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.
Max
Wonderful tribute to Steve Willard. Those of us who never met Steve can still feel that we knew him through his relationship with Zenyatta. The closeness of that relationship shines through in the pictures and videos, especially Steve pacing while Zenyatta takes her 18th win. Thank you to Team Z for including us in their remembrance of a great person. RIP Steve.
Susan from Fl
Such a nice tribute and thank you for sharing…. Peace
Sue Fredrick Happy as a lark
A very beautiful tribute to a very beautiful man. RIP dear Steve.
Kathy Baldwin
Wonderful tribute post for a most wonderful man! You will be missed Steve! Rest in Heavenly Peace with Z Princess up at that big beautiful race track in the sky! ;)
Peace, Love & Blessings,
Kathy from SoCal (San Diego)
Dee in the Hudson Valley
Such a loving tribute from the wonderful Team Z. Just goes to show how close every member of the team is to one another and how that closeness results in history-making champions like Zenyatta. Steve was an integral part of Zenny’s success and we have him, among the rest of Team Z, to thank for our beloved memories of The Queen’s races. Please relay to his wife, Kiki, just how much his work has meant to the multitude of fans all over the world.
♥ Auntie Judy aka JAG / So. CA ♥
Dear John & Dottie ♥
Thank you for sharing a photo of the wreath (we) Z Dumplings had made.
I was at Barn 55 NUMEROUS times (wink wink) to visit Queen Z, and Steve was always helpful and courteous to me, and all Z fans.
My condolences to Kiki. ♥ HugZ Judy
Barbara Wood
Beautiful tribute for a beautiful person. Thank you so much. I know he cannot be replaced. Hugs to all.
The Kennedys in San Diego
What a lovely and fitting tribute to Steve. The photos bring back wonderful memories of our many visits to Barn 55. We met Steve in the Spring of 2008 early in Zenyatta’s career and last saw him in January 2014 as he, John and the rest of the team were packing their tack preparing to leave Barn 55 for the last time.. A bittersweet day.
Steve was the consummate raconteur — always full of life, laughing as he recounted his career in the industry, the horses he knew, the people he met. We learned so much from him, always taking the time. Such enjoyable times we had. He would be happy to know we finally had the opportunity to visit with Zenyatta again in January when our friend was one of the five winners.
It is comforting to know he was surrounded by those he loved and memories that he treasured. Rest in peace, dear Steve. We will never forget you.
Delrene from Carlsbad, Ca
What a beautiful and fitting tribute to a lovely gentleman gone too soon. Thank you so much for this wonderful remembrance. I never met Steve at the famous Barn 55, but saw him many times at Zenyatta’s races at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park and Del Mar. They were such a team, Zenyatta, Mario and Steve . Anytime you saw a photo or a video, there was Steve, smiling and so proud. What a horseman!
Yesterday as I posted birthday wishes for Cozmic One, somehow I did not see this tribute to Steve.
As an aside, I was at Ziconic’s debut race and I had the very same thought as so many others. Steve would be so proud of Zenyatta’s second son. The wreath was just beautiful and many came by to pay their respects to this wonderful gentle man.
May you rest in peace Steve Willard. Whatever one’s belief’s I like to think Steve is with Princess Z riding her like her Mama and clucking and whispering, you go girl, just like your Big Mama.
Thank you Team Z and Lane’s End for this beautiful memorial.
Paula Higgins
Steve was a wonderful man and an important contributor to Zenyatta’s success. I am very sorry for his loss and my sincere condolences to his loved ones. The wreath from the Z Dumplings is gorgeous.
Anne from Paramount
Team Z, thank you so much for this lovely tribute to Steve. What a wonderful man, as so many here have described. For those of you who were close to him, my deepest condolences. The video of Zenny’s 18th win is a keeper. Those were the days….thanks so much. And yes, he would have been so proud of Ziconic’s first race! :-)