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
Patricia
Again, Zenyatta, we all believed in you & knew this would come true! I love the emotion that Jerry & Ann expressed at the awards ceremony. If you did not know you were a horse, you would have thought they were sharing feelings for one of their beloved children. A mother’s love is so unique & Ann definitely exhibits this whenever I have seen videos of her in regards to you. You can see it in her eyes. Ann & Dottie you looked so beautiful!
TEAM Z…WOW! What a GIFT you all really have been blessed with…It was so great to see all of the people that helped with Zenyatta’s wonderful journey…the ladies from Mayberry Farms in Ocala etc.
Thanks for the update! Lots of love
Kathleen
Zenyatta…..the Queen of racing, thank you for the joy. You impressed Mrs Chenery so much she created an award just for you!! How impressive that the owner of the other greatest horse of all times recognized your significance.
I talk to my mares about you everyday, they send their love and congratulations!
Barbara Bowen
Thank you again Zenyatta for bringing such a warm refreshing light into each of our lives. With times being what they are now, and so much uncertainty in the world around us; you gave to so many a transfusion of Life, Joy, Hope, Unity, and Warmth, and brought us all together in a one common cause! These past few years have been filled with anticipation and excitement of your next race; and the exhilaration of your victories! I will miss watching you run, but I am so grateful that you shared your special dance with all of us! So thank you again Zenyatta! “Our reigning Queen!” We love you!
Elaine
Thank you for sharing the card. We all knew you should have this final sparkling gem in your crown, Queen Z! We love you!
Even though you look very happy in Kentucky, California still misses you! We wish you well and can’t wait to see your first baby!
Irene Caty
Well, you did it big Z and yes along with many fans and a team Z like no other and even the press helped. When you add this all up it means LOVE. This is what this is all about, the love you give and the love you recieve. I’m glad you danced and gave the paddock a good run at the news when it came to you. You will be in great spirits for awhile now that you were awarded Horse Of The Year. Everyone knows that you are the great Queen Zenyatta. I am so happy for you because you are so deserving of that award. Have a great time in celebration my dearest Zenny. Thinking of you always.
sherry drish
ZENYATTA, WE ARE SO PROUD TO BE YOUR FANS. THIS WEEK I RECEIVED MY BREYER MODEL OF YOU, I REALLY LIKE IT TOO. I STILL HAVE A KEYCHAIN AND A HAT, MORE PICS OF YOU ARRIVING SOON. I GUESS MAKES ME A BIG FAN HERE IN THE EASTERN PANHANDLE OF WV. I AM SO PROUD OF ALL THE GOOD THINGS THAT HAVE COME YOUR WAY. YOU EARNED THEM ALL…LOVE TO ALL, SHERRY D.
Leslie R.
Hi Zenny, I’m still on Cloud Z and so very happy that you were crowned Horse of the Year!! It is the diamond exclamation point at the end of your name! You and all of Team Z deserve the recognition.
Thanks for sharing the picture of the actual card announcing Horse of the Year. That was such an amazing moment when those words were read. Everytime I see the video, I still cheer! I’m sure Ann and Jerry will keep the card in a special place.
It is sweet that Sea Gull joined you in a free spirited gallop around the field in celebration! She sounds like a good friend. I’m so happy that you are enjoying life with your friends.
I look forward to seeing pics of your visit with your Cali family.
It was very nice of Dottie to mention us fans to the press. We all love and care about you and Team Z very much. Thanks Dottie!
Oh, the new video on your Facebook page is great!! It was fun seeing you enjoying life.
Love you sweet girl,
Leslie
Linda B
The team must be so proud…You are a gift.
A horse is a horse of course of course unless that horse is ZENYATTA but
Then that horse bought by mr & mrs Moss becomes a HOT ya.
OH THAT was sooo bad lol
you go dance girl
Judy Gadwood Loves Zenny/California
Hi Horse of The Year!!
Zenny, I want to share my experience that evening.
When they said the next award will be for Horse of The Year – I stood up from my chair at home! I had to be standing cause I wanted to be sure I heard the name for real…
When they said your name, I screamed: “YES!!!” and threw my hands in the air!! I scared my kitty, Hayley, but then she realized it was about Zenyatta, so she smile, too :-)
XOXO from Sunny California
Sue B
Thanks Dottie for all the posts. What a labor of love for the fans. And Congratulations Z and Team Z. I just screamed when the announcement was made. So happy and thrilled. Can’t wait for babies. There is no good life without horses.
max
It is great to hear anything about you and your team. Your loyal fans will always love and want to hear from you. You are a beautiful and amazing horse. Z rules.
Jan
Zenyatta,
Thanks for sharing the card with us. Will the Moss’s have it framed. Can’t wait to see the pictures of you and your CA family visit. Congratulations on being the first recipient of the Secretariat Vox Populi Award. You are amazing Zenyatta and will all love you here in Texas.
Sheri
Zenyatta, I just want to say thank YOU for letting us live in your dream! This really is a fairy tale and you are the beautiful, gentle queen! You are all racing could ever ask for, you and all of Team Z! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for being the best racehorse out there and keeping your chin up in the worst of times! We all knew you deserved Horse of the Year… and you got it! Keep being the best you can be Zenyatta! We all L-O-V-E LOVE you!!!! Long live the Queen!! :D :D
suemar
Thank goodness I was able to see you race in both Breeders Cups. Now Im ready to travel from Virginia again to see you sometime as a HOY! Just framed your MONEIGH
print and its terrific!
Barbara Bowen
Suzanne, I wanted to reply about your question on whether or not they should wear blankets in the cold. Horses such as Zenyatta, can keep a summers coat year round, by being kept primarily in warm climates, or indoor facilities, or being blanketed much of the year. I have two horses and neither wear blankets much. They have them though. Personally I only blanket the very old ones in the winter. Horses un-blanketed will produce a long haired coat naturally. If you don’t desire this coat, than you blanket them. Of course they look much better with their summer coat on! Not to worry though,Zenyatta is plenty warm naturally. Sometimes my horses will also roll in the snow, they love it!
Celeste
Oh, Zenyatta, thank YOU for sharing the photo of that most beautiful card!! Those five words are so meaningful and bring such gladness to so many hearts. Another big thank you for the new video of you playing in the snow – it’s so wonderful to see you having fun with your posse of girlfriends! It appears to me that everyone is getting along very well and no one is particularly cranky as groups of mares can sometimes be. We are so fortunate Team Z continues to share your life experiences with us. To Sam, thank you for sharing the link to Keelerman’s blog – that was a lovely essay. Just for good measure, I will say it again – thank you!
Henrietta Wolfe
Zenyatta, when the man announced your name I yelled so loud my cat went flying out of the room. (*_*) I read an article, it was a great article, but at the end the writer said you were at Lane’s End just being a horse. You were not just a horse or are now just a horse nor ever will be just a horse. You are, THE HORSE OF A LIFETIME. You have given so much to your fans and we will never forget you. You have a place in my heart and will stay tucked away there forever. I am so proud of you and feel blessed to have been apart of your career if only through the television. Your team was just magnificent at the award show. Class at the highest. Congratulation to all of you. I know there will be much more for us to look forward to. I hope you will never be out of touch with us because we would all be sad. I LOVE YOU ZENYATTA. Take care and I will be waiting for your next post. xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Don Hyslop
Yes Zenyatta, your racing career may now be complete but your story is far from over. Looking forward to you keeping us abreast with the rest of your story.
Coach Thomas
Dear Team Zenyatta…Congratulations and thank you! I enjoy reading your diary post daily! Peppermint Kisses!
Paula Hogan
Zenyatta – you saved the very best for last – your 20th victory IS the sweetest!!!
Megan
That’s all it needed to say………….I was sooooo happy.I’m still coming down off the rush of the good news.Thanks as always Dottie for the post.
Ann Maree
Y-E-A-A-A-A-A TEAM Z! THANK YOU AND HUGS AND BUTTERFLY KISSES! SO-O-O-O VERY HAPPY FOR YOU ALL, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR QUEEN!
Your friend, Ann Maree
Sue
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CARD
Mary Stanford
It was great to hear from you Z….am glad you are as excited as your team and your fans. I bet you were dancing and prancing…I am sure you could feel the excitement from everyone…the same kind of excitement when you won on the track…so you knew it was a special time…you are one smart girl….and then running with Sea Gull…wish we could all see it. But in our minds we can…all we want is for you to be happy and healthy…and you are both of those…so all is good!! Love you Z…hugs to you…
Becky
So happy for you and your Team, Queen Z!
I was at Barn 55 a few months ago, and
Jerry, John, and Dottie were all there with
you! I handed John a poster, and on it
read “Zenyatta – 2010 Horse Of The Year!”.
John autographed it for me, and underlined
(not once, but twice!) the Horse Of The Year part!!! We both knew THEN!!! Congratulations beautiful girl! We are so proud of you, and your team!!!
Susan
One small card that says it all-the cumulation of hard work, commitment and dedication by Team Zenyatta.
Horse of the Year
ZENYATTA
Each acceptance-Older Female, the Special Team Zenyatta Award and Horse of the Year showed the class of Team Zenyatta and the real emotion they have for you. In addition, they always acknowledged the fans as being part of the team-Thank You
I also thought that the other recipients realized the greatness of your contributions-I loved what Blind Lucks owners had to say about you and your legacy.
Congratulations Girl-now go celebrate!
RDV
Only 2 words are needed for Zenyatta and her Team…..
THANK YOU.
Pat Boig
So good to hear from you, Zenyatta! There was screaming here in New Jersey, too and dogs barking as well!!! I, also, want to add my thanks to Penny Chenery for establishing the Vox Populi Secretariat Award – she, like the Mosses, clearly understands the connection that you and Secretariat have to the fans. So this award is really special as well and it couldn’t be more perfect that you will be the first to receive it!!! I’m sure that she was working with the big red guy to influence the racing gods upstairs on your behalf for HOTY, too. In any case, for once, all is right with racing and the QUEEN REIGNS!!!! We love you, Zenyatta and thank you and your loving people for all they have done for racing.
Linda B
61,012 friends on Facebook says it all. You are so loved Zen.
Nancy McNaul Applegate
Mere thanks just aren’t enough. your family has so much love for you, and it’s amazing that your heart is big enough to allow space for us, too. Zenny, it’s a great feeling that our dedication to you finally paid off in the best way for you. i’m grateful that you and the entire team opened their hearts, their time, and schedules to make room for us in their busy hectic lives. God bless you, Zenny, and may your family finally get some rest and feel peace in their hearts.