Hello,
It is another beautiful day in California….about 78 degrees, sunny and wonderful. I had a fabulous time this morning going out and jogging a bit on the training track. It is great to get some exercise, graze, and visit with friends.
Wow…here comes my blacksmith, Tom Halpenny! Tom is such a great guy. He is from Ireland and has worked with horses most of his life. He has worked on my feet since I came to California at 2. Tom has also been the blacksmith for some other amazing horses you might know: Flawlessly and 2 Kentucky Derby Winners, Giacomo and Sunday Silence. I’m in great company!
When the blacksmith trims your feet, it is like a person getting a manicure. They file them like filing your fingernails. Then they trim them, make them nice and healthy and put on the new shoes. Today, Tom is taking off my aluminum racing plates and putting on my new steel shoes. These are great for everyday type activities. Usually a racehorse gets shod about once a month.
I wear a size 7 shoe. From what they tell me, size 5 is average. My, My!!!!! What does this say about me?
I guess…that I am one lucky girl!
Hugs to all. I’ve got to prepare for my photo shoot this afternoon. I get to show off my new shoes! Such fun!
With love,
Z
Gail Human
Zwnyatta, thank you for posting a diary so we can keep up with you. You are so special and we will love you forever!
Peg
Congrats on the new pumps Zen. Have fun at the photo shoot.
Jan
Love to hear about your shoes and your feet! You’re a big girl and we love that and we love you. Would love to see a Zenyatta cam so we could watch some of the things you do. We’ll be looking for the photo shoot pics.
Sharon Call
Hey, Ms. Z. I hope your owners think long and hard about sending you to KY. Will it be a place where they treat you as well as you are treated now? You’ve spent most of your life there and only know the excellent treatment you have received. I’m afraid that if you’re sent to KY, you won’t receive the same treatment and you won’t understand that. If you have to go, I hope Mario will go with you so that there will be a familiar face there. The best thing would be to stay with your owners in CA and be bred there. It worries me for you. I want you to have the best future that you can and I don’t think it will be at a breeding farm in KY. A lot to consider.
Lisa, Scarlet and Helen
Hello Queen Z!!.. I have 2 thoroughbred horses (ex-racers like yourself). They are full sisters 1 year apart. When they were on the track they loved to come from behind like you do (did). Especially, SwinginScarlet..I have her races on tape..and she was ALWAYS the ‘early trailer’ and would come barreling at them down the home stretch.
Enjoy your retirement and being pampered, you have EARNED it!! Can’t wait to see you start having babies!!! I’m sure you will be a wonderful Mama and teach them how to run like you did!! much love!! xoxox Lisa, Scarlet and Helen
Gloria
Hey Big Mama Z, I have something in with you! We were the same size shoe! Only, in people size, 7 is an average. :-) Thanks for the updates. It’s great hearing from you. Lots of love to you, girl!
Christine Coleman
Hey Zenny! I hope your farrier put Christian Louboutin’s new Steel “Peep toe” shoes on you! Only the best for our Gurl!! LOL
Jennifer Adelman
Dear Zenyatta, You can dance now with your new shoes. Mario hang on tight!! Love those photo’s of him walking the dancing queen. He adores her and lets her be herself..LOL!!
I hope you enjoy just being a horse in Kentucky and look forward to your updates from KY..
Maggie
A pedicure AND new shoes?! You are (deservedly) spoiled! Enjoy!
Donna
Beautiful Zenyatta, I can’t wait to see your photo shoot pics! Sending my love, another of your many adoring fans,
Donna
Guido Sanchez
Great to hear from you Z. You deserve the best, hope you’re wearing Jimmie Choo’s!
Ellie Smith
I hope this doesnt mean you are retired! Shoes can be changed so just rest and then come back to us. They cant stick you in a barn in Kentucky–you have to be available to the world!!! We simply cannot say goodbye to you Z. You are too special and racing wont be fun anymore without you to watch. XXXXX
Lisa
You and I wear the same size! The fact that you wear a somewhat bigger shoe just means they’ll be big shoes to fill when you officially retire.
Got your calendar in the mail today, and I must say, you’re one beautiful calendar girl!!
Henrietta Wolfe
Glad to hear you got a manicure and new shoes. That all makes a girl feel great. I am glad you are getting some exercise and enjoying the wonderful weather. I know you love being outside. I am sad because I don’t have a race to look forward to so I could see you. I am really not a race fan but how else would I have come to know and love you if not for racing. I am so thankful that you made it through your career safe and in good health. I will keep reading about you every day. I have put my vote on the petition for you to be HOY. You have fans all over the world and they love you very much. Zenyatta, You are an angel without wings!!! You have a big heart and you have captured our hearts. xoxoxoxxo
Ira in Toronto
Z, I love that us big girls like to compare ourselves to you… I too have big feet, 10.5 and stand many hands high. It’s always worked for me and clearly works great for you. You’re a beautiful equine inspiration. Thankyou for sharing about your shoes!
Lynn Blackbourn
I have American Saddlebreds. My show horse wears high heels.
Henrietta Wolfe
I am posting a PS: I agree with what someone said earlier in a letter to you: I hope you don’t have to move to Kentucky. You belong in California with the folks that love you and will take care of you the way you deserve.
Sue
Hi Zen…I hope they aren’t retiring those racing shoes of yours!! And I’m with Sharon; so worried you won’t be taken care of enough & loved enough on a ‘breeding’ farm; as I’ve said before “You ARE a Queen; & should be courted properly; on your own turf!! No Queen has EVER been required to leave her castle in pursuit of a King…the knightly stud comes a knocking on her palace doors!!! Have a sweet evening. xxoo Sue
jane raymond
I knew it! I kept meaning to ask what size shoe you wore but kept forgetting. I had guessed you were a size 7. But Zenny, considering you’re height, your feets are not that big, they’re just right..as is the rest of you!! :)
And I’m glad your home enjoying the warm Cali sun and green grass – it’s been getting colder on this side of the country, and rainy. I wish they would keep you in CA, it’s what you’re used to.
Luv ya muchly, Big Mare!!
Afleet Treet
Big Z,
Live Well, Love Much, Dance Often and wear cute shoes!!!
Perhaps a Movie is imminent….call if Dances With Hooves!!!
LOVE YOU SO MUCH! Hope to come see you in Sunny CA soon as it is cold up here in Seattle! YOU and SUNSHINE would do my heart forever good!
I got an AMAZING picture of you gallopig in the morning sun in KY…have Dottie email me for a copy if you like.
Love, Hugs and Honeycrisps (the KING of apples for the QUEEN of horses)!!!
Lori Stein
Hey Big Z,
I love hearing from you so often. Hope we get to see the pictures from your photo shoot. Looks like Mom and Dad are slowly getting you ready for your new life in the bluegrass. Tell Carol not to worry I know your Mom and Dad will send you off to a great place, maybe Mill Ridge so you can see your sister Balance. I know they will take great care of you there or anywhere else they decide to send you. I can see the love in your Mom’s eyes when she looks at you. I hope we will still have the privilege of getting to hear from you here and there. I would love to see some pictures of you and your babies over the years too! Talk to you soon Zenny. Say hi to Harmonious for me. Love Lori
sue
Hi Queen Z! Loved coming home to another diary note. Thanks for telling us about the shoes…I was wondering how often they’re changed. Lord knows you must have worn more than a few pairs down to the nub ;-)
If you go to Ky. I know you will go to a great place. Jerry and Ann love you and will make certain you are well cared for…no worries there. What I will miss are these cheery notes from YOU. Three years of thrills is never enough. I hope you keep on talking to us regardless of where your future lies.
Pat Beck
You need to stay where you are loved. Make them come to you, and let’s call it the Queen’s fee, rather than the stud fee. On the other hand, you might enjoy a change of pace in KY where you’re the alpha of whatever band of mares you’re placed with, and, of course, of whatever unworthy (you’re so right, Mike!) stallion you’re paired with. But, oh my, we’re going to miss you in racing. We’ll just have to hope that we can stay in touch with venues such as this.
Roxanne Cook
Whoa! Size 7!! My quarter horses are all size one! So good to hear you like getting shod; a good farrier is sometimes hard to find. I know your racing plates were removed last year after the Classic, so relax and enjoy your new style for awhile. And while we’re talking hooves, how about “autographs”/horseshoes for charity?
Kim
7 is the number for me too, except I’m not as tall as you are. This is really interesting tibbits to learn – not only about your life Zenyatta, but also what horses go through. I wonder how further up/down does the number go.
Mary Stanford
Love the posts ……look forward to them everyday. It is nice to hear about Z and know how she is doing. If she goes to Kentucky ….hope we still get to hear about her there through the posts. Love you Z…a devoted fan, Mary!!!
Robyn Mullhausen
Hello Lady Z, thanks for telling us about your “pedicure”. Hope you enjoyed it. I think your “feet” look perfect in a size 7. You’d look a little off-balance with little bitty hooves. Hope you will still be able to use the computer with steel shoes. Love hearing from you. Smmmooooch!
Paula Higgins
Love these posts! Good to know all is well with her and her connections. A girl can’t have too many shoes Zenny!
Stephanie Quilichini
I love these posts!! Learn something new every post!! What’s the Photoshoot-Hoping they made you SI Cover Girl for the Sportman of the Year Award!!!!
Linda Craig
Yea Zenny I am watching the Equestrian Competition of Fox Sports West, you could do that, do you think you would like to try jumping? I don’t know if you are old enough but after you practiced for a bit you might be.