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
Cara
YES!! Thank God, Great job z!
Lynne
Congratulations Zenyatta and all your wonderful team. I loved watching the videos of all the deserving award winners. I look forward very much to seeing new pictures of you and your friend, equine and human. I am so happy that you are enjoying your new retirement role. You are going to make one amazing Mom
Denise Bailey
Always my “HERO” We are so lucky to share in this horse and her life…
Martha Lydick
You have reached the heights and taken us with you. Thank you. Now, I think they should parade your future mate selections in front of you and let you chose.
Martha Lydick
Again, the required fields are filled with my name and email address. I do not have a website. You must now like what I posted.
Lori
The night of the awards, I dreamed that at the end of the telecast, everyone stood up and sang “One” (the grand finale to “A Chorus Line”) in honor of you! I’ve always thought that was a perfect song for you: “One singular sensation/Every little step she takes/One thrilling combination/Every move that she makes/…and you can forget the rest/’Cause the girl is second best to none/…do I really have to mention/She’s the one!” And you are! And finally the powers that be have acknowledged it! Love, Lori
Deneen
Z – thank you so much for allowing your fans to share in your life! We are so very grateful to Jerry, Ann, John, Dottie and Lane’s End for everything they do to keep us in touch with you! Each time I read these posts, there is a beautiful, warm feeling that I get knowing how much your family loves and cares for you as well as the fans. Love you all so much!! Congrats on winning the Secretariat Vox Populi Award. Penny is a class act, too!! Hugs and peppermint kisses to you sweet girl!!
nina
Dance away Z!!! You deserve this great tribute.
Rosemarie Cola
Lost my Dad early Dec. but before then,we would talk about you all the time Z. When you won HOY, I made sure I told him about it. I know he would be as happy as I am for you. Congratz girlfriend, you deserve it!
Pamela J Hebert
Zenyatta what a perfect ending & also congratulations on the Voice of the People award you received from Penny Chenery!!! Can’t wait to see the pictures. Watched Jerry & Ann receive the HOY on You Tube. Keep warm with all your girlfriends. Much love.
Joan
HI Big Girl,
Love the new video, it is so gtreat to see you run. Wonderful awards, you are so deserving of both. Am waiting for the big announcement of who your mate will be next month. Thank you for all the wonderful moments with more , the best yet to come.
Kathy B.
Many blessings to you and Team Z! It is truly fabulous! It’s about time the racing world made it official (but us fans have known how special you are all along…).
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: I bet your family is still pinching themselves wondering if it was just a dream. You certainly gave us a fairy tale Zenyatta. I am located on the East coast and I remember when the fairy tale began for me. It was your first Breeder’s Cup race in 2008. I was watching it on TV. The announcer said something like: and here comes Zenyatta prancing up to the gate. I remembered thinking now there is something very special about that horse. And look were the fairy tale took us. Your record breaking accomplishments say it all. Then ending your career with the diamond exclamation point with winning Horse of the Year! Thank you, Thank you and Thank you again for all those incredible years. Thanks for posting the official card. How cool is that! I know your family will never let anything happen to that card. Your video was great too, you certainly look very happy with all this excitment. Love, Linda
Marla Lush D'Andrea
Congratulations! Looking forward to visiting you. Any news on when we can see you at Lane’s end?
Carmela Bozulich
Naturally!! You are a class act, Lady Z!!
Kathryn Cogswell
LORI: http://www.thebroadwaymusicals.com/lyrics/achorusline/one.htm
Erin
I can’t stop reflecting on the quote of Eric Liddell that graces Barbaro’s memorial at Churchill. “God made me for a purpose but he also made me fast. When I run I can feel his pleasure.” Z, your purpose has been to make us realize there is true grace, beauty and honesty in the world, and that happy endings do happen. You make me feel “his” pleasure.
Kathryn Cogswell
BECAUSE of LORI — And we`re the Chorus!
NancyJS
Hello Zenyatta 2010 Horse of the Year. It sounds so beautiful.
Thanks for sharing the simple but so meaningful announcement
card. It is soooo special that Ann Moss was holding
your name tag from when you were a young horse and just
beginning your racing career. Who would have ever though
you would be such a great champion and horse of the people.
I love your recent video. You are the lead mare. I love you
walking between your group as if to say “Hey let’s go
for a run”!!!! Also took advantage of the hole your buddy
Sea Gull dug in the snow to eat “Hey Let’s share”. I was watching
some racing videos of you “what a warrior”. N
Life on the track is tough and very demanding but
you stepped up to the challenge. Now you are enjoying
life in your beautiful Kentucky home. I love when you
twirl your neck and buck and run. Now you are
truly a horse wooly coat and all. Not quite as long
as your Mom’s. Oh how I hope AP Indy’ s fertility
is still tops for you to have a Secretariat/Seattle Slew
foal especially since you are getting the Secretariat
Award for the peoples horse.
Sweet dreams of carrots and peppermints. Do you like
apples? My thoroughbred loved granny smith apples
only. How high maintenance is that and he is a gelding.
XXXXOOOO
Linda (Canada)
Lady Z – you will need a “shelf” in your stall at Lane’s End to hold all your Eclipse Awards! :) You and your team got …3? or was it 4? on Monday night and on Feb 5 you got the Inagural Vox Populi award, created by Penny Chenery….how special is that?
I ordered your Z Horse of the Year cap…can’t wait for it to get here.
I agree with an earlier post – you need a special HOTY blanket now. :)
Take care, beautiful Z.
Linda (Canada)
I meant to say “get” the Vox Populi Award..counting chickens before they are awarded. :)
Tamyatta
Zen, Zen, Zen, Zen, Zen, I just want to hug you to pieces! What complete and utter joy we all feel. What a perfect ending to a perfect career by a perfect horse. Of course we knew you would win because God had written it in the sky, but to hear your name called made the heart skip a beat! Thank you and Team Zenyatta for a magic journey that only happens once, we have been truly blessed. Stay warm my beauty and tell Gammy Ann to stock up on the Luvs:) Speaking of that, I want to make sure the Mosses know that the Horse of the Year DOES NOT PAY a fee:)He, whoever it turns out to be, can consider himself privileged to date the most perfect lady ever!!
I’m always loving you my sweet girl:)
Tamyatta
P.S. My horse of the year cap is on the way also but I definitely, for sure, absolutely do want a HOTY blanket. To tell the truth, I always want anything Zenyatta. My office has officially been totally transformed in the “ZenDen”. Comem on in and feel the love”)
John
We can’t thank team Z enough. I literally think of Zenyatta at least once every day. I have a huge picture of her signed by Mike in my office. Thanks again for a wonderful, wonderful experience
Mary
The final victory is the sweetest, is it not? That’s how I feel Queen Zenyatta. You gave your best effort every day of your career. Every race. You never let us down Your team never let you down, even when you were young and restless. They saw the greatness in you and patiently encouraged you in developing your talent from raw to rare. They shared you with the rest of us in ways that no one else ever thought of before. Your charm and gentleness allowed them to open the gates wide to let us in and catch a glimpse of how much goes into making a champion, making a legend in our lifetime. We the fans have done our part. I know I have posted on every website where HOY voters invited our arguments for why you deserved the award. The question seemed absurd to me, but I gave my reasoned arguments respectfully, even when some tried to dismiss us as just a bunch of emotional women! You made your own argument on the track in 2010 by reaching 19 and OH in the year 2010. You did it in ways I no longer need to enumerate. I can sit back and smile with the rest of TEAM ZENYATTA because I truly believe I’m part of that team now, celebrating and cherishing a wonderful miracle that is you, Zenyatta, our Horse of the Year and so much more.
Denise
I can see it now, Zenny. Your filly or colt is going to be running (no, make that dancing…like you) around the fields bragging to the other foals “My Mommy is Horse of the Year!”….LOL. No, THANK YOU Team Zenyatta for keeping the fans close!
Vicki S.
I’ve got to say that I am really impressed and touched by the fact that so many things in Zenyatta’s life are shared to us. Thank-you for that, and for sharing this card. For those of us that have been following her career for quite a few years, as I have, it truly makes us feel part of the extended team.
Anyone have any links to videos of the Eclipse awards for Zenyatta to share? I’d love to see them, especially the special award for Team Z. I’ve only found one on YT that just shows the team approaching the podium.
I’m going to put in my $.02 for the stud choice. I did a KY barn tour of quite a few barns while visiting the WEG in KY in October. I’ve got to say that out of all the studs I met, Pulpit is my absolute fave. Temperment, conformation, and bloodlines…. OH MY! Of all the studs I was introduced to… WOW…. Of course, my only hesitation with this match would be the closeness of the Mr. Prospector inbreeding. My big NO for breeding, (and I LOVE WinStar farm), would be Tiznow. One word to describe him when I saw him.. Rank. Big no-no.
Anyway, thanks for all the great posts and good luck in the future! Love to all of you!
Linda Henderson
Zenyatta you are the Horse of the Year and a horse for all seasons. I can not tell you how happy I am that you won. I don’t have the words. I miss you but you deserve this good life.
Kimberly
YEAHHHHHH Z. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR AWARD!!! YOU DESERVED IT LAST YEAR TOO. THEY FINALLY GOT IT RIGHT!!!! LOVE YOU QUEEN… NITE NITE!
Julia B
That simple but elegant card says it all “Z”……..have it framed!…and
just think, as you trot by , all the stallions will reply ” HAY HOTY ” !
(I know.. corny but just had to say it )
Love to you Dear “Z”and the entire Team Z!
Goodnight all !