Dear Friends,
Wow! I am so deeply, deeply touched with all of your kind comments in relation to my racing retirement. You are so kind! I can’t THANK YOU enough!
I have loved racing and being at the barn. It has been a very special 4 1/2 years now that I have been with John, Mario, Steve, Carmen and the crew at the Shirreffs’ barn every single day. As all of you know…this along with Ann and Jerry Moss…is my family.
The beauty of my going back to Kentucky and Lane’s End…is DAVID lives in Lexington. I’ve also known him since I was a yearling at the September Sale. From that moment when he signed the ticket to purchase me on behalf of the Moss’, I’ve had a blessed life. David is part of Team Zenyatta and is also family. I will be leaving John’s barn…but going to Lane’s End where I will also have family around me. Lane’s End is a beautiful farm where I will be able to graze, stand under gorgeous trees, and enjoy life every single day! And one day, I hope to be a loving and wonderful MOM! What more could one ask!
My dear friend, Life is Sweet is also at Lane’s End! I have not seen her since February. We have so much to catch up on when I get there. This is too much fun!
David’s assistant, Sarah, will be able to take lots of pictures of me to send to CA and to put on the web-site. We will try to keep you posted on everything.
Yeah, here’s some good news! I will be able to visit with fans on Sunday, December 5th, at Hollywood Park. The track is doing a ‘fun farewell get-together’ for me! I am so excited. When I find out other details about this, I will update you. Hope you can attend!
Again…thank you all so much for the loving, tender notes. I am such a fortunate horse to have so many people who truly care so much about me.
Hugs to you all~
With Love,
Z
ame
you are the best! Enjoy your new life – you deserve it and nothing but the best. Thank you for the thrills and chills you gave to us. Your spirit is an inspiration. XOXOXO
Robert
Zenyatta, thanks to you and all your team for all the joy you’ve brought us over the years! Can’t wait to see your little ones!
Lynda
I’m gonna be at Hollywood Park Zenyatta, even if I have to hitchhike from Eugene, Or. Much love to you and your very loving family. P.S. I love your poodles Zenyatta!
Linda
Zenyatta you are the greatest, I’ll very happy for you. Would love to give you a big hug. Enjoy your retirement, you are so special.
jane raymond
Zenny, I know you’ll be glad to see family that you havent seen in a while but I’m thinking you’re REALLY going to miss Mario! Going back to KY is going to be a bit of a “culture shock” for you, as you’ve been in CA & with Mario everyday for so long. So I have a suggestion: Cant the Mosses fly Mario out with you for a couple of days to make your transition a little easier? And then, when you’ve acclimated a bit, he can fly back.
I dont know if you’ve thought that far ahead yet but I just thought I’d bring it up.
At any rate, I’ve accepted that you’re retiring and am looking forward to seeing your first baby. I think you’ll really enjoy motherhood; and you’ll be a great mom! Luv you always!
Pamela Austin
Fairest lady…May all the rest of your life be happy peaceful and you are spoiled like no other has ever been before…You did more then race you performed for all your fans…You never let us down you gave your all…Your name is Zenyatta and that equals American ICON! We love you on the east coast and can’t wait to get you here…Hope your new home is ready for you eastern fans club :)))
Delrene
So glad to hear of your news. Happy that you get to be with your friend Life is Sweet. I feel better now that you “updated” us with your ever-growing loving family. Hope we get to see lots of videos of you and Life is Sweet enjoying the bluegrass
Carole Milby
I hope I’ll be able to see you at Lanes End, Z. I live in Louisville and it’s not that far to Lane’s End. You will enjoy munching on the bluegrass, and I hope you will like the cold winters in Kentucky. Can’t wait to see you again.
Carole
Gail Human
Zenyatta, there will never be another horse to take you place. We have loved you and you have loved us back. I truly hope life will treat you well and that you will be happr. I wish I could come ou to see you on December 5…that is my birthday, but I will certainly be thinking of you and all the fun you are having. I love you, pretty girl.
martini
Hi Zenny ~ I glad to hear you’re doing so well and thank you to your family for keeping this site updated with what’s going on with you : ) I too hope Mario will be able to join you at your new home so that you can make the adjustment smoothly. I know you love seeing and being with him everyday. Best wishes and I’ll keep checking back to read how you’re doing. Rock on chicka caballo!
Mimi Griffith
You have wonderful days ahead of you beautiful girl! I go to the Rolex 3 Day event every year and wanted to come see you when in Lexington but was so sad to learn that Lanes End doesn’t allow visitors at that time of year – I actually sat down and cried. You’ve given me such joy in the last several months and the thought of seeing you in person I guess was too good to be true. Times being what they are I can’t make a separate trip to Lexington. Enjoy all of that wonderful Kentucky grass. There is no better place on earth!
Harvey Hancock
can i just say that how come this year the horse of the year is going to based on the breeders cup classic, becuz it obviously wasn’t last year. You are an inspiration to us all and you are the greatest racehorse that ever lived and you will be spoken about forever in horse racing. Thankyou for living in my time so i can say i lived in the time of the greatest racehorse who ever graced the track, ZENYATTA. have a great retirement.
Ann Maree
Dearest Z girl, I was so happy to read your post today, letting us all in on some of the details of your transition. I have to admit, I was very worried about your going off so far from your friends and family in CA, so, it relieved my mind a great deal to know you do have some friends waiting for you in KY. I was also extremely happy to read that you will have time to be outdoors, under trees, and hopefully exercise on your own in a pasture. I think you will love that Kentucky Blue Grass! It’s pretty tasty! My greatest wish, not too long from now, is to see you running in a pasture, mane and tail flying, enjoying a little freedom. It was also nice to hear that someone will be taking some videos and posting on YouTube so we can keep up with “our girl”! I can’t help but think that Lane’s End will enjoy your celebrity as well….once they get used to it!! They sound like pretty nice folks, and they seem to understand how important you are to us, and us to you! I am kind of excited about your moving closer to where I live…as soon as the folks at Lane’s End let us know what the schedule will be, I am planning a trip to come see you! I saw you briefly on Thursday before the race, when Mr. Shirreffs let me stand about 20 feet from you, when you were in the Paddock area! I was so jealous watching people later who saw you through the fence behind your barn at Churchill Downs, after the race, who got to give you hugs. So, dear Z, stay cool, keep in touch, and I will be watching your party on Dec. 5, either on TV, or TVG, hopefully! I hope we get to see some of Ann Moss’ photos they took of you earlier this week. In the meantime, I look forward to your daily posts…and reading more about your plans. Hugs!
Mary Alice Kier
Hi again Zenyatta – it’s so great that you are hoofing these great posts to all of us. I’m awe of all the love you have generated via all the extraordinary and heartfelt responses from your fans – it’s quite remarkable!! Please keep writing us and we’ll certainly be writing back to you. We all love you and what you represent to us as well appreciate as all the great love and care from you wonderful Team Zenyatta. So looking forward to seeing you on Dec. 5th.!!
Sue
Dear Zenyatta…I proclaim that California ditch the bear & have you become our new State symbol ; representing : INTEGRITY; PERSEVERANCE; PASSION & HEART!! You set the example for all of mankind; &, Lord knows, we need some guidance!
Judy Sims
Seems like everything is working out really well for you and you certainly deserve it. Bless you and have a great time in Kentucky. You have more than earned your place in history. You really are the QUEEN in the sport of Kings. I will sorely miss seeing you race in the years to come but so very thankful I was able to watch you make history.
God Bless you and your family.
Marian M.
Is there a way for you to share the December 5th event at Hollywood Park with those of us who live in distant places? It would be wonderful if it could be televised on ESPN or if the NTRA could host a live stream of the event. If live video isn’t possible, can the highlights of the event be posted on your website with, perhaps, YouTube video?
Many of your fans would love to see your Hollywood Park farewell, Zenyatta.
I am so glad that I lived in the Zenyatta Era. Not everyone is so fortunate to enjoy a racing ride like the one you gave us. You are a champion racehorse for the ages.
Paula Higgins
Nice to know that David will be there. He will also be looking out for her I am sure. Sen dlots of pictures! Plus the Farish people run a very fine farm. I know they will take good care of her. I wonder if horses have separation anxiety like other animals and people? I hope she bonds with someone as nice as Mario and the rest of the family.
Susan
Zenyatta, I hope you realize just how much you and your loving family have meant to people these last few years. You transcend the sport of horse racing. You’re more — so much more than a race horse. I never got to see you in person but your magic would reach right through the tv screen and grab hold of my heart every time. Much love to “Team Zenyatta”. And Zenny, please teach your babies to dance too!
Michelle
You need to plan a PARTY in Kentucy too. Lots of your friends would love to come see you there. If Hollywood Park wasn’t so far away I would be there. Wish you all the best!
Patti Viola
You are so special…seems too simple of a word to describe you but all the really good words have been used. You are everything and then some and the neat thing about it is that YOU KNOW it!! I wish the best with your new transition. I sounds like Lane’s End is fit for a Queen and I read the Queen of England stays there….she will have to take second chair now. Love you big mama; you have no idea the pure joy you bring your fans. Can’t wait to see your first baby Z.
Tammie
Lady Z you are and always will be amazing! God Bless I love you
Julie DuVall
I will try to make it on the 5th for the big party but I am going to see you next week, just in case! Lane’s End is a beautiful place, but I bet you’ll miss the palm trees and ocean breezes when winter comes around :) You may have been born in KY but you are a true California Gurl: “California gurls are undeniable, fine, fresh, fierce, we’ve got it unlocked.”
Rhonda Clements
Zenyatta,I never got to see you in person but your magic reached through and grabbed hold of my heart, I never have understood the affect you had on me making me smile and cry at the same time. You got me through tough times when losing my Mom this spring, and gave me something to look forward to. I feel honored that when people talk about the great race horses in history I will be able to say I was honored to see the greatest of them all, the Queen of racing, Zenyatta. We will miss you so much, but we are so happy you are going to retire healthy and happy. You will forever be in my heart. Thank you to the Mosses for being great horse parents and taking the time to let you grow up and be all you could be and for sharing you with us all!
The Demers Family
We love you, and admire the amazing athlete you are. You have such style and poise, that there is not one race that didn’t bring tears of joy to our eyes. Enjoy your journey and the venture you are ready to embarq on. We are fortunate to witness such a champion as you!
marsha roliardi
zenyarra, i have never had this much emotion for a horse. you are truly special to so many. i have read comment after comment on all of these zenyatta blogs. people are crazy for you. we all want more, but you have given so much to all of us, now it is your time. i am going to find some sight to watch you on the 5th. i wouldn’t miss it for the world. i know i will be sobbing both for your beauty and for your destiny. you have been the best thing in our lives and we have followed you for the past few years. to know that you are sound and that you will be making babies (our vote is rock hard ten) is comforting to us. we hope that you will be able to have viisitors in kentucky, and we hope that you will not become a breeding machine and will be able to be a mom to your babies so you can show them how to prance and to dance!!! love to all involved marsha & joe roliardi
Richard Cope
Well, we definitely will miss you Zenyatta. You have given so much to the sport of horse racing and to the fans who love you
marsha roliardi
zenyatta, sorry for the mispell of your name. i have been reading all of the blogs and my eyes are so tear filled, that i can’t read what i am writing. we love you so much! you are so sweet and innocent, it’s overwhelming!! thank you beautiful one, marsha & joe
Janice Field
Although it is sad to see you leave the racing world,I am glad you are retiring in good health. You deserve to be pampered and loved, and I know you will have some great babies.Thank you for all the thrills and heart stoppping moments. You are truly a great champion. Much love and god speed.
Kimberly Mills
Zenyatta, I am wishing you a wonderful retirement. Please enjoy yourself on the Lane’s End farm. I would love to come see you in Hollywood but I am busy in Ohio. Someday I’d like to drive down to Kentucky just to lay my eyes on the beautiful and outstanding animal that you are. You deserve a pleasant and long retirement with many babies. God Bless you Zenyatta!!!!