Happy Friday!
Our second Zenyatta.com Celebration happened over Breeders’ Cup weekend last fall. Through the sales of our 2014 Celebration Sticker and an auction of Zenyatta memorabilia, we raised money for Thoroughbred Rehab Center, Inc. The final donation totaled $20,000, and we have all of you to thank for your support and generosity!
Five fans won our grand prize, An Invitation to Meet Zenyatta, in a random drawing. Each winner was able to travel to Lane’s End Farm with a friend of choice to meet Zenyatta and receive a tour of the farm. These photos by Alys Emson document their visits.
One of the winners was unable to travel to the farm for her visit. We wish her well, and Zenyatta looks forward to meeting her in the future!
View the complete set of photos from these visits in our Zenyatta.com Celebration Photo Gallery.
Enjoy!
Team Z
Debbie
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO US ALL, photos of our GORGEOUS QUEEN! Congratulations to the lucky winners that met her, someday hopefully ME!!! xoxoxoZ,Coz,Ziconic(&ZPrincessAngel)
Jo
Beautiful! What a wonderful experience for the folks who were in the presence of The Queen.
Jan S. / Houston
Sweet!
Jan S. / Houston
Sweet!
SallyB.(AuntiecherishesZandheryoung)
What a beautiful lifetime experience to be with Zenyatta!! My heart was warmed to know what these Z friends were feeling being there with Z. Perhaps some day for me I will have the chance as well. Loved the pics.
Sally B
SallyB.(AuntiecherishesZandheryoung)
Zenyatta, just got back from the barn as a volunteer. I’d volunteer anytime to be with you Z!! If no lodging, I’d stay with you too!
Love and kisses on your soft nose and to your sons Coz and Zi
Love to zprincess and to my best friend Sir
Auntie Sally B
Marty R / Colorado
Thank you for these perfect Valentine’s Day photo gifts. Zenyatta is still so kind and interested in people and the winners look so happy to be meeting her. Perfect start to the weekend.
Bobbie --- Elkhorn WI
Very lucky folks! Looks like a real love affair for everyone!
Coz’s paddock mate MOE CANDY (Candy Ride x Spooky Minister) is running for the first time on Saturday, Santa Anita, Race 2. He can be seen in the Zenyatta video where she tries to eat the donation check to KY Rec Cross after the tornado. Run safe!
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Bobbie:
Thank you for this info on Moe Candy. Godspeed to COZ’s Bud. Love and Hugs, JB
Ann NC
Thanks!
Run, Moe, Run!
md reynolds
Zenyatta looks even more beautiful now than when she was racing. Motherhood obviously agrees with her!
Ingrid Arnone
You lucky guys!
I wish I was there, maybe one day I win!
Please give Zenny many kisses.
She looks so adorable.
Katarina
Oh how I wish I could have been one of them! So happy for them! A chance to see The Beautiful Queen is a dream come true!
K. Kladstrup
What a fantastic Grand Prize!!! Congratulations, and such a pleasure to see the winners and Zenyatta!
Janine Gober
I love Zenyatta just like everyone else on this site does. However, I think it’s a shame that these people travelled long distances to see her and she didn’t look like she had been groomed in a month. She is a sweet beautiful girl and personally I think she should have been presented like the Queen she is. Now don’t get mad folks…I have some experience with horses too and I’m all about her being retired and enjoying life. I’m just saying if folks are coming to see her, she should at least have the dried mud brushed of her rump!
Theresa
I was surprised to that she hadn’t been presented in a royal manner. I understand that she probably had rolled out in the paddock she was in and maybe it was too cold to bathe. A simple go over with curry and brush I’m sure would have made her more presentable. But I’m sure the people who got the chance to meet her didn’t care. Happy Valentines day.
Neva Rae Powers
Let her be a horse! She could care less about the mud (obviously prefers it!) and I am sure her guests were not insulted.
Donna Z
Thank you to all the well wishers on my recovery from surgery. I’m glad that I had it when I did & that I do not have to deal with going to work in the snowstorms & the bitter cold.
Prayers to all in the path of this winter weather. We have had much snow & extremely cold temps here in upstate NY state, but not as bad as New England to our east. Temps are below 0 right now & another snowstorm is expected this weekend.
Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!
Ziconic, will you be MY Valentine?
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Donna:
Glad your recovering well. Happy Valentine’s Day. Love and Hugs, JB
Kelly Arnette
Oh how I would love to see and meet her in person. My friends and family think I’m crazy because I talk about her all the time! And as for her being ungroomed, who cares? She’s living the happy life as a horse! Rolling, running, and getting muddy and dirty! (I’m pretty darn sure she gets plenty of grooming!).
Donna H
Love to see the pictures and the joy that was in them. Our Zenny never fails to delight. She is such a treasure.
Was happy to see Guggenheim win today. He looked great and loved seeing the very familiar Moss silks.
Max
Glad for Guggie. Very nice chestnut.
Bobbie --- Elkhorn WI
It looked strange though to see those silks on Victor Espinoza!
ZFANSANDY
It;s NOT FAIR !!!!!
I and many others want to see Zenyatta without having to win a slim-chance drawing from buying stuff.
Fans were allowed to visit Secretariat, California Chrome, and many other greats.
I dread the day that we wake up to news of Zenyatta’s demise, like we did Z Princess. Then it’s all over, all hope gone of ever seeing her. So depressing!!!
The Mosses, Lanes End-whoever-needs to change the no visitation policy.
I’m so sorry to sound unkind, but it’s just not right that we who love Zenny with our souls are kept from her. It makes me physically sick.
But thx for the update and congrats to the “winners”.
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
You’re not comparing apples to apples. Many of Zenyatta’s fans did see her while she was on track–Shirreffs was generous in allowing visitors access to his barn. She also ahd a couple of retirement ceremonies and was paraded at Keeneland before going to Lane’s End. So fans have had opportunities to see her–more than fans of most horses get. CC is still in training. Secretariat was a stallion. Stallion barns are set up to receive visitors, as stallions must be available for inspection. Also, he was at a different farm that has its own policies.
Currently, Zenyatta is a broodmare being boarded at a farm that’s in the boarding business and has many, many other paying clients whose interests they must look after. Lane’s End maked decisions based on what’s best for their paying customers and for their business as a whole. Allowing visitors access to Zenyatta would be a nuisance at best, one that they’d need a good reason to put up with. If they don’t see that as being in the best interest of the business, that’s no surprise. LE’s visitation policy may infuriate Zenyatta’s fans, but it’s not costing Lane’s End any customers, nor is it adversely affecting their stallion business or their sales business.
As for it not being fair, well, life isn’t fair, unfortunately. Access is just one of those resources. like money, fame, talent, influence, looks, etc. that are not disrtrbuted evenly or to everyone who would like to have them. Sorry, but that’s the way it is.
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
Dear Z, COZ, ZI, V, Montey, Team Z and Z Fans:
Happy Valentine’s Day! Love and Hugs, JB
Kathy
February 14 Cherokee Devotional
The things that try people’s souls are not always from outside themselves. Fear is one of those things and it has no right to intrude on our peace of mind. But it will if we let it.
We are weakened when we tell ourselves we cannot help what we feel. Feelings are like the pounding of the surf that washes over things that are supposed to be permanent. Sandbag them!
We are wise and strong when we say we are-and we are well and happy when we dwell on being well and happy instead of hearing all the things that “could be.” Everyone is trying to get ahead by being forewarned-but your spirit knows what is true. Let it warn you.
Give him to us and we promise you he shall never lie again.
Tessouat
Ottawa Chief
Celeste_in_TX
What a wonderful sight to start my Valentine’s Day this morning!!! Thank you so very much to Team Z for your kindness in offering this opportunity to the fans for a chance to meet our Queen. How wonderful and exciting and you can see the joy and happiness in everyone’s faces, including Zenyatta. I love how she was able to greet her fans in settings that are now her comforts of home, her horsie happy zone, like just after a happy roll in the mud – whatever it takes to keep the boss mare feeling like she is on top of her world is the very best for me! I love that it appears each person had a special bag of mints/treats to share with Zenny and it definitely shows that she is always treated with kindness because she knows exactly what those little bags were all about. So heart lifting for me and I am feeling such gratitude and happiness that Alys has taken such wonderful photos and the Mosses and Lane’s End and all of the Team have shared them with us. Happy Valentine’s Day love to my dear Queen and all the rest of Team Z and those of Z Nation.
Kathy
Happy Valentine’s Day to all! And congratulations to all the people who got to meet Zenyatta. We are all thrilled for each of you.
Hugs, Kathy
Jan Overman
Where do I start….all of the pixs were wonderful, but one struck a special note in my heart,
the first one. Linda’s hand became my hand and Linda’s expression merged with mine. It was like I was there. Sweet Alys, you gave me that gift. You are a true artist.
Ann NC
Thank you, Jan. Alys can capture some beautiful moments.
Thank you, Alys, LE and Team Z. You are so gracious in sharing.
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
I have to work today, but I’m off tomorrow and Monday, Presidents’ day! Have a fabulous Valentine’s day. Many thanks for the lovely card!
Love and hugs from me, kisses from Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Kathy.Happy Valentine’s day!sorry you have to work today Hope Steve is spoiling you!I Been watching Mango having a great time in CA oh,that beautiful blue sky!Abby is missing her sissy and has all her cards ready for her!Boo has a special introduction for us today!We are celebrating 50yrs of jumps at Ascot today and the AP retirement tour rolls on.Have a wonderful weekend.Love and hugs to you,Kisses for Holly,Nikko and Sugar.Sheena.
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
Yes, Steve is spoiling me. Received some beautiful dark red roses. I’m so glad that Mango is having fun. I really look forward to her time with Zoe, too! I hope little Abby won’t miss her sissy too much. May they have a joyous reunion when the time comes. I;m intrigued what special introduction Boo has in store for us. They must have a lot of celebrations lined up at Ascot. Enjoy the along with the AP retirement tour! Have a great weekend. Love and hugs from me, kisses from Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy.
Elizabeth in NM
Zenny – You are always such a beautiful soul, so loving, kind and gracious. Congratulations to the members of your fan family who had the wonderful life experience of visiting with you. Loved these photos!
Sending love to You, Zenyatta and your human family – which includes everyone here on your website. Happy Valentines Day everyone
with love, Elizabeth
Rhonda
Meeting Zenyatta is an amazing experience. I met her at Barn 55 just as she was retiring in 2010. It is like being in the presence of divine majesty. She is so aware of everything
around her. She is confident, calm, poised, and full of love. Just thinking
of her brings tears to my eyes because she is such perfection.
What a blessing she is to so many. Congrats to the winners and if you ever have the opportunity to meet her, take it. It is a memory you will not forget.
sheena.davies(wales)
Havre de Grace delivered a War Front colt at 3.30am this morning!Huge congratulations to the delighted parents!Hugs SheenaX Happy news for Valentine’s Day!
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Max.Happy Valentine’s day to you!Champagne Fever has just won over in Gowran Park the short one is over here Paul Townend rode him but Willie hasn’t decided his Cheltenham race yet.Kind is going to visit Kingman this year but I have no idea what happened to her latest foal unless she had a year off.SS schooled very well yesterday,I would love to see him back to his brilliant best at the festival!Sheena.
Max
Very nice win for Champagne Fever. Love to see a Gray win. He just sailed over those jumps. Townend is a good jockey.
Read that Moosie has gone to Nicky Tinkler in Yorkshire where he was last summer. He knows and likes it there. Apparently they have at least one other Moose like horse in the yard. Moosie likes to train by being the first horse to head out and the last to come in, but racing is not for him. He can impart his advice to the horses in training.
Kingman is at Bansted? At least no trip to Ireland and no fee! Maybe her last visit to Galileo did not produce results. Looking forward to see how the chestnut bro to Frankel and Mission gets along in France.
Happy Val’s Day to you. Hope that you got some chocolate. I got more snow, although only about 5 inches. Looks like the sun is out.
suew/Va
Zenny, I think you were as happy to see your fans as they were to see you. My goodness you look wonderful as do all of the lucky winners! In fact, you even took a mud bath for at least one of them. You are something else! No one could wear a mud pack like you do. To our lucky winners, I would love to hear details of your visits…if you care to share your experience it would be greatly appreciated! Happy Valentine’s Day, Team Z, Coz, Zi and the Queen herself!
Nicki Boyd-Clouston
Don’t be too harsh on LE for the condition of Zenny’s coat. The mud protects her from the cold. Most of the farms , if not all, have a no visitor policy for the mares. Wouldn’t it be terrible if a visitor brought a bug or viris & a more or foal got sick?
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
A dirty horse is a happy horse.