and Team Z- I can’t tell you enough about all the BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES, IMAGES AND DREAMS that have been created and inspired by YOUR racing career and TEAM. I have been watching you run races since # 6 at Hollywood Park when you wore # 3. At that time seeing you in person was fairly easy and always a joy. You could walk right up to the rail and snap the most awesome close-ups and watch your spender grow into who you are now. I remember the first time I saw you DANCE – I would have bet huge dollars that Mario had taught you that, then the time I first saw you bow after a race at Hollywood Park Vanity in 2009. In 2010 you were such the HAM…. always stopping for the camera’s click and the cheers of your name being said – shouted and finally Chantted. After Del Mar this I could not take it anymore… I needed to meet you… My boyfriend laughed at me… then said- ok. The worst that could happen would be to get a no from John, which he didn’t. I got to meet and my dream came true… I have meet THEEE MOST AMAZING HORSE OF MY LIFETIME.
Kimberly
Queen Z…..You are THE BEST!!!!!! NITE NITE!!
Selene McCarthy
That was the sweetest post! Thank you! These posts and everyone’s comments really nurture my soul.
Gloria Jeanne
Hi Zenyatta and Team Z- I can’t tell you enough about all the BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES, IMAGES AND DREAMS that have been created and inspired by YOUR racing career and TEAM. I have been watching you run races since # 6 at Hollywood Park when you wore # 3. At that time seeing you in person was fairly easy and always a joy. You could walk right up to the rail and snap the most awesome close-ups and watch your spender grow into who you are now. I remember the first time I saw you DANCE – I would have bet huge dollars that Mario had taught you that, then the time I first saw you bow after a race at Hollywood Park Vanity in 2009. In 2010 you were such the HAM…. always stopping for the camera’s click and the cheers of your name being said – shouted and finally Chanted. After Del Mar this I could not take it anymore… I needed to meet you… My boyfriend laughed at me… then said- ok. The worst that could happen would be to get a no from John, which he didn’t. I got to meet and my dream came true… I have meet THEEE MOST AMAZING HORSE OF MY LIFETIME. I can’t wait for the movie. I have all kinds of pictures of you from the track to your barn and bath time at Barn 55 with Mario and Carmen and your tail up in the air enjoying bath time after practice on the track. What a joy…. If your Team needs photos or articles I have some I would love to share.
HUGS AND KISSES – Love You Sweet ZENYATTA!!!
Linda B
Zen galloped across the sky in the early morning showing her maker she was still free happy and ready to do what comes next in her life. NITE NITE ZEN SLEEP WARM AND WELL
Joyce
Hi Queen Z
HOTY, we know you will receive.
God writes your Z in the Sky!
Makes HOTY kinda small doesn’t it. When I first saw the pic of the Z in the Sky-I thought of Barbaro after he galloped across the rainbow bridge to heaven, his right rear leg in perfect condition again! Is it God and all his horse angels voting for Horse of the Year, Our Queen Z.
Dotyzen, reading this blog is a lot like watching Queen Z race. You laugh, hold your breath, say ah, and cry and laugh at the same time. Usually I laughed and cried when she won as I was so happy for her!!!!Even when I lost $100 on Ginger Punch I laughed and cried and said WOW look at her, Zenyatta!!
Queen Z Horse of the Year!!!If I could vote I would vote twice for you!!! Good night Zenyatta, sleep tight, snuggle into the warm blankie. Sweet dreams of carrots, pepermints, carrot cake and Guiness!!!
Karen
Both of my sons are in the Army. In 2009, both were in Iraq at the same time. Watching your races and getting to know you and your team gave me something joyful to focus on and I’m so thankful for you all. This year, one of my sons was deplyed to Afghanistan and the other will be going there later this year about the same time the first one comes back. With all the worrisome things going on, you and your team are an encouragement. I’m glad you came along in my lifetime and look forward to seeing you some day.
Gerrie P.
Zenyatta is the Horse of the Year and the greatest mare of all time.
Frankly, no matter how the votes are counted, racing fans all over the world know their Queen Z is the deserving winner.
Furthermore, Zenyatta’s entire team derserves recognition for the thrills and joys they gave the fans and sharing this most spectacular horse, Zenyatta.
Gloria Jeanne
She always gives me goosebumps!!!!
Love you Z
Helen & Guido
Hopefully a sign from above that you are the horse of the year Z! You’re the best and you deserve the best. You’ve touched so many people of all ages, you’re a gift.
Megan S
Hey Zenny, I have a question for you. (or I guess some thoughts…) I was wondering what you thought of Rachel and all that she’s done. It would be amazing if you two could correspond and we could hear about Rachel. Thanks Z.
The picture is the MOST LOVELY thing I have ever seen. So breath-taking.
And also, I teared up a little when you said your fans were a part of your Team as well. I feel so honored to get to share the memories with you.
Love from Cali,
Megan
Barb France
I’m so glad that Dottie posted the “Z in the Heaven’s” photo and that it has brought enjoyment and inspiration to so many! It truly was an amazing sight and I am sure glad we had a camera in our car at that time. Thank you so very much..Zenyatta is truly loved!
kristen
Love you Zenyatta!
Catherine Uher
A sign from the heavens! That is so beautiful and thank you so much for sharing this with all of us! YOU just mean soooo much to all of us Zenyatta that it’s hard to put into words. I can’t thank you enough for what you have done for me. Here’s to you and that HOY award you so rightfully deserve! :)
Jenna
I’m off to read ‘Secretariat’ but before I sign off, I wanted to say have a lovely night, Dottie..and Z…have a nice night, cutie. Fingers crossed for 1/17.Lady Luck.
Take care. I love you.
Nighty night.
Pamela J Hebert
God above has sent his blessing to you Z. How amazing & beautiful that Z is -it’s a sign. I’m so glad that in my lifetime I have witnessed all that encompasses you. What an experience for those that have cared for you in the past & the present. What a beautiful photo- you still make me cry.