DEAR BARN 55 AND MY FANS,
WE DID IT!
YOU ARE TRULY MY DEAR FRIENDS! THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF MY TEAM AND HELPING ME AND SUPPORTING ME EVERY SINGLE STEP OF THE WAY!
I COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD AT THIS MOMENT!
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!
WITH LOVE,
HUGS TO ALL!
Z
Paula Higgins
Day 2: still smiling ear to ear. I want to thank Mike Smith for his fabulous rides. He and Zenny were made for each other. I also want to thank the 128 people who voted for Zenyatta. You absolutely did the right thing and we all appreciate it. Mr. Moss gave a wonderful “thank you” speech. It was just perfect. Seeing Ann with her Z pin on her jacket also made me smile. Their love for Zenny is a wonderful thing to see. Dottie, thank you for mentioning Zenyatta’s fans. We appreciate it very much. I also want to mention John. It made me very happy to see him rewarded for his incredible work with Zenyatta by winning HOTY. Anyone else would have pushed too hard, too soon and made a mess of it. John, you are Trainer of the Year, and then some, to all of us. Finally, I want to thank David Ingordo. It started with you. What an eye you have for horses. I have a feeling you will come up with another gem. Very impressive.
Rhonda Clements
Years from now, old-timers on the backstretch will sit on a stump, clean the mud off their shoes and tell stories about horses of a lifetime. They will mention the likes of Seabiscuit, Secretariat, War Admiral, Seattle Slew, Affirmed.
And… Zenyatta.
I am so proud to be able to see I saw it first hand!
Karen Lopez
Don’t forget Zenyatta joins the like of Man of War! Congratulations, Zenyatta. I became a fan of thoroughbred horseracing after learning about you. Now, I watch your races on You Tube for inspiration throughout the day. You are a great athlete and, by the way, should appear on Dancing With the Stars next season. You would come in first place, no doubt!
Vicki S.
WHOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG, I am so freakin’ excited to see that you got the HOY! CONGRATS, CONGRATS, CONGRATS!!!!! I’ve been cheering you on for a long time and I’m very happy to see that you and your team FINALLY got the recognition that you deserve! Cheers to you, you fabulous mare!
Darlene
Team Z…you can see by all these comments that we LOVE you!!! The world is a better place today…the politicos and easterners saw the light for one brief moment last night. Hail to the Queen!!!
Donna from Baltimore
Sounds like there were a lot of startled pets last night with all the whoopin’ and hollerin’
going on! Scared my cat, too! Congratulations to Team Z and the Queen. FINALLY JUSTICE IS DONE!
Arnie
Zennie, you got your just deserts! You are not only the Horse of the Year, but have given us all, and the sport, so much. Wish you were closer to home. How fun it would be to drive out to some beautiful farm here in SoCal to visit you.
Melanie
Your adoring fans in California have a great idea: If you install a Webcam like the one in the pandas’ den at the San Diego Zoo, we could see you everyday and you wouldn’t feel so far away now . . . How we miss you!
Lynn
OK, Sweet Zenyatta, when do we get to know who your intended is? My mom and I have been fans of yours for a long time. We are saving our nickles and dimes to purchase your first foal. But I need to know who the daddy will be! You are the greatest, more than Horse of the Year. Horse of the Century.
Celeste
The thrill of victory!! I am so thrilled for you, Zenyatta, to have finally received the recognition and award that you deserve and for your sweet Team Z to realize that all their efforts in your behalf have been rewarded with this highest of honors. My heart is so full of joy for just being on the same planet in this time to be able to know the Zenyatta effect. Maybe I am already in Zenyattaland! It’s wonderful! Thank you!
Manuela
Congrats Zenyatta!
Tammy Larson
Congratulations, Beautiful Girl, no one deserves it more than you. My heart is smiling. :)
Kathryn Cogswell
Dear JOAN: You are near The Mother Lode, for Zenyatta`s is the Story of Horse writ large. Not only does she carry the human heart, which is the mantle of those great ones whose names we know; she carries Misty, and Flicka, the Black, Brighty of the Grand Canyon, Fury, my own Sally Mara and her foal Aponovi Chaine,` ‘M,’ ‘Rocket,’ ‘Two-Lucys,’ and all the others of our village histories . .. She brought grace to the table, prayers which really are as common and hard-working as mucking a stall every morning, breaking ice off the water bucket, checking feet and legs and breathing into a filly`s breath-stream to identify yourself with respect and see where you`re going to stand with her. While some, seeing a slew of notes to Zenyatta on FaceBook, will deem it timely for their stable stars to sign on, the owners, trainers, backsiders and riders who grew up knowing the most heavenly place to be is a barn with clean stalls and happy horses will go at it a different route. ‘The battles are won in the temples’ is a benign, irreligious, timeless truth. Now, speaks out a great lady of racing, whose years of dedication to the horse has been awarded public merit by a group sometimes at loggerheads with the animals` best future, because they consider themselves correct in redefining these creatures as commodities, rather than willing, trusting, living workers for their people. Wild or under tack, the spirit of Horse informs mankind and defines men and women, a test for character. No flawed economy should drive them down a spiral of shame, and no worker looking for a job should be sold a bill of goods that returning ‘plant work’ to their region will invigorate their bottom lines. ‘There is a way which seems right to a man, but it is the way of death,’ is old script, also writ large, where even one of Zenyatta`s kind is menaced by short-sighted economic designs.
Jim Ward
I have been watching your career since your first race. I just had a feeling there was something special about Zenyatta, boy was I right. Even in your last race you were clearly the best on the track. In 2009 when you were announced in the running of the classic I left out a big cheer, had a huge get together for the race and told everyone watch her, she is the best I have seen, she is going to hit the stretch with smoke out her ears and lightning bolts out her ass, and you did just what I said. This year I had no fear that you would come racing at the end, what I feared was the shorter stretch at CD. In one note of criticism your trainer should have had you had 1 race on that track…one more jump and the race was yours. That was an amazing race, almost 25 off the pace to come within a half a head against the best in the world. You are the best I have seen and that includes Secretariat, you both were in a class by yourselves. I wish it would never end, I looked forward to all your races…and thank you for the nice nest egg you gave me!!! I will forever remember your races as clear as I remember the 1973 Belmont. Now go find a suitable Stud and let’s create more history
Helen
I am sooooo very proud of you Zennie girl! I have been doing the “Zenyatta dance” and listening to Liza’s song! What a deserving honor and a long time coming! You actually won “your last race” by beating Blame for HOY! Ok, just my little twisted humor there. I bet even Miss Rachel is smiling! Way to go team Z! We all so love you and the way you have brought so many fans to racing is remarkable! You name will live on forever and ever dear Zennie! Thank you Dottie for keeping this up as I know it takes time to do this every day!
YAHOOOOOOO ZZZZZEEEEEENNNNNNYYYYAAAATTTTAAA!
Mariano
Congratulations Queen Z!!!!!!
lOU IN TX
I love you sooo much Zenyatta. You have brought a whole new meaning to horse racing. Thanks to your Team Z for sharing you with us. I am sooo happy you won HOY. I scramed so loud my cat ran into my closet to hide. Thanks for all the happiness you have brought into so many people’s lives. I love your friend Dottie for keeping us in touch with you. She is a wonderful friend for you to have in your corner. Love you…Lou
Dallas
Baby Girl,
Congrates to the greatest horse (male and female) ever! Ive watch your career and have aged a lot because of your come from behind runs. I’ll say this now like i’ve always said, you’ve never been past and like always you were passing everyone else…including blame! Why can’t people finally realize that blame didnt beat you, you were beating him! You as always was catching him! I’m so glad that the industry knows the best horse! Z, you are God sent! I lost my job today and don’t know what or how I’m going to hang on to the ranch but I’m happy through it all because of your victory!
Dr. D.
You did it !!!!!!! Long Live The Queen !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Patricia
Congratulations Queen Z!!! You have been a pure joy to watch. You are a beautiful lady and deserve an equally beautiful gentleman. I hope you enjoy all your new life has to offer.
Starr
Congratulations Zenyatta and family! I am so happy for all of you! Finally the recognition you earned for your amazing accomplishments! Thank you Team Zenyatta for bringing her back last year so we could all enjoy once again watching one of the ALL-TIME GREATS!!
Barbara Wood
To Kathryn Cogswell–
What a BEAUTIFUL post. This former English teacher loves everything you write.
Still basking in the joy…and the love. May what has been started here roll over the industry like a mighty tide and say “Never again!” will those majestic creatures be in danger for their very lives.
I have written both my Senators (and asked that horses also not be shipped to Canada or Mexico). We have to start somewhere. Love you all. Wish we could have one giant family reunion.
Darla
Congratulations Queen Z. Us mere mortals are honored to be in your presence. You are perfection extraordinaire!
Smarty Bob
I’m soooo happpy the “queen” is 2010 horse of the year. A well deserved send off. long live the Queen Z
Jan Doyle
@Barbara Wood. How great that would be to have a family reunion with all of Zenyatta’s family and fans. Zenny, hope your family came back through to see you and take some pictures/videos with you and your award. Can’t wait to see those. Have fun today. Hugs and kisses big girl.
Kimberly
IT’S ABOUT TIIIIIIIIIIME!!!!!
Kathy Morris
the Best for the Best…..
Zenyatta…… Horse of the Year!!!
what other awards can she win???
best Facebook page..
Gypsybaker
Congrats to all Team Z and our lovely Lady Z…you inspire us all & I hope to follow your next journeys thru this website (please, please!). Lanes End is the perfect home for you now and you know, I bet Queen E. comes to visit you…she loves Lanes End as much as you will. Hope to see you one day. K.
Diane Garland
Wow! Congrats from a long time fan. I can’t wait to see “Baby Z”
Deborah Biediger
January 17th was my birthday and my husband and I watched Awards show on TVG. When HOY was announced we both jumped right up out of our seats with joy, hugging, laughing and crying all at the same time. How in the world do you have such an effect on so many???? I will never know. But I do know that you have finally received the honor you deserve. My birthday will always be extra special now….and part of that day will always be reserved for thinking about “Z”. Love and happiness always.