Good Morning,
I must say that I am STILL so excited about all of the kind comments you are writing about my friend, BERNARDINI, and MYSELF. They are really sweet!
This morning, Dottie mentioned that my FACEBOOK page has continued to get a great deal of activity. As of 7:00 A.M. CA TIME, I have 62,209 FRIENDS! This is fabulous! I know the number has gone up quite a bit since my last race. I truly want to THANK ALL OF YOU for CARING SO MUCH ABOUT ME!
On Thursday, DOTTIE and SOPHIE were at Santa Anita to watch some of my Barn 55 Friends SCHOOL. In racing, this means that a horse (usually getting close to a race) goes over to the paddock and spends some time there…kind of like a practice run. The objective is to familiarize the horse with the area…and some of the pre-race things that will be taking place! John, Mario and I used to do this all of the time before my races. I’d get to see the surroundings and CHECK IT ALL OUT…so on race day it was very familiar to me! The whole process takes approximately 30-45 minutes. I always enjoyed SCHOOLING!
Well, while they were by the paddock, they met Candace Chew (who works for Santa Anita) and Michael and Lisa Merrigan. In CA, they have allowed a few facilities to be developed where people can go and bet on the races. The traffic is sometimes so intense in CA that it is hard for people to drive 20-30 or more miles to actually go to the race track…so this is being done to help make it easier for people to ENJOY OUR SPORT.
Michael and Lisa own the OC GRILL AND SPORTS Facility. It is located at 2369 S. El Camino Real in San Clemente, CA. Interesting, John and Dottie saw it driving back from Carlsbad on Christmas Day when they stopped for gas…but it was closed for the holiday. Well, not only is this a fabulous thing for the fans who can’t drive all of those miles to go to the track…but…LISA and MICHAEL HAVE DECORATED IT WITH MY PHOTOS. Candace helped them with this project! I am so flattered! If you are in the San Clemente area, it might be fun for you to stop by and see ME…and also visit with Lisa and Michael!
Yesterday, John and Dottie were contacted by some people from Sweden. They know many people who are reading my DIARY each day….and wanted some of John’s photos for their news items. This is really special…SWEDEN!
I deeply hope I have IN SOME WAY made life a bit more FUN for my FANS! I know hearing all of this from people all over the world…has certainly made ME FEEL SPECIAL!
Enjoy your Saturday!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
Roxanne Cook
In the years to come, I believe we’ll be seeing a lot of places that have your photos displayed. I love watching old movies and sometimes there will be a scene where there’s a photo of a horse in the background, and I wonder who the horse was … probably Seabiscuit or War Admiral … but imagine if current movies start to include your framed photos as decor in the set decoration. Just a couple of days ago, I was looking at the online videos on drf.com to learn something about handicapping, and in the videos there is a fan who is shown cheering at the track, and he’s wearing a Zenyatta tshirt! You’re a legend now and forever, my dear.
Criminal Type
WoW, 4 years since we lost Barbaro? It seems like just yesterday. What a tragic lose that was. He would have made a great date for Zen. If he had not been injured, no one would be talking about Bernardini. Barbaro would almost certainly have added speed and distance to Zenyatta’s already amazing talent.
Karen from Katy
Not just queen of racing, Queen of the World. Congrats, dear Zenyatta! Thank you for letting all of us into your life.
Sandra Frey
It is one of the highlights of my day to check your diary! Living in KY, I love hearing about your California friends and about Barn 55. I’m fortunate to live in the midst of horse country in Kentucky and am thankful for the connections and friends in the horse industry – such wonderful people who rock my world! It was such an honor to be in your midst at the Breeder’s Cup this past year and at Keeneland for your Kentucky welcome in December 2010 – took forever for my feet to warm up after that cold night. LOL Hope you are getting ready for “your date” and cannot wait to hear about the next steps into motherhood. You are going to have some beautiful babies! Hope one day to see you again, but I know that your schedule is different from stallions and your owners definitely have to safeguard you. Maybe one day. Have an awesome weekend! Glad you have some sunshine today!
Mary Stanford
Wow….Z…you are touching people all over the world…that was great to hear from Sweden. In these times when things are a little tough in this economy and around the world…reading something as fun as your daily post will cheer people up and make them smile. You have touch many lives…and so has your Team Zenyatta. Also how could you do it all without your special Dottie …who us fans appreciate so much for her time and talent to help you. Hugs to you Z….and to Dottie!!!
kealy
@Robert: you ask “Why NOT Big Brown??” and I ask you WHY Big Brown??
Dawn Conrad
I do want to pay my respects to Barbaro today. What a combination of sad and sweet memories I hold. I will love him forever. A star sent down to shine brightly in our lives and leave us much too soon. But he is not gone as long as his spirit remains in our hearts. His memorial at Churchill is beautiful, capturing him forever at his greatest moment of triumph. He will run free forever. The words on the base are: I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast, and when I run I feel his pleasure. Eric Liddell. My thoughts and prayers go out to out to his wonderful team, the Jackson’s, Michael, Edgar, Dr. Dean and everyone at New Bolton who did their best for him. God bless you all.
Julie Ann in O.C. CA.
Dearest Zenny and Dottie, I’m always so happy to read your posts. It doesn’t bother me a bit when my friends say, “You talk to a horse?” Funny story for you. That same friend had her sister stand in line to get your bobble horse for me depicting your win at the Apple Blossom in Arkansas for my birthday. Ok…I was so happy tears came to my eyes. Yep, you continue to inspire us. I’ll be checking out the O.C. San Clemente establishment with ALL your pictures soon. In the meantime, have a wonderful Saturday too! ABRAZOTES! Julie Ann
AdmiringFan
What a effective display of your pictures, Zenyatta. At first it appears to be a sequence. For sure it is a racing teaching tool to illustrate how to get there first! Look at the monitor, look at the picture,look at the monitor, pick the winner! You are perhaps the finest example of a genuine Elite Athlete who worked with the best of coaching and training Teams.
And someday, perhaps you’ll agree to one more long flight and travel to Ireland and Sea The Stars. After everyone has an idea of what you both can produce to see if it might be a match made in heaven. No Blarney (psst…and we know you’d have the best Guinness!)
Oh, too, ask your friends there to tie a green and gold ribbon in your forelock next weekend and you cheer “Go Pack!”
Wisconsin loves you, Big Girl!
Helen & Guido
Zenny – you have definitely made our days so much brighter. We absolutely love reading your diary and learning so much from you. You are an ambassador for all of your friends. Thank you!
mj
Barbaro deserves our accolades for his determination,heart, and spirit. It was a very sad day for racing when he broke down. New Bolton Center did their best, but an animal that size just has too many problems trying to recover from such an injury. Most are euthansized right away. Hopefully, we will see fewer and fewer injuries as tracks and rules are modified, and fewer unsound horses are bred. God bless the animals!!
Gayle Clark
I was just at the OC Tavern this week and it is a great place. Really nice crowd of people, great food and a ton of fun. Loved the gigantic photos of Zenyatta on the wall! What a great place for racing fans to hang out if they can’t make the drive to the track!
Cathy Tyerman
If it is okay with you Zenny,I would also like to comment on how tragic the loss of Barbaro was. Broke my heart for awhile,and my husband’s too. I prayed for your safety and soundness every stride you took dear one.
Karen Mitchell
Dear Zenyatta, Thanks to you and Dottie for all the posts. I think Bernardini (son of the great AP Indy) is a great choice. In the meantime, as others have commented above, let’s never forget Barbaro. It is sad to not know what he might have become, but he reminds me of you in the areas of character, personality, and intelligence; his wonderful team always said he was such a good and smart and KIND patient, doing all he could to accept and benefit from the treatment and get better. Losing him was truly heartbreaking. You are also one smart and KIND horse, accepting all your care in the most patient, understanding, and grateful way. Hope today and all your days are wonderful, happy, and healthy. Love to you and all your team.
Sheri
Oh wow Zenyatta! That is awesome! Those people really like you! Maybe if i ever visit CA I’ll go there! I have a question Z. I want to send something to you, but I don’t know where to send it to. What adress can I send it to you? Its a drawing I made just for you!! I love you Zenyatta and I love reading your diary every day! Love you and have fun at your barn!!! :D
Catherine Uher
Wonderful post beautiful girl! @Kim Noble… thank you so much for mentioning Barbaro! He was my boy and I love him and still miss him so much! It’s hard to believe that it’s been 4 years today that he lost his fight. I truly believe that part of him lives on in Zenyatta! Love to all of Team Z! Kisses and hugs and carrots to you my sweet girl! And a Guiness!
Sheri
I just read the comments above. I remeber when Barbaro broke down. I was devastated. He was a great horse! RIP Barbaro!
I’d also like to mention Eight Belles. She was and awesome filly and I’m glad you didn’t suffer the same fate. RIP Eight Belles!
Chris H
Thinking of Barbaro today as well. Yesterday our AQHA horse “China Star Jones” was 30 years young — he thinks he’s such a stud. He has a special friend who comes and grooms him, loves him and gives him treats. She was here quite a long time yesterday and came back early this morning. Horses can touch our hearts like no other animal! I love to watch CJ and his special friend and the way she looks at him, it just melts your heart! I believe it was Winston Churchill who said “There’s nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse”. That is most definitly true! I love reading your posts and then go give our horses a huge hug!
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
Dear Zenyatta: When the announcement about Berndardini came out a few days ago, Joe Drape of the NYT, an eloquent fan, referred to you as “the great racemare Zenyatta.” It’s thrilling even today to see signs of your racing career–in yesterday’s photo your aluminum racing shoe (which you once told the “Diary Gang” all about) and today these splendid photos on the wall of the cafeteria, each frame catching one instance of your complete dazzling stride.
I read that Jerry Moss said that the breeding date “depends on her,” YOU. How reassuring but not surprising–John Shireffs did not rush you either to begin your racing career. You are more than fortunate to have your human family work with you at a slower pace than that of the modern world in racing and elsewhere.
Perhaps, now that word is out about your international fans we will read more posts from them about “the great racemare Zenyatta!”
You don’t really make the sun rise each day…or do you, mortal divinity?”
Much love–Robbie
Fran
Very worldly Z! It is so wonderful that you are so loved by everyone and let me tell you girlfriend, it is a very deep love that we have for you. I believe that you are changing the face of the racing industry. I can’t tell you how many of your racing buddies have fb pages now. Plus, trainers and farms. You and team Z have done such a wonderful thing for racing! Have a good day Z! xxoo
Linda T
Hey Zenny, ofcourse they know you in Swenden, and Germany and Japan And ofcourse Dubai and many more places around the world. It’s not often that a world class mare like yourself ends up on the cover of W,in the New York Times and that great special on 60 minutes really showed the world how really special you are, watching the Sunshine Millions and wondering if there will ever be another horse of your magnitude in the near future. Love the posts Dottie, it helps keep us all connected to QueenZ
Rita Boucher
I love the way your ears are “pricked” when running. You sure loved to race. Thankyou Team Z for keeping you safe.Now on to the next chapter in your life!!!
Linda B
Dear Zenny,
You should not be surprised that so many people over the world love you. Your gentle, curious, peaceful demure is what is needed in the human species. Your drive to be the best there is without trampling on others. That is a true gift. I am glad that as in your career you will be the one to decide when you are ready to be a mom.Your owners truly love you. Have a great weekend.
Carolyn equineheart _
Happy Saturday !!!1 Sweet,gorgeous girl!!! just writing this feels happy in my heart and soul….because….YOU.. are the MUSIC in my heart !! Sending you some carrots, apples. and peppermint kisses !!!!! Love You Zenny
Tere Thomas
Ha! Yep – even Sweden baby girl – they love you everywhere!!!
Cheryl Smiith
You are fabulous! Loved by so many because you are special. This is one of the reasons you got the very first Secretariat VOX Award. The kindness that you have given is the reason so much kindness is returned to you. Thanks for keeping us updated. Good luck in your future plans, I know that you will be a great mom!
sue w
Zenny…you really don’t need to thank us…you are our QUEEN and so deserving of all the praise and attention coming your way. Isn’t it wonderful that you have an international fanbase? It just shows how much you and your team are appreciated by the public. I just knew you’d be back writing to us today. My family eagerly waits for any “news” about you. And yes, your gentleman friend is quite the Stud. ;-)
Jackie
Good Afternoon Queen “Z” It is a beautiful day in California. Too Bad Makoma came in 2nd. I have been watching all of the horses in John’s barn as well as those owned by the Mosses. I keep rooting!
I am glad all you read makes you feel special because you are are. You are unique in that you are such a bright spot in so many ways. The generosity of Team Z to open their world and allow us a glimmer of what they have been so fortunate to have over these past few years is so appreciated.
Stay warm. Talk to you tomorrow!
Hugs and Kisses
Sandy Adams
We love reading about the process from race horse to retirement. Very interesting! Very happy you are being taken care of so well!
Suzanne Davis
Was wondering why Bernardini, while he is a good horse he only nicked up at a B+ with Zenyatta. What do you see that e-nicks is missing.