Good Morning,
I am still ‘BASKING IN THE GLOW’ of my GOLDEN TROPHY! What a complete honor! LUCKY, LUCKY ME!
I did want to tell you how GREAT it was when my family came to visit last Sunday. Here are a few photos. I had lots of treats…which I shared with my friends…and hugs and kisses. Those I kept for myself!
Ann and Jerry spent a great deal of time with me both inside the barn and outside while I was in the paddock. They watched me play with my friends and do some very ‘spirited’ gallops around the field with my 3 buddies. We are really getting along beautifully. P.Q., Sea Gull, Alyse and I are great friends. This ‘bonding thing’ is very special and I think I’m getting the hang of it now.
Then John and Dottie each spent ONE-to-ONE time with me. John really wanted to just visit with me…he and I all by ourselves. Dottie did the same. Over the last 4 1/2 years, I have spent so much time with these 2 people…especially my dear John. All of the quiet time visits…1 to 1…really mean a great deal to me. During our time together, John shot several photos of ME…and I’ll share some of them with you tomorrow. (He is just so cute…carrying his cameras around. I’ve seen him do this for years now.)
As you can see in today’s photos, my ‘winter coat’ is growing. This is what keeps me nice and warm while I’m outside. It is all part of nature’s way of helping me to adjust to a colder climate…as it does all horses. I do feel like I am adapting beautifully to my new life at the farm. I also KNOW ALL OF YOU are still in touch…and that makes me feel so, so, so special!
Many of you are asking about my FIRST DATE! I know the options…my family did discuss them with me. Between you and I, I know MY FAMILY is going to LUNCH next week to finalize the details. They promised they’d tell me FIRST…and then all of YOU! This is really too cute! I’m getting so excited.
Breeding sheds open in MID-FEBRUARY around Kentucky! So, it is getting close.
As many of you know, I just LOVE SPORTS…guess it is because I am an athlete. It is a fun FOOTBALL WEEKEND. MY N.Y. Times Buddies, THE JETS, are playing. Gotta’ love Jason Taylor! Not only is he a terrific Jets football player…a few seasons ago, he was also one of the FINALISTS on DANCING WITH THE STARS. He and I have the DANCING THING IN COMMON!
This is also a big secret……a friend of mine tried out for that show! I’ll keep you posted. If it all works out, in my free time, I could offer some of my ‘unique dance steps’ for the program! THEY COULD ALL LEARN TO DO ‘THE ZENYATTA’ !!
Have a lovely Saturday!
With Love,
Hugs to all~
Z
Helen & Guido
Knowing you’re a Jets fan Zen is fabulous. I hope they win as big as you did! You look great in the videos romping with your friends. Your diary is such a delight, thank you to your editor!
Connie Winner
P.S. Catherine (above) nice choice of names… pretty clever on your part!! (if they used AP Indy) Zapittooya…way cute!!
And to Robbie P. Kahn… wow! You are a very deep person… a very interesting one. And the dog trainner and “their dance” was fabulous!! (thanks for sharing the link). Horses can do the same, if you view some of Pat Parelli’s You Tube videos, he does things like that set to music…gives me chills. Animals are priceless.
Jan
Zenyatta,
Thank you for the OH SO BEAUTIFUL PICTURES. You really look good & healthy. I remember the little bit they did at the Breeders Cup 2009, with Dancing with the Stars judge Len Goodman. Your score from Len, a big 10. I bet your family were so happy to see you. Can’t wait to see more pics. If John wasn’t a trainer, he would make good Paparazzi. lol. Charles has a very impressive resume. Love & kisses from your fans in Houston. :)
Nancy L
Such lovely family pictures. They must miss you horribly – especially John. Every time he walks past your stall he must smile yet be just a tad sad. But also for the great ride you took him on. And took the team and all your fans.
Jane in Seattle
@Robbie Pfeufer Kahn – thanks for posting that amazing video. Of course I knew Zenyatta could dance beautifully, but who knew a dog could learn to skip? What wonderful things animals do for love – if only they could always be treated as well as they treat us.
Goodnight Beautiful Z! On pins and needles here waiting for the big announcement!
XXXOOXXX
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
Such wonderful pictures and you are looking so good Zenyatta. It was nice that you were able to have some personal time with your family and especially with John. He and you were so close, probably closer than most humans are to others in their family. I bet you both miss each other tremendously but at least the connection has not been broken.
Am looking forward to finding out who will be your first date-just be sure you put your hooves down and let him know you’re the Queen!
Keep on having fun and be happy.
Love & Blessings to you Zenyatta-Always!
Karey
Dawn, Thank you for referencing your late post on yesterday’s blog. What a ride,
indeed! This is a shining ‘moment’ in time.
Robbie P K, Your tale of shape-shifting equine mother/goddess is mesmerizing. Oh,
I’m just imagining Zenyatta pouring her light and love into her baby…. Joy to the world! Thank you, too, for the link to that lyrical, loving, adoring doggie
“dance a deux”. All the precious furry ones among us…each one a gift.
Have you seen Carolyn Scott and Rookie do
their dance? Also enormously touching.
I can send the link – I think. Let me know.
Debbie
I love the photos, you look maaaaaaaaaaaaavelous daaaling Z!!! just love you so much and it makes me sooo happy that you are happy!!! i’ll be rootin for the jets tomorrow:-) xoxoxo
Chris Balmes
Oh my gosh – you are all so incredibly special. What you are doing here is truly remarkable. Thank you so much! Hi Zenyatta – have a good dinner…What a lucky girl you are!
Lynette Lucas
Great Photos!! I’m glad you and your family had a good time together!!! Did Mike stop and visit with you??
I’m still so glad you won horse of the year!!! You are my fav forever!!!! Love you big girl!!!
Robin A.B.
Beautiful, beautiful Zenyatta. I hope you are feeling all of the love coming your way. I am so glad that you got to see your very devoted family. I bet they will visit you as much as possible! BIG KISSES AND HUGS!!!
Sandra Ryan
Girlfriend, do you know just how much you are loved? I am kinda thinking about Rock Hard Ten for your date. Sounds like a real stud doesn’t he? Whooooooo!
Linda (Canada)
Lovely photos……I’ve seen a couple of inter-views with John and he is so obviously a kind man and so in awe of YOU…that he was part of the magic(and a BIG factor in that magic). Please have a DVD made with all your races, whatever footae you have of the hundreds of vistors at Barn 55 and Kentucky, your farewell at Hollywood Park, the Eclipse Awards, the upcoming Vox Populi award…and whatever I am forgetting….put it together, and have on your site for sale, as we know the proceeds go to all the great causes you have…”Old Friends” being one of them – Zenyatta and Team Z, you have done so much for the horse-racing industry, who in this day of electronics and instant gratification, is struggling to maintain its existance. Zenyatta’s tremendous appeal, personality, charisma, and blazing talent and class has brought so many people to the races these past couple of years. We cannot ever stop being grateful for the miracle that we saw….even God voted for you :)…the “Z” in the sky a week before the Eclipse awards :)
phyllis Horn
Dearest Zenyatta,
We love you so much and are so proud of you. We look forward to the choice made for you for a sire to the most beautiful babies on earth. Always watching and behind you all the way. You go girl.. Love, Phyllis and George
Trish & Mike in Colorado
Hope you got to hear Roger Stein’s radio show this a.m. I think it was Bob who had some fantastically wonderful things to say about your races. We miss you so much, Zenyatta and thank you for all the pictures and news.
Trish & Mike in Colorado
P.S. –also everyone I have heard on TV and radio agrees that John should have been trainer of the year, in large part because of his wonderful success with you, Zardana, Harmonious, etc.
Lynne
Thanks so much for more wonderful photos. I saw the video of you and your friends in the snowy paddock. You look so relaxed with your new surroundings. This is awesome. I also read in S.Haskin article that you are not minding Capone coming for morning visits. This is a good thing. I am so exited to know who they choose for your first date.
Hugs and Kisses back
Lynne from Surrey, B.C.
Carole K
Just love the one-on-one time Zenyatta spent with John — I would have loved to see and hear the interaction between them.
Anita in CA
‘This is really too cute’. Oh Zenny, you are the one who is too cute. I just can hardly stand it, you are so cute :D So, so happy you are having all of this great bonding time, especially one-on-one with your special ones, John, Dottie and Jerry & Ann. I know they love and miss you so much and they are also still basking in the glow of your huge honor. I am also. I can’t help but think about how much that meant to John, especially, after all the hours he spent with you. That is so special. Ooooh, I am too excited about who your first date will be, and can’t wait for next week!! Just think…. your baby’s daddy!!! That IS too cute, for sure ;). Oh, Zenny, my heart is just full of love for you. How special of a gift you are. Please thank Dottie again for giving you a voice. It is so appreciated. Well, have a wonderful day and evening and say hi to your girl posse, PQ, Sea Gull and Alyse. I know they are very special too. Love you so much Miss HOTY. XXXOOO
george
Zenyatta Everything is now good with your rider Mike Smith He won todays feature @ Santa Anita Palos Verde Grade 2 Stakes $150,000– After your Horse Of The Win I knew that he would come around to being himself again…..
Louise
Dearest Z., we are so pleased and proud you won!The best girl deserve the best guy. So if you are having an arranged marriage, it better be right. Curlin already has a date with your pal Rachel Alexandra, so tell the Mosses you want the real deal: AP Indy. He’s gorgeous, he’s hot and he is a proven stud. Please tell the Mosses to pony up that the $150K stud fee because you are priceless and deserve the best possible mate. Even Mike Smith would agree!
Peppermints & carrots forever,
Louise
Sunny Boyd
Good evening Zetty,
how nice to get another up-date from you again, “The Zenyatta” is pretty good, “The Zee Strut” is pretty good, too. I checked out Giacomo today, I gather he’s retired, too, and is sweet talking the mares. He’s such a pretty stallion!!You’d like him:) Visits from the home front are always great, and so are all the treats!!! Take care, Zetty, sweet dreams of all your favorites!!:)
Shannon From Cool
So glad you are finding the cold weather agreeable AND it’s wonderful to see your family visit you so often.
NancyJS
@Nancy Applegate
Thanks so much for sharing Steve Haskins article. I hope everyone
on this site reads that article. I am personally finding
many people who post on thus site selfish and inconsiderate
of Zenyatta and her need for private adjustment time
with her CA and KY families. Constantly requesting visits,
photos, videos, web cams. Last week after the Eclipse Awards
The Mosses, Sherrifs and Lanes End needed quiet time
digest everything and make plans. When there is no post
understand there is a private moment being taken for her
special families. Please be as gracious toward them
as they are to Zenyatta and us. Breeding can be very
dangerous business and aborting a foal is not what any of
us would like to here about. Please read Steve Haskins
article. She is a horse now and enjoying every minute
of it.
Jenna
It’s that time of night. Have a nice night, Z, and sleep tight. I have not wishes or specifics about who should be your mate. My feelings are what Mike said: no one is good enough for you. Truly. You’re such a present.
Nighty night, Zenyatta, and Dottie too!
mj
Dear Z, I imagine the bargaining over you new boyfriend was delayed until after the Awards, and then you got another one-so well deserved. Now, I’m sure, all the boys want a date with you! Whomever he is, he will be georgeous, elegant, and at the top of his class. Thank you for your wonderful post and great pictures-awaiting the next one!!
Barbara W
You are amazing and have left such an impact on your family as well as all of us. So happy that they came to visit as well as your adjusting to your new home. Congratulations on your horse of the year win. Love you lots. Can’t wait to find out who your beau will be.
Mary Margaret from Georgia
You look so beautiful Zenyatta. You are definitely the Queen and well deserving of HOTY award, as well as, the Secretariat Vox Populi Award. Hail to the Queen. Hugs & Kisses Zenyatta
Carolyn McFall
Thanks Dottie for all of the updates on Z. Such fun to keep up with her daily routines. I am pulling for AP Indy. Use him while you have him!! Must be like nirvana to walk through those stallion barns. All the great ones right at your fingertips. I love to study pedigrees, so I can’t wait to hear the choice.
Grandma Bea, Ladee, Remington & Bashful Gobee
Hey sweet girl, Miss Horse Of The Year, you just named a new dance, THE ZENYATTA!! Now we need to put some steps to it…taken of course from your dancing days and routines. You are soooooooo beautiful, even my 3 kitties think you are sooooooo beautiful. When I get out there to see you I will bring lots of treats for you and your friends like I give my 3 kitties. There is nothing so wonderful in this world as animals….I volunteer for a cat rescue “ANIMALS CAN’T TALK” and help to be the voices for them all. You stay warm and toastie, wish I grew a winter coat like you do, then I wouldn’t have a high electric bill. But gotta keep my 3 kitties warm. My one kitty, Ladee Elizabeth, was born exactly one week before Barbaro….they were birthday buddies. Good night and love to you Zenyatta from the Pocono Mountains of PA. Grandma Bea, Ladee, Remington & Bashful