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
Cheryl Gaines
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Moss, Dottie, Team Z and the gang at Barn 55,
Thank you for sharing Zenyatta with all of us. It is very much appreciated. You are such a “class act” and most importantly you put Zenyatta and her needs first. I too was saddened when I saw that there would not be daily diary updates but I also totally agree that it is time to let Zenyatta be a Mom and give Dottie a rest from the posting.
You have done a wonderful job keeping all of us informed about all aspects of Zenyatta’s life while at the same time letting her help us give back to charities through purchases like the plushie and the signed poster.
I will continue to check back often as I know that this will be THE place to get any updates that you care to share with us. Once again, thank you!
Cheryl Gaines,
Teacher (and lover of ALL equines)
Karen Gogue Proud Nanny/Granny - ♥♥ NO More Broken Heart!!
Ahhh yes, the adorable Dottie-Ingordo Shirreffs. Has anyone ever told you that you indeed are adorable? (TOO CUTE!) A little package of perfection – BUT DYN-O-MITE! You, an Angel! You WERE heaven sent, and you have given us all immense pleasure and joy with your witty, thought provoking, insightful, and life changing diary post! The impact you have had is immeasurable. Only in time will it be truly known just what that has meant to the world of Thoroughbred Racing and to Zenyatta’s legacy as well. We know that her racing career and legacy is sealed by her own accomplishments on the track, but as the Voice of Zenyatta her legacy will only grow over time because of that touch of genius – the kindness, the love you have for Zenny’s fans, the love for the great mare herself, your love for the Sport of Kings (Queens!). And for HER VOICE – by bringing Z to life after her days on the track was over. It has opened doors that were thought shut forever to the fans of racing, brought new fans, and has the ‘old guard’ thinking with new ‘eyes’ upon the sport of racing. I thank you for that, and well done Zenny (DOTTIE!)!! You, along with Zenny, will never be forgot, even years from now in time the dusty ole pages of history will record YOUR legacy as well …. THANK YOU! … and the book is not closed yet …………
Linda from Vermont
I am so sad that the diary will be discontinued, but I understand. Thank you Dottie for everything. I will definitely be checking the website daily to look for updates on Zenyatta and her baby. Please keep us updated!
Thank you Team Z for everything! It’s been a great ride!
Please give us lots of updates!!!!!
Like every day!!!
Mary in Lynchburg, Virginia
Thank you again Jerry and Ann for sharing Zenyatta with us. I know it took a lot of your time to do this and it is so very kind and generous of you. So much good has come from this…..it brightened the day of thousands of people……….how many people can say they did that. And oh my gosh………..how wonderful is Dottie…..what a dear person.
I will look forward to the new way of telling us about Zenyatta…..but let us see pictures of all of you ………at times……… I love how Ann is so sensitive about Z….and Ann when you tear up about Z…..tears of joy…….Jerry gives that cute smile as he looks at you Ann……..can feel the love you two have. Bless you both………..and Bless Dottie!!
Leslie in So Cal
I fell in love with a horse named Zenyatta. Who’ve seen it coming? I’ve only ever RIDDEN a horse once or twice in my life (and not very well!). I’m even a little afraid of them! But yet, another FB friend posted one of her races back in 2010 and I was hooked! I have followed her faithfully ever since. My two year old daughter and I even went to Barn 55 the day before Thanksgiving, 2010 and met her; it is one of my most precious memories.
Now here I am bawling over a horse! But no, she is SO much more than that. She really is an angel in horse clothing put on this earth to bring happiness to so many. How could we get so lucky?
We have been given so much from Team Z; grateful doesn’t even begin to cover it. I am forever thankful for this time and look forward to whatever further news comes our way. Horses and luck go hand in hand; aren’t we SO lucky?!
My now 3 year old and I will go to Santa Anita this Saturday (rain or shine) for my first-ever visit to a racetrack. I hope to meet some other lovesick fans and talk about our beloved ZENYATTA!
With eternal thanks….
Leslie
Please keep the pictures and videos of Z and little Z12 coming….we’ll all go into withdrawal otherwise! And you have to tell/show us when Tasty has her foal!
maria McLeese
i was crying as i wrote my post yesterday–how silly crying over a horse. But Zenyatta is
such a force of nature, female and mom that i was very emotionally invested. I am so happy she never met with an injury throughout her racing career, a horse breaking down is gut wrenching. To Mr & Mrs Moss…your video said it all. Mrs Moss-you laying in the hay with Z12 was EXACTLY WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE! Thank you Dottie., Z’s voice.
I am happy to know posts will come through now and again, that we don’t forget our wonderous time of Z’s career and becoming a mom.
Today I am happy again. All over a horse, but a darn special horse indeed. Blush Blush & Love.
Sue
You have made a lonely girl very HAPPY!!
I need light in my life and that is what Zenyatta brings to me.
She is light in a dark and dull world. Baby Z is new light.
I am so glad you will still let us have the LIGHTS.
God Bless You Both
Thank you ever so much.
Lorrie
Thank you Dottie for posting Zenyatta’s thoughts for all to enjoy. Thank you to the Moss’s for sharing her with the world. To the entire Z team who have cared for her in the past and now caring for her and her wonderful colt in the coming future, Thank-you. The daily post will be missed, but am glad to know that there will be updates and photos. Zenyatta enjoy your new colt. A BIG THANKS to the entire Z team. Take care all!
Hugs of graditude from Pittsburgh,
Lorrie
PatB from NM
Love and thanks to all (Dottie, John, Ann, Jerry, Mario, Steve, Mikie, et al) who have made our lives better because of our Zenyatta connection. I have fantasies that Z will keep her baby close longer than 5 months and that after a few births (of champions-to-be), she’ll come back to CA to live in Ann and Jerry’s backyard, where we could all (100,000!) get together periodically for a Barn 55-type gathering. Shy of these dreams, I’ll be very happy to be updated with pix and videos on how she and baby are doing, whom she’ll be dating, etc., etc. Z is magical, sent from the gods, and has made all of us a community–diverse as we are–whose devotion to our goddess unites us, in love and good will.
LOVE YOU ALWAYS, Z!
Candi E. Carter
I don’t know about Zenyatta touch of angel everytime I see her gorgeous photos and good news I cannot stop crying.I do appreciate for mr and mrs moss, to john and dottie and all her connection in lane ends and barn 55.And the lord hear my prayer that we can still hear the update news and beautiful photos of our queen and her prince, thank you so much for everything from the bottom of my heart .We love zenyatta and 12Z Always and foreve!!!.Candi.
Mary in Boone, NC
Dear Mr. & Mrs Moss, Dottie, John, Mike, Barn 55, and Team Zenyatta,
Thank you so very much for allowing us to be the godparents we strive to be to Z’s Prince. You are all very gracious to share Zenyatta, not only the Queen of the Racetrack, but also the Queen of Our Hearts. If you stop and think about it, her saga is an amazing phenomenon. We are all better with her than without her, for just consider the donations made in her honor.
I shall look forward to the postings, and I shall miss the diary. Dottie, you and Zenyatta are such clever girls (Blush, Blush)!! High hooves all around.
Take care, and thank you again!
seacatbx
I feel privileged to be part of the phenomenon called Zenyatta. Although this is my first post, I’ve been a “reader” since the beginning. It’s been truly astounding to see the “wheel” of Zenyatta, with the Queen as the hub, extend its’ spokes to all that is good and positive. The entire team of connections, the generosity of those who shared in their posts innermost thoughts and feelings and especially Dottie, Z’s scribe…her very own Ben Johnson. We all have had the opportunity to be in touch with that part of ourselves that loves unabashedly and for that gratitude doesn’t quite cut it but will have to do. The greatest gift we can give to “Z” all those who shared her with us is to continue to love and support those magnificent creatures called horses and the Queen who embodies all of the qualities their magnificence embraces. High hoofs!!!
Amanda
For those of you that were not able to listen to the Talkin’ Horse broadcast with Lane’s End yesterday here is a written version with most of the info.
Also the last line advises: The Lane’s End officials said they will continue to update their website with photos of the mare and her foal in the coming weeks. http://www.lanesend.com
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/68057/lanes-end-officials-talk-zenyatta
Julie DuVall / Ontario, CA
Dear Ann and Jerry,
Thank you for reassuring Zenyatta’s fans that we are NOT losing contact with her. The level of involvement we have had is unprecedented and we are eternally grateful for that. You and Dottie are to be commended for “putting up” with so many obsessed fans :)
It must be hard to try to run a racing/breeding operation under a microscope, especially with a horse like Zenny who so many people have an emotional, vested interest in. Some of the decisions you have to make are going to look “wrong” to folks who are not in the industry, or who are not as familiar with horses. Those of us who have been following the sport know that mares are bred every year, that foals are weaned at 5-6 months of age, that broodmares are not as accessible as stallions, etc.
I know that you will make the best decisions possible for Zenyatta’s health and happiness. She is not and has never been a “pet” — she is a Thoroughbred racehorse, now broodmare. It is only her own gentleness of spirit and the open-hearted generosity of those surrounding her that have enabled us to step inside of her life.
stephanie in San Diego
Amazing people….Thank You Ann and Jerry. As we have all expressed so often and never more so then yesterday…..Thank You does not even begin to tell you how much we appreciate all you have given us.
darlene
again I thank Zenyatta’s connections for ALL they have done to share their special girl with us Especially thankful for that extra mile Dottie went to bring us DAILY updates despite what must be a very busy life Will look forward to updates when they occur Thanks again Be well and keep safe to all
Allen
Ann and Jerry words can’t describe the joy you have given to so many by sharing Zenny with everyone. For years I thought Secretariat was the greatest Throughbreed to ever step foot on the track, but that was before I met Zenyatta. Thanks for your coutinuing dedication in keeping this site going. I will still check it every day in hopes of photo’s and updates on our Queen and her Prince, and I will be forever in your debt for the joy you have brought me, it has been a great ride. I have always followed racing but I never dreamed of owning a Throughbreed, but again that was before I met Zenyatta. I now own two retired Throughbreeds. Most people in my area have TWH so they are in complete awe of the size and beauty of my two boys. So Thank You Zenny for giving me the inspiration to buy these two Throughbreeds. Dottie Thank You so much for your time and dedication to this site and to Zenny. Thanks to John and Sarah for all the wonderful pictures (hope they continue). Thanks Mario, Steve and everyone on Team Z. And last but not least a big Thank You to everyone at Lanes End for your continued care for Zenny and her Little Prince. Like most people I still hold out hope that someday you will be able to allow visits with Zenny. Zenny I pray everyday that God will continue to bless you with the ability to give so many people the hope and inspiration they need to get through the day. Zenny and Little Prince we all Love You so much and wish you the best. LOL to Zenny, Little Prince , and Tasty from Tennessee.
Stella Bagwell in South Texas
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Moss,
Thank you so much for all you’ve done for Zenyatta, Thoroughbred racing, and the Queen’s many, many fans. Zenyatta and the racing world puts a bright light in even the most trying of days. And now with her precious new son, we have so, so much to look forward to. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing them with us. And thank you for keeping her site going and supplying us with updates.
God Bless you all,
Stel
Sierra is crying
I will post my actual post later to thank the mosses but I thought I would post this first:
As request by Lisag I have written another poem
Time
Sometimes it goes by too fast
Other times it goes too slow
But sometimes we want it to pause
Each minute and second that goes by
Is important
We can learn from every tick of the clock
But will we?
Will we learn to listen to what time tells us?
I don’t know
But I do know there is one
One who listens to time
She teaches us with each and every post
Telling us how great she is
Living life to the fullest
Zenyatta alone knows
That each second is precious
Each breath she takes is sacred
She knows that life is not to be wasted
There is always something new to discover
Always something new to love
She knows that without time
We could not love
We would not meet all the people in our life
Without time we wouldn’t be
But the one thing that we know and she does not
Is that with every second she set foot on the track
We feel in love more and more
For every second she spent writing with her pal Dottie
We spent many more loving her
As we always will
Time cannot be paused
But in only one place
In our hearts
Alex Bowdoin, MA
That has brought tears to my eyes. Thank you! HUGS
Elaine
Well said! Dottie has done a magnificent job with this site. Thank you so much for keeping it up and running. Zenyatta’s adoring fans will be grateful for any and all updates on her and her colt……and any future foals. Jerry and Ann, you have been so gracious with sharing Zenyatta’s life with everyone. I am in awe of you and everyone connected to Zenyatta.
Kelley
Thankyou so much for all the time spent by the whole Team Z for bringing Zenyatta up close and personal to all of us, her fans. The fan base in horse racing is so very important and Zenyatta has been a amazing Ambassador to all of racing. I love reading all her updates and watching her many video’s you have shared with us all. All of you, and all of Zenyatta and all she incompuses have been great for racing. So is a name contest in the works for Prince Z ?
Joanne
Thank you Dottie, Zenyatta’s human voice, Jerry and Ann Moss, John, Mario and all of team Zenyatta for sharing with us your great mare. I too will miss the daily updates and actually shed a tear while reading yesterday at work.
Zenyatta was first brought to my attention because of the 60 Minutes Interview, I’ve been a follower since. How I hope 60 Minutes will once again be able to share beautiful Zenyatta’s latest chapter, mare and foal.
I hope you will keep us posted from time to time.
Thank you once again
Deborah
As a fairly new racing fan and perhaps because I am a female, I am very interested in the more personal side of a great racehorse. I take Bloodhorse Magazine, but there is very little in it regarding the “personal” life and stories of the horses. The dry facts, racing results and lineage info is of less interest to me. That is why this was so special to me. Dottie gave voice to Zenyatta from her unique prospective as wife, mother and racing expert and no one could have represented Zenyatta better. I always dreaded the day….and I knew it would come….when she would have to bow out. I could cry, but I understand. Thank you so much for all you have done; I am just one more person adding my voice of thanks, but it is also, very heartfelt. Thank you to the Mosses for being so generous with the Queen and please update as often as possible. The pictures of Zenyatta and her foal bring tears to my eyes and I will always follow their lives avidly. I got to meet you once Zenyatta and even touched your ear….may I one day be allowed to visit you again. Love Always
Amanda
Posters of Zenny and the little Prince will be given out at Santa Anita this Sat for her “baby shower”. http://www.drf.com/news/santa-anita-distribute-posters-zenyatta-and-foal-saturday
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@Sierra is crying–what lovely sentiments in your poem. Thank you for expressing it so well.
@ALL–It is my fervent wish that the love for horses (and one in particular) that we have experienced here is not wasted, and that we will all do what we can to see that they are all cared for in a dignified manner, regardless of their monetary “worth”. They are all worthy. Thank you, Big Z. YOU are amazing. There will never be another YOU!
Jeanine
Mr and Mrs Moss
You have been so gracious and kind. Thank you so much for allowing Zenyatta fans to get so close. It has been appreciated but will be very difficult for many people to adjust to not having the Daily Dose of Zenyatta’s Diary. Your wishes have to be respected and I know you will do what you feel is right and keep fans up to date of all Zenyatta’s news.
Thank you for everything you have done. Zenyatta is a real gift and her foal just as much so. Thanks so much to all Team Z.
Elizabeth
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Moss,
THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR SO MANY THINGS:
– Your beautiful letter of last evening
– Your unbelievably gracious sharing of Zenyatta (and now Baby Z) with us in so many incredible ways
– The inspiration and love you have imparted to all of us as a result
Dear Dottie –
Thank you for the tireless devotion, thoughtfulness and love that you put into every single one of the diary posts – bringing Lady Z into our lives in an amazingly special way – teaching us many things about horses and the horse racing industry in general. You have truly gone above and beyond in order to reach out to all of us in an incredibly special and eloquent way – THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU – mere words are not even adequate to express how we feel about you.
Dear Team Z – at Barn 55, Lane’s End, Ocala, and everywhere. You are all amazing, incredibly gifted human beings. You have all worked so hard together and brought your own very special gifts and talents to bear in this amazing, inspirational, beautiful Lady Z.
Dear Z’sters – What an incredible community all of you are – such remarkable people with beautiful insights and such generosity of spirit. I feel such a kinship with all of you, even though I have never met you.
The Diary Posts are a special treasure that enlightened all of our lives. So many of us, myself included, have had significant crosses to bear in recent years and there were some days in which the ONE AND ONLY ray of sunshine was logging onto Zenyatta.com and seeing pictures of and reading about the adventures of our gorgeous and inspirational queen. I, too, will deeply miss the daily posts but am grateful beyond belief for all of the time and dedication that have gone into them – they brightened and united more lives than you can ever possibly imagine. Thank you so much for each and every one of them.
I will look forward to news of Baby Z, Tasty’s foal, and of course our beautiful Zenyatta – of whom I never tire of seeing pictures and videos.
LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH – MORE THAN YOU COULD EVER KNOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME THE STRENGTH TO GET THROUGH SOME VERY DARK DAYS – AND FOR BRIGHTENING SOME VERY ORDINARY ONES.
YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE AN EXTRA-SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART!
Love you forever,
Elizabeth
maureen
The other day I read something my 8 yr old niece wrote describing what her perfect day would be. It composed of, sleeping in late and not worrying about going late to school, reading a book, eating teriyaki rolls with soy sauce and dreaming.I thought that was so insightful and got me thinking of what my perfect day would comprise of, and it hit me today, READING Z’S Diary every morning to hear what the Queen had to say and all her fans had to say in response!. NOW I gat nothing, just tears and a Broken HEART.
I must however not forget to thank Dottie from the bottom of my heart for being so gracious spending countless hours writing the blogs for Z so that we the fans were still able to be part of her life.
I also want to thank the Moss’s, Barn 55 ,Lanes end employee’s for taking such good care of her while she was in their care and all the Z team for all the great love and good work that they invested in Z. May the good Lord reward them mightily. Hopefully, if they see our pain they would relent and go on at least till the end of the year.
I believe in life, everything is possible if you want it bad enough and PRAY. So for me, I WILL DRY MY TEARS AND GET ON WITH THE BUSINESS OF PRAYING FOR A CHANGE IN TIDE.! Lets all continue to be a big family. Dottie I do sincerely hope you are WELL AND JOHN too. If all is well, then I am happy. IF ALL IS NOT WELL, I PRAY THAT THE ALMIGHTY GOD Brings speedy HEALING,COMFORT AND PEACE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. AMEN.
casey
Dear Ann & Jerry, John & Dottie,
Thank you for all you have done for us. We didn’t deserve your graciousness, your time, and your generosity in sharing your beautiful Queen (and now her Prince) with us, but you did. You understood so many things that many people don’t. How a horse can capture an audience, how allowing freedom of fans to get to “know” her, how badly the racing industry needed a “heroine”, and most of all, how much YOUR horse loved people. You met so many needs, and you met them so selflessly, so graciously and with such obvious devotion. I can’t begin to imagine how much time, effort and stress all of this was for you. For this, I thank you.
I also want to thank you for allowing fans to meet with her. She truly is a an ambassador to the sport, and so intuitive to the people she met. I watched her being bathed by Mario with Carmen holding her, their obvious affection for her and laughing at her antics (especially when Mario washed her tail!). I watched John watching her, a sparkle in his eye, benevolently watching over her fans reaction when she greeted each one. I spoke with you, Ann, the day Penny Chenery presented you with the Vox Populi award, and the obvious love for Zennie radiated from you. You were so kind, so friendly, so refreshing and down to earth.
John, I spoke to you that day and you were so humble, and quiet, with obvious pride and love for Zennie. And Dottie, you also were so friendly, and open, your eyes were so bright when you spoke of her. Since then, I’ve spoken to you a couple times, in fact, showed you the video of Zennie and her baby I was watching on my cell phone, just last Saturday. The Hawaiian word for family is ‘ohana- and it means anyone you consider as a part of your family. All of you, all of Team Zenyatta, have embraced the fans, making us feel as if we are a “part of the family”. For that, I thank you.
I, for one, have only met one other horse in my life who KNEW what I needed, and when I needed it. My need that day was great- I had lost my beloved “soul horse” 2 years previously, and he was on my mind more so than usual that day. He would give me “horse hugs”. That day, I greeted Zennie, and she “hugged” me. It was all I could do to not burst into tears. She KNEW what I needed, and gave me the comfort I craved. If not for your generosity in sharing her, I would not have had that incredibly comforting experience. For this moment, I thank you.
Yes, I will miss the daily updates, but I carry Zennie in my heart, just as I carry my soul horse in my heart. For this, I thank you.
Enjoy your wonderful mare and her adorable colt. When you feel like it, we’ll be here to enjoy the updates. And, I’ll see you soon at the track.
With love and aloha,
Casey <3 <3 <3
PS, please give the Queen and her Crown Prince kisses for me