Hello,
It is another beautiful day in California….about 78 degrees, sunny and wonderful. I had a fabulous time this morning going out and jogging a bit on the training track. It is great to get some exercise, graze, and visit with friends.
Wow…here comes my blacksmith, Tom Halpenny! Tom is such a great guy. He is from Ireland and has worked with horses most of his life. He has worked on my feet since I came to California at 2. Tom has also been the blacksmith for some other amazing horses you might know: Flawlessly and 2 Kentucky Derby Winners, Giacomo and Sunday Silence. I’m in great company!
When the blacksmith trims your feet, it is like a person getting a manicure. They file them like filing your fingernails. Then they trim them, make them nice and healthy and put on the new shoes. Today, Tom is taking off my aluminum racing plates and putting on my new steel shoes. These are great for everyday type activities. Usually a racehorse gets shod about once a month.
I wear a size 7 shoe. From what they tell me, size 5 is average. My, My!!!!! What does this say about me?
I guess…that I am one lucky girl!
Hugs to all. I’ve got to prepare for my photo shoot this afternoon. I get to show off my new shoes! Such fun!
With love,
Z
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, Diary 8 taught me some things, I did not know that about your shoes. Be proud of your 7, I am a 9, and am very tall as well. This photo shoot? Who is it for? Will it be on your FB or website? Let us know. Have fun at the shoot, we are the lucky ones, Queen Z. Hugs and Love, Lisa g
Nancy
My horse is a trail ridin’ machine. He gets studs on his shoes to prevent slippage on rocks. He told me privately that he would LOVE to meet Zenyatta.
Denise
Z,
So glad that such a beautiful girl is getting pampered with a manicure and new shoes to ! YOU GO GIRL ! Love reading your diary.It is so sweet of you to share your daily life with us .You have so many people that love you and want to meet you. You are truly one in a million ! love always
Sheri
Hey Z! You sound like you’re getting the royal treatment! After all you are the Queen! So yeah what Lisa said, whats the shoot for? I wish I could get a personal photo shoot with you! haha love you Zenyatta! Have fun! :)
cheryl
we luv you here in ohio hope to get to see you again
Teresa Drennen
Dear Zenyatta,
I know all about a girl and her shoes, but I don’t know any girls that use their shoes quite like you do. Running, dancing, and just looking pretty. Let Tom know how much we appreciate him keeping our girl in the style we have become accustomed. Love you girl!
Stephanie
Does the new steel shoes mean retirement is eminent? :( I was kinda hoping that you would stick around one more year… alas I guess they are on their way to sending you off. I hope they let you parade a few tracks before hand so we can all show you how much we adore you one.. more.. time…
Jean Moore
There is an old saying “big feet, big heart”. This surely applies to you beautiful girl. I’m glad to hear you get pampered just as all girls should. Having a great blacksmith is so important and of course the Zenyatta team does know how to care for you in the best way. I love hearing from you through your diary, you bring such happiness to us, hope soon you will send us current pictures of you just be a lady of leisure. Bet you even wear silk pj’s. Love you. JM
Debbie
Sounds like retirement is next for you Lady Z:( Was really hoping for one more year of watching you!! Horse racing won’t be the same without you. LOVED watching you race.
Marilyn
I love you big feet and all!!! I got to see you in Kentucky, and the only word I can use to describe when you came down the paddock was “magic.” I so hope I get to see you run again.
julia b
Howdy Z ! New shoes are always great!!!
I went riding Sunday for 3 1/2 hours on a great horse named Rebel, he is black (looks like black beauty) with a small white moon under his forlock! we went around the trails, and the open corn fields and around the dirt track!!! I was thinking of you and how fast you run and how Mike is able to stay on your back. I closed my eyes and let Rebel lead the way for a moment – it was cool ! Then we went into a fast trot and then a gallop… He must have been thinking of you ! I am thinking of you too and so glad to be able to read your posts ! Luv to you Lady Z !
Fran
Z, we have a thoroughbred mare. We call her Doozie-and she can really be a Doozie! She is an eventing horse. I will have to ask what size shoe she wears although she is only 16.2 hands. Doz is 7 now, and she is looking forward to a big show this weekend. You have a grand time at your photo shoot!
Connie Hoge
Good to hear that you’re doing so well Zenyatta ~ Will be interested to see how you transition from racing to retirement! Green pastures must be in your future!
Jennifer Remazki
Sounds like you had a wonderful day! I am due for a manicure, too. And with winter around the corner up where I live, it is time to bring out the more hardy boots as well. Love you, Zenny. Glad you are keeping us up-to-date on your day-to-day activities. Love Jen & the malamutes xo
Maria
Wow! size 7! Big girl gets big shoes. Did you enjoy your manicure? I bet you did.
Neva Rae Powers
Thanks for the update. Still hoping to see you in the flesh.
Rosanne Glynn
Zenyatta,
I love reading your diary. I hope that you retire as a race horse because I don’t want you to get hurt. Racing is a dangerous sport as we know. You are and always will be the best horse ever and you don’t have to prove that by racing anmore. I bet you miss the crowd cheering but you know we all miss and love you. Enjoy your relaxing retirement! You deserve it. xoox
Rosanne Glynn
Oh I forgot to tell you! I still have the ticket from when I bet on you to “win or place” on Nov 6th, you’re last race! that’s a keepsake.
Lori Koellner
Zeny, I am so glad that you are being pampered the way a QUEEN should be.You deserve it. I also wear a size 7 shoe. Enjoy your photo shoot and your new manicure. LOVE YA BEAUTIFUL GIRL! Love Lori XOXO.
Theresa
Still hoping we get to see you again, Zenyatta. In the meantime, I hung up the Zenyatta poster I made for the Breeder’s Cup in my garage. It’s not going into the trash!
Debbi Martin
I sure hope that if you ever get to be a mommy that these diary pages are still kept up/ :) You will have fans for life!
Merrill O'Neal
Please keep the diary posts coming. I look forward to them and miss seeing you. But thanks to Fred Stone I can wake up and look at two pictures of you and I love them both. I wonder if he will do another when you have your first foal. Glad to hear you are having a good time and wish you well. Can’t wait till January when you will get Horse Of The Year.
Donna Frederick
Queen Z –
A girl can never have enough shoes!
Love your daily messages.
Leslie
Hi Zenyatta! I’m glad you are getting pampered and are enjoying a new pair of shoes. You deserve the best of everything! I hope the photo shoot goes well. You’ll have to let us know what it is for. Make sure you show off your new shoes!
Love,
Leslie
jena hobert
Zenyatta my new horse wanted me to tell you how lucky you are. He never knew people could treat horses so well. Where he came from he never even had his feet trimed. He was on his way to Canada, but was rescued from a bad end. Now he is as pampered as you. But others aren’t as lucky. All of us love you Zenyatta. You should be HOY. We would all vote for you. Love from Secsea Dance, Simon,Salawgi, and a rescued Picasso.
JOHN
Queen Z, Glad to hear you got some new tires!!! Please don’t retire or at least a few trips to tracks in the East just for parading, like Saratoga. I would love to see U in person.
Linda Deutsch
These posts are so great and we love hearing about your daily activities. As a real girlie girl, we know you love shoes!!! Stay happy, Z. We love you.
Jenean Cerami
Love to hear you are doing so well, enjoy the new shoes!
mj
To Queen Z-You are an inspiration to us mere mortals. No matter what the circumstances or the competition, you don’t give up! I hope to see you someday, and I’m really curious about whom your new partner will be. There are some great possibilities. Blessings to your family and all horses out there looking for that great life.
Elena Erdman
Hello there Sweet Zenyatta…. wow you are such a girlie girlie… I love the talk about the new shoes.. how fun… I bet you look pretty with them… you going to dance a little? I love these updates on you… tell us about your stall too, is it cosy? is there a cat around there… thanks for making my day again… Love and Hugs….