HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY, MRS. CHENERY!
Good Morning,
What a lovely way to start the day…wishing Mrs. Penny Chenery ALL THE VERY BEST on her 90th BIRTHDAY! From my entire TEAM and all of BARN 55, we would like to send her the warmest wishes and a big HIGH HOOF on her special day!
I was very blessed to meet Mrs. Chenery when she came to Hollywood Park in October, 2010. She was there to present the Trophy for the Ladies’ Secret–G1. For this meet, Oak Tree was held at Hollywood Park. In this race, I was competing to remain undefeated and for my 19th victory in a row. It was quite a day! Mrs. Chenery wanted to come and see ME in the paddock and be there for the event. She commented to the press that “SHE WANTED TO SEE ME DANCE”! She later told them, “I WAS IN HER PRESENCE AND SHE WAS IN COMPLETE COMMAND”. (Blush, Blush)
When I WON…the fans went WILD! This victory now highlighted my career record at 19-0! I remember these moments…all of them…so vividly. During the Winners’ Circle ceremonies, Mrs. Chenery was absolutely lovely. She posed for countless photos and joined in many interviews with THE MOSS’ and MY JOHN. Her comments about ME, my racing career, and my impact on the sport were glowing!
Can you imagine how PROUD I felt! These gracious remarks about ME coming from the woman who bred, raised, and raced the CHAMPION, SECRETARIAT! What a complete honor!
During the next several months, Mrs. Chenery created the Vox Populi Award to honor the HORSE in our industry who did so much during the year to captivate the fans! She personally selected ME to be the first honoree. This season, a committee of professionals in our industry along with the fans voting determined the winner. Rapid Redux was honored and presented with this year’s AWARD!
For all of your years of total devotion and dedication to our SPORT, the Thoroughbred Industry, and the entire breed of THROUGHBRED HORSES, Mrs. Chenry, we truly want to THANK YOU, HONOR YOU, and WISH YOU GREAT JOY on your special DAY! From the bottom of our hearts and souls…WE ADORE YOU!
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
With Love,
Hugs to All~(Happy Weekend Everyone! Enjoy RACING!)
Z
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Queen-Z & Team-Z,
What a wonderful Diary entry, today!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the human QUEEN of
THOROUGHBRED RACING!! The day of your 19th victory, at Hollywood Park, will
ALWAYS be my most memorable and thrilling day at the races!! In the paddock, that
beautiful afternoon, I saw not only Queen Penny and Queen Zenny, but also Your
Carmen, Anne Moss, Dottie Sherriffs, Julie Krone and her 5yr old daughter, and Bo Derik…WOW , now that’s quite a display of WOMAN-POWER!! …and then the MEN !! … Your John, Your Jerry, Your Mike, and Your Mario !! and many more…What a sight
that PADDOCK was to behold !! Then came one of the most HEART-STOPPING races
I’ve ever whitnessed. When it was over I cried with relief and delight !! The scene
in the stands and the Winner’s Circle was one of shere ELATION ! What a RACE and
what a HORSE (that’s you, ZENNY)…ONE I’LL NEVER FORGET !!!
Thanks, Dottie, for reminding me of that wonderful experience, and thanks for this
wonderful DIARY. Hugs to all. Fondly, OraJean
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
OraJean, your description of that remarkable day was thrilling!! Thanks!
Memento Vivere
Happy Birthday Mrs. Chenery! And Zenny, I hope you’re feeling well :)
Elyse Mach
A happy, happy birthday to you Mrs. Chenery. May you enjoy many more of them. Thank you for your beautiful horse, Secretariat.
I had the pleasure of seeing him run and win at Arlington Park Racetrack the fall of 1973, shortly before he was retired. He made the other horses look like they were standing still! I’ll never forget him. Truly one of the greats, along with the great Queen ZENYATTA, who will never be forgotten. Treasures they are to horse racing fans and to lovers of horses throughout the world.
Karen Gogue Baby Bump-ling's Nanny and foal watch Granny
A great big birthday kiss on your snootie Ebby! I hope to see you soon sweet one.
Sandy Whidden
A very happy 90th birthday to Mrs. Chenery !! I was blessed to meet her a couple years ago at the Charles Town racetrack in West Virginia. Such a classy lady indeed. I’ve been a Secretariat fan since I was 16. Happy to be a devoted fan of Zenyatta now !! Hoping Rachel and her foal will be OK ?
Kathy
A very Happy Birthday to a great lady! Takes one to know one, Zenny…..wink, wink.
JAG ~ Queen Zen's Auntie Judy ~ So. California
First Foal Reported for Champion Summer Bird
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/67186/first-foal-reported-for-champion-summer-bird
A-H-H-H all the baby news – TOO CUTE!!!
JAG ~ Queen Zen's Auntie Judy ~ So. California
Fans over the Moonee as Black Caviar strolls to No.17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPRTEG3kzno&feature=related
Eveline / Maryland.
That was the eagle cam. Thanks for reminding me to start watching that again. Really enjoyed it last year.
Diana_NV
Happy Birthday, Mrs. C! I was just wishing my brother, Craig, Happy Birthday yesterday. I was there for #19, Mama Z, and your John was so kind to sign my program and DRF as I was leaving the grandstand. He’s very tall. I hope that you are all doing well.
JAG ~ Queen Zen's Auntie Judy ~ So. California
Goodnight, Sweet Cheeks! XOXOXO
http://news.yahoo.com/thoroughbred-race-horses-traced-one-17th-century-mare-112341051–abc-news.html
Marshall (in NC)
Hello, Zenny! Hope you and Tasty T. are doing well and that you have a most enjoyable weekend! Bushels of love and good wishes. Hugs!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Mrs. Chenery! Thank you for all you do for the horses and for horseracing. Secretariat was my first love! All the Best to you!
Elizabeth in Oregon
Happiest of Birthdays, Ms. Chenery! I have admired her since her days with Riva Ridge, then Secretariat. She is a queen of racing like our Zenyatta. Hope she has many, many more wonderful birthdays!
Vicki
God Bless you Mrs. Chenery!
zenyattaloveramy!
wow!! 90! glad she is doing so well! she is very special to the horse racing community! thanks for the update zen!! FROM YOUR BIGGEST FAN AMY.
Anne
What a nice tribute to a super lady. I met Mrs..Chenery a few years ago at Saratoga. We walked out together. We chatted quite a bit about her racing career with Secretariat and the not too shabby Riva Ridge. I am so happy to see your post wishing her a Happy Birthday… 90th one at that. Bless her and keep her healthy as we need people like her in this business. I was very fond of her award idea. It is nice to see the fans appreciated for their intelligence when it comes to racing and what horse should be recognized for what they did for racing. We ALL know how YOU changed the course of this game. Look how many now are going winless and proving to be fan favorites picking up where you left off my dear. You will NEVER be forgotten.
Hopefully your babies will be healthy enough with the same will you had to win to continue your legacy. Big shoes to fill that is for sure.
Again, Happy Birthday, Mrs. Chenery! If her birthday is the 27th she shares it with the great Barbara Livingston…doesn’t get any better than that!
Terry Crow
Anne-Thanks for mentioning Riva Ridge, a great horse in his own right.
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
Ann, Riva Ridge was such a special love of Ms. Chenery’s and his success on the track really helped “save the farm”.
Celeste in TX
Happy Birthday, Mrs. Chenery!!! Thank you for being such a gracious and generous person and providing so much to our sport in honor of the horses and to continue the memory of your great Secretariat. Thank you, Zenyatta, Dottie and all of your Teams for allowing us this opportunity to send our good wishes to such a beautiful person. Have a wonderful, healthy, happy beautiful day, my Queen.
Brenda S..Ontario, Canada
Good Morning Zenny, Another day closer. I hope that you have an easier time than Rachel when you deliver. As the mother of what was, at the time, a fairly large baby, with no stitches etc., I can sympathize with Rachel if Baby Curlin is a hungry as well as feisty baby. I almost cried for the first few days of nursing, very painful, so hopefully Rood and Riddle have a magic remedy. Hooves are crossed hoping for an easy time for YOU.
Vic is very excited that she will be riding a thoroughbred when she goes for her lesson next week. She has loved the horses she has ridden so far but has longed to get up on a TB and so she is thrilled that she will finally get to do that.
Safe trips for all this weekend and good luck to YOUR JOHN and Mr. and Mrs. Moss. Enjoy the weekend with Tasty, hugs and kisses to you both.
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
Hello, Brenda! I too am hoping for a magic remedy for Rachel so that she is more comfortable. I’m sure Rood and Riddle will take handle everything. Mrs. Jackson’s care is wonderful. I am so happy for Vic that she is finally getting her wish to ride a TB. Dreams are so special and she has some fantastic ones. I know it will mean a great deal to her, having seen her enthusiasm for the breed up close, in person. It was wonderful to watch her excitment at Lane’s End!! Take care, Dawn
Abigail from Montreal
@ ALL: A VERY SPECIAL TREAT IN CELEBRATION OF MS. CHENERY’S BIRTHDAY!
Here is the COMPLETE footage of “Big Red’s Last Race” which, as many of you may know, was run @ Woodbine in Toronto, Canada. What’s LOVELY about this piece (25 minutes long) is its RARE footage of the immortal Secretariat and its glimpse into the personalities of Penny Chenery, Lucien Laurin, Eddie Sweat & Charlie Davis. You will also find many similarities between Secretariat and OUR ZENNY! ENJOY!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxPD5NA8qQE
Celeste in TX
WOW! Thank you so much for sharing that link, Abigail. I had not seen this video before and it is absolutely amazing. Just wow. Thanks!!
AJ from CA
Abrigail – thank you for that rare footage of Secretariat’s last race. Actually I had never seen him race at all so it was pretty impressive and yes it so reminded me of our beloved Zenyatta – goosebumps and all!
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
Abigail, my dear friend. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! This post was wonderful. Hearing the pride and love of Team S as they talked about him. Seeing people from all walks of life, all age groups and nationalities coming together in his honor, wanting so to see him and knowing it was his last race! I loved the women who said that there could have been four feet of snow and she still would have come. The crowd drowning out the announcers voice as Big Red crossed the finish line. Well what can I say, the tears began to flow as I watched my magnificent Secretariat again. There are certain loves that we never lose, that capture our hearts forever. My parents and family, my dearest friends, the pets who have been with me always, reading a wonderful book and letting the story carry me away or writing something and knowing that a small part of my soul was transformed with the words I created. For me, along with my beloved Zenyatta, Secretariat is one of those loves.
Abigail from Montreal
Dawn: I also found that the young Secretariat was like our Zenny in the pauses to look around and his love of people. Kind of a neat connection!
signofthetimes
Lovely link, Abigail
Marshall (in NC)
Abigail,
Thank you so much for posting this video link of Big Red in his last race! I had not seen this before, and it gave me goose-bumps! I saw (on TV) Secretariat’s wins in the Triple Crown races — what an unforgettable experience! I still get goose-bumps when I remember the Belmont Stakes! Secretariat was my hero, and now, he is joined in my heart with Zenyatta. Thanks, again and All the Best!
Abigail from Montreal
@ ALL. Haven’t time at the moment to check if this was already posted. Rachel & her baby boy outside in the world. And….he’s starting to look like a chestnut to me…..but my, how BEAUTIFUL!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-Alexandra/112319645455986
signofthetimes
Yes, he sure is; more like his Daddy
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Abigail from Montreal:
I thought Chestnut when I saw the video; then I was looking at photos and thinking Bay. I guess we’ll have to wait a little longer to be sure. He is adorable. I hope he and RA are doing better. Love and Hugs, JB
signofthetimes
It is going to be hard to tell this early
LauraJ (Cincinnati OH)
He looks bay to me. His mane and tail are dark.
Linda Edwards in NJ
Hi Zenny: Hope you are doing well. I would also like to send Happy Birthday wishes to Mrs.Chenry!!
I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs.Chenry at the Belmont Stakes a couple of years ago. What a surprise that was. She is tuly a very garcious and lovely person. It is also so great Mrs. Chenry keeps the memories of the GREAT Secretariat alive today.
Take care Zenny. We love you!
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
Linda, that was great. I haven’t been able to make a trip to Belmont yet, but I really want to get there someday!!
Emma
Miss chenery I wish you a happy birthday
Kathleen
Many many happy returns, Mrs Chenery. Two great ladies of racing, Zenyatta and Mrs Chenery!
Isabelle Giagni
Pati,I really loved your post. It was very special – thank you for sharing it with us.
signofthetimes
Just love the way Dick Mandella talks about
Rumor, she had 4 weeks off and is ready to go
Today. He said she gets her feelings hurt easily
Gives 110% and came back mor quickly because
Of his and his stables great training.
So love that Trainer Horse connection when it
Is right; just like John and Zenny ( although Zenny
Was hardly delicate and does not get her
Feelings hurt easily)
signofthetimes
Too bad she did not show up for the race
Sat, hope she is OK.
signofthetimes
Then you have Unbridled Humor trained by
Graham Motion a filly with her own mind; who
Somedays wants to train and other days not;
so he gallops her in the field at Fair Hill so
She runs everyday. What a huge challenge to
Train. Hats off to him and his barn.
And of course to Kiren Mc Laughlin, has training
Staff and their ability to train It’s Trickey
JSmith SO CAL
Happy Birthday Mrs. C. what an inspiration you are. You show us all that anything can happen, so long as you get up and make it happen.
victoria romero
Happy Birthday to you Mrs C thank you for what you do , we sure need more pepole like you.
Trina Nagele in So Cal
@Irene Caty–Happy Birthday! I left a little poem for you above, sent with love.
(And one for Mrs. Chenery, too.)
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z, TT and Z Fans:
Happy Saturday. Hope you and TT have a lovely, comfortable day together. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ
Pati
I read somewhere that they want to turn Santa Anita into a shopping mall! How can that be if they are hosting the BC this year? They wouldn’t really do that would they? I mean, they can stick their mall somewhere else, can’t they? This is a historical building, after all the Queen ran there, and so many other greats ran there too!! Why does everything have to be a mall??? We have to preserve our history! Horse racing was around WAY before the first shopping mall was ever built, and I WILL NOT MISS THE BC BECAUSE THEY NEED TO BUILD THEIR MALL! >:(
Terry Crow
Santa Anita is in no danger at this time. Hollywood Park, however, is. There is already a large shopping mall on the grounds of Santa Anita, although it is somewhat separate. I try not to look at it when I attend the races at SA.
signofthetimes
That is so sad, to put a shopping center at the
Great Race place and potentially remove
Hollywood Park.
Hope they keep Zenny’s stall intact and move
It somewhere else, to another race track.
Julie DuVall / Ontario, CA
I strongly doubt that the Arcadia City Council would ever give approval for the Santa Anita property to be developed. The racetrack is the heart of that city (and brings in a LOT of cash!). Stronach recently went on record as saying that he wants to preserve Santa Anita as a racing facility, for whatever that’s worth.
The mall has been there for years and is on the site of the old “Chiquita Anita” training track (which was replaced by the training track inside the turf course … check it out the next time you are in the infield).
When Magna first bought Santa Anita, there was talk of building a shopping area adjacent to (and attached to) the track to attract more people but that has fortunately not been brought up for some time!