WELL…HOW SPECIAL IS THIS! I AM SO PROUD!!!
Good Morning Everyone! Dottie and I were just reviewing the morning news and GUESS WHAT WE FOUND! The Associated Press did their review of the TOP FEMALE ATHLETES in the world…and for the 2nd year in a row…I AM #2 !
Now this is amazing…as, in reality, I am a thoroughbred race horse, so to be honored in this way is quite special! People often comment that horse achievements do not translate to other sports…or outside of racing…but LOOK! HERE I AM! I think this also means that people recognize the fact that I had to train and work hard to achieve in my sport just as a human would to succeed in his/her sport!
I SO APPRECIATE THIS POLL!
They had 175 people voting for this honor and ranking. Here are the top 4 per the AP:
1…Lindsey Vonn…she is a TOP OLYMPIAN and had a great year. 3 CHEERS for Lindsey! She received 77 votes.
2…ME…ZENYATTA!!!!! YIPPEE, YIPPEE!!!! (To quote the AP press release…”Zenyatta’s 32 votes placed the racehorse No. 2 in the AP Balloting for the second consecutive year. The 6 year old mare retired with a 19-1 career record and a North American earnings record for female horses. Her only loss was a narrow one in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.” (Yikes…as they said ‘narrow one’…it was just a few inches. In my heart, I know I ran a winning race! I must also add that I truly appreciate the fact that everyone makes me feel so good about how hard I tried in the Classic. All of my friends have repeatedly reinforced the fact…EFFORT APPLIED DOES MATTER!)
3. Maya Moore…she is a wonderful college basketball player. I believe she is playing in a big tournament today…and her team is working on a big streak of their own. Good luck today, Maya! (I will have the guys at the farm check the TV Guide to see when her game is scheduled. This way, I can check on how she is doing.) It is important to be supportive of my fellow athletes. She received…29 votes.
4. Serena Williams…a fabulous tennis star…………14 votes.
****Per the AP article…no one else got more than 5 votes.
This is truly a complete HONOR…and I am totally BLESSED to share this recognition with all of these highly talented women. Again, LUCKY ME!
So, as I am standing here in KENTUCKY…I hope you can all see the HUGE SMILE on my face! I am so proud and grateful to all of these voters, my Barn 55 friends, and my wonderful, wonderful FANS who have always honored my work and made me feel so special and LOVED!
Enjoy your day! It is chilly here…and per all reports from CA…totally ‘pouring’ there!
Stay warm and cozy! With love,
HUGS TO ALL~
Z
Naomi
Zeny – I hope they make a movie of you soon so you can play yourself and with your talent you could win another award for best female actress! I do miss your prescence in California and can’t imagine how much the Mosses’ and the Sheriffs must miss you especially during the holiday season. Hope you have a beautiful “white Christmas” at Versailles with your new friends!! Lots of love!;)
Irene Caty
Congradulations Zenyatta being picked #2 Female of the year for the second year in a row by the A P. That is quite an honor indeed. You fans are all so happy for you. We know you are the greatest and will be for a long time to come. I have seen pictures of your mom and dad and they are both very impressive. I think you make a great family. They have to be proud of what they produced in you, Zenyatta. You are such a sweet and loving child and now you will go on to produce the same in your offspring as you have your babies. My thoughts are with you always Zenny. Keep us informed and I love you always.
Valerie Chase
Congratulations girly girl!! Hugs to you and Dottie for such a sweet post!!! Love you guys! :)
Patricia
I wish they would have boarded you here, in Southern California. Us California girls don’t take to snow and cold too easily. Best wishes to you Zenyatta and I hope you adapt and live a long and peaceful life.
Bob Rose
Call me old fashioned, but I’d much rather watch a thoroughbred become the first ever female to win a Breeders Cup Classic (2009) coming from a seemingly impossible last at the head of the stretch and pass the best horses the world had to offer while flicking her ears, than watch anyone ski downhill without falling. Zenyatta, you have brought more joy to this Nation than any horse in my 72 year lifetime. Personally, I could care less what the Eclipse Award voters decide. All I care about is that the greatest thoroughbred ever foaled came along in my lifetime!!! Between meeting you Zenyatta, and John and the entire Team Z, and Dottie…I feel amazingly lucky to see so much class assembled in one great family. May God Bless you all for the kindness of allowing so many of your fans to get to know the un..be..lieve..able Zenyatta personally.
Barbara Sanders
Well, you got the weather report right, torrential rain in CA today and there I was out x-mas shopping. Came home soaked but happy and thrilled to read your latest post. You certainly deserve the recognition. I miss coming to barn 55 to visit with you but I’m glad your happy in your new surroundings. I ‘m also pleased to see that Charles (of the 4 names) has finally figured out that you need plenty of snuggling each day. She’s the “Queen” Charles!!!
Marci
Very well deserved. Congratulations!
Catherine Uher
Congratulation beautiful girl on this amazing honor! As you can see, we are all SO PROUD of you! I agree with what someone said in the comments above about how you have had such an impact on all of us and brought out such a positive vibe and comments that your fans post here. It is so refreshing to come here and not only read your daily diary (which is the highlight of my day), but to read all of the wonderful, loving, caring, and uplifting comments from all the people who love you! You have shined a light on us that has brought us all together as a little Zenyatta community! So thank you for that among all the other things that you have done for us! Thank you Dottie for conveying Zenyatta’s thoughts for us so that we can stay connected with her everyday! <3 And, yes, we would defintely appreciate another video of you and Charles very soon! Hope you are staying warm and getting lots of love at Lane's End! Big hugs and peppermint kisses sweet girl! Goodnight!
Snoprinz
Zenny, I’m so PROUD of you. You so deserved this honor and recognition. The AP voters got it right! I’ve told my family and friends that TB racehorses are athletes too because they train and work hard for each race. I hope the voters for HOTY get it right too and give you this award. You Go Girl!!!
Jenn
Congrats Z! In the months coming up to the BCC2010, I said to many people, that this race was going to be historical….you did not make a liar out of me…your run down the stretch was that and beyond…leaving no doubt that you are a true athlete
Cathy P
Zenyatta you are the NUMBER ONE HORSE in my heart and I’m sure you know that you are the PEOPLES HORSE (Steve W. said so). I’m so glad that they picked you again this year that is so great. You are one VERY VERY SPECIAL GIRL Zenyatta. Stay warm, and BIG HUGS to you sweet girl. Love ya :o)
Shirley Nolan Al-mlaiti
You are Women of the Year You are #1 AND that is all I have to say , they must have gotten the votes mixed up, that’s what happened…Anyway Congrates on being # 2 it is an honor and then two years in a row. I am glad you are happy about it that is what counts..LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU, LOVE YOU
Vickie
Excellent article Thank YOU!
Kitei said:
December 19, 2010
Here is a link to my favorite article about you, Z — it describes you and the effect you have had on all of us better than any other, IMO, and the feeling we have that your real (and absolutely victorious) mission transcends mere “sport” — please don’t miss the final paragraph and all the photos at the end!
http://timebandit15.wordpress.com/2010/11/16/into-the-vortex/
Reply
Bridget Seaman
Hey Zen, I still wonder in the BC Classic if you didn’t come up beside Blame, glance to your left and say “Hey, now he’s not bad!” Wouldn’t be the first time a lady got stopped in her tracks by a handsome man. We love you Z and thanks so much for some of the best racing I’ve ever seen. You’re the best!!
Anita
So proud of you Miss Z. You are so awesome! You deserve it, and yes, you are number one in my book, too.
Nancy
Yeah Zenyatta! I love it. I am truly hoping you are named HOY! You have transcended all others: 60 minutes, Oprah, W magazine, ESPN and TVG. Major newspapers all across the country have carried your story and your fans have flocked to see you on the track and off. Most importantly to HOY is what you have done on the track. Blame got to run his race and got a lucky victory but you showed the guts and heart and talent of a champion. History has shown that HOY voting is biased and subjective at times. This year it is time that the Queen is recognized for what she has done for the sport of kings. This year it is time that Zenyatta is recognized and named Horse of the Year!
ELLEN ZEHNDER
Congrats to all the athletes, but especially to you Zennie. That is an extreme honor, but you earned it. You were blessed with wonderful connections who truly appreciated your God given ability and moved you along in your career with love and precision. You are #1 to all of us. Bless you and your new family at Lane’s End. Stay warm.
Franci Nelson
When I read this post to my husband he asked who is Lindsy Vonn? Never has me asked who is Zenyatta. You are number 1 in every poll in my book. Love ya and thanks Dottie.
celebrity news
Such interesting and useful post Diary Post #36. Just wanna tell u “Thanks”.
Thanks!
Linda Weiss
We are so proud & grateful to you “Z” and you are soooooo special & loved by us all!
You are #1 in my book too Zenny.
Sending you so much love today! xoxo
Stella Bagwell
Queen Zenyatta, no other female, human or animal, is in your league! You’re #1 all the way! Congratulations and yippeee that you’re getting the honor and credit that is due you. Your connections must be beaming from ear to ear and rightfully so.
Wishing warmer weather and lots of kisses your way!
Much love,
Stel
Linda Craig
To Robbie Pfeufer Kahn:
What a magnificently written tribute you made to the world’s greatest horse ever. Thank you.
Penny
The Press might vote but I know your have more fans than any other female athlete. We all agree you are #1 of the Century.
Patricia
Hey Zen! I couldn’t care if you were 200th on the list…”You Are the Queen” & we all just love you so much. I don’t see any of the other top athletes corresponding with their fans as you…you talk to us almost daily, I haven’t heard a peep out of Lindsey Vonn in months…So, that is just ONE of the BIG differences between you & the rest.
Besides, you are much prettier too!
I know that you are proud of this recognition, but like someone else said earlier, you are in a league of your own & you will be timeless & your journey will be remembered forever. I was at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, NY….other than the hockey team winning the gold, I cannot remember anyone else by their individual accomplishments.
Zen-YOU will ALWAYS be remembered for what you achieved on & off the track. We will be talking to our grandchildren about “Zenyatta” & they will love & respect you as we do now-what a GREAT life you have, no doubt about it!
Trisha Veazey
Queen Z, Congratulations , although we all know you are and will continue to be number ONE!! Hope you have a wonderful Holiday and the best to come in the New Year.
Love you girl
Love hugs and kisses
Kathryn Cogswell
Above today, Kitei & Vickie highlight Elizabeth Whitney`s writing; it`s all about ‘Z.’ She wove leaves into the fencing at CD that Sunday after BCC’10; they formed a valentine for her, when words failed — and it was often photographed . .. “Into The Vortex,” posted November 16, 2010, on ‘Beyond the Horizon,’ under `Miracles & Wonders.`
Linda / NJ
Hi Zennie!! Happy Monday to you!! I haven’t been able to write over the weekend because my computer is being serviced. I couldn’t wait to sign-on to your site this morning to catch up on the news! And WOW, this is great news!!! Congratulations to you on receiving this very special recognition award! Zenyatta you are on a list of the best/top female athletes in the WORLD!!! Again, Zenyatta, this is another one of your contributions to the horseracing industry. The world of sports is paying attention to the SPORT of horseracing. I saw your 2010 Breeder’s Cup Race. Your performance was phenomenal!!! You gave all your fans one very exciting race!!! You were the BEST horse on that track! I don’t think many of those spectators have ever seen a horse come from that far back and finish a couple of inches short. You were spectacular! There are many reasons for you to win the HOTY award; but in my opinion, you should win it for your performance in that race. Your performance in the 2009 Breeder’s Cup was UNBELIEVABLE!! This year, your performance was stunning. Love, Linda
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Dear Queen Z, Hope you are able to catch a glimpse of the the Full Moon Lunar Eclipse tonight through your stall window. The last time this happened on Winter Solstice was approx 400 years ago! It would be awesome if a picture of you could be taken while it was occurring. Talk about TWO once in a lifetime (i.e. once in centuries) gifts from the universe sharing a moment in time! I hold little hope of seeing ANYTHING today as we are smack dab in the middle of ANOTHER Midwest BLIZZARD. . . .Stay warm & happy. LOVE & PEACE to ALL
Phyllis James
Congratulations, Zenyatta! You deserve the honor. Now, my friends, including my own horse, and I are pulling for Horse of the Year! I hope you enjoy your white Christmas.
Richard
You deserve to be #1 but it is nice that they are honoring you with this. It is about time that great racehorses like you were honored for being the great athletes that they are.