Good Morning,
I hope you had a great weekend! The MARCH MADNESS games are now entering the FINAL 4! Congratulations to our local team, the KENTUCKY WILDCATS, for all of their success to this point in the tournament! This town is so excited. Also, so many interesting races took place over the weekend. Wow! There is so much going on in sports. I absolutely love it!
Since it is the foaling season and lots of new baby horses are being born, I wanted to share with you how the data for the birth is officially recorded for a horse. This is done through the JOCKEY CLUB PAPERS. MINE are in the photo above for you to see! Literally, one’s Jockey Club papers are the true official document that follows a race horse throughout its life. They are extremely important…much like a Birth Certificate for a human.
When a foal is a few months old, the farm where it is born does the required ‘technical work’ to apply for the papers. Blood tests are completed on the baby to officially validate the parentage of the foal. This information is noted and qualified in the upper right hand corner…PARENTAGE QUALIFIED. Then the foal’s family is “duly registered with the Jockey Club’ as noted in the first section of the papers. As you can see on mine, I was born on April 1, 2004. I am identified as a Dark Bay or Brown Filly BY Street Cry (Ire)…my dad was born in Ireland…OUT OF Vertigineux who is by KRIS S. This means that my Mom’s sire was Kris S.
There is a place left blank on the top line where the horse’s name will be placed once the owner decides upon it. Until then, the foal is technically referred to by the year of birth and MOM’S name. As a mare only has one foal per year, this is a very clear way of keeping track of this particular horse. For me, I was known as ’04 Vertigineux. There is also a certificate number at the top of the page…which further identifies the data for this foal.
In the mid portion of the papers are the specific notations pertaining to the horse’s markings. An individual who is skilled and certified in HORSE IDENTIFCATION goes to the farm and examines the foal for all notable markings. Photos are also taken to support the details and illustrate the foal’s appearance. The complete description is then detailed on the Jockey Club Papers. This is very, very important. Horse ID people work at all racetracks and these notations are used to be sure the right horse is always being referenced for all purposes as sales and future races.
On the bottom, the owner of record at the time the papers are issued is listed, as well as the breeder and the particular state where a foal is born. As you can see on my papers, they were originally issued to Maverick Productions…who was also my breeder. I was born in KENTUCKY.
There is a portion on the back of the Jockey Club Papers to record any changes in ownership from this point forward in the horse’s life. This is also very important.
Once a horse arrives at the racetrack, the papers are turned into the Racing Office and held there by the track officials. The trainer’s name is listed in the top right hand corner. MINE say SHIRREFFS. A horse also receives a tattoo number and this is noted on the papers as well. When a horse is entered to run in a race, the Jockey Club Papers are pulled from the files and all of this information on them is used for the Racing Form, Programs, and the Horse ID people.
This is something CUTE to note on my papers. On the left hand side of them, you see the number 703 written in pencil. This is from the time when I was in the Keeneland Sale. Owners/breeders are required to turn the JC Papers into the sales company early for several purposes. The HIP NUMBER of the horse for that sale is penciled in at the top of the papers. I WAS HIP # 703. After the Moss’ purchased me from this sale, their name was listed on the back of my papers and they officially became my NEW OWNERS.
Once they named ME…ZENYATTA…the front side of my JOCKEY CLUB PAPERS were complete!
Lucky ME!
Here’s to a great Monday and a fabulous week!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Ann
Dear Z, can you explain what “hip number” means?
LauraJ
@Ann, scroll up a ways. There are at least three explanations.
sue w
Oh, Zenyatta! What teachers you and Dottie are…always taking time to educate us on all things “horse”. I never heard of Jockey Papers until now. I love how everything is explined in detail …. perfect! When I think of you from your earliest days I am more convinced that it was your destiny to land at Barn 55 and be owned by the Mosses.
I often look at the video of you at the Keenland Sale. You were so alert even then…fully taking in your surroundings. I wonder what the woman at the end of your lead thinks today. She was touching greatness…never to be duplicated again.
Rita
Yes you were the luckiest girl in the world to have gotten the owners that you did girl you hit the jack pot that’s for sure. Love and kisses to you Zinney
Randy
Dottie, John and everyone on Team Zenyatta… you guys are absolutely priceless. Thank you for all the wonderful pictures and information sharing, and for making this site such a fun, interesting and educational place to visit. Of course thanks also to Zenny since if it weren’t for her amazing career, sweet personality and docile friendly temperament, none of this would even exist. Zenny, I have absolutely no doubt that you will make a marvelous mom to your lucky little filly or colt. (Personally I think you’re going to have a girl.)
Does anyone know if there’s an average time for a mare’s labor? I’ve always heard it’s usually a fairly quick process which I suppose is nature’s way of keeping a mare and her newborn out of harm’s way from predators in the wild if the whole thing goes quickly and the foal can be up and on its way in pretty short order. I do hope so anyway… hooves crossed for a fast and easy labor.
I love you Z. I wish I could treat you with pears and bananas, and blow gently up your nose (why do horses love that anyway?). Happy Birthday on Friday.
Susie
Thank you so much for all the great information, Ms. Z (with special thanks to Ms. Dottie). Each of you are a gift to us.
nancy
Hi Z thank you for sharing with us such fun stuff :) I just heard that you barn 55 pal Zardana has been retired some sort of ankle issue? Sorry to see her go, but it is best for her, they say next stop will to become a mommy just like you :) Congrats to the wildcats so far, baseball about to start as well, everthing is in full swing.
Shannon From Cool
Dear Zenyatta,
Thank you for telling people how to use the proper language when describing a horse’s parents. So often I hear that a horse is OUT OF whatever stallion and it just sends me into a tither. How can you be “out of” a stallion??? It’s the mama that a horse comes “out of” when they are born for heaven’s sake.
Janet Cutting
I am getting my continuing education today– found this very interesting. I bet Zenyatta has alot more certificates and paperwork that follow her– for my dogs I keep everything in a binder–I’m sure our Zenny has a safe.
Debbie Bassett
I can’t believe how much I learn from reading these posts. I didn’t know anything about horse racing until Zenyatta came along. Thank you Dottie for giving Z her voice. She’s won my heart! Also, it was great reminder reading the lyrics of Lisa Fly’s song to Zenyatta. (thanks Trina)
Kari Bussell
I love the name Zenyatta! I miss you.
Thank you for the information and update in the diary post. I love you with all my heart.I am now cheering for the Kentucky Wildcats….As members of the SEC we always cheer for our own once our home team is out of it. They are the last SEC team standing so with all my heart to my neighbors in Kentucky, from Tennessee….
Go Wildcats!!!—
Footnote: My beloved Lady Vols play at 7:00 tonight…Go Lady Vols!!
I love you Zenyatta!
Celeste
Thank you Zenyatta and Dottie for another great photo and a lesson on the life of a Thoroughbred. The Jockey Club papers are so interesting and the more we learn about our Queen, the closer we can feel to her I think. Thank you for sharing! I doubt I will ever tire of watching that sales ring video because she is so beautiful even at that young age in those likely scary to a yearling circumstances. Beautiful.
Pamela J Hebert
Happy Monday to you Zenny!!!! You & Dottie are so smart. Once again I’ve learned so much from the two of you. Thanks for showing us your birth certificate. You’re TOO CUTE !!!!
Sally (B)
Hi Z! When I was reading what this certificate all means, and when you noted where your owners Ann & Jerry’s name were placed; I realized perhaps if you would have been purchased by someone else, your destiny may not have been the same! It was mean’t to be Z! I absolutely have the love and respect for Ann & Jerry, John & Dottie. So very interesting!
I believe the Jockey Club & others are important!! One has to have the right horse running on the track when the race says it will be running?? or who would want to buy a horse that really was not that horse? Do I understand? I just loved seeing your birth certificate!! What a gift given!! I sent in my postcard!!
Love and 2 kisses on your soft nose
Debbie
hi Z! I have the same Jockey Club Papers for my retired Too Soon, how exciting! I will look at it closer now because you just taught me so much more than I knew! Thank you! The weekend was exciting with all the races- just miss watching you so much but I just put in my dvd of your races and that cheers me up immediately!!! love you xoxoxo
Nina
Uncle Mo stole your idea of this. JUST SAYING.
Sally (B)
@Trina Nagele; Thanks again so much for this song-words of Liza Fry. It was what I experienced when at Oaklawn, but all her races on TVG, which my friend had, were just like her song describes. How to have such lyrics in a song is love for Zenyatta.
Berit
Hi Zenyatta, I’ve always wondered….. What is the correct pronunciation
of your Mother’s name and does it have a special meaning? Thank
you! Berit
sandra gomez
I know those papers are really important, Z!! That is a nice poem Trina wrote for you… it made me cry!! I sure love you Zenyatta, everyone does. Take care and God Bless you and Team Z!!!
Dmama
Hi Z
thanks for he post………… brightens my MONDAY……… love to all connections
Cheryl Smith
Thanks again for a great and informative post. Hope your weekend was good and that you are feeling good. How long does it take before you start showing? P. S, did you know Uncle Mo has his own website mow? You started a trend!
Rosemarie Cola
Thanks Dottie and Zenyatta for the wonderful and informative post. What wonderful representives of this sport you both are! Thank you, thank you.
(all of team Zenyatta to be exact!)
Barb France
Thank you Dottie for this information. It’s fun learning all the little things that really are very inportant behind the scenes!!Happy Monday!!
@Trina, thanks for sharing Lisa G’s song lyrics! When I started reading I started to break out in SONG!!!
Signofthetimes
@Ann Mares
The HIP is where the tag is placed on the horses
Hip.
OraJean Stevenson
Dearest Queen-Z & Team-Z,
Thanks for another wonderful Diary Entry. It’s so much fun to learn about all the details involved in being a RACEHORSE and, actually, getting to RACE!!
The racing industry is so interesting and intricate; there’s always something new to learn. With your help, I’m loving it more and more.
Hope you and all your TEAM have a great week. GO!!Wildcats. Hugs to all. Fondly, OraJean
darlene
You are such a gift to racing and your fans we love you so very much
Anita in Ca
This is very interesting, Zen. Thank you for sharing. Little did anyone know back then when your Jockey Club papers were first filed what a special filly you would turn out to be! Love you, Zen, and happy Monday!
Barb Zylbert
So why is there a drawing of the state of California on your JC papers? Just curious! By the way, your sire Street Cry makes you Irish…….no Blarney there!
Susan
Hay Z thanks for the lesson and for sharing your registration papers. Too cool-what great things happened since that foaling and sale date AND there’s more to come.
Go Wildcats
I hope there’s a big party being planned for your birthday-bananas, mints and party hats!
Kim S
Thank you for that wonderful information. It is so great to be able to enjoy this webiste and learn something new as well. Love you Zenny and all your connections. Lotsa love to all.