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
S
Congratulating to a most deserving team! I just get so frustrated at the thought of Anyone not naming you HOTY! No one has accomplished 19 in a row! Add that to the level of racing….it would just be a huge injustice! I worry that your cross over fame and popularly has rubbed some of the high brows the wrong way! Sure praying I am wrong…cause you beautiful mare have revigorated racing for many and brought many others to the sport for the first time! You and your team are a public relations phenom that the industry should be giving thanks to!! Thank you
Debbie
sooo rooting for you, love you Z! xo
Ollie
Zen, I’ll be tuned in for the HOY award
with my friends,rooting and hollering
for you. No matter which way it goes
you are “THE QUEEN” and the horse
of the century.
Hugs and love to you and your fabulous
team.
Leslie R.
Hi Zenny, if you don’t win the Eclipse Award for horse of the year, another injustice will have been committed by those voters. Not only are you horse of the year, you are the horse of a lifetime!
You and Cheva are just too cute! Thanks for sharing those pics and stories with us.
I hope you had fun playing with Alys, P.Q. and Sea Gull.
Have a nice night, sweet girl.
Love you,
Leslie
Ingrid in MA
Another fun post,Z-Girl! I LOVE the picture of you and Cheva! What a playful girl you are! I heard that you used to play something similar with John,only you’d steal his hat right off his head! I can’t wait for the Eclipses. You and your team are up for SO MANY awards. If there’s ANY justice in the world,you’ll win ALL of them! I just wish your pal Mike was nominated for Jock of the Year – easy win,that! I’m keeping my fingers,arms,legs,feet,toes,eyes… everythinhg crossed for Team Z!
Love you, Sweet Z!
Ingrid
Hank D.
Zenny, I love your diary entries! Thank you for giving so much of yourself. I have a small request, could you please ask your web site people if they can make your photos “click to enlarge”? It would be so great to see more detail — I’d love to see the faces of Team Zenyatta (and you, of course) in more unpixellated clairity. Good Luck at the awards! We love you!
Mary
Zenyatta, I look forward to your news of the day and photos. Your fans need this to survive and not be Zenyatta deprived since we won’t see you on the track. I will cry if you do not get the award and title, Horse of the Year. You will forever be, Horse of the Year, in our hearts and minds, as you were the year before. However, is not the Horse of the Year, the Horse who dominated the Sport of Kings? Hugs and Prayers ps; cross your hoofs for luck
sue w
What a magnificient team you had, Zenny…and will continue to have at LE. YOU are so deserving of HOY and I cannot imagine why anyone who is able to vote wouldn’t have done so in you name. That said…you are a champion beyond compare.
That you were surrounded by such excellence truly manifested itself in YOUR excellence on and off the tract.
Thanks for the post, Dottie. You are Zenny’s voice for us and we greatly appreciate your efforts to keep her in our lives.
Georgia Harper
So here we are 7 days away from the big day. When I first saw you it was the middle of your first year and you stole my heart. When you won your first Breeders Cup I remember the announcers saying that you “did it with such ease you could probably come back the next day and do it again”. As I waited with such anticipation for your second year of racing to start I started having my husband watch every race with me, what a first for him. I cheered and cried with each of your wins that year and as the Breeders Cup drew closer I was so full of excitement. After Life is Sweet won so handily I was sure John could pull off a double win for the weekend and here you came on Saturday just a dancing and a prancing. I listened to announcers saying you were finally going to “run with men” and that you wouldn’t be able to hold a candle, well ,hold the candle you did and more. When you crossed the finish line I was shaking as I am sure many thousand others were as well. I thought that year you would finally get the HOY but that was not to be so when Jerry and Ann announced you were going to return another year I was totally elated!!!! You started another year in grand style and I must say by now I have everyone in my office that sits around me, totally in love with you too. For our anniversary this year my husband surprised me with tickets to San Diego to watch you at Del Mar. We got to the front row in the paddack area around the third race and did not move until you came out and watched you do your thing up close and personal. We were standing next to a couple young teens that had their signs and were as excited as we were. It made me feel so good knowing that these young girls loved you so much, indeed you are the horse for all ages. We came home and went to work securing our Breeders Cup tickets for Kentucky. The weekend was wonderful but I must admit my heart was broken when all you needed was one more step. I still keep watching the reruns still hoping you get there Anyway, here we are back to the last 7 days, I know that the people having a vote look at the accomplishments on the track which I think you have already hands down but also I would hope that they also consider the attendance you have brought to the tracks. Somehow I would count that as an accomplishment on the track. I would not have gone to the Breeeders Cup this year if you had not been there. When you win HOY my husband said he will take me out for a wonderful dinner to celebrate and then he said “come to think of it we will have that dinner in Kentucky” so we can come and see you. Just think this is coming from a guy who would say “call me when they are in the gate.” Love you so much my beautiful Queen and many thanks to your wonderful team for keeping you safe and all the love they have for you. Fingers and toes are crossed and from the looks of it I think the heavens are on your side too from the photo with the big Z in the sky
S
And…..forgot to say: great letter Patti. I was fortunate enough to be at the 2009 classic but sadly watched on TV this past year! You made it very real. Thank you, I still get tears every time I think of the incredible effort she put into that race and the “what if’s and if only?” Still she silenced the “poly track/dirt” critics:) Classy Champion
Margaret
I love coming here and learning about the special people in your life Z. They are an amazing bunch.
I give them all a big “hoof” up! (that should be thumbs but horses don’t have thumbs so we’ll have to settle for “hooves”!)
Kathryn Cogswell
What a miracle of timing it was for Mr. & Mrs. France to see & snap that Heavenly ‘Z.’ The more I think about all that went into to their being at the right place at the right time, then having the camera!!! ‘There is more in heaven & earth, Horatio, than is known in our philosophy.’ [Isn`t THAT the truth!!] Beauty!
NancyJS
Dear Zenny
John does have the best philosophy. Live for the moment you
know where you are at that time and can then determine where you
need to go. You are so much more than horse of the year. You should
be getting your third one. Like one fan said of Curlin’s loss to Rags; “Give him a break he was tired”. What a joke. Rags bet his A– tired or
not!!!!! Have a wonderful evening and morning with your new BBF.
XXXXOOO
Sarah Powell
Another good post! I think they should give a special award and crown you Queen of Horse Racing for the century! You would love wearing a little crown attached to your bridle and a sash that reads Queen Zenyatta in your favorite colors!! Can’t you just see it?
Trish & Mike in Colorado
Thank you, Dot-Zen, for recognizing all who helped to make you who you are. If you do not receive HOY, then, honestly, they should just stop giving the award out. We agree with Mike Smith’s comments about the last 3 years’ awards. But, if it does not go to you, we will understand it as a decision by people who are vested in (a) east-coast politics; (b) pro-breeder bias folks. No matter what happens, we KNOW you are HORSE OF THE CENTURY.
Snoprinz
THANKS to the other members of Team Z who helped take care of you at Barn 55 and made you become who you are today Zenny.
It’s 7 days to the Eclipse Awards and I hope and pray that the voters get it right this time and crown you the real Horse of the Year. Otherwise, the voters lose their dignity and relevance in my book!
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, I love your post today. I like seeing the photos of the faces of those who have worked with you. It means a lot to me to hear as much as I can about you and of those who helped you reach your full potential as a fabulous racehorse. I can’t hardly wait those 7 days to hear the results. I just know Team Z will win. What an honor that the whole team will be recognized for their dedication and very hard work. I would like to know what Isabelle & Jenny thought about riding you,Zenyatta? Could they feel your magic and energy? They were 2 lucky girls to get to exercise you everyday! I can only try to imagine that feeling. I never got to see you in person, Zenyatta, but I watched you on TV. My heart’s desire is just to get to see you at Land’s End. How magnificent that would be! I’m a retired R.N. and I admire what it takes to be a superior athlete and you Zenyatta are “A Superior Athlete”. I am so proud of you and I love you, Zenyatta. The mark of “A True Superior Athlete” is not only all your magnificent wins is your last final race. You were in a situation that would have been impossible for any other racehorse in our day to accomplish. But you having a the heart of an undefeated warrior went to battle and overcame all odds from last to nose to nose finish! My tears for you was not for the 2nd place instead of 1st, it was for the mighty Zenyatta showing that she had more heart, strength & intestinal fortitude to overcome the impossible! Lady Zenyatta, we humans can learn a lot from you. Most people just give up if faced with the impossible but you showed us that you NEVER GAVE UP no matter what you were presented with like an impossible start of a race. You finished with your head held high and showed everyone what you are made of. I missed hearing from you on Sunday. I was worried about you. Thanks for the post. Hugs & Kisses from Alabama With Love, Amanda
.
Kathryn Cogswell
‘Nobody Does It Better’ — Carly Simon`s great song . .. makes me feel sad for the rest; nobody does it half a good as you; .. . Baby, Baby; Darlin,` you`re The Best … .’ ~ Such a great song & so very appropriate to you and your wonderful Team, ‘Z.’ You make smiles from ear-to-ear, with tears & laugh-out-loud guffaws at your cute playfulness and then a breathless, magnificent prowess . .. What a tapestry, and a privilege knowing about you all, m`Lady; simply a privilege.
Tracey - Ottawa, ON Canada
Congratulations goes the team!!!!!! Now the time is for the well deserved one Zenyatta as the HORSE OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!!!
Barbara Wood
Dearest Z–
I must admit to being a little bummed out today. It’s cold here in Texas, and my Christmas card I sent to you and Team Z with a full address for Barn 55 at Hollywood Park, street, city, state,zip code, etc. came back “return to sender”. I can’t figure out why . I know people send things to you all the time.
Beautiful account of the BCC 2010 Patti. I remember the 2009 race when I lost my heart to you completely. It was when you paused to let that last horse go ahead as if saying,
“That’s ok–you go on. I’ll go around.”
As to HOY–the award itself and those who vote in it will be diminished THEMSELVES if they deny you again. Love you always.
Gloria Jeanne
@ Patty- What a great recap of Zenyatta’s last Breeder’s Cup run. I felt all those emotions. To this date, everytime I see the clips of that race- I cheer and I hope that she wins. And every time it’s the same… She just misses and I start to cry again and ask myself why why why couldn’t she have just got up to the wire…. and I always wonder how she must have felt not going to the Winner’s Circle like she had so many times before and wondering if maybe she had done something wrong.
I love you Zenny- you tried your best and with all your heart. I love you with all of heart and soul. You will always be number one to me!
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Queen-Z & Team-Z,
Thanks for another informative entry to this “On-Line Diary”. It’s great to read about your entire support group. They are all an important part of your life and terrific accomplishments. Dottie, thanks for sharing…especially all those little glimpses into Z’s personality!! Those memories are priceless!! Stay warm and well…and have FUN, Queen-Z.
Fondly, OraJean
Gloria Jeanne
I guess we should just focus on what you and the team have done this year and past years and of course the beautiful foals you will produce and all the joy and happiness you have blessed us with. As for the voter’s who don’t vote in favor of you – who needs them and their silly award anyway. You ROCK THE HOUSE!!! HOY to Zenyatta we fans will make a new trophy and send it in to you… Perhaps a fan based award petition that we can all sign print out and send in to you and the team.
Janet Cutting
Hi Z : – Z and Dottie- remind John to bring your framed pic to put on the table Team Z will be sitting at for the awards. I cant wait to see everyone beaming with pride. Do you think after they leave Florida they might make a stop in Kentucky- hope they can!!! Zenyatta Hoy!!! love ya, Janet C
Heidi Kruckenberg
Ohhh Zenny, you are too cute with your lil games.
Dottie, “Zen in the clouds photo” would make a great painting. (hint hint) and, I for one would be honored to take a try at it! :)
I can’t say Thank you enough to Zenny and the entire Team Z and LA Team!!!! Thank You soooooo much from the bottom of my heart!
Best of Luck on the 17th. I can’t wait!
Debbie
Zennie, you & your team are the best! Thank you for all you continue to share with us. It shows the outstanding character of you & your team that you care so much about all us fans. You & your team didn’t have to embrace us so much – you would have been great either way! But to go out of your way & put so much effort into including us in all your fun & glory – it shows how special you & your team are. I will love you forever! Hugs & Kisses from L.A. !!!!
Robin
Hi Zenny!! LOVE the little games you play with all your friends, you are TOO cute! You do have quite the Z team! Hope you have a good time with your frinds big girl. Stay safe & warm..MUAH!!! XOXO
Jamie
I Love You too, Z. Let’s hope they get it right and you win HOY. If they don’t, well, your adoring fans know that you are the horse of the ages.
Celeste
Team Zenyatta is absolutely amazing! It is such a pleasure to get to know all the folks who have made and are still making a contribution to the effort. Way to go!!
Thank you!!
tiffany kincaid
I so love reading about you every day and can not explain why I cry every time .It chokes me up to think that we are so lucky to be a part of your life no matter how little. We are witnessing a part of history that will NEVER be forgotten.Win or lose the HOTY, You and your Team have won so much more that can not EVER be took from you. love you always