Dear fans,
As we make our way to the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, we’re remembering Zenyatta’s incredible career and the memories that were made. Here’s a look back at some of these moments.
Watch the ceremony live at 10:30 am ET at drf.com or racingmuseum.org.
Thank you to the fans who have been there every step of the way.
-Team Z
Kathy
Thank you, Team Z! Wonderful, wonderful memories for all of us. Zenyatta always has and always will give us thrills at the highest level. We are her devoted subjects!
JUDY FAY FRAIZER
And shamelessly so.
KJ Bailey
Zenyatta, Team Z, Lane’s End…nothing short of amazing. So thankful to be a part of her huge extended family.
Trish
? Love this lovely, dancing lady!
Dani Master
She was the very best. Still hope to see her one of these days.
Marshall (NC Broad)
Thank you Team Z for this amazing homage to our beloved Zenyatta!
Heartfelt congratulations to The Queen and to her entire Court.
Love all of you so much.
Hugs and Love
Janet Newman
A wonderful day for Team Z and of course the Hall of Famer Zenyatta.
It is wonderful to see both Z and RA are being inducted at the same time.
They both are unique and very special. They have given so much to racing for generations to come.
Congratulations to all!
Lori Stein
Congratulations! Best memories in racing ever for me. She has an emotional connection to all her fans! She always will :)))
The Kennedys in San Diego
Congratulations, Zenyatta and Team Z. No inductee has ever been more worthy of this honor. And, to think, we were there for it all. Wonderful memories! Thank you, Zenyatta, for making it all possible.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Kathy.I am sure Zenyatta’s humans will have a great day plus Rachel’s too of course.It was so good to see Barbara Banke at RA this year.Unlike us mere mortals Zenyatta and Rachel will always be remembered.
Valegro and Charlotte are on about 15.56pm nothing on BBC and I cannot access the live streaming.Mike Parry the sports journalist cannot understand why we celebrate bronze medals I always thought it was the “taking part”that counts and the British have always loved the underdog.Larry congratulates everyone.He also tweeted Mother Thereas is headed Switzerland on her holidays Take that the EU!!
Wimbley has endorsed Mr Fibbs in the conbenshun with a rousing speech.Wonderful to see W7 (now known as Olga) on the beam(branch) yesterday.So great to see her better and Auntie Blue has been visiting Tegid again!Felix is doing a 5K run today she even made the BBC news at the moment she is still lying in the corrider but has raised £2,500 for the charity.Poor Zoe’s friend Autumn Marie has cancer and her mum doesn’t want to put her through chemo at her age(14) very wise decision. Helen and Heather are going for gold in the rowing at the moment.Andy is playing well so far.I am getting more sore by the day!I am sure Hovis will get along well with the French lady!Mais oui.
Have a great day.Love and hugs to you,Kisses for Angel Holly,Nikko and Sugar.SheenaXOXO
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
Yes, Zenyatta and Rachel are both super stars, never to be forgotten. Very best wishes to Valegro and Charlotte. What a wonderful show that will be! Such a shame you can’t access the live streaming. I agree the bronze medals should be celebrated, too! Larry has his head on straight. Mother Theresa will be ready to drop after all that traveling! Wimbley gave a wonderful endorsement. Can’t wait for Fibbs’ acceptance speech. I’m so glad W7 is better. Love the name, Olga! I hope Felix comes out of the 5K run in good shape. Feeling bad for Autumn Marie. So heartbreaking to have to let them go…Good luck, Helen, Heather and Andy! So sorry you’re hurting. Maybe you need to see the doctor. Hovis is already fond of the French lady! Have a great day and take good care of yourself. Love and hugs from me, kisses from Angel Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy XOXO
Frances
Thank you Team Z for everything!!!!!!! <3
sheena.davies(wales)
Huge congratulations to Helen Glover and Heather Standing for retaining their Olympic gold in the rowing.World record holders!Sheena
sheena.davies(wales)
Typo Stanning!Valegro on at 17.56pm BST
sheena.davies(wales)
De Coronado is running in a mile maiden at Dundalk this weekend.Good luck!
Mary Jane
What a wonderful day to appreciate and honor a magnificent horse and all the humans who continue to care for her. As one of the TV commentators remarked after Zenyatta’s memorable BC Classic win at Santa Anita, “It’s the indelible impression she leaves on us all.” And, fortunately for those of us who love her from afar, Team Z and Lane’s End continue to include us. Thank you so much!
sheena.davies(wales)
Another gold for our male rowers.Huge congratulations to US gymnast Simone Biles for her astonishing performance last night!Sheena
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Sheena,
Congratulations to both your rowing pairs on their Gold Medals!
Yes, Simone Biles was nothing short of incredible, and Aly Raisman did well, too.
Hugs and Love
Kathleen Wimmer
No horse like her ever!! She has brought so much joy to so many. We love her!❤️
Susan in Fl
Thanks for the walk down memory lane! Congratulations! Peace & Happiness
Celeste_in_TX
Thank you, Team Z, for giving us these photos to enjoy on this very special day!! How wonderful to see our Queen entering the Hall of Fame and to relish the memories of her time on the track, giving us so many thrills! My heart is always lifted by your generosity and kindness in sharing Zenyatta with those of us who love her from far away. Thanks!
Katie
I love the photo of Queen Zenyatta inviting all to join in the dance.
Stephanie Quilichini
Long Live The Queen!!!
Neva Rae Powers
Would love to see a picture of Steve, her exercise rider, in this grouping. I know he had much to do with her success. Just a thought!
hattonsghost
The tears are flowing like the Trevi Fountain. Thank you, glorious Zenyatta, for illuminating our lives and inspiring us to be even better than our best. Thank you, Team Z, for your great generosity of heart and spirit in sharing her with all of us so freely through the years. You are all worthy of the Hall of Fame! ❤
Gloria
Ahhh, I just watched the online stream of Ann and Jerry Moss accepting Zenyatta’s Hall of Fame award. Ann going first (at Mrs. Moss’ request), choking back tears. John Shirreffs sitting front and center, glasses off, Zenyatta cap on, a smile across his face, looking downwards, wiping tears from his eyes as Ann spoke of Zenyatta and what her name means. Then Mr. Moss taking the podium and thanking everyone from the Shirreffs, to Nina Kaiser, who sculpted the Zenyatta statue that stands at Santa Anita. He thanked everyone in between, too. I really hope this is available to watch again. I would love to see it a couple more times. CONGRATULATIONS on this special day, to the Hall of Fame class of 2016. Love you, Zenyatta! Thank you Z.com for a look back at Big Mama Z in this post. She always makes me teary-eyed in a good way. She’s extra special and so is her team.
Marshall (NC Broad)
Beautiful post, Gloria!
Hugs and Love
Mary M
Beautiful Ceremony. Zenyatta is the only horse I have ever seen run with her ears forward start to finish. Was so nice to be able to view online, only wish I could have been there.
Allen
Congratulation’s Zenny on your big day. Team Z you shouldn’t be thank us, we all need to Thank You, for allowing all of Zenny’s fans to be apart of this incredible journey. Thank You So Much.
♥ Auntie Judy aka JAG / So. CA ♥
♥ John Shirreffs,
I don’t think I’ve ever seen you shed tears! Beautiful to see your emotions for ZENYATTA. Both Ann and Dottie had tears but that’s us women LOL
God bless Team Zenyatta always. I’m so grateful, and blessed, to have lived during Queen Zen’s reign!!
HugZ and Kisses Zenny XO ♥
Dee in the Hudson Valley
We were lucky enough to attend the HOF induction ceremony. It was a very moving experience… so many heartfelt testimonials about our beautiful thoroughbreds and the wonderful people who love them and devote their lives to them.
It was fascinating to watch some in the audience during Zenyatta’s induction. At one point, Tom Durkin said good horses have good trainers, and great horses have great trainers. D. Wayne Lukas, with a quiet smile, was looking straight at John Shirreffs.
At one point JS took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. Tears? Can’t be sure. But sitting there listening to Durkin’s introduction and the warmth of the applause…
We once ran into JS at Saratoga a couple of years ago. We asked him how Zenyatta was doing. His face broke into a big smile and he said “Ah, the Big Girl.” There was so much love — and maybe wistfulness? — in his voice.
Donna Alsabrook
I watched the online stream. Beautiful ceremony. And with Ann and John both in tears the dam burst in me and my tears were flowing like Niagra Falls. How blessed I am to be a fan of Zenyatta. She truly is a gift from God.
Thank you to Team Z and Lanes End for all that you do to keep us adoring fans connected to our Queen.
Judy Wucherer
Happy tears today…Looking again at all the unmatched memories Zenyatta has brought us is so wonderful. To see her just flying down the stretch like no other is a thrill that goes to the bone ~ That prancing step that says, ” yes, I know who I am…something special “…a horse like no other. A gift from God, to be sure, and oh, how we need her, a dancing light in all the darkness…Long may she reign, Queen of our hearts ♡
Cheryl Zirger
Congratulations on the Hall of Fame Induction . Long live the Queen!
Deana Dameron Tx.
In Memory of Steve Willard: Precious moments with Zenyatta and Team Z at Hollywood Park https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DMDDiekcCUZU%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&h=jAQECjdFQ
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Deana,
Thank you for posting this today. Those were indeed precious moments at Hollywood Park — Steve and Barn 55 memories. Sweet. I’m sure Steve was smiling down on the Hall of Fame ceremony today.
RIP Steve Willard, thank you so much.
Hugs and Love
Donna H
How tears flowed as I watched our Queen receive the adoration and admiration she so deserves. We are blessed to continue to be a part of her life. God did an amazing job when He sent us Zenyatta. Long live the Queen!
Thanks TeamZ for everything.