Good Morning,
What a weekend! There was such great racing around the country. My pals all ran wonderful races…and were so competitive. I am very proud of all of them.
On another note, it was a weekend of great PRIDE for ME! Not only did my owners receive the PINCAY AWARD for their contributions to our sport, but there was a fascinating one page article in Sunday’s LA TIMES sports section titled,
THE GREATNESS SOCIETY
Here’s a membership list for one of sports’ most exclusive clubs: The best of all time
By Douglas Farmer and Matt Stevens
In this piece, Farmer and Stevens have named the athletes for several major sports who are ‘the best of all time’ and a comment about each. They have listed them by the date/years each participated in his/her particular sport. Per their article, here are the “MEMBERS OF THIS CLUB”:
Basketball Guards: Bob Cousy, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant
Basketball Centers: George Mikan, Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal
Women’s Tennis: Margaret Court, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, and Serena Williams
Boxing: Jack Johnson, Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Manny Pacquiao
Hockey: Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, Wayne Gretzky, and Mario Lemieux
Football Quarterbacks: Sammy Baugh, Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady
Soccer: Pele, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi
Football Running Backs: Jim Brown, Gale Sayers, O.J.Simpson, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith
Golf: Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods
Baseball Sluggers: Babe Ruth, Joe Dimaggio, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ken Griffey Jr. and Albert Pujols
and
Horse Racing: Man O’ War, Native Dancer, Secretariat, Seattle Slew and ME…ZENYATTA!!!!!
What can I say! I am SO HONORED and SO INCREDIBLY PROUD! (Blush, Blush)
MY TEAM shares these emotions with ME! To have one’s name included on this list, considering the exceptional levels of achievement and prominence by the other MEMBERS OF THIS CLUB, is so incredibly humbling and quite overwhelming!
This is truly an extraordinary feeling for ALL OF US!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Marcee
WOW Zenyatta!!! That is wonderful to be in the same category as the GREATS. I watched the races most of the day Saturday. I can’t believe how emotional I get every time they replayed your last race. Or any of your races for that matter. I miss seeing you on tv, actually moving. When I go out to my barn, I have my wonderful TB Mare, Jabez. She has ears similar to yours and her expressions are very much like the ones I have seen you display. So I think of you often when she has her head up high and ears at full attention. Love you bunches and as always live life happy. xoxox
Bonnie MacRaith
Congratulations Zenyatta in being named with many great athletes! WOW!!!
*****
I think the L.A. Times slipped up though in not mentioning more great FEMALE athletes. If you’ll notice most of the categories are only for men’s sports. What about great women athletes in swimming, track and field, gymnastics, skating, etc.??
*****
I know Zenyatta would agree!
Jeffrey
Not going to be every year where a barn will the BC Classic and the Ladies Classic. Nice job on that barn 55
Also was very nice to see Z’s owners get the Pincay award. Hard to find a more dedicated jockey than Laffit and The Moss’s deserved the award for all that they have done for racing here in CA.
Abigail from Montreal
WOW! Congratulations beautiful girl! That’s really something to be included with the likes of Babe Ruth & Joe DiMaggio!!!!
Here’s a VERY CUTE clip of Zenny bowing to her fans:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgI3unblkxk&feature=related
AND another that I just couldn’t resist: Zenny the morning after win #19
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtH5uVGcImU&feature=related
Lauren
Quite simply put…..you are the GREATEST beautiful girl. I saw your piece on ESPN on Saturday night. It was beautiful. Seeing you run brought back so many memories……you are the GREATEST. Hugs and kisses beautiful girl. xoxo
Charlotte Farmer
@LauraJ – Regarding your Post on #293 I am not going to get into the dynamics of what is going on only suffice to say Noor will not be stashed anywhere. If we roll in around the time I believe we will, the ground will be ready or Noor stays on the pickup. Due to time constraints, 10-day rental of the pickup which Old Friends is paying thanks to the donations, I have only 24-hours there in Kentucky before I have to get back on the road. I will not turn over Noor until I see that he has been properly buried.
I know Michael has planned for a granite marker, which is wonderful. But once he is out of my hands I no longer have say in what happens to him, THE grave will be ready!
None of what Kathy said showed any disrespect for Michael or
Old Friends so let’s not be going down that road. When people donate money to a 501(c)3 they have every right to ask questions with answers coming in a timely fashion. I have just gone through the past 3+ years fighting to protect Noor, where there was never a deed restriction on site, and I can offer up Samuel Riddle and Faraway Farm where Man o’ War was buried as an example, no deed protecting that grave, and so on and so on. Again, there is nothing wrong with asking the questions. Once Noor is turned over HE BELONGS to Old Friends that is how it works, example, Penny Chenery has no say on Secretariat, Claiborne Farm owns him since he is buried there. I hope that settles this issue.
mj
High Hoof Zennie—You and your whole team so deserve it! GO Team Z!
Does anyone have the link for seeing Z on ESPN JUly 9th as they featured her. I look all over youtube an this page.btu can;t find it!
Please send link or post it if you have it Z I would love to see your pictures!
Daina
Dear Z, I’m not surprised at all that you’re on the list. When I talk about you to others I always put you in the same league. You we’re a sure thing – the real deal – true greatness – a superstar. And I’ve never seen anything like your little antics. That in itself was memorable.
Joanna
WOW…to even be mentioned with those racing greats is an honor in and of itself. My heartfelt congratulations, to you and all of your team!
Judy (Maass) Gadwood aka Judy MG
p.s. Someone posted yesterday that it appeared there were hardly any people at HP for the Stakes Races. Here is the total attendance: 6,684. Sad, sad, sad.
———-
Zenyatta ~ YOU were the reason HP had such HIGH attendance ;-)
Deborah Richman
Way to go, Z! You are right up there with the best of the best, as you should be! The list wouldn’t be complete with your name missing.
Z Dumplings, I was hoping to join you last Saturday, but wasn’t able to go. I hope to meet all of you another time! Thanks for all your wonderful stories…it looks like a fabulous time was had by all :)
Susan in TN
@Lisa: Man O’War grabbed my heart, too, as a girl and never let go! Zenyatta fits in nicely right next to him!
@Kathryn Cogswell: Love your words above! And Biogems does have a beautiful website-I worry about this planet.
@Judy Berube: Thanks on all fronts!
@Terry Crow: Loved the joke-I have often seen things on TV (sports) and think,”I’ve done that-but not on purpose.”
@The Kennedys: I am looking forward to the Deleware race-Havre de Grace and Blind Luck and Life At Ten-wow. Even *I* knew HDG had a bullet workout!
@Bonnie Macraith: Good point re: female athletes
Have a great day, everyone!
ENSIGN
Greetings all,
.
Not been to the blog in a few weeks so no idea if this information has been shared so my appologies if it has.
.
Thought a few might like to know there will be a full sibling to Zenyatta foaled next year. Vertigineux was (amazingly, lol) bred to Street Cry. Life is Sweet was bred to Bernardini so both she and Z will be having Bernardini foals next year. Z’s older half sister Balance (who gets little to no mention here) lost her foal this year (foal died). Zenyatta’s other half sister, Treasure Trail foaled a Street Cry filly.
.
Hope everyone is doing fine & enjoying some great weather where ever you are :-)
Janie
Those two pictures of you are TOO CUTE, Zenyatta. You are such a pretty girl and so accomplished – you and your team are just the best, that’s all!
Liz
You are the greatest racehorse ever!! I watched the ESPN footage of you on Saturday. It took me back to last November. My hubby and I traveled from LA to KY to watch you. Although we were sad you didn’t win, your effort was amazing. You truly inspired us. We watched you win the 09 Breeder’s Cup Classic at Santa Anita. Being there, hearing the crowd roar, jumping up and down, rooting you on..that was an unbelievable experience. Words can’t describe it. You are a part of many fond memories.. Thanks Z!
ZENYATTALOVERAMY!!
ho! zenyatta you could not be any more beautiful!! you really are the queen!! You should be #1 best rachorse of all time!!! FROM YOUR YOUR BIGGEST FAN AMY. P.S. your pics are the best!!
Cheryl Smith
Congratulations! You most certainly deserve an award for greatness! The Mosses also deserve praise for all they have done. So happy for all! Enjoy your day!
Jan
Zenyatta,
No surprise that your name would be on the list. :) You are simply one of a kind. Looking really good and healthy at LE in the segment on ESPN. Lots of love and kisses. xoxo
Jenna
Of course. The greatest. ;)
Thank you so much, Dottie, for everything you do!
Sarah Powell
How exciting and certainly deserved – it could not possibly be a list of greats without including you!! There may be other great horses in the future but there will never be another you – all the things that make you extraordinary just can’t be reproduced – that’s why we are all so fortunate to be here at this point in time to witness your greatness and all that you have achieved. (thanks Dottie)
@ Jeanne from Texas – I’m right there with you – I’ve said many times that there is no logical reason why this horse looks at the camera and you feel like she is looking right into your heart and as many times as I’ve watched her races, it still takes my breath.
@Kathryn Cogswell – so true!
@Judy MG – hope someone will post pictures from Sat. on Zenny’s facebook – sounds like ya’ll had a “memorable” time. The Kennedy’s posted 2 beautiful pics of little E.
Anna Wiley
Wonderful, Z! I’m so glad you got put in that list! I love the pics. Too cute! I haven’t posted in a while, so it’s good to be back. Love you big giiiiirl!
@DJ: I loved the headline. LOL! :D
DJ
To Ensign: Welcome back. Wow that IS amazing news! No one has shared this yet. A full sibling to “Z” to look forward to. I am very sorry for Balance and the little foal though.
Selene McCarthy
Congratulations, Zenny. You are in wonderful company in the “Greatness” category. I only think the great filly, Ruffian should be on that list,too.
Jan
@Ensign, thanks for the information. Sorry to here about Balance and the loss of her foal. Should be interesting to see SC & V’s colt or filly, same with LIS & Mr. B. :)
Kimberly Potter
“She is ZENYATTA” Enough said.
I can not read this blog, watch a Zenyatta video or read an article that mentions Zenyatta, without shedding tears. She just touches me so deeply, I just can’t explain it…I know there are others that “get it”
I love you with all my heart!
Your #1 fan in Montana!
Mary
You are “Greatness”….so you belonged on that list….but it is nice to see it in print and be recognized. You trained hard…you raced hard…you deserve all the praise!!! Us fans love you so much and we love seeing you being noticed….we also know your sweet heart and your kindness ….that is what makes you even more “Exceptional”… Hugs to you Z….
Debbie
You’re one in a million Z. We love you!
Kathryn Cogswell
Dear Susan in TN: The comforting thing that blossomed with ‘Z`s’ site is that where needs seem overwhelming, when special causes grab our attention, it is amazing to learn others agree something must be done .. .even that begins to turn things around, and bit by bit actually adds up. ~ Which reminds me: how good to hear Lou is holding his own, and that ‘The Sweeties’ are melding the herd on their own terms — with loving human hands at work for them. It is very nice to hear how you all are. Kc.
Louise Castello
So proud of you Ms Zenyatta. How awesome to have seen you and Big Red actually race in my lifetime. If only you two could have had a baby! Wow! Love you so much! In my opinion, you and Red will always be the King and Queen.
Barbara Grimaldi
Holy Smokes, Zenny–what a spectacular lineup!!!! Man O’ War, Native Dancer, Secretariat, Seattle Slew and YOU!!! Royalty all the way!!!!!!!! Absolutely fantastic news. They picked the perfect horses and that includes you! I love you, Zenny!!!!