Steve Willard, Zenyatta’s exercise rider, died last week. He was a beloved member of Team Z, and he played an important role in Zenyatta’s life and career. The photos and videos below show Steve as we will always remember him.
Steve was a kind, generous, and thoughtful man. He was a great horseman with lots and lots of experience, which is something I value. He has ridden so many famous and accomplished horses throughout his career for not only myself but trainers as Jack Van Berg and Richard Mandella. He worked on the track for decades. Steve was a jockey, an exercise rider, an assistant trainer, and most importantly a guy who loved the horses and the racing business. Steve was someone I enjoyed working with and I miss having him around the barn each day.
-John Shirreffs
As a Jockey, Steve rode on the mid-west circuit. He specifically rode at various tracks in Louisiana and also at Oaklawn Park. When we went to the Apple Blossom with Zenyatta, Steve thought it would be fun if he looked up some of his old friends. He did…and he had a great time revisiting the past with them. They came out to the barn, to the track to watch Zenny graze, and several even went to the Winners’ Circle with us. This was a very special time for Steve!
-Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs
John and I spent time with Steve in the hospital before he passed away. While I was there, I revisited with Kiki all of the great times we had and the wonderful horses and memories we shared. She and I had a lovely time doing this and knew in our hearts Steve could hear us. Michelle (John’s one assistant) and Dawn (Dr. Hunkin) also stopped by to see him… his pals from our Barn 55 Days.
We have all been blessed to share a very, very unique and special gift named ZENYATTA. She helped to create a bond that will be with her BARN 55 friends forever!
In loving memory of Steve Willard
-John, Dottie and the Team
Steve and Zenyatta on the training track. Video by John Shirreffs.
Zenyatta at Del Mar, 2010, featuring interviews with Steve Willard and Mike Smith.
Linda R. Moss
Dear Team Z – I could not imagine a better tribute on Zenny’s Blog that this!
Thank you, Dottie, John, and Tyler – for the thought and care you put into creating this beautiful post and leaving us all with such beautiful images of our Dear Stevie.
I will always treasure the “roots” I had with Steve as well as be forever grateful for any contribution he made to Milyone’s life and racing career. But just as John said so well – I will always love him for the man he was and for his big, huge heart and his kindness. It was always better just being around him.
Love, Hugs, & Blessings, George, Linda, & MIlyone
marti
Dear Team Z, I’m so very sorry for your loss and thank Steve, wherever he may be, for his contributions to the life of Kenyatta. Blessings, marti
Kathy Butkovic
I count myself extremely blessed to be extended Zenyatta visits twice in my life. Alongside John Sherriffs, Mario, & Freddy Wilson, Steve Willard was one of the people who made a visit to Barn 55 a special experience. All incredible human beings! Steve and Freddy had me cracking up the whole time and John, charming and kind, was astutely the glue that held the team together.
I can’t believe this was almost 6 years ago! Thank-you so much to John Sherriffs kindness for the opportunity to spend this quality time and share it with so many people who were fans from afar.
http://on.fb.me/1TJ1fBd
Just a horse crazy girl from Canada :)
Christine Holland
Thank you for the beautiful tribute to Steve. I hope I will meet him someday in a better world. RIP.
Leslie R.
That was a beautiful, touching tribute to Steve. I never had the pleasure to meet him but it sounds like he was a wonderful man. My deepest sympathy to all of Team Z.
Hugs to all,
Leslie
Kelly Arnette
I’m so very sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace and watch over you all from heaven.
Joycelyn Sealey Cook
Thank you for sharing Steve and Z with us, Blessings to his family and friends.
shirleeinindy
What a beautiful tribute to Mr. Willard by Team Z. He was a very special man and loved Zenyatta so much. I know his spirit was with Ziconic and Gary last Saturday. He was taking care of the Queen’s son. From all reports he was a very good man and, I am sure, is resting in a peaceful place with Z Princess and watching after the boys.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Team Z.A very touching tribute to Steve Willard who played such an important part in Zenyatta’s day-to-day life.Our AP McCoy has always remarked the lads and lasses are the life blood of a racing stable.Steve was one.May he look down on our beloved Queen always and keep her safe.RIP.Love and hugs Sheena
Dorothy Andersen
This is so beautiful. Looking at it through tears. Z is a lucky girl to have such wonderful, loving connections. No wonder she became so great.
LindaE_Ohio
What a beautiful tribute. Even though I never met Steve, he will forever live in my heart as a special part of the Zenyatta story. May these treasured memories give peace and comfort to his family and friends.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Judy.Hovis has made it to over 4000 friends!His Lordship has been told and wasn’t a bit surprised.He may need an extension to his stable now Take a look at the story Max has posted on previous blog(last page).Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT Cap Hercules Frank Bentley and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
I’m sure His Lordship is very pleased. Just read the story Max posted on the previous Blog. Wow, talk about stamina. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank, Bentley and all the Sweeties
Elizabeth in NM
Dear Zenny Family,
We’re leaving for Texas in the morning. Would so appreciate your prayers. My husband’s brother is terminally ill, and we’re hoping to get there in time to spend time with him. We saw him not long ago, but it is so sad to see him go. We know he’s going on to the place we all long to go – heaven. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. with much love, Elizabeth
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear Elizabeth:
Keeping you, your husband and his brother and family in my prayers. Love and Hugs, JB
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Elizabeth.I am so sorry to learn of your brother-in-law and I will keep you all in my prayers and thoughts.Love and hugs Sheena
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Elizabeth,
Sending heartfelt thoughts and prayers to you, your husband, brother-in-law and family.
Please travel safely.
Hugs and Love
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Thinking of you and your family Elizabeth. Such a sad mission, but I know everyone will appreciate your presence. Come back safely.
pamhomeier
Prayers, Elizabeth.. This is always such a hard time.
Shannon From Cool
A beautiful tribute for the wonderful man, Steve Willard. Gone is one more piece of the amazing, magical and magnificence puzzle that surrounded Zenyatta. A humble nod goes to the connection that he had with “Z” and how he was able to help bring out the very best in her so that she could show us all her true brilliance.
What a fabulous, fabulous few years those were, what a spectacular time we all embraced. Never to be forgotten and Steve will always remain at the center of our memories. Blessed be, dear Steve, so glad to have known you through Zenyatta.
Marilu Villanueva
Dear Team Z:
Thank you Dottie, John and Team Z. What a beautiful tribute to Steve.
I am so lucky to have met him at Barn 55. I am also lucky to share wonderful memories of Barn 55 and everyone who was part of that happy place.
My deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Marilu
Sally B. (Auntie cherishes Z and her young)
Thank you for sharing this memorable tribute of Steve Willard. Bless you! I remember at Oaklawn Steve and Mario walking with Z along with John, one could tell they all loved Z and were such a part of her. God bless Steve Willard. The pictures were lovely and the video awesome. My sympathies to his family to you and other friends.
hugs, Sally B
Sally B. (Auntie cherishes Z and her young)
Congratulations to California Chrome. I believe he won his first race at Dubai.
love him. Sally B
Sally B. (Auntie cherishes Z and her young)
Goodnight my dear Zenyatta, mamma to be!
love you with kisses and to your sons
loving Z princess and my dear Sir
Auntie Sally B
Judy Berube from Rhode Island
Dear Mama Z, COZ, ZI and DC:
Goodnight. Happy Dreams all and Sweet Baby Dreams Z. Love You. Hugs, JB
Z Princess, Dubai, will always love you.
Janet Newman
A wonderful tribute to Steve Willard. He was able to handle Zenyatta with skill, love and understanding. Any time I saw him interviewed, he would just light up when he talked about Zenny.
Steve, I know you are saddling up with some of the greats in the sky with a big ol grin on your face. You can share many stories with Z Princess about her Mama too.
RIP
Marshall (NC Broad)
Thank you for such a wonderful tribute to Steve Willard, a prince of a man, and such a special part of Zenyatta’s life. Thank you, Steve; we will miss you.
Condolences to all of Team Z and to Steve’s family.
Hugs and Love
Donna Z
Thank you to Team Z and all who shared memories of Steve Willard. You gave those of us who did not have the opportunity to meet him a beautiful picture of a very special man. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you who feel his loss. May your wonderful memories bring you comfort until you meet up with Steve again in heaven.
Shirley Donoho
What a wonderful tribute to a man who obviously had a large impact on Zenyatta’s development and success. Rest in Peace!
John Leach
UNBELIEVABLE! THANK YOU!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!! Incredible tribute! AWESOME!
It was so great to see Steve and Zenyatta in that amazing video (2nd video by trainer, John)! For those of us who were truly blessed by the Queen and the AMAZING Grace of her team including the kind, humble, generous, wise, STEVE WILLARD, THANK YOU! The interviews of Mike, Steve, and Chris remind us all what a magical time was had by all who were graced by THE QUEEN!
Sally B. (Auntie cherishes Z and her young)
Loved your post John.
Sally B
Linda in NJ
Hi John:
Wonderful post!
Kathy
February 27 Cherokee Devotional
Many of us say we will not believe what we cannot see, but can we see gas or electricity or thunder? We see the results, but we cannot see what we know is real and powerful. Indians often heal themselves with herbs, but they usually do not know how they work. They only know that they do work. They cannot intellectually tell what the combinations do for them. They simply know they heal and it is enough.
Faith is a word that gives people the willies. They think it is some strange thing that removes them from reason, and they never stop to think what faith they put in their car, their telephone, an elevator, the friendship of another person. Faith is looking at the Source and knowing it will not fail. Fear of faith is one of our worst enemies.
Our religion is traditions of our ancestors, the dreams of our old men.
-Chief Seattle, Suquamish
Francine Iuliucci
RIP Steve Willard. You will be missed.
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Kathy.Faith is part of our whole lives.We cannot exist without it.My great grandad used herbs a lot.As you know there was no NHS then and doctors had to be paid so my family cured themselves(minor ailments).
There has certainly been some sad animal stories in the UK this week I don’t know if you saw my comments about the pet goose and then when you think you’ve heard it all there was the dreadful funeral cortege accident in Bryncoch.I posted the link on your FB.Someone had posted the story on Hovis but they removed it incase it upset the mini-hovites.I accessed it on Queenie’s page then.I know so many in this world have no respect for each other but to overtake a funeral procession is just sick.The lady had planned her funeral for 2 yrs and wanted a horse-drawn carriage.Poor Will had to be euthanised on the roadside.Can you imagine how upsetting it was for the family.Have’nt heard about an arrest yet.Then there was poor Dickens on Viktor’s page he was found paralysed and with maggots eating him alive the neurologist wanted to euthanize him but Viktor and the gang are determined to give him a chance!
Zoe did well at her evaluation and had a baff!Mango has a lot of weekend visitors and Shelby is coming home.Mr Fibbs was getting a lot of cuddles.Saw a video of Rebel Rover after his adventure a bit sore but none the worse.It was wonderful to see Cue Card doing a racecourse gallop at Kempton today.A beautiful photo of Joey and Theba cuddling him.Ground isn’t quite so heavy today and Alice Fox-Pitt is back!!Hope you enjoy your Saturday.Love and hugs to you,Kisses for Holly,Nikko and Sugar.Sheena
sheena.davies(wales)
RIP Mon Successor who broke his shoulder and was euthanised at Kempton.Trained by Paul Nicholls.Sheena
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
I’m a fan of holistic treatment, even for my dogs. I prefer to take an herb as opposed to prescription drugs whenever possible. I’ll look for the animal stories you mentioned. I knew Zoe would be the perfect little dog we all love. So proud of her! I hope Mango enjoys her visitors. Glad to hear Shelby is coming home. Mr. Fibbs is indeed very lovable. Glad he got lots of cuddles! Glad a bit of soreness is all Rebel Rover suffered. All the best to Cue Card. Yes, I always love seeing the pics of Theba together with Joey. So much love!!! So proud of Chromie in his Dubai prep race. Glad to hear Alice Fox-Pitt is back. Have a wonderful Saturday. Love and hugs from me, kisses from Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy XOXO
shirleeinindy
American Pharoah’s first mare is confirmed in foal!