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
Derby*Ann
Miss Z – So glad you are in the spirit of Kentucky this basketball season! Basketball and horse racing are our biggest fun. You wrote the book on horse racing, so glad you are figuring out the brackets, etc. As for a foal name, don’t we think Zenadini? Is that too obvious? LOL. Love you, girl. Ann in Louisville
judy berube
Dear Z, That photo brought tears to my eyes. I know Mr. Moss is very, very proud and happy for you now, but there is no doubt he misses visiting you at Barn 55 as he used to. We have a lot to look forward to with your little baby. Love to all of you. Judy and Russ
jackie
What a heartwarming photo brings tears to my eyes! GO UCLA!
Hugs and Kisses
Jackie
Paula Higgins
This is a very poignant picture. Jerry Moss is the epitome of what an owner should be-decent, caring, a lover of horses, generous of heart and kind to the fans. Ditto Ann Moss. Zenyatta was a blessing to them and they were a blessing to her. John Shirreffs, what can I say? Simply the best. Besides being a hands-on trainer, he always does what is best for them. That’s his number one priority where his horses are concerned. If I owned a thoroughbred, there is no one on the planet that I would rather have train her/him. Dottie, you know how much we love you. You are the one that brings it all together and you have been a voice for us, her fans. Thank you for that. I remember at the Eclipse Awards you told Christina Olivares how happy you were for the fans. It was so nice of you to think of us when you must have had so much going through your mind. An exciting moment for all of you AND us.
Dani
@ lizzy – Around 30,000 – 35,000 thoroughbred foals are born each year in America alone. It’s heartbreaking what happens to many of them as we have heard all too often. Even in rescue there is sadness.
.
@Kathy Kimber and Kathryn Cogswell – how wild. I was going to put up that very link to Abigail’s story of Your Host. Abigail is one of the greatest writers when it comes to profiling the history of a horse’s pedigree lines. But she really shines when it comes to telling the story of each horse that she picks for her blog. You Host has so far been my favorite story. What that little colt when through to eventually become a winner in the world of racing brought my eyes to watering. But his courage and strength of character during a near fatal racing accident opened the flood gates. I fell in love with this incredible horse whom I’d never even heard of before. You simply must read his story. I dare you not to feel something deep inside for Your Host.(By the way, Zenyatta is mentioned in the story).
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny! I am wondering if Jerry Moss is thinking back to this time last year when you won your first race of the season: The “Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap.” Then right after that there was a lot of discussion about the “Apple Blossom.” There was lots of anticipation with whether Rachael Alexandra would meet you on the track. How exciting it all was! You won both of those races, remember. Even though I am on the East coast, I was rooting for you!! We are so very proud of you!!!!
I hope John keeps your stall as it is. I hope to come to CA this summer just to see it just because there is where you once stood– the greatest racehorse of my time. I am sure your CA, Team is really missing you. They have other very fine horses that are wonderful, but there is only one you! I am sure they are all thinking how fortunate they were to have you and you them. Zenyatta, once a racehorse—always a racehorse–and as a racehorse, you are a vision, an absolute treasure of a lifetime. Yes, Zenny, we are so very proud of you!! Love, Linda
ona
Can’t stop the tears. If I miss you so much, it stands to reason your beloved owners do too. Yes, we are both proud and happy thaT you are safely enjoying your new life but it’s so hard to let go.
Dona
See what I mean? Can’t speel my own name.
Dona
I think that should be spell! :)
LauraJ
@Lizzy and @Janet Cutting, according to Jockey Club statistics, the 2010 U.S. registerd TB foal crop was about 27,800. They estimate it will be about 24,900 in 2011. The number has been going down the past few years. The problem is that the crops a few years ago were considerably larger. The crop of 2005 (35,045 horses) was the largest since 1992. These horses are now 6 years old, and most of them will have retired from racing within the next couple or three years. So unfortunately, the need to find new homes and new jobs for OTTBs will be great for the next several years.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
The photo of John standing in your stall is so touching, I think he really misses you and he probably spends quiet moments there reminiscing of the times when you were there charming everyone with your presence. You are surely missed by many back there at Barn55,you left an emptiness that likely will never be able to be filled.
Thanks for just being.
Love & Blessings to you Zenyatta!
Tracey Dryka - Ottawa, ONT Canada
The photo is all about reflection and memories. Zenyatta you have given everyone wonderful memories that will be talked about for generations to come!!!
Celeste
Zenyatta, we all are very proud of you and love you a whole bunch, so your proud owner Jerry is not alone in that respect. The photo is a beautiful portrait of the continuing devotion to you at Barn 55 – I know they all still miss you as do we who only watched you from afar, but to know you are safe and sound, happy and in foal in Kentucky, makes it all a lot brighter. Thank you for another beautiful photo and diary message – it always makes my day.
Jan
Zenyatta,
That picture speaks for itself. It must be sad for you’re Team Z to walk by your stall, but I’m sure they all have fond memories of your time there. You do have the best of both worlds. Life has been good to you. I bet you are enjoying the nice weather in KY. How are your gal pals doing. Be well big Mama. Love & kisses from Houston. :)
Mary Stanford
Hey Z….. Had to come over here and send you a note….you have gone over 70,000 on your facebook page….you go girl!!!
Dolores Pshsnychniak
John must miss you so much! what a cute picture, we miss you in Cali too!!! But, you looks so happy and it is fun seeing you out in the pasture with your girlfriends! I still wonder if there is anyway to get a print of you and the girls lying down! I love that photo!
Quarterhossgal
What a touching picture! A kind caring owner remembering his special mare. Jerry and Ann are the type of people that give racing a good name. They have been so generous sharing Zenyatta with all of us.
Bless you Ann and Jerry.
Robin A.B.
Zenny – you are truly the Peoples’ Horse, and your baby is loved beyon measure already! The recent link to the fetus development is really helpful, and it is great fun to hold our breath and hope for the next stage. Sending you and the miniature Z our love…..
Elaine
I hope Jerry is thinking that it would be better to have you in the barn! I’m sure Ann misses you dearly!
Librarian
Dear Zenyatta, Thank you for sharing this very poignant and personal photo of your owner Jerry with us, your loving fans. Since I have never had any children, I am just guessing at this, but I wonder if Jerry and Ann might feel the same way about your empty stall as a parent feels when they see their child’s empty bedroom, after their son or dauhgter has left for college, or the military. Knowing it is a natural step in growing up and moving on to the next important phase of life and development doesn’t make it any easier to deal with the emptiness. So those of us that enjoyed your racing career feel the void left by your retirement. But we all know that the entire Z Team has done what is best for you as a horse, even though they must miss you desparately, every day!
On a lighter note, this March Madness contest sounds like great fun, but I do pity the poor postman who must haul in thousand of cards. Mine will be one of them, but I must say it will be a challenge to limit my expression of love and admiration to one paragraph. But to win that stunning bronze statue of you, that would be unbelievable !
I am almost basketballed out- it’s Friday night, and the 64 teams are almost down to 32 already, and my eyes are bloodshot from watching too much tv ! Hope you have a nice big flat-screen tv in the barn, so you and your pasture mates can catch all of the action.
Sweet dreams, dear Z
Peggy
Love sent to you Zenny this Friday night. Hope you have a wonderful weekend there at Lane’s End. I hope you have some really nice weather. I heard that David handled the purchase of a really nice horse in Ocala. Sweet Dreams I believe was her name. Zenny now you know you’ll have to get us the lowdown on her. Tell David you’ve got to tell all your friends about her. Zenny I’ll go for now have really sweet sweet dreams. Love, Peggy @Dawn Conrad, Know you and your mom are in prayers. I am only about 2 hours north of the mayo clinc in Jacksonville, Fl and I know a lot people that have been there and they just swear that it is the best. I have just always just herd fabulous things about it. I know before my dad passed away we were thinking about carring him down there, but unfortunately he passed away before we could. He did live a long life though, we were very blessed to have had him for as long as we did, but I still miss him just as much every day. I am keeping you in my prayers and i’m praying for the very very best for you.
Signofthetimes
@Kay and Laura J
Thanks for the links. It is so sad that so many horses
Are bred, and the reality of owning one horse and
The cost of maintaining one horse is sooo huge. These
Breeders should be somehow committed to provide
Cash for all of the horses they breed until they pass
At 25 to 30 years old. Horses are very expensive,high
Maintenance and delicate creatures when they are no
Longer able to perform their job they should still be treated
With dignity and respect for what the have done.
Maintenance
alene
Zenny, You have the best owners in the racing industry! They love you very much. Although, they know how happy and well taken care of you are I`m sure they miss you terribly. Ann and Jerry are the BEST. Thats why God gave them the BEST, YOU!!!. I think your stall will be vacant for a long time. I love you Zenny. So I can`t possibly imagine how much they miss you BUT Your in the second tier of your blessed life. A mommy. Well Zenny, Love You, Lots of Big Hugs and Kisses, Alene My problem with the contest is trying to condense all of what I want to say in a paragraph. :-)
Signofthetimes
Dear Zenny
How very sweet of your Jerry to be spending some
Time in your old stall. Don’t think anyone will be putting
Another horse in that stall for quite some time. What a
Wonderful shrine !!!!! Sweet Dreams and keep that
Embryo warm !!!!!
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zenyatta,
hope you’re doing swell and enjoying the approaching spring time.
My idea of a fun season is snow & cold temperatures. That’s my fav time of the year, no stupid grass to cut, no dust, pollen, just beautiful nice clean snow.
@ Lizzy
they are being slaughtered, by the millions, not every shelter is a no kill shelter. I think the last number I heard is about 10 mios. So, I mean finally they voted a somewhat better breeding law in MO , restricting dog breeders to 50 dogs rather than whatever, and the breeders want to change that back to the old numbers. 50 dogs isn’t enough for one breeder???? One dog comes in heat twice, and depending on the breed can have 4- 18 puppies. Most dogs can reproduce by 7 mos.
Animals don’t need humans, actually they’d do better without us, we, on the other hand need them. That is their tragedy.
Well, Zetty, to know ya is to love ya, you’re unforgettable, you’re so beautiful to me, you are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you are my destiny, well, you get the idea, people are just smitten with you. Have a good night, and sweet dreams.
Barbara Wood
Dearest Z–I’ve written my postcard, and I’ll mail it from the hospital next week. You are such a blessing to ALL of us, not just your closest team. And that is thanks to them. Who would have thought that that little foal born on Apr. 1, 2004 would impact so many of us? I could only wish every horse (they are all deserving) could be so cherished and cared for.
Good night, precious girl. Love you always.
@Lou in Texas–don’t forget the Baylor Lady Bears!
Megan S
Such a touching photo!
Irene Caty
Hi Zenny, John does still miss you and I understand his feelings completely. You were a mighty force in his life and now your gone. We are all very happy that you are doing so well in your other phase of your life but for us humans with feeling running deep regarding you it is not so easy. It will be some time to completely accept the fact that you are gone for good from barn 55. I’m sure he will visit you when he can and that helps. I’m trying to see about putting a post card together for your march madness contest coming up. The truth is that I really could just about write a book on my total feelings about you and why. You have really swept the world Zen and we all love you. Stay happy, love you.
sg
Z!!!
There will be a Supermoon tomorrow night! Hope you will be able to view while in your stable. And Z fans, you too make sure to take time out to view as well. ;) ;)
M2 + Little Bit & Ready Lady (The team from the Little Bit Ranch)
We are so happy to see this. Question we have – how can we in a unified fashion better support retired race horses?