Good Morning, Everyone!
I was just thinking…YIKES…it is one week, 7 days…to the ECLIPSE AWARDS! One more week to go!
I know my TEAM is getting a SPECIAL ECLIPSE AWARD. It came as a complete surprise to them when they heard about it…a wonderful SURPRISE!
As you know, MY TEAM includes quite a few people. In addition to the names the media mentioned when announcing the AWARD…I wanted to be sure to acknowledge some of the other people who have worked with me along the way.
CHEVA is one of them. I asked Dottie to share this photo of ME WITH CHEVA at Del Mar. Carmen walked me in the mornings…but Cheva walked me often as well…especially in the afternoon. He, along with Mario and Frank, would graze me each day. In this picture, I am ‘playing one of my games with him’. I would rest my head right on top of his head. Then we’d just stand like this and observe everything going on around us. Cheva would just laugh….and play along with me. Our carrot game was also quite funny. Needless to say, Cheva and I spent a great deal of time together. He is a very dear man!
The other photo shows more people who helped me quite a bit while I was at Barn 55. FRANK LEAL is one of John’s ‘main guys’. He works with all of the horses, grooms and staff as needed. In general, he helps John to oversee everything that is going on in the stable. FRANK spent a great deal of time with me! He’d help John and Mario as needed…and worked with me daily to be sure I was ONE HAPPY HORSE. Frank also travels with the Shirreffs’ Stable when John’s horses go out of town to run. He is in the Kentucky Derby photos with Giacomo, Harmonious at Keeneland, and my photos at the Apple Blossom in Arkansas, and Breeders’ Cup in Kentucky. He is ONE DEVOTED AND TERRIFIC GUY!
ISABELLE (left) and JENNY (right) are in this photo with Frank. They are both exercise riders at my barn and wonderful horsewomen. When STEVE was off for 4 months or so last year, it was ISABELLE who rode me every single day! Also, during that time, she was the one who would be on me in my workouts…or be on one of my workmates when Mike would be on me! Later, when Steve returned and John would have me work with 2 other horses, in a ‘team drill’, ISABELLE would be on one of my workmates. She and I got along beautifully…and we are great friends. Jenny also helps ride and work with many of the horses at the stable. It has been my great pleasure to work with these people and everyone at Barn 55!
I did want to mention JEANNIE AND APRIL MAYBERRY who taught me my first lessons at their training center in Ocala. They knew me when I was first starting out.
Additionally, I can’t forget DAVID. It is through DAVID that I met my TEAM way back when I was HIP # 703 as a yearling! LUCKY ME!
It is amazing how in life…if one thing takes a turn or twist in a certain direction… how things in your life can completely change. That is why this morning, I just wanted to be sure to say an EXTRA THANK YOU. John has always believed it is important to stay focused and in the moment! He wanted the barn to do just that each day when working with me…to help me reach my goals! EACH of these people worked to make this happen. They are ALL truly a part of TEAM ZENYATTA!
7 DAYS and COUNTING! I’m off to go play with Alys, P.Q, and Sea Gull!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
bee
Good luck! hope you win!
Barbara
Thank you for sharing this!!! Have fun playing with your friends! We are having an Eclipse award party in your honor!! Love you Queen Z:)))
Theresa M
I want to thank you for the added information to educate everyone about the things that thoroughbred horse have done and go through to keep healthy and happy. I am curious about how the process of choosing your eventual mate for the first breeding? Is all a pedigree thing?
Maureen
Zenyatta…. wouldnt you just love a date with Medaglia D’oro ? Come on girly…you know its a match made in heaven
Kitei
Thank you Dottie and Zenny for the update, and all the previous ones as well! You are the greatest for sharing the details of your fascinating world with us so freely! Zenny your game is funny! Are you trying to see what you’d look like with a human body? LOL
Pam Zacek,
I so glad you always think of all your helpers, and wow, did you reach that goal, I love those picutures, and hope right now your having fun with your new friend, in the padlock or out in the fields I guess that depends on the snow, again.. glad the whole team was mention, they all deserve the best award, and the trainer and all of them.. good for them and good for you to take all there goals, and you delivered, it ten fold,
Lisa
Thanks for sharing Z, have a great day, cant wait for the eclipse awards!
Bridget
That’s great to hear, Z! Tell Sarah to keep the photos and videos coming! We want to keep you fresh in our minds and know what you’re doing! Love you.
Leslie
Love & miss you Zennie…Glad to hear that you are healthy & happy !!
Selene McCarthy
Zenyatta, you are the best, my girl! I love every informative post. My deepest thanks to John Sherreffs and Dottie and all of Team Z for sharing you so eloquently with us all. On this snowy day in Georgia, I will tip a Guiness in your honor! I hope you have one, too! Congratulations on the Eclipse award!
Donna Powell
Thank you so much ZENNY/Dottie
Dawn Deems
Dear Zenny,
Whatever happens at the Eclipse Awards, you are NUMBER ONE to all of us!! :)
You have brought people together all over the world. I personally have made new friends because we have YOU in common.
Have a great day! HUGS and kisses from Ohio.
-Dawn
Marilyn Hill-Russell
GOOD LUCK TO YOU Z. Thanks too, to all of your friends that are following your every post.
Donna Powell
Thank you so much ZENNY/Dottie,sorry didn’t get to finish my post. We all appreciate your wonderful diary. We NEED to know what is happening to you every day. ALL GOOD LUCK IN THE ECLIPSE AWARDS. YOU DESERVE TO WIN. Thanks, too, for the great “thank you” cards you sent to your friends. I will cherish it.
Jenna
What a nice diary entry.
I hate to be a baby and melancholy but…I wonder how Z feels with this change in scenery and people. I know horse people will say she’s dealt with it and is loving it. But it’s funny. Almost one month to the day from her last race, she’s in a freezing cold city, away from everyone.
I always hope for the best in this life so I feel she’s totally loved by Lane’s End staff. How could you not love her? I work there for free if I could be with her.
One comment: I e-mailed Lane’s End about visits. There are no visits until after breeding season—after mid-July.
:(
Thank you so much, Dottie. You words mean so much to so many. I love the photo of Z and Cheva. More great, loving people who worked with the big girl.
Take care.
Megan
A split second CAN change your life forever Zenyatta.How wonderful your life has been.Amazing the gratitude you show in sharing with us & to all the folks involved with you along the way.I know they are so proud of you.How lucky they are to have had you in their care & life.You are a true gift that lifts my spirits each day.So far the journey has been amazing,I look forward to it continuing into the future.Have a good day with your friends.Thanks Dottie as always.
Peyton
You so deserve to get HOTY, but no matter what, you are and always will be the greatest racehorse ever! Thanks for all of the updates. We can never hear or see enough of our Queen.
Candace
Zenyatta, we are all rooting for you. They cannot give you the honor you really deserve which is Horse of a Lifetime but, they can make up for the disservice you received last year AND the year before by giving you HOTY. I know I will be watching as will more people than EVER before. And I am further hoping that the industry voters do the RIGHT THING finally! We love you and your team ZoZoZo (x’s and o’s arent good enough for you!)
Maggie
Z, I love reading your diary posts!! What a wonderful writer you have helping you. I can just picture you out in the pasture, hanging out with PQ and your other friends. Makes me happy to think of you enjoying your new life. What a special girl you are, you give so many people such joy. Love you!
Fran
Hi Z-we finally have some sun here in Fresno. I am so pleased to meet the other members of Team Z. You are such a lucky girl. Have a wonderful day Z. Hear you may be getting more snow. xxoo
Diana Nix
Zenyatta, I hope you know how much me and thousands upon thousands of others are pulling for you for HORSE OF THE YEAR! My stomach is already in knotts wanting them to CALL YOUR NAME so bad. I also think it is absolutely wonderful how you recognize and thank everyone on your TEAM for what they have done and continue to do for you. I know each and everyone of them has played an intrigal part in your life and continue to do so. One of my favorite pictures is you looking down at your Mini Me (breyer horse of you). I have one and preordered it before they were available for shipment. You are the GREATEST GIRL IN THE WORLD and ALWAYS WILL BE!! LOVE YOU GIRL!!!!!
Elaine
I’m so impressed with your entire team. Thank you for giving us a glimpse into your life.
Susan Haynes
You must win Horse of the Year! You are the best ever.
Kathleen
Zenyatta, you don’t need a HOTY award for me to think of you as one of the greatest race horses in modern history. The prestige of the award diminished in my mine when Curlin beat you in ’09, and RA beat you in ’10. It’s a shame that the majority of the voters are east of the Mississippi and have a bias against California horses.
Kathy Kimber
Thank You Lady Z for introducing more of the people from Barn 55. Yea its one more week and then on to other things. You deserve this award so much but it is doesn’t happen you are still the best I wish more people could see how really special you are. Fortunately you have brought a great many new people to horse racing. You have helped others to renew their love of racing.
I also really enjoyed yesterdays post about the charities. I’ve always loved Old Friends and you’ve introduced me to a couple of new ones. Thank you. Love you and stay sweet.
Jenn
Thank you for always acknowledging your whole team! The grooms and walkers are the backbone, and when everyone comes together and gets credit, things are as they should be. Now for Queen Z to get get HOY title!
Cheryl Heath
Your entire team is wonderful. And how lucky they have been to know a great horse like you. The memories will stay with them always. I will be on pins and needles on January 17th, I know you are HOY, I just hope they do too!!! Hugs ti you and Team Z. Thank you so much for all that you do.
Victoria
HOC! Horse of thie century (including the 20th?.
Thanks for another wonderful post.
Amanda
You should get HOY however if for some reason you don’t that will never change how we feel about you. No matter what you will always be “The Queen”.
jim
your breyer is awsome. i ordered some last night. again i watched the bc race. you were so far back i think it was impossible what you did. i called my friend and said i think Z showed her greatness in defeat. i truly hope you win HOY. from what i hear you probbly wont. it doestest matter to me. you and big red are without a doubt the 2 greatest horses that ever lived. i pray for both of you. GOD BLESS