Good Morning Everyone,
I hope all of you are well and enjoying the MARCH MADNESS FUN…both in College Basketball and OUR CONTEST. The 64 teams are playing the first round right now just like we will do in our first round. We will start with 64 LUCKY CARDS to be selected from all of them that are submitted. From those 64, the next draw will be to select 32 from that group of 64. This is just like after the first round of 64 teams play in the real March Madness, it will then go to 32 teams for the next part of the tournament. So much fun!
I’m giving you some time to think about what you’d like to write. Please get your cards ready. I’ll be posting the address to mail them to next week.
On a very sweet note, I wanted to share this photo with you of MY DEAR OWNER. John took it yesterday morning at Barn 55 when he came out to visit some of his horses and spend the morning with all of my Barn 55 friends. It is so special! As you can see, JOHN still has my stall there…JUST FOR ME! So many of my cherished photos and keepsakes are there. It is all so very touching!
In looking at this picture, I wonder what MY DEAR JERRY is thinking? I’m sure he misses seeing my face peaking out of the stall and hanging out with me on the grass while I was grazing. Yet, on the other hand, I know he is so pleased that I am happy, healthy, and enjoying every moment of my new life at Lane’s End. I have truly been blessed to have the BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.
HMMMM! Upon reflection, I wonder what HE would write on his postcard if he was doing one for our contest? I BET I KNOW. He’d tell everyone THAT HE IS SO VERY PROUD OF ME AND THAT HE LOVES ME A WHOLE BUNCH!!
LUCKY ME!
Enjoy your DAY!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Barb France
@Kay, thanks for the link to the article regarding the TRF situation.
Kathryn Cogswell
Abigail Anderson`s wonderful http://racingvault.blogspot.com/horse as recommended by Kathy Kimber [right above].
mary bobolis
What a bittersweet photo of Jerry standing in your stall. So, so sad. I imagine that Ann would break down if she went in there, if I know her. I really doubt that anyone will ever be stalled there except if it was your foal. I am so happy that you retired pefectly sound and are able to run fee like a normal horse, but you are so truly missed on the track. No horse will fill that teible void for a very long time.
Jean Moore
Beautiful Zenyatta, What a bittersweet moment to share with us. I’m sure both Ann and Jerry miss you as if a piece disappeared from their hearts. No one will ever fill that stall as you did. Some time ago I read this quote, “In 2004, 34,797 thoroughbred foals were registered with the Jockey Club. Some were champions and stakes winners and many more were something else. And of those 34,797, 34,796 of them were not Zenyatta”. Have a great weekend and bask in the love that is sent your way every day and please thank Dottie and John again for all that they contribute.
Sally (B)
Hi beautiful Z!! Love has no boundaries, whether barn 55 or at Lanes End Kentucky! This photo was so touching; Jerry and Ann will always love you, take care of you, they are so proud of you! We are too! I am so happy they have shared you with us. You are a part of us. Because of the Z teams kindness we can continue to be included.
I know I consider myself very lucky to love you Z. Love & 2 kisses on your soft nose
p.s. can’t wait to send my postcard!!
Kathryn Cogswell
That is: Abigail Anderson`s ‘The Vault: horse racing past and present’ [recommended by Kathy Kimber, above] http://racingvault.blogspot.com/2011/03/your-host.html
Peggy One
I’ll just bet that when Zenyatta’s little sister comes to John, she just might reside in that old stall in Barn 55. I hope she does.
Cheryl
Dear Z,I know exactly how Jerry feels as he looks at your empty stall!!I worked for a HALL OF Fame trainer for years and watched horses come and go,I missed them all when they left us,but some of you,(like yourself),steal our hearts completely and when you do,we can never pass that stall again,without feeling pain in our chest and even a tear in our eye.It is because we miss you so much,even though we know you are happy in your new life or we hope you are.Now Jerry can come to barn 55 as he must to visit his other horses and see the mementoes of you,and not feel as sad!Wish I could have done that to a very special stall in the barn I worked at.LOL big girl,I think of you every day!!
Mary Stanford
I am like some of the people above…now why do I have tears? It is so touching to see Mr. Moss in your stall. You have been so blessed Z to have such wonderful owners, trainer, jockey, and Dottie. Without all of them we would not get to enjoy you the way we do. But of course we would not want to enjoy you like we do if you were not the most special horse in the whole world. People have said it before and I will say it again…YOU are from Heaven. Love and Hugs to you Z…so glad you are happy in Kentucky.
Rita Stack
Z I love you. Thanks kay for the site, My God it is so shocking. Z sure has a great family.
Lisa in Colorado
Zen: I think he would say you were a once in a lifetime girl and that you have a huge irreplaceable spot in his heart. Heck, I would say the same.
Mary Stanford
Oh Z….. How could I forget Mario in my above post to you? It was so cute to see you and Mario hanging out together. Hugs to you Z…. hope the weather in Kentucky is as good as here in Virginia….it was 82 degrees here today….my dogs and I have loved this day.
Lori Stein
ICON-
The perfect word to describe our QUEEN!!!
LauraJ
@Kay , Lizzy, and everyone else interested, TRF has responded to the NY Times article:
—
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/61987/trf-leadership-defends-organization
—
It’s always good to hear what both sides have to say about such a contentious issue.
Rachel Fabrizi
This is really a cute photo of him spending time in your stall. I bet it is still sad for everyone to be there and it be empty. Perhaps your foal when he/she is of age can be in your stall someday!! <3 you Zenny.
Robin
That one made me cry !!! Miss u in Cali big girl. I can only imagine how much Team Z misses u! Stay safe pretty girl!
Rosanne Glynn
That was very touching. You are one special horse and everyone knows that and loves and adores you Zen. We all can’t wait to see that little baby being born and love her/HIM just as much!!!! Hugs and kisses!! I love you more than you know!
Judy Gadwood Loves Zenny/California
Hi Zenny Girlfriend and Mommy~To~Be!
WOW! I have a shrine to you very similar to your stall at Barn 55 ;-) If I won the California Lotto I’d buy a house with one room dedicated to YOU :-)
I’m so happy that you are happy, Zenny! This means to world to me.
HUGS & KISSES XOXO
Hernan Tovar
Zenyatta, you are so special… that
everything about you is special!!!!
Love you I miss you…
Ingrid from SoBe.
Kathy Baldwin
I was thinking that Zen’s Blessing sounds
like a nice name for your foal. :)
Everyone is feeling just the way Your Dear
Jerry looks in this photo, Missing You So
Very Much!!!
Kathy from SoCal
Gloria
Oh, Big Mama Z! I’m teary-eyed looking at the picture of Mr. Moss in your stall. I already miss the good old Zenyatta days. Knowing John took the picture of Mr. Moss in your stall, makes me think of ALL of Team Z. Love to you all. XOXO!
Janet Cutting
@Lizzy I too am concerned about how many foals are born– I am glad you posted it. It it thought that a horses life span is measured by how long they can race– then you have to keep breeding so the tracks are full? I do get a little touchy on this subject- dont mean to offend any one–but I will always speak out for the animals. Ok, I’m done. I do love the Pic of Mr Moss — Im sure he had to have a few moments alone –many happy memories there.
DJ
Dearest Sweet “Z”,
Thank you for sharing this contemplative moment with us. Tomorrow is the Feast of St. Joseph; and for me, this beautiful remembrance photo appeared to be a St. Joseph Moment! Your dear Jerry is your protector. For those who need a prayer…”Oh St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God. I place in you all my interests and desires. Please assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Christ our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.”
suew
Zenny…Jerry and his beloved Ann have been so generous from the very beginning of your journey. I cannot imagine any other owners allowing the public to have such access to a valuable animal…yet they KNEW then how much you loved people and you would thrive with the attention.
And this special relationship continues to this day as witnessed through this site.
I agree with what was mentioned in an earlier post, you are the peoples’ horse but it is so because of the support and love of your owners. Your entire team is to be commended for letting us remain so close to you. Yes, you are an icon but one with feelings who knows how to give back every once of love bestowed on you.
Jerry mentioned years ago you needed a sculptor to become the horse you are today. When you were placed in John’s rusting hands it all began. Thank you for continuing to “talk” with us. On another note…I am liking this March madness stuff because my Duke Blue Devils are still in the hunt. Sweet dreams…hugs and peppermint kisses.
Sharon in Seattle
Seeing the photo of Mr. Moss in Zenyatta’s stall reminded me of Seabiscuit’s owner, Charles Howard. When the ‘Biscuit retired in 1940, he went to live on Mr. Howard’s ranch in northern Calif and Mr. Howard would get to ride him whenever he was there. I don’t know if Mr. Moss is a rider, but I bet he would love to have Zenyatta closer. In her book about Seabiscuit Laura Hillenbrand wrote of how heartbroken Charles Howard was when the ‘Biscuit died. There is something truly otherworldly about the bond between humans and their beloved, four-legged friends.
Marilu V
Hello Zeny! What a touching photo of Mr. Moss. I can’t imagine what it must be like for him, Ann, John, Mario, Carmen and the rest of your family who can’t see you every day. Take care Zeny! Hugs, MV
@Thanks DJ for sharing the St.Joseph prayer.
LOU IN TX
Seeing the picture of your empty stall brings tears in my eyes. I know John and Jerry along with all of Team Z miss you more than any of us could ever imagine because they were there for you 24/7. I’m sure it’s hard to walk by your empty stall on a daily basis. But, I know they are all just as happy that you got to retire healthy and happy. And like someone else said, maybe that stall will be saved for your very special offspring. That would help heal everyones hearts.
Can’t wait to get the address for the post cards. This is going to be fun.
Good luck to your teams Queen Z in the March Maddness basketball games. I live in TX so I’ll have to root for the Texas Longhorns and the A & M Aggies. If they don’t go forward, I’ll root for your teams. Glad you’re having fun with this.
Have a very happy weekend with your gal pals and hope you get alot of nurishing treats. Love you always..Lou in Tx
DJ
p.s. In the same spirit of contemplation, I read your first Diary Post…what a joyful treat!
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, What a precious photo of Jerry in your Barn 55 stall. Dottie, thank John for sharing this special moment he caught on film. Zenyatta, I love reading what your Fan Family has to say on post each day. It’s so nice to read happy & loving thoughts of you. I’m so happy Spring is almost here so you can experience the beautiful blossoms & the Ky grass will taste even better. Be careful running & playing with your friends, eat well & get that beauty rest for you & sweet Baby ZeBe. I’m working on condensing my thoughts to a paragraph. That is a tough assignment. I love you Zenyatta & Baby ZeBe. Sending Hugs & Kisses With Love From Alabama,
Amanda G.
Hilltophorsewoman No Cal
Dear Zenyatta, I have the same feelings seeing the picture of Jerry in your stall as I did when I was there on my birthday in January. It is so empty without you! In reading everyone’s posts I was thinking about what a huge gift the Mosses have given us all by sharing Zenyatta’s amazing life via Dottie with us. It also made me realize what a huge sacrifice it was to send Z back to Kentucky where she and her foals would have the best opportunities, even though it meant that they would not be able to be with her. I have such respect for the Mosses as horse owners and human beings. One more time, thank you Team Zenyatta!