We all appreciate very much what Dottie has created, bringing the voice of Zenyatta to her multitude of fans. We can also appreciate just how much work went into completing over a year’s worth of daily dairy entries, describing from November 1, 2010 the transition of a tremendous race horse to becoming a broodmare and, today, a successful one with a healthy colt by her side. For all of this we are grateful. Grateful, as always, for being blessed with owning this great mare since she was a yearling. Grateful for the treatment and training she received form John Shirreffs, Mike Smith and the great people at Barn 55. Grateful for all the terrific people at Lane’s End Farm, her current care-takers, doing what they do everyday for Zenyatta.
And certainly grateful to Dottie, our racing manager, who emerged to describe Zenyatta’s thoughts as if she could write them herself.
Well done Zenyatta!
And well done, Dottie!
With this website, we will do our best to continue to inform you of what’s happening in Zenyatta and her colt’s lives. Stories of interest will be published periodically with photos and news flashes as the events dictate. It probably won’t make up for the daily Diary that told her story so very well, but in the meantime, we hope you will continue to enjoy Zenyatta.com. We appreciate how much this community means to Zenyatta’s fans just as we appreciate how much all of you mean to her.
With gratitude,
Ann & Jerry Moss
———
Hello everyone!
We are constantly hard at work behind the scenes to make sure this website is running smoothly. We will continue to add photos, videos, and new features. Currently in the works is a forum where you can all share stories, memories, horse racing news, and all things Zenyatta. Check back very soon for updates!
Zenyatta’s Web Team
Liz Gooch
Thank you to Team Zenyatta for all you have done for racing, the fans, and especially the great horse. You are great ambassadors of the sport and great people for generously including us in this wonderful journey of Zenyatta.
JGrant
I watched talking horse interview with Lanes End and i cannot understand why Zenyatta is going to be introduced to another paddock friend soon. What is happening with Tasty? As of yesterday she has not given birth. Is she being moved? With separation of Zenyattas best friend AGAIN and then her colt at 6 months i feel bad for Z.
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
It sounded like if Tasty doesn’t foal yet in the next week or two, then they will put Zenny with a different pal, so the moms & foals can be together at the same age or development. Not sure why beyond that — I didn’t know that would be much of an issue.
Abigail from Montreal
Thank you, Ann & Jerry Moss, for taking the time to address our sadness and consternation (largely caused by the DRF article!) over the possible loss of an active Zenyatta site, one where we who love her so much and have followed her career since her very first race, can keep a connection to her and to Team Z. Your care and concern for Dottie, as well as for Zenny’s devoted “Godparents” is as inspiring as it is deeply appreciated.
As the initiator of THE VAULT (a horse racing site dedicated to fans and the proud history of the thoroughbred) I know how arduous it is to publish each and every article and I have a good deal more time to do it than OUR DOTTIE. In fact, I have been wondering for quite awhile now how Dottie made time to write so faithfully — and brilliantly — to us on such a punctual basis!
We have, through Dottie’s Diary, become a family — and that family extends to both of you, as well as Dottie, John, Barn 55, the Mayberrys, Lisa Fly and Zenny’s Lane’s End family. It would have been just terrible to have lost touch with all of you, as well as my other “Zen-ster siblings.”
Thank you so much for taking the time to pen this note. It means the world to me.
PS: AS A THANK YOU, PLEASE SEE (BELOW) MY ARTICLE ON GIACOMO, AS WELL AS MY SERIES ON THE X FACTOR (Zenny, Rachel & Rags To Riches). ENJOY!
http://thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com/?s=Giacomo
http://thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/rachel-rags-zenyatta-and-the-power-of-x-part-one/
Melissa Miz
Zenyatta and the connection,
Thank you for sharing her with the world and I cant tell you how much it meant to me for daily updates, and information about her life after race horsing. Daily diary will be missed but I look forward to seeing her webpage grow. I want to wish Zentatta and her baby colt best wishes. I will continuing to pray for her and the baby and the connections that God will bless and keep you all safe. Zenyatta enjoy the mom life and one day I hope to come visit you with your permission, Sending you lots of love.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Frist of all, THANK YOU to those who alerted us to this letter (on the previous post). I hate to think how long it might have taken me to find it on my own (although now I realize that it also came up on FB). When I read the letter this morning, the first thing that popped into my head was the phrase from the Bible – “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning”
Now – to Ann and Jerry
At this point, everything that needs to be said has already been said, but like so many others, I just want to add my personal thanks for the reassurance that we will continue to be connected to Zenyatta and her human and horse families. You have been SO gracious in sharing her with all of us (not to mention being WORLD CLASS owners!!!), and being a member of her virtual family means more than I can possibly tell you. I am one of the many who fell in love with her on 60 Minutes – too late to ever see her race in person but smitten to the core. I have learned so much about her and about racing and TBs on this site and am SO grateful to know that will continue.
To Dottie
Thank you again, and again, and again, and again for being Zenny’s WORLD CLASS scribe. I hope I will get to meet you some day.
To Trina,
I was really worried when I went to bed with no word from you yesterday, but now I know what you were doing. You have really outdone yourself with the lovely poem, and as always, we thank you for putting into words the things that are in our hearts. You are our WORLD CLASS poet! (should it be poetess?)
To my virtual family,
SO glad to know that we will be able to keep in touch, and a big thank you to the Web team for reassuring us on that score.
To Zenny,
I KNOW that you will be a terrific MOM, and we will look forward to any and all updates, videos, pictures, etc. With apologies to Andrew Lloyd Weber, “just say the word, and I will follow you . . . . anywhere you go I will go too . . . . stay in touch, that’s all I ask of you.” Love from your Ohio friend, Sandy
Karen Gogue Proud Nanny/Granny - ♥♥ NO More Broken Heart!!
Lovely Sandy!
signofthetimes
Dear Ann and Jerry Moss,
Thanks you so much for creating the blog for all of us and allow us to experience this transition from champion race horse to mom with you. You are both very special owners.
I could feel the emotionality raising on Monday regarding issues that are very personal
to you as owners and those of Lanes End, in helping her raise her foal. Tending to
these emotional issues that you have every day can be very very very wearing and make it difficult to carry on “business”. The two of you are so very fortunate to have
such a wonderful business endeavor and act so very kindly to everyone who touches
your life. You are both such very special people and I hope to meet you sometime
at Santa Anita. Wishing Zenyatta and her beautiful foal all of the best. She is a very special mare and you are very special owners.
Thanks so much for the additional 14 months of contact with her. She did tell the story that she moved on in horse language in her early photos with her son. She was going to teach him to graze and only glanced at the cameras. One of the last precious photos of her looking out onto the horizon and he looking at the cameras was so very precious. She is now an equine and her son is interested in humans.
XXXXXXOOOOO
Lee Vanderhoef
Zenyatta you have written an awesome diary…. simply AWESOME!!! Thank you!!!!
I believe his/your ears are antennas to pick up the beacon of the finish line!!! (A friend of mine’s US Horse Cavalry officer grandfather suggested that when the US Cavalry was selecting Cavalry Remount horses…circa 1920’s/30’s at Fort Riley, Kansas “Take the long eared, alert ones! They are smart and they have STAY!”).
How are TT and her foal? Do they still share a paddock with you two? I hope so.
Melody Lee…Mare
Shari Voltz/ Ohio
Thank you for letting us stay in Zenyatta’s life. Dottie thank You for being her voice. Love, Shari and Homeroom 215
Barbara
Thank you so very much for the dedication to the everyday post. It was an honor to have been able to know how our beautiful Z was and is doing. Thank you to Dottie……very dedicated to the post……wrote beautifully. I always felt as though I was there at Lane’s End. I can tell you are a beautiful and loving person, inside and out. Thank you, thank you, thank you:)
Trisha from VA
I was so saddened after reading yesterday’s diary. I cried and cried . When we talk about Zenyatta to others who have not followed her career, there is no comprehension as to what and how much she has meant to so many. Sure it is about the most magnificent racing mare that ever was or will be. That is only a small part of Zenyatta. When we look at the whole picture there is so much more.
The yearling with ring worms to becoming the most beautiful winningest race mare in US history. Her beauty, gentleness, loving way combined with her dancing and posing for her fans and photo ops. Her fans number in the hundreds of thousands worldwide which is phenomenal in itself.
There is John Sherriffs who took the time to be sure she was ready to become the great race horse she became. Not to mention her daily Guinness Stout treat. Thank you John for being the kind caring man you are.
Dottie, what can I say. You have spoken Zenyatta to us and shared her thoughts and we so appreciate you and love you for it. Thank you , thank you. What will we do without our daily Zenyatta fix? I cannot say enough about you. I wish you could continue but do understand.
Team Zenyatta , Barn 55, Mario, Steve, Michelle,
Lane’s End, Charles, Matt, Sarah and everyone involved. Thank you for taking such wonderful care of our girl.
David for buying and finding her.
Last but certainly not least to Ann and Jerry. Your class, generosity,
kindness, caring and allowing us to be part of Zenyatta’s life and her ours. You were blessed with her and she was so very blessed to have you for her owners. All that is Zenyatta could not have been without you. We love and admire you so much for what you have given us.
We will miss her so much it hurts.
Love hugs and kisses and big smooches to all especiall to Zenyatta and baby boy.
Jeanenne Cliffman
THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES FOR letting us be a part of her life and her a part of ours!!! I just love love love her and Baby Z/B!! This entire experience has brought such a positive light to horses, horse racing and all aspects of THE LIFE. I, as a “horse person” truly appreciate it all. LOVE to y’all, xxxxooo
penny austin
When Zenny retired, it was stated that her fans would periodically be able to see her. To my knowledge, this has not happened. Realizing the importance of getting her safely through pregnancy and foaling has more than likely prevented that, now that she has safely foaled, what plans if any are there for fans to visit her? Even on a limited basis.
Thank you
Julie DuVall / Ontario, CA
On the “Talking with Horses” podcast the other day, one of the questions asked was “Will fans be able to visit Zenyatta?” The answer was “Maybe” — because they are still exploring the logistics of getting visitors to and from the broodmare division of the farm. The stallion barns are near the road, so that is easy to accomodate visitors. Zenny lives a mile or so back in the midst of the farm. Too much traffic on their internal roads could disrupt the routine of the horses/people.
I can see them possibly doing a visiting day once or twice a year, perhaps using a van to shuttle people from the front of the farm to where she lives. The problem would be the sheer volume of people wanting to visit! You can’t have hundreds of people descending on a working farm all at once.
I know we all want to see Zenyatta “in person” again (or for the first time) but we must be considerate of the professionals at Lane’s End and the owners who are paying a great deal of money to board their mares there.
Juliet Nyholt
Thanks to Ann & Jerry Moss for their wonderful gift of sharing..also Dottie, the Anna Sewell (Black Beauty) voice…hey Dottie, why not publish a book…then donate part of the profit to retired TB racehorses…the book would have John’s photos too!!!
my name suggestion for that beautiful baby boy…SHIRREFFS….
Thanks again, all’s well that ends well…..& graciously.
T.Buck/Texas
we will miss her daily thoughts
BARB G (SKIP) and JULIETTE the Cat in NJ
If Dottie doesn’t know how sincerely grateful we are to her by now, she never will. The outpouring of genuine affection in all of our postings, from the time the diary started until today, proves beyond a doubt that we truly love Zenyatta–and that love has always extended to Dottie.
What puzzles me about this is the abruptness of it. The baby is born, all is well, and then the abrupt ending. Wish you could have given us a deadline so that we could all have exchanged emails and phone numbers, etc. Great friendships have been made on this site. I’ve made some of the finest friendships ever, right here in Zenny’s garden. For that, I will be eternally grateful.
A major concern I have right now is Zenny–will she be given a year off to get her full health and fitness back, or is she supposed to be bred again, right away, like Rachel Alexandra…I hope not. Zenny should have another one or two foals and then be returned to California where she lived most of her life. There, she will have the loving care of a very special woman–Ann Moss–whose every photo with Zenyatta shows her compassionate love for that horse.
I’m grateful for every minute we enjoyed on this site, grateful that there will still be occasional messages to look forward to, and I want to see precious Zenyatta strong and beautiful and happy for the rest of her blessed life.
Raylene/ So Cal
When I read about foaling and horses it said that it is better for the broodmare to get in foal again right away and not to take a year off. So if she is bred again next month do not be sad. From what I understand it would be the best for her. Hope this helps. You could do a google search and read about it.
MK
I must also express my sadness that the diary will be discontinued. I don’t question the reasons why this decision was made and can only imagine how much time it consumed from Dottie to accomplish such an INCREDIBLE journal.
I look forward to the periodic updates and news flashes that Ann & Jerry mention in their statement.
Dottie, you have done more for us fans and outsiders of the racing industry than anyone to date. Your attention to our love for Zenny, our concern for her well being, and our excitement about her tremendous career and transition to broodmare is unparalleled. I hope I can meet you someday to offer you my personal thanks. In the meantime, please know that you are honored and revered!
Zenyatta is the Queen and will remain so forever. Hail to the Queen, her Prince, and her connections! Thank you most sincerely, MK HIGH HOOF!
P.S. Please publish the diary. It deserves it.
Nancy A Nash Coleman
Thank you to Zenyatta and all her connections! Please know that you ALL are a blessing in my life and the life of my family! And, you will continue to be!
I will miss the diary but, I understand … I will look forward to any and all futures posts! I still hope to meet the Queen face to face one day!
I wish all animals were shown the level of respect and love that Z has been blessed with!
Her whole team from the Mosses on down are to be commended! You ALL have raised the standard … I truly believe that Z has been blessed as much as she has been a blessing to others … including the Mosses … my husband and I were talking about this last Friday and we fully believe that the Mosses have been blessed because they have been such great stewards of what has been within their power to steward. They are amazing people and I pray that they continue to be blessed as they have so richly blessed so many … May God be with you all! :)
Tamara Davis
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Moss;
Thank-you so much for being so generous and sharing Zenyatta. It really was something that you did not have to do and you did anyway and we all will always be grateful for that. I have always loved horses and ride frequently and I haven’t been a big fan of a race horse since Secretariat. Zenyatta certainly made it a great reason to come back to the sport.
May both of you, Zenyatta and all of her babies continued to be blessed !
Kind Regards,
Tamara Davis
Terry McNamee
Thank You, Team Zenyatta, for everything you have done. You have kept her healthy, kept her best interests at heart, and allowed millions of people to understand that horse racing is about the horses. You also made millions see that even top-winning race horses can be kind and gentle and sweet. I expect many more people are now adopting former race horses as family horses after seeing what a Thoroughbred is all about.
A HIGH HOOF to Dottie especially for creating this wonderful diary! Please consider publishing this as a book.
Stay safe and healthy, everyone, and of course especially wonderful Queen Z and her Prince.
Tatia
Team Zenyatta, would it be possible for me to send Dottie a “thank you” gift? It’s something I made (I’m a glass artist) and she noticed/commented on when I met her to have my photo signed at Zenny’s BCC11 party in Nov. I would really like her to have it. You have my email address. If there is a place I can mail it to her, please send it to me & I’ll get it out in the mail soon.
Thank you Dottie for all your MANY hours of hard work – for US, Z’s fans.
Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Moss for your willingness to share Z’s life with us in such detail. You spoiled us….yes you did & we love you for it. Thank you for keeping the site going and having updates.
Thank you to ALL of Team Z everywhere – for all the care and love you have shown our Queen over the years.
Thank you Zenyatta – for just being YOU!
Barbara
Thank you sooooooo much for continuing to keep us up-dated on Zenyatta’s progress, her colt’s, and Tasty’s. Even if the blog goes to once a week – ANYTHING will be appreciated!!!
MARY
Dear Jerry and Ann
Your letter of graditude is so heart felt and wonderful…
I myself have followed Zenyattas career as a race horse and now a new mommy…
We use to book our vacations around her being at what track…and when…lol…
I myself want to THANK THE TWO OF YOU for sharing Zenyatta with the world…
I have been to Santa Anita 2 times since she retired and I gotta say I miss her magic…
So with graditude and heart felt love for her…
Again I say THANK THE TWO OF YOU…AND GOD BLESS HER AND HER NEW COLT…
Kim
Jerry & Ann,
Yesterday when I read the diary was ending I was very sad and depressed for about one hour. Then I thought of how fortunate we all have been to share in Zenyatta’s life all this time. Then I thought about the night I got to touch her at Keeneland. Then I thought about all the joy and happiness she has brought me. Then I wondered why I was sad. We (the fans) have been blessed 10-fold in this journey, and that happened only because of the kindness and understanding of you both, John, Dottie, Mike, Mario, Barn 55, Lanes End, and the entire Zenyatta team.
Please provide updates as you see fit, because there is no cure for this “zenyatta disease” that I have!! Also, if you need anyone to babysit the colt , let me know. I’m one county over from them!!!
A gigantic “HIGH HOOF” to you and all Team Zenyatta
Love You, Big Mare
Kim
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Debra Z–TimTam was my “first” too!
Susen
As with everyone else, I am sorry to see the daily blog stop. But I do understand.
A HUGE Thank You to Dottie for so many wonderful blogs. Dottie, you really should write a book (about Zenny, of course)
And a HUGE Thank You to the Moss’s for being so kind and generous to share this wonderful girl and her life with us.
Wishing you all the absolute best!
ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!!
Sharon in Atlanta, GA
All of these posts say so well what I’m feeling now. I’m so relieved that the web site will continue and I, too, will adjust to the periodic updates from Team Z. I’m so happy that there will be a forum so that all of us can continue to share our lives together.
To Dottie: How in the world did you keep up with this so long? It’s not the only job you have to do but you did all of them anyway. Perhaps this web site could be used to keep up with Ebby, Mr. Commons and the other Moss horses that we all follow to fill in the gaps between updates on Zenyatta and her foal. Goodness only knows that for the next 5 or so months it will be routine things about little Z. He will grow and run and badger his Mom. I think we all would like to know who Z is going to be bred to next. My heartfelt thanks to all of you that comprise Team Z from CA to KY. Perhaps now Dottie can slow down a little and the people at LE can get back to a schedule that is more in keeping with their daily duties which must be dedicated to taking care of ALL of the horses at their farm.
THANK YOU Ann and Jerry. You didn’t abandon Z’s fans. We know that now and are so very grateful.
Lydia
Thank you all so much for sharing Zenyatta with us. She truly is special and so is her beautiful colt. I will miss the daily diary, but will continue to follow all the news stories. Someday, I hope to see the Queen in person. She inspired me so much and brought a beauty to horse racing that I hadn’t seen or felt before. Thank you again for sharing Zenyatta’s life with us, I am so lucky to have been able to see more into her life through the diary entries and photos and I cannot wait for the day when her colt takes his first steps onto the racetrack. He already shows his mother’s spirit and I’ll bet that he’ll dance like her too. Love you, Zenyatta and your little prince.
Debbie
Thank you to ALL Team Zenyatta for these dairies!!! They helped me through many a day, putting a smile on my face! I will continue to check the website for updates, shop, watch videos… I truly hope to someday meet Z in person as she owns a huge part of my heart!!! I love YOU gorgeous mama xoxoxo
Helen
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Moss, that was so kind of you to write us that letter. You always show kindness and are such a class act and down to earth people. For this I respect you immensley. Dotie, I can’t thank you enough for your tireless efforts as Zenyatta’s “scribe”. You and your husband are truly great and a class act as well. When the time comes I pray that Z Princedini (sorry, just been calling him that) is under the schooling and care of John in barn 55! You all deserve a much needed break. I have enjoyed reading the diary just about every day and the pictures as well.
As for the foal, only time will tell us what his destination will actually be. I will love the guy no matter what direction he takes in life! So far he is perfect and looks so much like Mama but, I see Papa in there as well. :)
I have a halter worn by Bernardini that I got at silent auction. Maybe you could auction one of Zenyatta’s for a fund raiser for charity. I sure would bid but something tells me I probably would be out bid! LOL I am making a wall in my office dedicated to the “family”.
We have been spoiled by Dotie and loved every minute of it! Thank you!
With Love and Heartfelt gratitude,
Helen
Carol Couvillon, So. Cal
Everyone associated with Zenyatta are people of extreme class. I have no right to feel so abandoned. It’s just all too fast and soon I guess for me. Thank you all Dottie, John, Ann and Jerry M. and all the people at Barn 55 and Lanes End. I can’t stop crying!!
LauraJ (Cincinnati OH)
A number of Zenyatta’s halters have been auctioned. They do go for a pretty penny, though. One sold a couple of days ago for well over $1K . I didn’t bid on it.
Sarah Powell, Clemson, SC
Yesterday was so awful with the thought of no more contact with the Queen but today is better with the promise of updates, pictures and a forum. I, too am so grateful for all of Team Zenyatta – their love and respect for this wonderful mare and their efforts to involve all of her fans – especially all that Dottie has done. I’m grateful also for all the poems, prayers, jokes, stories, wonderful links and friendships. I hope the forum will allow us not only to follow Zenyatta but also to follow each other. We’ve laughed, celebrated, grieved and PACED together all these days and I can’t imagine not reading all those familiar posts. My 11 year old neighbor comes to the farm on Saturdays and helps me with my horses. She has heard me talk about Zenyatta often but had only seen the picture of her and Secretariat hanging in my office. Saturday, I brought her in to see The Prince on my computer. She looked at Zenyatta and said” Oh my gosh, she is so beautiful. I can’t stop looking at her!” That is the magic of Zenyatta and another fan is added!