We all appreciate very much what Dottie has created, bringing the voice of Zenyatta to her multitude of fans. We can also appreciate just how much work went into completing over a year’s worth of daily dairy entries, describing from November 1, 2010 the transition of a tremendous race horse to becoming a broodmare and, today, a successful one with a healthy colt by her side. For all of this we are grateful. Grateful, as always, for being blessed with owning this great mare since she was a yearling. Grateful for the treatment and training she received form John Shirreffs, Mike Smith and the great people at Barn 55. Grateful for all the terrific people at Lane’s End Farm, her current care-takers, doing what they do everyday for Zenyatta.
And certainly grateful to Dottie, our racing manager, who emerged to describe Zenyatta’s thoughts as if she could write them herself.
Well done Zenyatta!
And well done, Dottie!
With this website, we will do our best to continue to inform you of what’s happening in Zenyatta and her colt’s lives. Stories of interest will be published periodically with photos and news flashes as the events dictate. It probably won’t make up for the daily Diary that told her story so very well, but in the meantime, we hope you will continue to enjoy Zenyatta.com. We appreciate how much this community means to Zenyatta’s fans just as we appreciate how much all of you mean to her.
With gratitude,
Ann & Jerry Moss
———
Hello everyone!
We are constantly hard at work behind the scenes to make sure this website is running smoothly. We will continue to add photos, videos, and new features. Currently in the works is a forum where you can all share stories, memories, horse racing news, and all things Zenyatta. Check back very soon for updates!
Zenyatta’s Web Team
LaurieK
Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Moss, for sharing Zenyatta so generously with her fans. I have followed racing my entire life, and I have never been on a ride like the one she took me on. She has brought me such joy. Thank you for everything.
Caitlin
Dottie and Team Z,
I want to truly thank you from the bottom of my heart for the priceless access you’ve granted us into Zenyatta’s world. I have been a racing fan since I watched my first derby in 1997 when I was just a little girl. Before Zenyatta, the great Secretariat was my favorite racehorse, but once I caught sight of your magnificent mare, my heart has never been the same. I followed all of her races and longed to live in California that I might visit Zenny at Barn 55. Alas, I was trapped in Florida (lol) until I finally saw her in person schooling in the Churchill Downs saddling paddock on the Thursday before her final race. I can’t even begin to describe the feeling I had that crisp November afternoon. And the thrill of finally being able to see her race (and dance!) in person is something I will never forget for the rest of my life!! My only regret is not being able to touch that soft coat of hers. Zenyatta has touched my life in more ways than I can describe, especially as she helped me cope with the loss of someone so very dear to me. These diary entries have kept that passion and love burning just as brightly as when I first discovered this magnificent mare. I so appreciate all the hard work that Dottie has put into this diary!! And I am so thankful to all of Team Z for the parts they played in shaping the legend that is Zenyatta. All the best to everyone involved! Please know that you have played a part in changing many lives!!
With much love,
Caitlin
P.S. I don’t know if this is even a feasible suggestion ( so please forgive my ignorance and/or impertinence in even suggesting this), but if there were a way to turn/compile these diary entries into a book, I’m sure many fans like myself would love to buy it from the Zenyatta Shop. Just another way to continue to preserve Z’s memories and legacy :)
Melinda from California
Whew! I was freakin out thinking “what?!?!? No more updates, pictures or video?….OMG what am I gonna do?!??”
Zenyatta has been a huge part of our lives for so long because of the tireless works of Dottie and Team Zenyatta. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for a job well done! I will keep an eye out for more updates and stories via the forum but will never forget and will truly miss the Daily Diary. Love to the Queen and her little Prince..when you’re ready to share more – we’ll be waiting
Leslie R.
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Moss & Dottie,
Thank you for keeping all of us involved in Zenyatta’s life. She has meant the world to me and Team Z has been so generous in sharing Zenyatta with all of us. Through the diary, I felt like I really got to know her and I felt the love that just radiates from her spirit. She is one of a kind and a gift to all. I’m so happy that the site will still be updated with news about Zenyatta and her beautiful foal. The forum is going to be a terrific addition to the site.
Thanks again!!!!!
Love to all,
Leslie
Margaret I'm ECSTATIC!!!!!
While I too am sad about the diary I do understand how much time it has taken to do this everyday. Plus people at LE’s has had to take pics, send them to Dottie, to be uploaded. It has been a huge load on all.
Personally as sad as I am I hope the majority of you can come to understand the time involved in all of this and appreciate all that LE’s and Team Z has given us.
Also please go back and re-listen to what Jerry Moss said in the interview the other day. He said that their first responsibility was to Z, to keep her happy and healthy.
Please give these wonderful people a chance to catch their breath and get a breather. We all go on vacation every year and we have to respect that just maybe Dottie is a bit tired.
I for one am so appreciative of all Team Z has given us in the last year or so. They have shared triumphs and losses with us. They have created a wonderful store to shop at, with honest hard working folk that send you what you ordered. In other words you can trust this online shop.
We owe this to all these wonderful people to show them the same class and respect they have ALWAYS shown us.
I’m sorry if people feel I’m stepping on toes but after reading some really knee jerk reactions–it makes me mad that people are being so ungracious in their remarks.
MaggieN
Margaret, You have expresses my thoughts exactly. If I may add a little to your post, Thank you for teaching me more about horses and racing that I would have ever learned in my lifetime. My life has been made all the more richer because of your love, warmth and graciousness.
Joanna from TX
I agree whole-heartedly with you ladies. What an incredible ride it’s been, and I wasn’t even on board for the beginning of it!
Love to all. <3 <3
DMCQ in AL
I wrote some time ago that we needed to realize what a privilege and treasure we were provided through Zenyatta’s Diary. It seemed to me at the time that some were forgetting that none such access to such a champion as Zenyatta had ever before been granted. As I read some comments back then, it seemed that some folks had begun to think of the diary as an entitlement.
My heart hurts that we are seeing this hiatus but Margaret, as you said, I am grateful for all Team Z has given us. I am so very appreciative of the beautiful pictures, of Dottie writing for Zenyatta, of Mr. and Mrs. Moss for allowing such unprecedented access, to Barn 55 and Team Z at LE for the care they have taken to make sure that our beautiful Zenyatta was so well cared for and we were allowed to express our love to her and for each other. Special thanks to Z’s John for making sure she got to this point whole and safe and happy.
I will look for you my friends in the Vault and on face book and you are invited to check in and comment on Equi-Army-ndo group facebook as Barbara Wood has previously written. I treasure the time you took to educate folks like me, made me laugh, allowed me into your life.
I hope by some means we can talk with each other on Z’s face book page and perhaps a fan initiated group can be started so that folks not on face book can participate in a continued conversation with friends who love Zenyatta and her little prince. Zz hugs to all, DMCQ
sharon in seattle
I think you’re right – the sense of entitlement is a powerful thing. And letting go of even a privilege is not easy. Your suggestions for moving forward are right on!
suew/Va
I think using the new forum that will be initiated right here is a perfect way for fans to stay connected.
Karen
Thank you ever sooo very much for your time to have shared the days of this amazing horses’ life,, what a priveledge we have all had, the daily notes will be missed but we look forward to the next update and I assire you in 2 years we will all be looking for this colt on the backside at Churchill Downs !!! Best of everything to you all !!
Maria
THANK YOU! To everyone that is in Zenyattas life! We as fans appreciate being able to see what goes on with these great animals during their careers on and off the track. It has been a wonderful and exciting experience. Thank you to the Moss and Sheriff families for loving Z like you do. Thank you to Barn 55 and all the tech staff for all that you have done to keep her happy and keep us informed! THANK YOU THANK YOU!
gracie vestal
I just appreciate the Mosses for sharing their magnificant mare, Zenyatta with the throngs of followers. They dont really have to be so gracious with us. She belongs to them. However that big beautiful animal has my heart. I feel in love with her on tv and then had to chance to see her in real life when you shipped her to Ark for the Apple Blossom. She really is so beautifil she took my breath away. She did her usual dance during the post parade and even tho all the people were screaming at her it did not phase her a bit. She broke out of the gate gave all the field a good hefty lead and came home flying by them all. Just another easy win. Now she has her baby son who looks exactly like her. I cant wait to see where he goes. Please Dottie dont stop your writings! You do the best jobs with your wrtings. It gives us such pleasure to read your daily posts. I can understand you needing a rest but please dont stop. You have a gift for writing!! I just love all you guys involved with Zenny and her baby now. Thank you for all you do.
Patricia Teel
Thank you for everything. Please name the baby Zensation.
Laura Peterson in DC
Thanks very much for your letter, and I hope you’ll encourage Dottie to translate her wonderful diary posts and photos into a book. I think it would have enormous appeal to horse lovers of all ages!
DmamaKlock
Totally agree !! That would be a “must have” for us.
Kathy R. Canberra Oz.
I think the idea of having the diary posts compiled into a book, sold through the site – maybe to aid a Zenny charity would be a wonderful idea – here’s hoping it comes about!
Mary Lee
There are not enough words or ways to express my deepest gratitude to the Z Team, Mr. & Mrs. Moss and mostly Dottie for sharing their beloved Zenyatta and Zenyatta’s Prince with me and the world. I have received a daily ‘gift of joy’ when I read the diary postings Zenyatta sends to Dottie. Of course we’re all going to miss our ‘little bit of sunshine’ each day but we can’t be thinking only of ourselves. Team Z’s dedication to Zenyatta’s fans has been most gracious and extraordinary. My heart is filled with thankfulness for EVERYTHING you’ve done to allow Zenyatta to be our horse too. Zenyatta will be forever in my heart. May God Bless Team Z.
Lyn
Thank you so much, Ann and Jerry, for sharing your beautiful Zenyatta with all of us in such a personal and caring way. And Dottie was incredible to take the time and effort to write the daily diary. I’m about to turn 50 years old, but when I read Z’s diary this morning I couldn’t hold back the tears. We’ve followed her career (my husband and I were lucky enough to see her win #18 at Del Mar and that was one of the most thrilling events of my life!) and now look forward to seeing photos and videos of her new life as a Mom. Thank you all so much for letting us share in Zenyatta’s life!
Dolores
I just appreciate the time and effort that Dottie has given me to be part of Zenyattas daily life after retirement! God Bless her for keeping Zenyatta’s daily dairy, it was such fun! I will continue to appreciate it all, for I feel so lucky to have been a fan of such a Spectacular Horse ! I will treasure the moments I met her at Hollywood Park, watching her race, and the lovely updates Dottie brought us after she retired. I think is it truly wonderful that you both kept her in her fan’s lives! I look forward to updates as events come along. Thankyou Mr. and Mrs. Moss and Team Zenyatta, I just love it!
Cate
Let’s be happy for the ride that most of us fans never would have gotten to take. I thank Liza G. Fly for arranging a meeting with my sister and I for my B-day where I got to pet her and give her peppermints. Her energy and presence is heavenly. We got to she her retire healthy and happy and become a mom. They need a break to continue to do their job well fo Zenyatta. Thanks for everything and it is just a break, right ? :) God Bless you all !!
JAG / ♥ Auntie Judy / So. CA
@ Cate
And I met you and your sister that day at Barn 55. We’ve stayed in touch on facebook – too cute!!
Judy G
JAG / ♥ Auntie Judy / So. CA
@ Ann Moss
Next time you kiss Prince on the nose, please, please give him an extra kiss from ME I cried when i saw you laying there next to him giving each other Lovin’ !!! xoxo ♥
Judy G
DmamaKlock
AND he was still wet at the time of the kiss….. loved that moment.
Leslies Stidham
that’s imprinting at it’s best…….Ann loves her horses and it shows
Sondre in WA
@ Margaret I’m Estatic – very well said!! There has been absolutely no obligation to do what the Mosses and all of Team Zenyatta have done to indulge the fans. They have gone above and beyond what the fans could’ve ever hoped for in sharing the wonder that is Zenyatta and much more from the sport of horseracing. I have nothing but gratitude for their efforts and the fun and knowledge that has come from their generosity. I wish all of them nothing but the best, not only with Zenyatta and her current colt, but with all the foals in her future and all the horses at Barn 55. Whatever they may share with us in the future will be icing on the cake. It’s been a thrilling and wonderful ride!! Hugs to all!
Cynthia H./ 12th ♥
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Moss,
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Thank you for your unfailing generosity in sharing the treasure of your hearts, Zenyatta, with us so graciously. For many of us, she was and always will be ever so much more than the living definition of a great racehorse. She carried our hearts when they became too heavy to bear; carried the pieces of our broken dreams until her magic soldered them into the brilliance of stained glass; and carried our fears away from the dark places into the truth of mid-day. To have been given the gift of watching her on the racetrack was to witness all of the beauty that the human heart has the capacity to absorb, and unable to refrain from weeping with joy at the sight of her grace. For this, we will always love you and her, and all of team Z.
♥
Anita Carville
Cynthia, once again you have put the longings of my heart into beautiful words. I was marveling at how close your words were to what I was feeling, and then I saw it was you. Zen is a miracle from God and this is evidenced by all the friends she has brought together, as well as all the true joy that we all feel.
<3
Cynthia H./ 12th ♥
From my ♥ to your ♥ Anita.
Celeste in TX
That is so beautiful, Cynthia. My brain could not come up with those words but my heart has been feeling them just the same. Thank you.
Cynthia H./ 12th ♥
Thank you for always being so kind, Celeste. Our ♥s must beat in-sync.
♥
Leslie R.
Thank you Cynthia. That is beautiful and touching.
Cynthia H./ 12th ♥
Thank you for touching my ♥, Leslie.l
♥
Marshall (in NC)
Cynthia H.,
Thank you for the lovely post. How beautifully you have expressed what many of us have felt about Zenyatta, her wonderful owners, and all of Team Z.
We have been exceedingly fortunate to be included in this special family.
All the Best, always.
Lisa B./Escondido, CA
Dear Ann & Jerry Moss,
I would like to thank you for sharing Zenyatta with all of us.
Dottie is an amazing woman for taking the time to post the daily diary. For that I am grateful. You are all heaven sent. May God Bless You All.
Looking forward to the occational updates and pictures of Zenyatta and the Little Prince.
Again, Thank You for all that you do!!
Lisa Buzzard
Gloria Jeanne - HIGH HOOF DOTTIE
Thank you Ann and Jerry for sharing Zenyatta with her fans, it’s truly been an amazing time.
Huge Fan for a very very long time, it’s meant a lot to me.
Thank you!!!!
Gloria Jeanne - HIGH HOOF DOTTIE
Dear Dottie – High Hoof to you!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for all that you have given us being the voice for Zenyatta since before the 2010 Breeder’s Cup- I remember the first post!!!!!!
I hope you are ok with Diary outcome – your imput and sayings will be missed a lot!!!!
Thank you for the ride – Thanks to John for his wisdom and help too.
Hugs and Love ALWAYS to you both!!!!!! Don’t forget to smell the roses.
Sandra Ryan
Thank you for sharing “the ride” with us. We love her as we loved Secretariat!
Thank you again. We will be looking forward to updates as they arrive.
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Moss, Dottie & John, All of Team-Z,
Thank-you all so very much for sharing this wonderful GIFT…who is ZENYATTA !!!
I feel blessed to have been counted as one of her fans. You all have enriched my
life and lifted my spirits via Z’s Diary. Thanks for your many kind and generous
jestures. You will be remembered forever. Hugs. Fondly, OraJean
Delrene in Carlsbad, Ca
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Moss:
Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart for your letter to your Zenyatta’s fans. We do love her so much and it helps to know that you know how much we care. Thank you for sharing her with the world. Please convey to Dottie, John, the website team, Mike, Mario, Carmen Michelle, Frank, Zenyatta’s former vet, all the folks at Lane’s End, Sarah for her wonderful photos! ( the list goes on I’m sure) that keep care over your beautiful girl. You have both done so much for the racing community and bringing fans into the positive side of the thorougbred industry. I’m a relative newcomer to the world of horseracing, but ever since Giacamo I’ve followed your journey via Bloodhorse and other informational avenues. This wondrous gift to us via this beautiful website and the “voice of Zen” your lovely racing manager, Dottie has been a treat. I feel so blessed to be one of the lucky ones to have seen your Zenyatta in person.
Thank you for this wonderful journey, Mama Z and baby boy Z12 and especially thank you the Moss’s for your kindness and generosity in sharing your beautiful girl ( Hip # 703) Stay happy and healthy . No other couple deserves it more .
The lovely Lane’s End video speaks volumes to your devotion to each other and your love and respect for Zenyatta and her colt.
Mary Alice Ker
It’s certainly a challenge to add any further comments to all the heartfelt and lovely thoughts expressed in response to the wonderful Ann and Jerry Moss letter. Meantime, Dottie and Zenyatta should certainly tackle writing the Queen’s memoir…or better yet a wonderful series of horse mysteries for all of us devoted Zenny fans. But in any event, it’s been an incredible ride and THANK YOU all!!
Dawn Conrad / Colorado
Dear Ann and Jerry, thank you so much for this letter. It means so much that you have taken the time to communicate further plans with us. What a relief! I appreciate and love you both!! Thank you for sharing your transformative Zenyatta and her new little Prince with us!! I agree, Dottie is fantastic and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for everything!! Words can not express the joy she has brought to each and every one of us over the last two years. She has changed lives with her beautiful words, grace and kindness toward all. I will certainly miss the daily diary, but totally understand. It sounds like there will still be alot going on here at the website for all of us to enjoy and above all else you are still providing a site where the our family can continue to connect with each other and with Zenyatta. This has been a very special place, where a great deal of love is shared. Everyone that makes up the marvelous Team Z, including you, Dottie, John, Mike, everyone at Barn 55 and the crew at Lane’s End are wonderful!! I certainly am grateful for all that the you have done and continue to do for us. High hoof to the Zenyatta’s web team, we appreciate you!!! Goodnight again Zennie. Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXXXOOOOO
Karen Gogue Proud Nanny/Granny - ♥♥ NO More Broken Heart!!
A huge sigh of relief and pure joy!!! Thank you for not taking away YOUR Lady Queen Zenyatta from her Z Dumpling fans forever! I can’t even express how I truly feel right now … It was impossible to believe that you, Mr. Moss, and your dear Ann would really do such a thing, as generous as you have been with Zenny’s fans through out her racing life and after. This was so out of character for the Mosses! I just knew that something was missing from today … and here it is!! And I thank you, too, for recognizing that Zenyatta IS NOT just a broodmare! Her belonging to you as owners, her going to John and his Team Z, and of course Dottie, WAS MEANT TO BE and was bigger than all of us could ever have imagined. Some stars and heavens aligned up there above, and HE had it all planned out, and I really do believe that. ANGELS AMONG ANGELS here on Earth to fulfill whatever that destiny was to be …. I know I have more admiration for you now than ever before! And I just LOVE your new little guy and my heart broke in two at the possibility of losing Zenny and her world altogether! Bless you for your kindness and the gifts you have always shared and bestowed upon us …. I hope I have not been rambling on and on, but after the sad state I was in today after reading the post #457, WHOA! All things stopped cold in my life and my world did shatter there a bit …. I had to take a break and reread Dottie’s (Zenny’s) words to be sure that it was not the complete end … had a feeling it wasn’t but …. THANK YOU, you are the ANGELS among us! You have always been such classy people on and off the track, and YOU ARE STUCK WITH US NOW FOR GOOD! Silly of some of us not to think so, but you are you know! From my heart ♥ to yours ♥ …. The love will always be there in my heart ♥ forever! forever! And I take great comfort in my heart knowing that you will continue on and be in our life such as Zenny (Dottie) has been …. It has brought so much life into my life …. THANK YOU! (Gosh! I hope that my spelling is correct! If not, I will wake up teacher Trina and wait with ruler in hand for what is coming to me!)
Celeste in TX
Thank you, Karen – beautiful.
Anita Carville
Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Moss for your gracious letter which shows your understanding of the love that we have for Zenyatta and her colt. I trust that you will continue to share her with us as you always so generously have in different ways. I have loved the diary and always marveled at how much must have gone into these almost daily posts that Dottie put together with input from others of the Z Team. God Bless You and Zen and Baby Z.
Love
Anita
Vicki Adams
So sad to hear the daily Diary Posts are ending…we check in daily and can’t ever get enough of our Queen Z and now her colt….we so appreciate Dottie’s creative posts and always feel as if Z herself was actually writing them. Most of all we want to take this opportunity to THANK YOU Ann and Jerry for all that YOU mean to us and the racing industry…your unselfish sharing of your incredible mare Zenyatta has changed our lives. YOU TWO are to be commended for being YOU…there are no others like you and we watch all of your horses but of course Zenyatta will ALWAYS be the finest and most complete example of what a superior horse can be…she really is part human!
Vickie A Dana Point Ca
Ann and Jerry – Thank YOU for sharing Zenyatta with US. Keep her close to your heart (as I know you will) know she is loved by so many and thus her colt as well. You have given me an incredible experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Enjoy this experience – you deserve it!
Fran
Ann and Jerry-should probably call you Mr. and Mrs. Moss, however, for a very long time I felt that you would prefer Ann and Jerry. You have been so very kind to all of Z’s fans, and you have allowed us, her fans, to feel so much a part of her life. It is so unheard of in the racing industry. Somehow, you showed many other owners and trainers that fans actually do love hearing about the daily experiences of their favorite horses. I feel so blessed to have been a very small part of Zenyatta’s life; her racing career, her life in retirement, her life as a future mom, and finally a mom with an adorable colt by her side. Dottie has been absolutely amazing, and your entire team is amazing. I truely believe the main reason that Z is so happy is because she has so much love and tenderness from you and your entire team. And, I completely understand that now, with an adorable colt by her side, that is time to allow Z to just be a mom. I want her adorable son to have fun-be a fun loving foal and finally a young adult. He is already the most famous and most anticipated foal of our time, and the added pressure upon him is probably not the best thing. So, I am very very pleased that you have decided to reduce the stress upon everyone concerned with the well being of all. It has been a wonderful ride for everyone and so much fun for all of Z’s fans; reading the daily posts, learning so much about horses and the racing industry. It has been amazing and awesome. So, thank you so much for sharing your beloved Zenyatta with us. It has been such an honor that you have allowed us to share your love of Zenyatta and now her adorable foal and a portion of your life. There are really no words to express just how thrilling it has been. So, for now, I will look forward to occasional posts about Z and her foal. You are absolutely an amazing couple who have put together an amazing team. Sending you my best wishes for all you do in the future. And, sending Z and her foal my usual smooches and hugs. And, to Tasty a beautiful and healthy foal.
Janet Newman
Very well said Fran. I will miss the daily diary, but so grateful that Ann and Jerry Moss will continue to let us know how both Mom and colt are doing. This little guy does carry a big weight already and he is blissfully unaware of it. I also know Dottie took on a lot by writing the daily diary and an immense weight is lifted from her, even though I know she loved doing it for us.
For me I appreciate that Ann and Jerry took the time to reassure the Z fans that well the diary is gone, we will always know how Z and baby are doing. That is just Zentastic!!!