Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #457

Here WE are! All of today’s photos…Courtesy of Mathea Kelley and Team Zenyatta

Dear Beloved Friends,

Wouldn’t you know those EARS anywhere? I love looking at THEM and every single part of MY adorable colt! This entire experience is very precious to ME and to my entire TEAM!

On this day, I wanted to share a few more of my favorite photos with YOU. After all, I think this fortunate foal is blessed to have the most GODPARENTS of anyone in history. I truly can’t THANK YOU enough for the way you have embraced both of US….ME for so many years….and now my ‘Dumpling’.

Many of you have asked about HIS NAME. At this time, my colt does not have an official name. Per the standard practice in our industry, he is referred to as “12 Zenyatta”. His halter tag reads this way indicating year born…and Mom’s name. I know Ann and Jerry so well and can only imagine how many countless hours they will spend discussing this to make sure he has the perfect name. I trust their judgment completely!

The most fun he and I’ve shared so far is when he ‘takes off’ to run in the paddock. Just like in MY RACING CAREER, I give him a head start (on purpose)…and then I catch him in a FLASH! This is one FUN GAME we play…and I’m loving every single stride.


I must say, having been a MOM now for a few days, I’m already applying some of the basics of MOM 101. (A HIGH HOOF to my Lane’s End pals for tutoring ME with some special GREAT MOM TIPS.) I’m really doing very well at ‘my new career’ and am rather proud of myself. (Blush, Blush)

My baby is by my side every moment….and I am loving it! We walk together, eat together, cuddle together, and learn together. I’m getting a daily education on all of the right things to do for him…and I’m hoping in return he is learning to be ONE FINE COLT from ME!


In life, things go FULL CIRCLE. I have gone from being a foal…to now having one of my very own to care for each day. In between these 2 stages of life, I have been incredibly blessed to achieve countless amazing accomplishments, a great deal of success in my profession, and to meet and share MY LIFE with some of the finest people one could ever hope to call her FRIENDS!

I do feel at this time, it is extremely important for ME to take some time off from my daily DIARY writing and allow myself the opportunity to BOND EVEN MORE to MY NEW FOAL and FOCUS on being his MOM. (I think in human terms, this is called a child-rearing leave!)

From the bottom of MY HEART, I want to THANK YOU for the joy, support, and love you have brought to ME over these past years. As I’m putting my “writing hooves on the shelf for a bit,” I also want to thank the countless people who have submitted photos (Sarah, you have been so kind) and written so many treasured responses in relation to the Diary entries.

Dottie and I wrote the very first Diary entry on November 1, 2010. We have cherished every single moment of sharing all of these experiences and memories with you….OUR DEAR and TREASURED FRIENDS!

Again, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING! I will think of you often during my time off…and I hope you will do the same of ME….especially when you see the letter “Z” or hear any of my favorite sayings as ….”Too cute…Blush, Blush…It’s ME…Wink, Wink, BARN 55, High Hoof and I’m a MOM.”

WHAT A RIDE WE’VE ALL SHARED!

Until next time…

With Love,
Hugs to All~ (I so mean this from the bottom of MY HEART!)
Z

I’d respectfully like to add a SPECIAL NOTE OF THANKS and a HUGE GROUP HUG to all of the people who have done so much to orchestrate and guide my racing career…and now my life as a broodmare. It is such a large and loving group which would include but not be limited to: all of my dear pals at BARN 55, LANE’S END, MY ANN and JERRY, MY JOHN, MY MIKIE, MARIO, FRANK, CHEVA, MICHELLE, DAWN, STEVE, and so many others!

Then, of course, I’d like to send a very special HIGH HOOF and one very BIG HUG to my writing partner, DOTTIE!

Reader Interactions

1,307 Comments

  1. aww :( I am sad I wont get to hear from you every day! I hope we will get lots of updated photos still, and hopefully lots of videos from lanes end!!!! Im going to miss hearing from you sooooo much!!! :( I hope you dont take too much time off my sweet Zenny <3 Love you LOTS! Hugs and kisses to you and your beautiful colt! <3

    **Tiffany

  2. Thank you to mamma Z. He is definately a little looker! Gonna miss my daily “fix” of Z, but fully understand. Hoping the farm keeps us in mind from time to time updating us with new big boy pictures. Lots of love!
    Sonja

  3. What precious pictures. I will miss the daily updates, but I totally understand the need for some time off. Dottie, thank you so much for keeping us so informed.

    Enjoy every minute with your baby Zenyatta; they grow up too fast!!

    I look forward to your return ……..

  4. I am going to miss the Daily Diary….THANK YOU Dottie so much for being Zenyatta’s spokesperson!! Please do come back!! I do so love to read these every day. Dear
    Zenyatta, your colt is TOO CUTE!! YOUR DUMPLING! HUGS TO ALL

  5. I will certainly miss your daily messages. I was learning so much from you and your team. Now that the baby is here, I was hoping to learn more about the “lessons” he is being given, even at his tender age. After all, wearing a halter is a “lesson”! Learning to be lead is a lesson. Watching photos of him as he grows.
    I hope you are not gone long!
    Lynn in rainy central California

  6. Wonderful pics, and thanks for sharing them and this experience. Thanks for being such a special part of so many lives. Enjoy being a mom and spending time with your colt. You are a true Queen and your prince is just the cutest. Many thanks to the entire Z team. Sending you hugs and high hooves from Pittsburgh.

    Love, Lorrie

  7. Thank you for the gorgeous picture. I do hope that you and your little man have a wonderful time together. Your diary will certainly be missed, but sadly, this time had to come I guess. It will not be the same not to ‘hear’ you through Dottie, but I do hope that from time to time, there will be word of how you are doing.

    To all of Team Z, thank you so much for sharing this incredible mare. It’s been a rare honor indeed that her fans have been allowed so much access to her over the years. And now to have shared this journey…..truly from the bottom of my heart….THANK YOU!

    To Zennie and baby – all love and blessings to you now and always……

  8. As a grandmother living far from my grandbaby, I hope you and Dottie will post a picture of “12 Zenyatta” every now and then. Little ones change so quickly, and we miss seeing all the growing. Thanks for today’s wonderful photos, and for all the past posts.

  9. WOW- Zenyatta – I’m crying. I guess I understand and knew this day would come – Take care of your wonderful little guy – I and WE will miss hearing from you.

    I do hope that this site will remain up for us to look back on and cherish.

    I heart is breaking as I have enjoyed this DIARY more than words could ever say.

    Love you.

  10. He has your eyes!!
    OMG I will miss you so much each day.
    I hope you will return. I am sure you need some rest.
    We all love you so please do come back to us when you can.
    love you each day you are gone

  12. Dearest Zenyatta,
    You and Dottie have been so very gracious to us, your adoring aunties and uncles,
    for a very long time now. It will be a big adjustment not checking every day for your most welcome diary entries and photos, but taking some time off makes perfect sense. Thank you for so generously including us in your path toward motherhood. What a joy it will be to imagine what you and your little dumpling are doing each day. Heartfelt wishes to you (and all those who care for you!) for a beautiful time in this next great adventure.
    There’s LOTS and LOTS of love coming to you, to your sweet boy, and to all of your remarkable team.
    Oh, one last thing….how will we learn what the Mosses have named your colt? And where will we be able to find photos or videos of him as he grows? (See? I’m already having adjustment issues!)

  13. He does indeed have your ears, Zenyatta–and what a fine pair of ears you each have!

    Taking time off is important, and I know we will all be watching for news in other places of you and your beautiful foal.

    You have given a lot back to the sport of racing, and not just with your grace, speed and style. You and your team put a positive face on the sport that was much needed.

    Thank you and good luck to you!

  14. Thank You, Dottie! You have taken the time to keep us all in the loop and life of the most amazing racemare of all time! Thank You to the Mosses for including us too! Good luck to you, Zenyatta! I look forward to watching your babies grow up! God Bless!!!

  15. Oh no…I can’t imagine not having constant updates on our girl Zennie…what are we to do ? I do hope that we will at least see photos from time to time, and a possible update about Tasty. Thank you so much Dottie for keeping us all informed, it has been such a pleasure. I would be happy to volunteer my services to write for our Queen Z amd her gorgeous son ! Best to you Zenyatta…I know that I will miss your posts immensly !

  16. Hi Zenyatta, you and your colt look so adorable together!!! I will truly miss reading your diary posts each day, and I look forward to reading them whenever you decide to resume posting again. Enjoy being a mom, I know you will be a great mom, just like you were a great racer!!! Love you Zenyatta!!!

  17. Oh and Thank You Dottie and Zenyatta for writing this Diary in the first place – it really was an amazing time!!! Thanks to everyone who helped support this effort… truly amazing… my hands are shaking just writing this…. heartbreak.

  18. We have been very honored to have shared your life this far and look forward to the time when you will have time to update us on the progress of you and the little prince. Your John is going to love his legs, they are already fabulous. I for one will miss the friends I have made on this diary. Will the site remain open, or can we contact each other in some other way?

  19. The first thing I said when i saw your colt was he has Mamma’s Z’s ears! I know those ears anywhere. The pic is so adorable! I understand you taking a break, all moms need maternity leave! But how will we find out how you and your Prince are doing? I will truly miss your diary posts. I look forward to them everyday to see how you and everyone is doing. Guess now I’ll get more work done! LOL! Thank you Dottie for all the work and time you’ve put in to being the voice of Zenyatta. It’s so appreciated. I hope we get to hear from her again sometime soon. Miss you already Big Mamma Z!! XXOX Cathleen

  21. Wow no daily diary to look forward to. I guesss we have all been so spoiled by your daily input Z and Dottie because we love you so much. I hope you won’t be gone too long. I already feel l great loss. We can of course all understand that you need privacy to raise your little one. Thank you Dottie for all you’ve done for Z’s fans. We will miss the pictures of the little prince as he grows. There will definetly be a huge hole in my day without hearing from you. Thank you so much for all you have done for all Zenyatta’s fans.

  22. Good morning Zennie and Prince! These photos are simply amazing! That is one fine boy you have there and I’m sure Bernie is proud too. Enjoy your time off. I will miss your daily postings more than you will ever know. Have fun being a Mom!! I know you will do a perfect job!! ♥♥♥♥
    Hugs to both of you and a HUGE thank you to all of Team Z, Barn 55 and Lane’s End!!
    Christine

  23. Please let us know his name and who will be the lucky sire of your next little Hooves of Joy!

  24. Oops – forgot to thank Dottie and John, the Mosses and Land’s End for allowing us to be a part of this for as long as we have. I feel like I have lost family members, but I know (hope) we will hear updates from time to time. It has truly been an extraordinary experience.

  25. DEAR ZENYATTA,
    WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU AND YOUR AWESOME WRITING PARTNER, DOTTIE, FOR YOUR DAILY DIARY POSTS. EVERYONE HAS BEEN REWARDED WITH YOUR TOO CUTE DAILY ADVENTURES.
    BEING A MOM I, TOO, KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO SPEND YOUR DAYS WITH YOUR HANDSOME OFFSPRING. YOU WILL BE GIVING EVERY WAKING HOUR TO GIVING HIM TENDER LOVING CARE.
    THE MORNING WILL NOT BE THE SAME WITHOUT YOUR DIARY POSTS BUT I TRULY WANT YOU AND DOTTIE TO KNOW HOW MUCH IT HAS BEEN APPRECIATED BY ALL OF YOUR FANS. DOTTIE, IT HAS DEFINITELY BEEN AN ACT OF LOVE. WE LOVE YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT OF YOUR LIFE TO DEVOTE YOURSELF TO SHARING OUR DEAR QUEEN AND NOW HER FOAL WITH ALL OF US.

  27. Such great pictures…sooo cute! Will miss the closeness u share here in your life’s journey! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Wishing u all the best! Peace & Happiness Always to U all!

  28. Have fun being a mom. Dottie, would you be so kind as to update things from time to time so that Zenyatta can enjoy this time in her life? Not daily, not even weekly, but just a note or a picture from time to time. I think that we could all enjoy that. I am sure that you are looking forward to having him in California when the time comes.

  29. NOOOO, Im gonna miss you. I do understand you want time with your baby and Dottie has been wonderful to us all. I agree with you and your time but gosh I am soooo gonna miss you so much. I am in love with your beautiful pictures today, your baby is amazing and your are incredible. I wish I could pet you just once and even give you one gentle kiss. I miss my mare so much and wish she was with me, you have so many of her gentle traits. Take care, love your baby, snuggle often and hopefully soon you can share more pictures with us all. I love you
    Momma Z, and baby Z too.
    Warm gentle hugs to you both. Thank you for everything! See you very soon.

  30. I plan on attending the Baby Shower this Saturday, weather permitting. Are there plans to meet somewhere?

    • Per JAG, Plans are to meet at noon by the John Henry. I do not think weather is going to stop some of the dumplings.

      • Raylene: Thank you I don’t know if I can make it by noon, but I am planning on attending.

        • This is where we can be found all day, When the race is on, near the rail by the winning post. In the paddock area, if you face the saddling barn, to the left of the path the horses take from the saddling barn into the paddock walking ring. I guarantee if you stand in one of those spots and say ‘Dumplings’ loudly, someone will answer!

    • FYI, from the Santa Anita website : “Zenyatta fans, join us for Los Angeles biggest baby shower to celebrate Zenyatta’s brand new colt. All fans will take home a Zenyatta poster and at 11:30am, there will be an autograph session with some members of Team Zenyatta. Also, in lieu of flowers, bring a small donation to benefit Canter and Old Friends Farm.”

      If you are in line for autographs, you aren’t going to be able to make it to John Henry by noon ;-) In fact, I suggest getting in line ASAP after the gates open, if past events are any indication! That’s what I’m planning to do … if I can get toward the front of the line (ha ha!) I *might* get out of there and back to the infield before the BBQ buffet is put away :-)