Good Morning,
I love this photo! This is my dear friend, April Mayberry, who came to visit ME while
she was in town this week for the Fasig Tipton Yearling Sale.
As many of you may know, I spent my very early training days with April and her Mom,
Jeanne, at the Mayberry’s Training Center in Ocala, Florida. Once purchased at the
September Yearling Sale, and my skin disease was cleared up, I was then able to
travel. Dottie made my vanning arrangements and I was off to Ocala to start my early
lessons with April and Jeanne.
They have literally known ME from the very beginning stages of my career.
It was with them that I learned so many of ‘the basics’ about being a race horse
and the foundation for my early lessons about equipment, riders, galloping, jogging,
and breezing down the lane was established.
I stayed with them until the beginning of May of my two year old year…and then I
was off to Barn 55! It was absolutely FABULOUS to see April and spend some time
with her! I even got to show her MY BABY BUMP! So much has happened in the
last several years since I was a ‘darling little yearling’ living in Ocala!
SUCH WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL MEMORIES!
It has really been an eventful week. This is very special! A second party contacted
the Breeders’ Cup on Wednesday afternoon and asked if they could MATCH
the $11,200 donation to the V FOUNDATION for the Breeders’ Cup Experience and
VISIT WITH ME! They really wanted to participate in all of this!
The BC emailed Dottie and told her of this request. Needless to say, we agreed to help
and were more than willing to make this happen. Thus, it is now $22,400…that
will be contributed to the V FOUNDATION for this BC Package and VISIT WITH ME!
Then yesterday afternoon, I was able to TANGO on the phone with ANN and wish her
a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! She was very excited to hear from ME…and SEE ME!
During our visit, she added one request…she wanted ME to be sure and THANK ALL
OF YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY GREETINGS! She was truly touched by
ALL of your thoughtfulness!
It has really been a quite a busy and FUN week. I have so enjoyed touching base with
so many of my dear friends…and of course, MY TEAM….and ALL OF YOU!
HAPPY FRIDAY!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Brenda S
Didn’t mention earlier that I’m glad to see that Sarah, and her camera, is back. She always manages to catch those special moments.
@Judy(JAG) Thinking of you and hoping for good news. Hugs from Fort Erie.
Susan in TN
@Diana S: Praying for Judy’s sister. Please let us know any news, if you get it.
@Barbara Wood: I’m praying for Charlie. Keep us posted<3
Welcome to DMCQ and John:)
@Pamela Hebert: I looked at Beauty's Haven's website and it looks like a great place!
Terry Crow:Good one!
@Diana Harris: How many Thoroughbreds do you have at any given time? Do you have people who help you? Do you fundraisein any way? Just trying to learn so I can maybe contribute ideas to the rescue where I volunteer. Thanks!
Good luck to our John's horses tomorrow:)
Susan in TN
Another good T-shirt saying(per Shari Volz): Think Positive
Think Zenyatta
Kimberly Potter
My Beautiful Zenyatta~ I love todays post. How neat that April got to visit with you. You can sure see the love on both of your faces.
@John~ Welcome, we need more men… :)
@ALL~ I am off to the lake for the weekend for some relaxation, fun in the sun, fishing and boating. I will miss the races this weekend, but looking forward to catching up here when I get home. Wishing Morracan, Star Billing and Neried good racing luck and safe trips for all.
Love,
Zenyatta’s #1 fan in Montana!
Irene Caty
Zenny, how wonderful for you that April came to see you and she looks just as happy about it as you were. It means alot when old friends come by to visit and see how you are getting along. These people love you very much and I am so happy for you. Good to here that you and lovely Ann got to Tango yesterday. I really sounds like things are going well for you there at Lanes End, however, I wonder about the flies bothering and biteing you. I know how nasty that can be. Have a great weekend and know that you are always loved.
Debbie G
What a great photo, Zenny. April is a lucky lady. It’s nice to see people that were in your life before you hit it big. I heard she was the one who saw your potential first. She definitely has good “horse sense”. And congratulations on bringing in another $11,200 for the V Foundation. That’s awesome! I’d pay a million dollars if I had it just to see you, sweet girl. I love you! :-)
@Barbara – I totally agree. I can come home completely exhausted from work or just have a bad day, and getting on this diary always makes me smile and brightens my spirits.
Sharon Call
@Diana S. I was going to ask if you had heard anything from JAG. Thanks for the no new news.
Meredith
I so love to see you living like a happy horse AND getting to love on your people.
Dona
@Lisa g …..thanks for the acknowledgement but my pain just got worse. The garage, where my beloved Mustang convertible was towed, just called (they couldn’t reach me since Monday) $3,500 for a rebuilt tranny! It’s only a 2005 model with very little mileage but I’m being cursed by demons for changing my cable, internet and phone service to a new carrier. Poor me!
Good luck star billing. Did anyone else see that yearling running at Hollywood park? Poor baby was born november 21 but he’s a feisty little devil and I bet he wins next time.
Stephanie J Lambert
I love you Zenny x0x0x0
LauraJ
@signofthetimes, here’s John’s latest training video:
http://www.youtube.com/user/jonshfs05#p/a/u/0/UV0SpUQkjCI
His channel is jonshfs05. You can subscribe. I get email updates on my subscriptions every couple of weeks.
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
Such a warm and beautiful picture Zenyatta of you and your close dear friend April Mayberry. I bet that she enjoyed her visit with you and she is probably so proud that she was a large part of your early life. Glad you enjoyed your week and hope you have a super weekend sweetie! Love you so much!
judy berube
Dear Laura J.
Thanks for the link. Hugs, J.B.
Dear Barbara Wood:
Hope Charlie improves soon. Hugs, J.B.
Dear Dona:
Thinking of you and wishing you the best. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear JAG:
Thinking of you and hoping for good news. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
To Terry Crow:
Laughing out loud. Ha, ha. So True. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
To Terry Crow, Barbara Wood, Gary Moulton and Z Fans:
Here’s that Los Angeles Handicap 5/30/11. Chantell’s on No. 3 and Mikey’s on No. 1. Hugs, J.B. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbpu9tkrQ6M
judy berube
To John:
Welcome. You fit right in. National Treasure, indeed. Hugs, J.B.
Nancy
Zenyatta…You love people, and people love you. Thats it, in a nutshell.
judy berube
Dear Kari Bussell:
Thinking of you. Miss hearing from you. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Susan in Tn.:
Hope your feeling better. Hugs, J.B.
Cynthia H.
@Kim S @Trina Nagele: Thank you both very much for your kind words in the previous diary entry.
April and her mother can be very proud of the solid foundation which they laid in preparing Zenyatta for her brilliant career. I wonder if April is Summer Mayberry’s sister? If so, the family certainly did choose lovely names for their daughters.
WOW! A matching donation for the V Foundation! $22,400, in a snap! Zenyatta, I do believe that you may be the secret weapon in paying down the National Debt! A private visit with you is worth your weight in rubies.
I am so happy that you were able to tango with your beloved Ann on her birthday. That really have been the icing on her cake! She loves you all the way to the moon and back. Only a person with an enormous soul would be willing to share something which they hold so dear with so many.
@Judy Maass Gadwood: Hoping for the very best for your sister.
It brings to mind the words which Dottie wrote in a recent diary, about how very fast life can change. I pray for strength for your sister to overcome this health crisis, and strength for you as you do all you can in the way of support.
Barbara Wood
@Susan in TN–thank you so much. Will keep you posted.
@Judy Berube–thanks for the good wishes and the link.
Zenny– what a fine big girl you are (and getting bigger every day in a good way). You are so loved because you are so lovely in every way. All of us Dumplings couldn’t love you more if you were our very own! Good night, sweetie.
Cynthia H.
New training video just released by John Shirreffs:
(hope I get this right)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVOSpUQkjCl&feature=feedu
The Kennedys in San Diego
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/handicapping?source=http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/editorial/article.cgi%253Fid=22988%2526print=true%2526header=bh
Winner of Brreders’ Cup tickets and Zenyatta visit.
judy berube
Dear Z Fans,
Battles for Jockey Titles in New York and California. Hugs, J.B. http://www.drf.com/news/belmont-park-meet-titles-going-down-wire
judy berube
Here’s California. Hugs, J.B. http://www.drf.com/news/bejarano-rosario-battle-california-riding-supremacy
judy berube
Dear Barbara Wood:
You’re welcome. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Thanks for all the great links. Hugs, J.B.
Char
That’s a nice thing to do for the V Foundation :)
janet tedford
HEY THERE BIG AND BEEAUTYFUL HOWS ARE YOU A YOUR UNBORN BABY DOING HOPE ALL IS WELL YOUR RIGHT THIS PICTURE IS CUTE WISH THAT WAS ME THERE WITH YOU WONDER IF THE BABY BUMP IS GOING TO BE A FULLY OR A COLT ? OK HAVE TO GO NOW LOVE YOU ALL