Happy Wednesday to all!
We had so much fun yesterday at our photo shoot. Ann wanted some great photos of me….of all my different angles etc…as she is hoping to paint me one day. She is a terrific artist…and that would be so much fun and quite an honor!
Barbara Livingston has come out to CA and is spending a couple days at the barn with me. Ann also thought it would be FUN if my ‘extended 4 legged Moss/Shirreffs family’ came to see me for a couple ‘family’ photos.
I know Sophie Shirreffs very well. Dottie and John have her come out and visit me all of the time. As a matter of fact, she helped with my photo shoot for W MAGAZINE. I have not met Violet Rose or Stella Rose Moss before this. They are sisters who just turned one year old about a month ago. Violet Rose…always wears purplish tones…and Stella pink. We had so much fun together. We did some FAMILY PHOTOS.
I do not have the ones taken professionally yet (I’ll share some of those when we get them)…but for now, I’m able to share a few of the candid ones John took with you.
My 4 legged family members are too cute! We had a great afternoon visiting…cuddling…and just being family and friends.
As I have said so many times before, I am one LUCKY GIRL!
Hugs to all~
With love,
Z
Debbie
Oh sweet Zenyatta, what a bitterseet day for us all. Even though you love to run, no one wants you to get hurt. But no one wants you to go either-we just want to see you and be with you. Perhaps a swing around the country for some photo ops and a gentle jog around the track? At the very least the folks in Kentucky need to keep your fans in mind and schedule visitation days. Keep dancing Zen, you will always be in our hearts.
Vicki
Zen – As you embark on your new career of being a warm and loving “mama mare”, I know you will not forget your racetrack days!! I know you will give being a mama every bit as much as you did racing and your wonderful owners – who took such good care of you and DID NOT race you til you were ready (I applaud that move!!) will take great care in selecting your “significant other” and your babies will be some of the best on the planet. Once you get back to the farm and your new band of friends you will really enjoy life!! Broodmare is the best job on earth!! Should I eer get to the farm – I will look you up and bring you a peppermint! Cherish your memories and look to a bright LAZY future! Luv Ya Always! By the way-MIKE-loved you on Jockeys with Zenny!!
cheryl
Thanks for the memories! A huge thank you to all the Zenyatta connections for always putting the horse first.
LOVE LIVE THE QUEEN!
Hoping she is going to AP Indy, what a baby!
Heidi
Dear Zenyatta.. It will be a sad day to not see your beautiful flow across the race track.. but you have ran your race and now it is time for you to enjoy your life. Not many horses anywhere near your caliber can say that they are as loved and taken care of as you. We will love you and keep you in our hearts forever.. now go and enjoy your life as you should for you have brought more joy to the world than any other will have the opportunity… We love you and cant wait to see your babies rule the world as you do… Love always :)
Jill Mabry
Dear Zenyatta,
Thanks for the posts, glad to hear you had fun at the photo shoot. We sure are going to miss you here in California, but I’m sure that you will continue to have a wonderful life as a mommy in Kentucky. I hope that you will be able to keep us posted as you enter the next stage of your life. Hope that we can see you in Kentucky some day soon. God bless you and keep you safe. Hugs and Kisses.
We love you,
Jill
Vicki
Zen – I forgot to tell u – my QH mare “dances” too – just like you. I hope she is destined for greatness like you.
Vicki
“Cheryl is right – I think AP Indy would be a great cross!! or maybe Fu Peg???
Vicki
Its a real shame Barbaro did not survive – He would have been a great cross and can you even IMAGINE THAT BABY!!!!
sue
John mentioned in an article that the Farm will accommodate letting the public visit her. Steve Haskins jsut posted that the Zenyatta.com site will be updated by Dottie with notes, pictures, etc. I really believe she will LOVE it there. And, it seems as if Dec. 5th. will be Zennie Day at HP. More info to come….
cindy b
If your family REALLY loves you, they will let you stay in sunny CA where it is warm instead of KY where it is bitter cold in the winter…you can be pregnant in CA just as easy as you can in KY! Love you Z!
Sally Blank
I get tears in my eyes when I think the following morning after your Breeders Cup Classic race, fans were able to visit & be with you for a brief period of time. I had been at Churchill to see you; and deeply regret the chance of a life time to have been near you and to tell you how magnificient you are!! Hope I see you some day, soon. Forever in my heart.
susan martin
Am very sorry to learn of your retirement,as you are healthy,sound and have the heart and desire to compete.Your last race showed me this,it was your finest and most dramatic race.There is no doubt in my mind if you were to go up against Blame next time out,you would end up in the Winner’s Circle.You’ve breathed new life into a floundering sport and gave us a hero while bringing new fans into the game.You are the best thing to happen in racing since 1973.Now THAT would have been the race of all time,as you and HIM have/had the same racing style.I will terribly miss watching you run.You are in the prime of your life.Best of luck in the breeding shed.
Miss you already.
kealy m.
Someone posted that she shouldn’t be retired and she won’t be happy. Hmmmmm, I for one, totally agree with her retirement. Too many wonderful TB’s are raced until their entire body is broken. Thank God, Zenyatta’s owners are kind enough to allow her her glory days and still have the kind heart to also allow her to live the rest of her life as a healthy mare who is loved by so many. Yes, we will miss her but this isn’t about US, it’s about HER. Enjoy your “freedom” Z and thank you Moss Family for sharing this AMAZING girl with the world!
Rachelle Raymer-Gilbert
Hello Z, I just got the news about your plans to get some much deserved R&R at Lane’s End. It sounds like a beautiful place to relax, with lots of good looking studs all over the place. ;P
I am glad you were happy to have all those photos taken of you at your photo shoot yesterday. You know, your family is going to cherish those photos…and all their photos of you for the rest of forever!!! We are all going to miss you, but those closest to you will be hit the hardest when you go. It will be nice for them to have those photographs to help comfort them when they can’t just pop over and see you at John’s Barn. Of course, they will surely fly out to Kentucky to visit you frequently…so you will not be put to pasture and forgotten. You will remain in all of our hearts and minds…and lots of us would love to come and visit you. All we need is the “OKAY” from your connections!
More later,
~Rachelle
J Fossati
There will never be another Zenyatta dancing at the track, marching out like a Warrior Queen and giving my heart a reason to skip a beat. You are forever in a Class of your own. I still mourn your one loss and I know you could have done it if you had broken loose just 2 seconds sooner. I was there. For 30 yrs I had been away from the track and then I saw you walk out of the gate and win your 1st race. I had to be there for your last race. Your record for 2010 far out shines any other horse and I know there is no reason to not give you HOY this year.
Be happy, be safe and give Mike Smith a big lick for all he accomplished with you.
He’s feeling pretty low and he needs to know he is also loved and admired.
Sue Fredrick
What bittersweet news – wonderful for you sad for all of us. On BC weekend I visited Lanes End its fabulous farm, and the boys there, wow, you’re going to have fun picking one out. Curlin is georgeous but there’s something special about AP Indy. I hope you stay in Kentucky permanently so I can come down from WI to see you. Winter can be fun, spring is beautiful and Fall is lovely. Hope to see you soon, kisses to you, the Mosses, the Sheriffs, and all your entourage. Luv
Leslie Bonnette
Looked at Zenny’s nicks if mated to A P Indy – it looks almost perfect and he is not getting any younger. I think Mike Smith would even approve of this man for Zenny.
Ingrid in MA
Ohhhhhh Zenyatta! I’m going to start crying all over again – just read that it’s official, you are retiring. I don’t think I was this sad when my former favorite, Big Brown, retired. The world of racing is losing a true champion – one that I hope other racers/trainers/owners can learn something from.
Racing just won’t be as fun or exciting without you. Although I must admit, if anyone deserves a rest, it’s you, Super Girl. But I’m definitely going to miss that strut and that come-from-behind thrill you always gave us. There’s no one like you,champ!
Love you, Queen Zenyatta!!!!
Phil Ghazal
You are one of the greatest champions of all time, and I’m going to miss you on the race track. It’s still very surreal to me that you have retired forever. The boys are quality at Lanes End, but I think new blood is the way to go. Quality Road is going to be a great sire, and bloodlines from Bold Ruler is always special. See you very soon when I come to visit. Ciao for now.
Fran
z just how lucky are you-you have a wonderful wonderful family. I am sure they are going to miss you. You will leave a terrible void in their lives. You are healthy, you are beautiful, and you are loved by so many. I know you are going to have a wonderful and fun retirement; basking in the sun and eating nice green grass. I bet your family will visit you often!
Elinor Gosselin
So sad to see that it’s over and yet so great to see you happy and healthy at the end of a spectacular career. Thank you for giving us so much.
Leslie
Zen, I’m glad you had a wonderful Tuesday. It sounds like it was a lot of fun. I look forward to seeing your professional photos but the one you posted here is very cute. Thanks for sharing them with us!
I saw where you’ve been retired and will be moving to Lane’s End. I hope you are very happy in your new life. I’m going to miss seeing you charge down the stretch but I’m thankful you are leaving the track happy and healthy. That is the most important thing!
With any luck, I’ll be at your send off at Hollywood Park on Dec. 5th. It would be great to see you in person!
I hope you’ll keep updating your diary after you move. I would like to hear how you are doing.
Thanks for everything Zen! You are amazing!
Love,
Leslie
liz mahoney
Hi Beautiful Dancer! My heart knew you would be retired, my stomach churned when upon one of my many checks at The Bloodhorse for news on you, I saw it in print,and my eyes will surely miss watching you dance to the gate and fly when over taking those in front of you, but my entire soul is at peace that you have retired sound and you will be around for years to come mothering your babies for us to all enjoy and keep track of. You have truly been a joy and though I will miss seeing you race I won’t miss the way my stomach would get in knots worrying about you getting home safe on race days.
Love you Queen Z! You have thousands and thousands of fans, and keep that in mind if those idiots don’t vote to give you the trophy you so rightly deserve, we know in our hearts it’s yours.
Marcy
Z!! I heard that you are going to Lane’s End! If that is correct, it is a wonderful place! I worked for them during the sales as a college student and they were a really nice crew. Kentucky is a gorgeous place with lots of lush green grass and I hope you enjoy it there! Thanks for sharing your journey with us!
Dani
Zen – at Lane’s End you will meet lots of new friends and receive lots of new love. But just remember, your old friends will be thinking of you and loving you every single day.
Thanks for every beautiful moment.
Nancy Freeman
You will undoubtedly become the most pampered broodmare on the planet. You may not be visible, but we know you will be very well taken care of while you produce little champs for us to love.
Becky
We are so excited to have you come to KY and hope that Lane’s End will let you have visitors! Love you, Zenyatta!
Patricia Emery
Zenyatta! I read that Jerry stated that he & Ann will honor the visiting policy at Lane’s End…I pray that this is the right place for you. I read in one of the posts that another fan was concerned that you will be left just left to graze in the pasture all day…as some breeders do…after reading that, my heart broke. I hope that the Farish’s will let you be accessible to your many fans! My daughter leaves posts for you..she is 5 & I would love to bring her for a visit! Did you get the apples we sent yet?? XOXOX Keep you in my prayers
jo johnson
:( :) so happy so sad. You are just around the corner form where you were born. My horse lives on that road. I would so very much love to be your caretaker. But Im sure they have plans. Will Mauro move here with you? Kentucky will make him very welcome if he does. Im the one that gave you carrots and the team a cake the day after the Breeders Cup. I was so blessed to spend time with you by the fence, I didnt want to leave and I dont think you did either. When you see Quality Road you can stick your tongue at him for messing things up.He owes you for those miliseconds. But if you check out his bangs, hes kinda cute and for sure the most fit on the farm. Looks arent everything though.
Jan Glover
Hi, there Lady Z, I’m not ready to let go yet, not sure I ever will be ready to let you go!!! You razzle and dazzle me!!! Wishing you the Very Best in your retirement!!! Hope you will continue to update your diary postings so we will know how you are doing and what’s going on in your life. I imagine you’ve been one busy gal after announcing that you’re retiring. You Are the People’s Horse, America’s Horse, Horse of the Decade, Year, and Hour!!! You have inspired and motivated us, you are a very Special Girl!!! Enjoy being just ZENYATTA–
Running, dancing, posing,
Poetry in motion!!
Charisma, beauty, class,
Carrots with Guinness!!
Kick your hooves up, Big Girl, and have a blast!!! I love you!!!