Good Morning,
Home Sweet Home! Oh, this is too cute! This morning, my dear John sent me a photo of my Hollywood Park HOME…BARN 55…STALL 85. I wanted to share it with you!
John said when I left for Kentucky that he would not use my stall or put another horse into it for quite some time. It is decorated with so many of my things. This is really the way it looked when I was there…except you would see ‘my adorable head’ poking out of the door. I was always so curious and wanted to be sure I knew everything going on in the barn all of the time! I never wanted to miss a THING!
Now, instead of me looking out the door, there is a painting hanging in the back of the stall of Mario with ME. It was done by a fan, Mrs. Kotulak! Mario and John have also hung up some of my favorite fan photos. My Christmas Stocking is there…my polo bandages, my feed tub and all of my other goodies! They even put a cute fresh bag of carrots by the stall every single day…just because! (OH…I do love my carrots!) This is so sweet!
What WONDERFUL MEMORIES! I have truly been one very FORTUNATE HORSE! BARN 55 REALLY LOVES ME A WHOLE BUNCH!
Cheers to a marvelous day! Here’s wishing you share a special memory with a treasured friend of yours today…like John did with me!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
PS…OH DEAR…my JETS!
They gave it a good, solid try…but coming from WAY OFF THE PACE at the 1/2…then having to finish strong and make up so many points to win…(LENGTHS IN MY SPORT)…is not an easy thing to do! I KNOW THIS FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!!
It was a great game! GOOD LUCK to THE JETS in the future…and CONGRATULATIONS to THE PACKERS AND THE STEELERS! THEY ARE OFF to the SUPER BOWL!
Alyssa
That picture made me misty eyed…it must be so hard for your team to have to walk by your stall everyday and you not be in it! At least you’ve got a very good home at Lane’s End and I know they keep in touch. I can’t wait to hopefully come visit you someday! I’m going to be in Kentucky for the Derby but I don’t think they’ll be allowing visitors for you yet. I’ll be thinking about you, though!
Patricia
I think that it is fantastic how Zenyatta has rallied so many people together for a common cause…it would be spectacular if at some future date we could have a “ZEN-FAN Reunion Party!” I am sure there are plenty of venues near Lane’s End…it would be wonderful to meet some of you…
We could wear some of our favorite Zenyatta t-shirts, hats, etc. Like the traditional mint julip for the Derby, maybe someone could develop a “Zen-cocktail!” and someone could take videos & link it to Zen’s website for people to view.
Oh! There is so much we could do with this…and it would be even better if some members of Team Z could join in the fun!
Ann F.
Love the photo of your old stall. Brought tears to my eyes. We are so going to miss you on the track, no other horse brought so much to the track. I am an Azeri fan too, so now have two girls to watch.
Quarterhossgal
Zen…that is your stall no matter where you are now. Your son should be the next occupant of this stall. John would be happy to share stall 85 with a son of yours. I say son because you are putting on weight before conception and your chances of delivering a stud colt are 80%.If you are losing before settling you would have a filly.
We’ll see if I am correct about a year from now. I have a 50-50 chance of being correct!
Franci Nelson
You have peeked my interest with your Dancing With The Stars teaser. Would love to see Mike Smith on the show.
Mondatta
Dear Z,
We miss you so much. But we know life in KY is good too. Let us know who you will choose to be the daddy of your future baby? We are so curious. We love you, Z. STAY WARM, beautiful lady.
Bobbie Graser
Dear Z, Sorry about your Jets but go Packers!! I love the picture of your stall. It is great to know that Team Zenyatta is so sentimental. I’m sure with your huge personality that you left a big vacancy in Barn 55. Hopefully your Team will have lots of winners in 2011 to make the time fly by.
Robin
Hi Zenny!! I LOVE that John has your barn kept like that for you. That’s probably very hard for him not to see your pretty face poking out each day! Missing you in Cali big girl!! Stay safe & warm!! MUAH!! XOXO
Alene
Zenny, what a treasure all of this is for you and us. I`m sure it is hard for everyone at the barn to even look at that stall. It leaves me with a BIG lump in my throat. I`m selfish. I could NEVER, in this world give you up. But, thats selfish. Sometimes we have to give up things that we love for their own well-being.. You are sooo lucky how much you are loved!!! I love you too. Hugs and Kisses,Alene
Kath
Oh Zenny, I think John has empty nest syndrome. Maybe someday you can send him a tall lanky filly to fill that stall. Watched all your races again yesterday and still I wonder: “is she gonna get there this time?” However did you do it?
Susie Bowie
Z..You made me cry…I love you<3
Gloria Jeanne
Dear Zenyatta-
What a wonderful photo with you in tha background. It made me cry. I was thinking of you all day yesterday, wishing I could go to visit you at the barn again like I had done so many times before. But you’re gone now in Kentuck. I’m sure John and the gang miss you so much too. You’re stall reminds me of a college students room who has gone off to school and left some belongings behind. I am sad. HUGS to you John and Mario.
okay enough sadness and on to the Jets playing yesterday. I like how you compared the game yesterday with your last race, it was a lot to come back from and both of you came from so far back in the pack to finish strongly and come very close to pulling it off, that made me smile. I think I’m going to eat a carrott in your honor today and try to focus on all the happy memories I have of you racing and spending time with you at bath time and grazing on green in California with the Airplanes flying over our heads.
I love you and miss you so much.
Enjoy your day and I look forward to tomorrow’s post and more good news from you and your team.
Thanks Dottie for sharing Zen’s and John’s memories with us.
Love and Hugs :)
Barbara Mc
I can hardly read these posts without tears coming sooner or later. Oh, we do love our Zenyatta and send so many hugs and slobbery kisses, can you feel them?
Thank you so much for sharing her with us.
Is 78 too old to buy a Z cap? Love to all.xxxx
Roxanne Cook
I’m sure everyone at Barn 55 misses you terribly. Here’s an short interview with John posted yesterday on the Thoroughbred Times website. http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2011/shirreffs-calls-horse-of-the-year-ultimate-compliment-to-zenyatta.aspx
nancy
O that sweet John, what a nice thing to do. Yes we all knew John said it would take some time to put anyone in your barn 55 stall. Made me think of how much we still miss you, even though we put on are brave faces there is still a void, I guess we always will have one.
Got my bloodhorse today and there you are on the front cover it said “In the end it’s Zen” “Zenyatta named Horse of The Year” makes you all tingle inside does it not, and to come today one week after you were named made it even more fun.
Well Z I had thought Jet’s and Packers super bowl, O ‘well I will be picking the Packers to win it all. You have a good day sweet girl, we all love you.
PerkyGreen
Would love to see one of youe foals occupying sp85 at barn 55.I think only family would do for this space. I know no one can fill the void you have left behind ,but may-be just may-be your off spring can come relatively close.Am waiting as patiently as possible to hear which stallion they select for you. May-be TisNow I see his little girl just tore up the turf at Santa Anita and with your abilities on the other serfaces should be Perfection. Love & Hugs Baby Girl
Dylan
Sorry about the Jets, I was rooting for them too, at least the Packers are in! Great photo, your barn looks great, and its great they’re keeping your “presence” around the barn still. Love you Z! xoxo
Kathy Kimber
Oh Zennyatta, how wonderful of John to “keep” your stall. I wish I was there to see it, it is absolutely wonderful. And I know it makes all of the people in barn 55 and especially Mario and John feel like you are still there. How sweet of that lady to paint a portrait of you and Mario. You must tell Dottie to help John write a book about his life and time with YOU and put lots of pictures in it. YES there is demand for it. Hey Secratariats Meadow is a great book. But Zennyata’s and John’s story is a great one too. The next time you TANGO let them know. Love you
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, your stall looks so cozy and inviting…it is just missing you being there. John miss you alot more than he lets on, girl. In other sports, they retire jersey’s, I think Stall 85 should be retired until your child arrives to the gentle, watchful and loving hands of John. Talk with you later, Love and Hugs…Liaa g
Donna from Baltimore
That is so cool that they are keeping your “room” back at Barn 55. Ann might get you back in SoCal sometime in the future. I figure she’ll wear Jerry down at some point.
livey
Kind of makes me sad seeing your “55” home without you. :( :( Though I know you must be happy simply being a horse and being with your lady friends. This though gives me comfort.
Also, a question to Dottie/John—In you previous post, John mentions seeing a wound on your hindquarters. Wanted to check if this kind of rough housing is normal? Thought I noticed it on one of the photos and it looked like it was probably a pretty nasty wound before it healed.
Thank you in advance :) :)
Debbie
This post must be the sweetest of all. That your stall remains the same is quite a testament to the bonds of love that tie you to John & all your team. They love you so Zenny, they are happy knowing that where you are is exactly right, but I know they miss you so. The heart aches at the thought of it. I miss you terribly, and I am just a fan. I can’t imagine how they must feel – but still happy, because you are where you should be and you will make an incredible mom. And so your legacy will continue. Hugs from L.A.
dunie oneil
Dearest Z,
This photo makes me cry!
sherry drish
POOR JOHN, I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO HAVE ZENYATTA SO FAR AWAY FROM YOU. SEEING HER PICS AND DAILEY UPDATES ARE NOT AS GREAT AS BEING ABLE TO TOUCH AND SMELL THE HORSE YOU CARE FOR. SAVE THAT STALL FOR ZENYATTAS FOAL WHEN IT GETS OLD ENOUGH TO RACE. I KNOW ALL HER FOALS WILL BE GREAT LIKE HER IF YOUR THEIR TRAINER..LIVE TO ALL SHERRY D.
Nancy McNaul Applegate
because it’s not easy living life without you, Zenya.
Jan
Zenyatta,
What a fabulous little pad you had at barn 55. John’s horses sure do have it nice there. Will John be the trainer for your baby. Lots of love & kisses from Houston, TX. :)
Berrta
Oh Ms Z. I agree with those who said your first foal(s) should graduate to your old stall. Fitting. And what a lovely stall it is. Also love the comments re-John missing you. Hadn’t thought of it that way, but he must miss you like heck!
RiderWriter
Darn it, Z, you had to go and make me cry again. If I were your family at Barn 55, I couldn’t stand looking at all of your “things” without YOU standing there as well. What a sentimental bunch they are! :-) Good thing they have all been to see you recently and fed you those carrots.
RiderWriter
I forgot: I have a question. What do your family call you, i.e. when John is shouting across the pasture, what is he saying? “Hey, Zenny?” “Zenyatta?” “Big Girl?” “Z?” “Zen?” I’m very curious! :-)
Paul
Hey, Zenyatta, I like the idea of your old barn in California going to no other horse besides your foals or other family, or back to you if you ever move back to Los Angeles. Until then, they should keep it exactly like it is. If I were a regular or an employee at Hollywood Park, I would miss you terribly. It wouldn’t feel like the same place at all. I would come out to Land’s End in Kentucky and visit you if I could. I might even move out there just so I could see you every day. California’s loss is Kentucky’s gain. I’m sorry your team, the Jets, lost yesterday, but I, for one, would be happy with either the Steelers or the Packers winning the Super Bowl. Talk to you later.