Good Morning,
Yesterday’s post…thank you for all of your loving comments!
A few days ago, I had some very special visitors. The man on the left is Don Robinson. I was foaled and raised at his farm, Winter Quarter, in Lexington, Kentucky…not too far from where I live now. He has come to visit ME several times during my racing career and since I’ve returned to Kentucky. I know him very well!
The gentleman on the right, scratching one of my favorite spots, is my breeder, Eric
Kronfeld. Wow! It was so great to see both of them. Eric followed MY racing career very closely and constantly stayed in touch with what was going on in MY LIFE with MY TEAM.
Both of these gentlemen touched my life in a very special way. In reality, if it wasn’t for my breeder planning the mating that he did for my MOM, Vertigineaux, to Street Cry, I wouldn’t be here.
Then when I was foaled, Don, was right there. He made sure that everything went well for ME while I was growing up as a young foal and yearling.
It is interesting to note that MY breeder is also the gentleman who bred and owns my baby sister, EBLOUISSANTE. Don foaled and raised her as well! So HOOVES CROSSED for all of these members of ‘MY FAMILY’ as ‘E’ embarks on her racing career at BARN 55.
LIFE IS SO INTERESTING! When one reflects upon certain things that happen in his/her life, the timing of certain decisions being made seems to play such an instrumental role in what happens in life….probably much more than one can say.
It was really so great to see ERIC and DON again! These are truly 2 very important people in MY LIFE! I can’t THANK THEM enough for the very early decisions they made…which had such an impact on ME becoming ME!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
JAG / California :-)
Report of Mares Bred shows decreases for mares, stallions:
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/breeding-news/2011/10/20/report-of-mares-bred-shows-decreases-for-mares-stallions.aspx
Janis
Zenyatta, March 1st is also a good date:) Just have a healthy colt/filly and enjoy the experience. Kisses to your soft nose.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@signofthetimes–thank you for the link about Personalized. I do know that Precisionist was one of Michael’s very favorites, and his death was hard for him. I am sure they are all. What love it takes to do what he does, knowing that they will all eventually go.
@cheryl–please don’t leave us! I will pray for you, and we care about you!
@J Smith–thanks for the reminder that we honor Z. by helping those of her greater “family” who are not as fortunate.
Laura
Zen and Dottie, thank you so much for your daily inspirational diary. I read it every day. It make me smile and laugh and sometimes cry. It is educational at times and sometimes just plainly sweet. Thank you for everyday….
Katie Clawson
Hi Zenny <3 I hope you are having a good day :) I miss you so much! When will we be able to come see you?
Love, Katie(future jockey)
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
Dear Zenyatta. How fun that you had two such special visitors. Don Robinson and Eric Kronfeld must be so proud of their beautiful girl. They both had the joy of seeing you grow and develop and know that they played such a pivotal role in your amazing life. And now they have sweet Ebby, just starting on her own journey. As the proverb says, “To have faith even as small as a mustard seed . . . nothing is impossible.” We never know at the beginning how far our dream, ideas, plans, wishes or goals will take us and each turn in the road opens up a new vista. It is part of the blessings of life, fear and joy may be fleeting in the moment; the path of the journey often crosses the valley to arrive at the mountain top. We must remain open to the possibilities, giving too and accepting back from those around us, ever growing, ever changing. As you and Dottie put so well, Zenny, life is interesting and decisions made can open up wondrous opportunities. The course of a life can be altered. Just look what you and Team Z have done for each of us!! All my love to you! Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
@Debbie G – Thank you for sharing information about the ceremony for Skip Away. His owner loved him so much, it had to be hard. How I wish I could be at Zenyatta’s party. I have not totally ruled it out yet, I would love to meet you!
@Shari – I have been visiting the Peppermint Pal and Ice Racing website. The videos are so great to watch, what wonderful fun for the kid in all of us!
@Kimberly Potter – Congratulations on the birth of your granddaughter. What a lovely name she has. I am so happy that you have all been blessed with so much joy!
@Mary Copelin – Thank you so much for your kind words and for the great book recommendation. I will start looking for it.
@Kathy Kimber – Hope you feel better soon!!
@Germaine – Thank you for sharing the wonderful post of Priscilla Clark’s amazing piece. Whether our actions are large or small, everyone can make a difference!
@Karen G – Absolutely loved your beautiful post! Hugs to you!!
@Kari Bussell – Sweet Kari, you remain in my thoughts, prayers and heart every day. Love to you!!!
@All Dumplings – Hello everybody. For all of you who wanted to see pictures of Silver Charm in Japan, here is the link. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.498813631049.271484.62777301049&type=3
I also wanted to share the latest update from Three Chimneys. It demonstrates some of the really good things that many of those in the horse industry are involved in. Enjoy!
Good afternoon, Club Three Chimneys! Hope you had a good week! The weather is starting to get a bit nippy here in Kentucky. The leaves are changing, the wind is blowing and the ponies are feeling fresh! This week on Wednesday Three Chimneys once again co-sponsored Make A Wish Day at Keeneland. Once again this year, nine farms came together to grant the wishes of 9 chronically or terminally ill children. Before going to the races, many of the kids and their families came out to the farm to see the horses. As you can imagine, we have to be careful of which horses we bring out to let the kids interact with, as some of these kids have severe disabilities that require them to be bound to wheel chairs or cause them to behave erratically. Needless to say Dynaformer (a.k.a. the Hannibal Lector of Horses) was not on the list of horses for them to play with. Point Given, however, is perfect for these situations due to his calm, kind demeanor. He stood for more than 20 minutes while the kids took turns getting photos with him and petting him. Shorty, his groom, even showed them a trick Point Given had learned (when Shorty holds his hand up to Point Given’s face, he’ll rub his forehead up and down – like self-service petting!). We also took the kiddos and their families over to one of our mare and foal divisions. Broodmare Manager Tony Burton had a few babies that are uncommonly calm and well-mannered (one was by Yes It’s True, who is another horse that we often use for Make A Wish visits and photos due to his polite, calm temperament). Tony took the kids one-by-one and let them pet and interact with the foals. It was the chance of a lifetime for some of these horse-crazy kids, according to their parents. For those of you coming to Kentucky for the Breeders’ Cup, we will be holding a fan open house on Wednesday, November 2 from 10:00am – 1:00pm. No need to make reservations. Just stop by anytime during those hours to see the stallions and the facility. We’ve received many questions about whether people can pay their respects to Rahy during that time too – yes, you will have access to our stallion cemetery and are welcome to leave flowers, notes or any other mementos on Rahy’s grave.
Here is another link to some of the beautiful pictures from Three Chimneys.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.75265196049.87303.62777301049&type=3
Mary
Are we ever going to see you Z? Will Lane’s End have a viewing like Rachel has?
The Kennedys in San Diego
Don Robinson talks about Eblouissante (and Z).
http://www.horseracingmoments.com/2011/02/04/ok-im-a-zenyatta-freak-i-admit-it-now-we-have-her-2-year-old-half-sister-eblouissante/
Yvonne and Maurice
Hi Zenyatta Wow, it must so wonderful reuniting with Don and Eric and I know they must be so filled with awe watching you as you grew to be the most beautiful creature that has ever lived and also a great champion. Job well done men. I have to include Ebby on my virtual stable. Looking so forward to seeing her race. I know John will show her the same patience that he showed you. Stay comfy, eat well for two and have a wonderful time with TT and all of your friends. Love you, Angel.
The Kennedys in San Diego
More on E, Z, Don and Eric.
http://www.drf.com/news/seeing-shades-zenyatta-her-half-sister
Jeffery Henry
Very well said about “other peoples decisions havng
Robin - Ventura CA
Is there anyway that when Zenny gives birth to B/Z that it can be video taped so we all can see?
XOXOXOXOXOX to you BIG Mama and baby B/Z
D Stuart
@Zenny, Dottie, and all Z-sters: Good news – our pal, Doris McQuiddy (“DMCQ”) is home from the hospital! After a heart scare, she is on the mend and hopefully on her way to being the beloved poster here, and the admired work-horse on the Equi-Army-NDO site. She asks that anyone wanting to send her cards or flowers send a donation to the EANDO site instead. She will be reading posts between “beauty rests” and will answer once she is rested up a bit. Hoofray!
diastu in tempe (That’s in Arizona, not Rome!)
D Stuart
@And since I’m so far behind:
You might be a California Redneck if your breakfast is free-range eggs with tofu-wrapped bacon.
You might be an Arizona Redneck if your “guard dog” is a bobcat.
diastu in tempe (Still in Arizona!)
Kathy Baldwin
GREAT BIG THANKS to DON and ERIC for all they did to get you off to a WONDERFUL,
AWESOME racing career ZENNY! :)
Sending HEALING THOUGHTS and BLESSINGS to
all out there in the ZENYATTA NATION who
are not feeling well or are having issues!
We all care!!!
PEACE & LOVE,
KATHY from SoCal xoxo
Trudy Schossler
You sure make my day with all your wonderful visitors that take the time to come to visit. Beore you know it the baby will be here and the excitment is already building up for the big day. Love you so much.
signofthetimes
@JAG
Let us know, if you can a couple of weeks in advance of “Carousel Day” in CA. Thanks.
signofthetimes
@Terry Crow
You might be a Texas redneck if you have your cowboy boots on the wrong feet !!!
signofthetimes
All Z Fans:
Here is the link to Zenny’s birthplace with information on Don Robinson, Zenny,
“V” and “E” and so much more about their
family. (Winter Quarter Farm)
http://winterquarterfarm.com/index.shtml
signofthetimes
@ The Kennedy’s
Thanks for reposting all those wonderful links to Zenny and her family.
signofthetimes
@JAG
Won’t the Virtual Stable tell us when “E’s” first race is.
Sharon call
@JSmith and all Z fans. The link to the Equi-Army-NDO site is:
http://www.equi-army-ndo.com/
Thanks to anyone that wants to help. We have big jobs and little jobs, whatever fits into your busy day. Just post that you would like to help and someone will get back to you. THANKS!!!
Ollie
Good to know that your “breeders” come
to see you, they did real good”
Lots of love always my queen.
Tessa
Queen Zenyatta, I think you are the greatest racehorse ever to live. I was wondering, when is Eblouissante going to race? I read something that said John was getting her ready. Is Your John getting her ready to race? I love you Z! Can’t wait tell baby Z/B is born! Love, Tessa (the #1 Zenyatta fan)
signofthetimes
Pre-entry looks at BC morning lines:
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/breeders-cup-chat/archive/2011/10/18/a-pre-pre-entries-look-at-breeders-cup-morning-lines.aspx
Marty
It’s nice to see people that have had so much impact in our early lives. I’m sure they are very proud of you. By the way you look great as a merry go round pony.
signofthetimes
@Judy B
Is it too late for Shackelford; he is entered in the dirt mile at 10:1; Is his spirit broken????
signofthetimes
Will Cape Blanco be Zenny’s next date???; he may be the closest she will get to
Gallileo?????
signofthetimes
Looks like Uncle Mo’s deal for breeding begins in 2012 according to Ashford Stud
website; “2012 stud fee to be announced”
No fee for Cape Blanco and no size; I think he is 16.1 or 16.2. Anyone know???
signofthetimes
@Terry Crow
You might be a Texas redneck when you eat
chicken fried steak smothered in white gravy.