Good Morning Everyone!
What a fabulous last few days it has been! I have been receiving so many letters, notes, calls, hugs and kisses! Your DIARY posts have been amazing! THANK YOU! I am still rejoicing in the announcement…
The 2010 HORSE OF THE YEAR
IS
ZENYATTA!
These words will echo in my mind FOREVER! What a beautiful way to cap off my RACING CAREER!
I wanted you to see the OFFICIAL CARD used that evening. When Alex Waldrop was standing on the stage…opening the envelope…then announcing…AND THE WINNER IS…THIS is the official card he was holding!
It is all still so exciting for me! My beloved TEAM was here visiting with me on Sunday and wishing me GOOD LUCK before going on to Florida. Pictures will come soon.
Then, the big night arrived! After the announcement, I was able to TANGO with MY TEAM. Everyone has been so, so kind.
On Tuesday morning when they called, I think the news finally began to SINK IN! Ann and Dottie were talking to me on the phone, and suddenly I KNEW WHAT ALL OF THIS REALLY MEANT! I am so, so proud! I began to dance and prance all around my paddock. Then SEA GULL and I began to do this free spirited gallop all around the field. It was truly a moment of great celebration!
Again, I want to really THANK ALL OF MY FANS for the huge role you have played in my career. As Dottie mentioned to several members of the press that evening, it was ALL of YOU who helped to keep everyones’ spirits so positive and encouraged as we traveled along this journey together! We truly can’t thank you enough! I really knew how much you were there for ME!
What a fabulous feeling this is! Reflecting upon everything that has happened to me during my entire racing career…this accomplishment is THE DIAMOND EXCLAMATION POINT after my name! It really makes my career feel complete!
As John told Dottie…”this entire experience during the last 4 1/2 years is positively a wonderful FAIRY TALE…and yet it really happened to us in our lives!” I think they are still ‘pinching themselves’.
To my dear, dear fans….Thank you for sharing this DREAM with ME…and ALL of TEAM ZENYATTA!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Linda (Canada)
Ann – I agree with “Happy Harriet’s” posting – we would LOVE to have the Z pin added to the memorabilia to be purchased…any chance of a copy being made and in the works? Also a “Z” for a charm bracelet would be great – you know how us girls love our jewellery!
I am sad to hear about Miesque…I watched both of her BC Mile wins – what a fabulous mare. The good news seems to be that the awesome females (like Miesque and Personal Ensign) seem to live a long time…each to about 26? I think…So Zennie you s/b around for a LONG LONG time! :)
Margaret Murphy
Zenyatta you will go down in history as Horse of the Year 2010. There is no doubt now. You so sooooo wonderful, we all love you. To think it’s not over yet, now we have to wait to see your future family of foals. You bring so much joy to our lives. No wonder you are horse of the year, even the Century. Much love to you and your team. God be with you forever.
Dee
Hmmm.. Does anybody else think that the “stud” could be A.P. INDY? It will be fun to try and guess who the Lucky stud will be! Does anybody have any guesses? I reviewed the stallions list at Lane’s End. Hmmm.. :-)
Robyn Mullhausen
Awwww, Zenyatta, you and your Team deserve this award so much. We are still with you watching any video or photos that come our way. Glad to see you are enjoying Lane’s End. Won’t be long until Spring and we can see you gallop across the fields of the “blue grass” of KY. Whoever is choosen as your mate will be one lucky stud.
Brook Curry
Congratulations on Horse of the Year, Zenyatta! Tears of joy run down my face out of excitement for you! In my opinion, you deserved this award more than any horse in histoy! And I believe A LOT of other people will agree with me as well. You truly are an inspiration to us all. You have left such an amazing legacy behind that I will forever treasure. This isn’t where your legacy stops, though. It will live forever in the hearts of your fans, and we will pass your legacy down to the next generations as well! Two nights ago I wrote a 7 page research paper on you. Writing it was as easy as breathing. The last paragraph says:
She has deservingly achieved her place in history, and won her place in the hearts of people everywhere. She didn’t win those races alone, all of the support she received from fans around the world encouraged and inspired HER to achieve. She has touched the lives of many, and her legacy will live forever in their hearts.
I hope my English teacher, and anyone else who reads it, will fall in love with you if they haven’t already. You are amazing, Zenyatta! I look forward to your mothering years, and I can’t wait for your first baby!! Maybe your fans can help with naming it?? :)
Best wishes and ALL the LOVE in the world,
Brook Curry; a 17 year old from the horse capital of the world, KENTUCKY!
Patricia
So very proud of you, Honey! You bring so much love and joy to so many people, you are a gift, as is your team, and we love you sooooooo much!!!! Sweet Girl, stay safe, warm, happy, and know you are loved by so many – more than you know!
PS – A little girl of my acquaintance has a picture of you by her bedside – and kisses that photo of your sweet face when she looks at you!!!! How wonderful is that –
Peggy
To: Linda, yes i too would love the jewelry and maybe a little horse pin. And, to Dee, yes I so much want Zenyatta’s first date to be with Indy, I just absolutely love him, he seems to be such a good horse, the times i have visited him he has such a wonderful personality, I got to pet him and he seemed to really like the attention, I think that he remembered me and that i came with treats. Zenyatta please remember that he’s getting older please don’t let this opportunity get by you, your little one would have Seattle Slew and Secretariat as there Grand Father and Great Grandfather, it would be so exciting with your mixture in there too, just to exciting for words….. Oh, and Zenny guess what, I am so excited I am going down to Ocala Fl(Horse Country) in April to the horse sales they are having almost a week of it (I think 4 days) It is going to be so exciting to see all the new youngsters out there. I wanted to ask weren’t you down in ocala for a while also when you were a youngster for training? Oh, tell everyone to go to Utube and see you at the 2005 yearling sale at Keeneland. It is great Zen you were a beautiful baby. I have it saved to my favorites. Zen i wanted to thank you so much i think you have just brought so much good back to horseracing you are as I know you know just the best. Too Dotty and Ann please tell Penny Chenery on Feb 5 that she is just a beloved treasure, please please Thank her for everything she has done for our horses and for sharing her greats Secretariat and Riva Ridge, I think so many seem to forget Riva, but he was so wonderful. Please tell her God Bless her from her fans. One more little story I wanted to share, i have a friend that i only see ocasionally sometimes we might go to see a movie togeather, well back last year I ran into her and we were discussing that we would have to get together again and go to the movies, and I said oh there’s one i want to see (Secretariat) and I said oh I remember though i know you don’t like horses. As she never did as a child I was the horse fanatic. She quipped and said oh no, just call me we’ll go. Zen, long story short we did go and She was sitting there just laughing and crying and my mouth just dropped open with amazement. She said at the end i am comeing to see this again i just loved it that came from her, then she asked me don’t you go to Kentucky every so often and i said yes, yes i do. Zenyatta ………we have another fan, I think its so great. Oh, and the movie comes to DVD on Jan 25, this next week I am yep you know buying it. I will say Goodbye for today and please please pick A.P.Indy, (I know time is getting close) Love you Zen, Peggy
Dani
Z you are a super star for sure. You are Horse of the Year, you are Secretariat Vox Populi, you will no doubt have super star babies of your own, you will be voted into the Hall of Fame your first time nominated and you are Horse of a Lifetime to all of us. ….I still, still, still watch the replay of HOY being announced and feel that rush of pure joy all over again. I still, still, still get teary eyed when I hear Mr. Moss read the poem by Priscilla Clark. And I still, still, still think of you, your races and your personality as one of the most priceless experiences of my life.
Congratulations to all Team Z on this much deserved honor. ….P.S. Mr. Moss – love your glasses. Always thought they were very cool.
Annmaria
Congratulations Ms. Zenyatta! You are the best, not just horse of the year, but horse of a lifetime.
Thank you so much Dottie for keeping us informed on all the happenings with Zenyatta. I truly appreciate your time and dedication.
Annmaria
Kathryn Cogswell
“Let`s go see the man about his window,” the dad said to his son with the bat and a neighbor at the door. Since ‘Z`s’ fairy tale is all true, it is too important to embellish. Sometime ^ I wrote there was a tag Ann Moss wore Monday night, that was for the baby to come. Someone else wrote, with more authority, it was a tag Little Tige` had worn. Looking into it, not sure now where I got my information, so retracting it is important, to keep tracking her well, and truly .. . Please forgive a lapse of inquiry. ‘Measure twice; cut once,’ the carpenter said. Kathryn Cogswell.
Tracey Dryka - Ottawa, ON Canada
You have certainly deserved this award! To witness such greatness on the racetrack, a moment of history. There is no I in team, and through time they helped you bring out the best in you!!! In turn you showed what power you possessed on the track! AMAZING!!!!!! Love you Queen Zenyatta
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Seeing the photo of the actual card brought a little more reality to this almost surreal ending. Still can’t believe it HAPPENED – WOW. Dawn, Thanks for the “Jiminy Cricket” song. It was one of my favorites that I would sing along with as a child but I must confess I hadn’t thought about it for quite sometime. It made me feel good then & still does. Started singing while reading – a guilty pleasure when no one was home! Zenyatta has indeed taken us to a place where all things are possible if you only believe with all your heart. Maybe she will also meet her “Heart’s Desire” (that would be a good name for baby) & their first big date will be on Valentines’s Day! Guinness & Violins under the Stars on a sweet carpet of Kentucky Bluegrass. Ah, Jiminy, my little buddy, where are you now? PEACE LOVE & JOY to you QUEEN Z
Kathryn Cogswell
“Diamond Z” — there`s a name!
Katherine
Hi Zenyatta. I just checked out a picture of A.P. Indy. He is very handsome. You two would make beautiful babies. The anticipation of the naming of “Mr. Right” is killing me, but I realize it is a very important decision and should not be rushed.
Timmy Todd M.A,
More tears Baby Girl…..You Big Silly Mare….. Those strides you took at Churchill Downs….Those last strides trying to get at that colt,,,were for us…. You ran your heart out for us… You are such a giving and good girl…. We love and adore…. You Silly Mare, you went on a tear, we stopped and starred, Mikey in his chair…. From Waaaaaaaaaaay back there…..Our hearts in a snare…..Run little Girl,,,,Run big Mare… Your Name is Zenyatta! Your Majesty so fair…..
Merci Merci Beaucoup from Inglewood….
Karey
Kathryn C, How gracious of you to keep the lines of information true and clear.
An appropriate way to show respect for
the integrity of Team Z and for how deeply this amazing story, and even its tiniest details, will live in our hearts. Thank you for setting that bar.
Melinda
I was not able to watch the announcement live but thanks to the numerous connections I have on FB I didnt miss a note. I cried and screamed when I received the news. You so deserved this award! Your fans really do love you Z and thanks to your team allowing us to get up close we all feel a personal connection to you. Your place in history is secured even long after we are gone. And you will be rememberedmemory with love and deep admiration. With respect, love and anticipation of your new career.. Love you Zenyatta!!
nancy
Seeing the card just said it all does it not? You keep thanking us, we love you for that, but you must know I have said it before no we thank you, and Team Z for everything. Hard to think is been 6 days already since this was handed down, I still replay it in my mind. To all of you at team Z thanks, to Z herself thanks. I would love to see you having a blast with your buds at Lanes End. Now we just have to wait a few for that big one who will be your date :) That time for you to become a mom is coming on fast. And you will be HOTY for ever something they can not take away, you think about it 19-1 HOTY what a way to finsh.
RITA
It is I that thank you and your team for sharing your wonderful experience with all of us. You are wonderful and so deserving of this award, you are of course the greatest ever. As Liza G put it you are the Queen of the sport of Kings. Love you Z, lots of hugs to you.
Pam Lyons
Zenyatta, you have given so much to us! I am thirlled for you, the Mosses, John, Mike and every one involved with your care. We all know that you are Horse of the Year but it’s nice to see you get the recognition that you all so richly deserve.
Cristina Fischer
ZENYATTA…TE AMO-I LOVE YOU-J T’AIME-ICH LIEBE DICH!!!
Heather Myers
What can I say,Z. The prayers of thousands were answered. God bless you, Team Zenyatta and all at Lanes End. You are always in our thoughts and prayers.
Sandy
Oh Zenny – it is SO good to hear from you! How nice of the ever-gracious Ann Moss to take the picture of “the official card” so that we all could see it. Your new video is fun to watch, and I am SO grateful that your Team Z allows even us “not-on-Facebook” people access to your information. Congrats again to you for all of your awards including the NEW one from Peggy C!!! I hope a camera will be rolling when it is presented to Jerry and
Ann in February. And thanks SO MUCH to Dottie for keeping us “in the loop.” It was fun to see YOU in the clip of the award ceremony posted on NTRA.com. Obviously that short clip didn’t allow us to hear all of the comments, but . . we’ll take anything we can get. Love to all, your Ohio friend, Sandy
Kathryn Cogswell
Hi, Karey: She never turned a false step & wouldn`t know how or understand. You know how they look at you to get you to line up with the plumb bob . .. Thanks. Khc.
sue
how wonderful and meaningful those words are to you, your team and all us fans. We love you SO much!
CJ
I love you Zenny…Thank You so much and your team as well…you are ALL are a gift to us all..Bless You xo..~Cj
Christine Coleman
Hi Zenny…You know what, the idea that Anne took that photo of the actual card says so much about her as a person. Both she and Jerry are blessed with wealth and station in life, but they have a rare understanding of what true happiness is. They have a love for the animals that are placed in their care–and THAT fact makes them richer than all the dollars they have. Just a simple card meant to much to her–shows the depth of her feelings. I am so proud of them as fellow humans. Lord knows people like them are few and far between You are likewise blessed to have them. Further, they are the ones who selected, and are aware of Dottie’s value, and that of John, your trainer. I read an interesting comment from your friend, the broodmare manager there. He was remarking that transitioning you from the track to your wonderful new life was much easier because you weren’t pumped full of steroids and all the other “things” most trainers use to get an edge. He said John used the old, “Hay, Oats and water” method–I believe.
You know what? That tells me that most of those colts you gassed in the Classic, maybe even Blame also, were not running in the “natch” (naturally) so to speak, which is so commonplace these days. That makes you EVEN MORE MAGNIFICENT! You ran against pharmaceuticals, devices, rabbits, etc. with nothing more than your God given talents and regular horse gifts, plus the training John gave you, and still beat them. I’m telling you, we won’t see another like you for a long time to come.
Love you Zenny!
Dawn Conrad
Karey and Barbara Wood, like you both and I’m sure many others too numerous to name; I really enjoy being part of this great “chatty” group. The fans of Zenyatta are really special people! We expand each others world with our own stories, poams and great comments. We learn from each person through articles, websites, pictures and video, information and first hand knowledge. We share tears and laughter, memories and dreams, condolences, prayers and blessings. We are all part of a once in a lifetime experience with our gracious Jerry and Ann. Our wonderful John, Mike and all the rest of spectacular Team Z. We celebrate with our supportive and ever giving Dottie and of course love our magnificent Zenny. What a ride!
Kathryn Cogswell
Dear Ann Maree Matthews: Christine Coleman [above ^] strengthens Zenyatta`s suit as a pure athlete. And reminds me of the opening sentences on your FB post about ‘Z`s’ times, which nobody has written. Although incomprehensible to me, she did run everybody down at near-record times, yet stayed within herself, ears pricked; something too, about length of her stride, once she got down. Not registered on FB, so can`t access your interesting, knowledgeable, informative track points,as the first sentences lead in. Would you consider bringing something about her times & running here [or is there a way to access your FB posts w/ registering]? Khc.
Kathryn Cogswell
Ann Maree: [Above ^] I meant WITHOUT registering on FB. Kc.