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
Nancy McNaul Applegate
I still think Quality Road will be Zenny’s partner for her dance.
Anna Wiley
Oh, wow, Zen!!! When it comes to racehorses, horses in general too, you take the cake!!!!!!! I am still basking in the delight of your HoY win!!!!! My list of favorite racehorses is as follows:
1. Zenyatta
2. Zenyatta
3. Zenyatta
4. Secretariat
And so on down the line. :D Zenny, you will hold a place in my heart forever. Goodbye(for now) Good luck with mating, and God bless you all in Barn 55!
Luv,
Anna
:D
LauraJ
@Suzanne, to elaborate on what Barbara said, Z and her friends don’t need coats. Zenyatta’s winter coat has been allowed to grow in. Horses are cold weather animals; they evolved to run free on the plains of North America and the steppes of Asia, places that get downright frigid in the winter. If these girls were blanketed outdoors while they were being active and running around, they might work up a sweat, and then they would be cold when they stopped moving. Also, the process of digesting hay/grass generates enough heat to keep them warm. They can blanket her indoors if necessary.
Sunny Farm
There is something about just looking at the white card for Horse of the year, I just got the biggest smile and a warm fuzzy feeling !Thanks so much for placing the photo of the card !
ROBBIE PFUEFER KAHN :
I sincerely thank-you for your kind comment, I read the comments untill the “600’s” but must have missed yours.
I hope your enjoying your retirement & intend to have a great time hence forth !
I have noticed one thing about “talking horses “. The most talkative, do seem to be the Thoroughbred & the Arabian, though ALL horses communicate.The bloodlines from BOLD RULER seem to really enjoy “Talking ” with thier human friends & they sure have a LOT to say ! A horse doesn’t actually speak like a person, with a voice like ours, but they do have a very low voice and facial signals,body signals,as well as the louder nicker , neigh & whinny & whiffle .
It is the subtle conversations that are hardest to hear & understand, but once you learn the horses language, it all becomes so clear & distinct and is a wonderful feeling. It is an honor if a horse will bother to talk to you !
I believe that all is a matter of trust on the horses part & affection for the owner.
I could relate and share quite a few stories of how my horses think of me as part of the herd,and how protective they are of me and of each other. Being part of the herd is a wonderful thing.
QUEEN Z most deffintely made her human family part of her herd & gave back the love that she was given.
Well, enough from me for the time being, I think I hear a horse “talking’…that kick against the wall MUST mean I am nearing thier feeding time ! (LOL)
BEST WISHES ROBBIE !!!!
Linda Moss
Dear Queen and Team Z – what a perfect fianle to such a great career and Team effort. Not enough words to let you know just how this has all touched so many of us.
Can’t wait for more pics and videos. And can’t wait to learn who your date is going to be! Please know we all stand proud with you and what a blessing to have had this great ride with you in our lifetime. Love and Hugs back to you!
Ingrid in MA
Believe you me,your fans are still pinching themselves,too! There isn’t a horse or team that deserves this award more than you and Team Zenyatta. All I can say is “Thank you” to all of you for giving us the ride of a lifetime with you. If not for the Moss’ and Shirreffs’ generosity in sharing you with your fans, I doubt any of us would know what a truly special horse you are. So THANK YOU team Zenyatta, for sharing your girl with us, and for the awesome racing we were witness to with her. There will never be another Zenny, and it was an honor just to watch her run. I finally got to witness history being made,and it was spectacular! I’ll remember the Queen of the Track as long as I live.
Congratulations also on all the other awards! John,you were ROBBED! Just know that you’ll always be Trainer of the Year with the fans! Just as Mike will always be Jock of the Year with us.
I think that the award I’m most excited about is Penny Chenery’s Vox Populi Award. How exciting is it to receive the very first one?? Again,no horse deserves it more than you do,Sweet Zen. And that Ms Chenery – who owned and raced one of the most famous racers of all time,Secretariat – chose you herself!! Doubly exciting! To all the Zenyatta naysayers out there – if the owner of the legendary Secretariat thinks that Zenyatta is an awesome racer…. well,I’d listen to her! She obviously knows what she’s talking about! So CONGRATULATIONS Team Zenyatta,on being chosen the Voice of the People’s horse!!!!
Love you all!!
Bridget
Did she really dance and prance around the paddock after you told her, Dottie?
Bernie
Zenyatta, God be with you and all or your Team. What you have shared with us is amazing and can never be taken away. Thank you just doesn’t seem enough, my heart goes out to all of you for the gifts you have given all of us. Thanks again!
Maria
Dottie we know that you have a busy schedule and a job to do. But you are so kind to find time to keep us updated. Thank you so much.
I am so happy at last she won the HOY. I was disappointed with the voters for the last two years. I know in my heart she is a GREAT horse and deserved to retire with the title of HOY. After she lost the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November, I was convinced that the voters would not give her the award. When Alex Waldrop opened the envelope and read her name, I was the happiest person in the world. I have been her fan since she won her very first stake, the El Encino on 2008. I went to the race tracks about fifteen times to see her races in person. I don’t know if I will see another Zenyatta in my lifetime. I know that she is very happy where she is now and enjoying her retirement. I am sure being a mom will not be an easy job and she will be very busy. Who knows we might be blessed again someday and she will give us a little Zenyatta who will also be as good and charismatic as her.
Zenyatta, I am still ecstatic after you finally won the HOY. That was the icing on the cake. I love you. Did you and your buddies celebrate after the award with Guinness?
Linda
Zenyatta, like the song goes, you’ve got personality, walk with personality, trot with personality, run with personality, dance with personality, love with personality, plus you’ve got a great big heart.
Debra Bunn
What a thrilling ride this has been for everyone!! Zenyatta is an amazing horse and I wish her much success as a broodmare. Hopefully, she has opened many people’s hearts and eyes about horses. They are wonderful, amazing and graceful animals. The only other horse that has my heart is my mare Jazzy. These creatures can teach us so much, if we just listen. Congratulations to the whole Zenyetta team and thank you again for showing us that we can all reach for the stars!
Margo M
I’ve never seen such a beautiful envelope!! Zenyatta, you are truly the 2010 Horse of the Year, Horse of the Decade, etc.!! I had received a news flash from a Louisville, KY, TV station an hour before HOTY was announced that you, Zenyatta, had indeed won Horse of the Year. I literally screamed with delight and prayed that the news was correct. So you can imagine my reaction when I heard them announce your name during the ceremony as Horse of the Year!! I felt such a feeling of utter elation. You are SO deserving; FINALLY you have received the award that was so overdue. I want Team Zenyatta to know how much they mean to me and all of Zenyatta’s fans. Dottie, thank you so much for giving Zenyatta a voice. Jerry and Ann Moss, I so admire you and appreciate all that you do for others. God knew what He was doing when He made you Zenyatta’s owners and John Shirreffs her trainer. Thank you all so much! God bless you Zenyatta and your wonderful Team!! I hope your Team will visit you with the Horse of the Year trophy and have pictures made with you. I would love to buy one of those pictures!
Faye
Thanks for all the updates. Look forward to hearing reports of the reactions of your Barn 55 people, and what they did to elebrate. Especially Mario. All of us equine caretakers felt sympathy when he had to say goodbye to you.
Kim Curtsinger
It’s a dream come true for me too Zenyatta. I am so proud of you and have been walking on air all week. I cannot imagine how your team feels. Stay warm girl. Gonna get really cold tonight. Love you
Charlie Crumpton
An award well-deserved. But we’ve already received a greater award & that is YOU___a being of love & courage, grace, nobility, & heart.
Like Seabiscuit & Secretariat you came to raise our spirits at a time when human heroes are few & far between. Thank YOU.
I would like to ask Team Z if it is possible to offer the Zenyatta tees in children’s sizes for adults as well. The tee of YOU & the child is lovely & displays for me the image of power bowing to love. This is part of what YOU’RE all about. It’s the tee that I would love to wear. Thanks again for “YOU alone are YOU”.
Beverly Buchert
Love seeing the card. Tears always fill my eyes when I see anything about you. Your loved so dearly. I love watching any videos about you. Your personality plus is so captivating. Glad you have made new friends. You brought such joy to the sport as Secretariat did. Can’t wait for your movie to be produced, I’ll be the 1st in line. I’m 62 and wish I was closer so I could see you in person. You are and will be always so so special. Love
jo
It takes my breath away to see your name on that card. I have been wanting that for you for 3 Breeders Cups! I didnt want to but I even had to stand up to some Claiborne Farm employees and do a little trash talking back to them since they had some sour grapes. That will all fade and your name will be in the books and in our happiest memories. I wish I couldve seen you when you heard Dottie and Anns voice how excited and happy you are when you here from them Love you bye
Sandra Bennington
I am sooo happy that you finally one HOY!! You truly are the HORSE of a lifetime! Thank you for bringing me and all your fans so much happiness!
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
To SUNNY FARM: I’m so glad that you saw the message!
I am going to listen for “subtle conversation” with the horse I ride. Lucy is a Quarter horse, so she might not have the range of expression of a Thoroughbred or Arabian. I do know what “licking and chewing” means, thanks to Monty Roberts, but that isn’t exactly subtle.
I still can’t believe that I trust that Zenyatta thinks in HUMAN words and with Dottie’s help (it’s hard to write with a hoof and horses don’t have our vocal chords) communicates to us.
I told my Sociology of Animals and Society class on Tuesday night (sadly, none of the young people had heard of Zenyatta, only an older woman) that I’ve been “writing to a horse,” and I could see the astonishment on their faces. First night of class, how could I confess to having committed the “sin” of anthropomorphism (according to traditional animal behaviorists)? Fortunately, no one knew what that word meant; I defined it for them, which gave me back a bit of authority.
I have yet to retire; this is my last semester.
Thank you again for your best wishes! Robbie
Maggie
Zenny, so happy for you and your entire team! Ann and Dottie looked so beautiful at the awards…they just glowed with love for you! I am so glad you have such wonderful people caring for you. I love the video of you and your friends hanging out in the pasture…you look so happy! LOVE YOU!!
angela
Sweet and beautiful Zenyatta job well done! You are amazing and living truth that horses are God’s most beautiful and perfect creature…..Please always take care of her and treat her like royalty all through her long and wonderful life ahead.
Marilu Villanueva
Zenyatta, thank you for giving joy into our lives. God bless your family. Now they can rest after months of hoping and praying for this moment. Hugs, MV
Rosanne Glynn
Love the video of Zenny. I tried turning my speakers up all the way, I was wondering why I couldn’t hear her!! I anted to cry!! I love to hear her gallop and make that loud horse noise that horses make. She is so sweet to come over by the video and say hello. BTW, I forgot my speakers were on full blast and almost jumped off the chair when I downloaded something that had sound. haha…Should I ask Mike if he can take up a collection for a new video camera, with sound instead of doing a chairty this month? Only the best for Zenytta.
love and kisses….
Boo
Oh Zenny that is ONE ‘BOOTIFUL’ CARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today when I over heard my mamma talking to another lady at my barn, they were discussing Zenyatta winning the horse of the year. As soon as I heard ‘ZENYATTA’ I started to bow! Whenever my mamma says, “ZENYATTA!” I bow, because you are a queen. I bow even when I am alone in my stall. Congratulations Z!!!!! I love you!!!!
Love your friend
Boo!
xoxox!!!!
P.s. Sea Gull is a good girl!!!!!!
Debbie Bassett
Thanks for sharing the card with us! What a fitting award!!! You deserve it and more! You’ll never know how you have touched all of our hearts. You and Team Z have been so generous letting us in to the inner circle. Thank you for all the posts and pictures. After a long day, you always lift our spirits.
Lisa in Colorado
Z: YOu made me cry tears of joy – AGAIN!!!! What a girl, What a horse, what a team…
Love you, big beautiful amazing girl…
Kathryn Cogswell
Such a good, sweet girl.
Nancy
What I want to know is, on the night of the awards, did they have a tv on in the alley of the barn so you could watch? I hope so. :) My sister and I were so hoping you would win, and when they announced your name…we both screamed !!
Cheryl Heath
Thanks so much for sharing all this with us. I am still “over the moon” as well about the award of Horse of the Year! All week, I have had this little smile on my face all because of you, Zenyatta. You are the most special and this award is wonderful for you and for Team Z. The very best of all time. BTW, that diamond Z that Mrs. Moss wore Monday evening was beautiful. So fitting for a great evening we will all remember. Hugs, mints and carrots. I have tears of joy.
Barbara Wood
Dearest Z-
Oh, I am SO relieved! It has been so long since we have heard anything. Thank you so much for posting this wonderful report, showing the card and reporting on you and Sea Gull celebrating.
I have a wonderful idea that I think your fans would love, and it concerns YOU:
I would love to see 2 books. One would be a photography book about you by Barbara Livingston, and the other would be a book of writings about YOU by all your team. Each member could take a chapter: the Mosses, Dottie, John, Mario, Mike, Carmen, David, and Steve. Your fans would treasure it forever. Hope you’ve already thought of this.
I can slppe much better tonight knowing that you are well and happy with your award. We’ll wait patiently from now on when it takes a while for the next update. We seem to be a chatty bunch and can talk among ourselves about our favorite horsewhile we wait. Love you always!