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
Linda from Vermont
Yes, you are one lucky girl!!
Signofthetimes
Dear Zenny
Thanks for the info on TB papers. I have never
Seen them before. What a great racing weekend.
Don’t forget about To Honor and Serve another of Bernies
3 year old’s that maybe derby bound with Stay Thirsty.
Have a wonderful evening and sweet dreams of eppermints bananas and pears.
XXXXOOO
Kendra
thanks Zenyatta for the information. I was wondering if the Moss’s will keep your first baby? They are such wonderful owners, that would be great for you to know that your baby is well taken care of.
jill b
Long time follower. Shout out to Dottie— was really hungry for some educational news. Happy I stopped by today. Thank you.
Sue Noel
LOVED the lyrics to your song!! Love to you and all the team. Sweet dreams tonight,sweet girl!!
LauraJ
@Berit, Vertigineux means “dizzying.” I’m not going to try to render the pronunciation.
—
@Kendra, I wouldn’t be surprised if they keep all of her foals. The Mosses like to race homebreds. I acnnot imagine they would sell her firstborn. It would probably be like selling their grandchild.
J Smith
Uncle Mo fans: our fellow Zenyatta fan, Uncle Mo, has managed to get his own website finished without his Uncle Mike and Uncle Todd noticing, he is so talented. It is up and running now. http://unclemo.com/
LouAnn Cingel of Union, Missouri
Wow-I have never seen a Jockey Club Certificate before so this is a first for me! Thanks so much for sharing yours here, Zenyatta. And really enjoyed you explaining it all too! I enjoy coming here to your diary because no matter what, you cheer me up and seeing you in your pictures and videos makes me feel so happy-you are a perfect reminder to celebrate life! Back at the Keeneland sale, you had the hip #703, but ever since you have become #1! You will always be #1 with me. You always say, Lucky Me, well Zenyatta, knowing you, I have to say, Lucky Me!
Love & Blessings to you sweetie
J Smith
Should have mentioned (signofthetimes post reminded me) that Stay Thirsty, a Bernardini colt, therefore future half bro. to ‘2012 Zenyatta’ has the same owner as Uncle Mo (Mike Repole) and Uncle Mo has kindly given young Thirsty his own page on the Uncle Mo website. Mo and Thirsty refer to one another as cousins, does anyone know if they are actually related?
Tory
Tell us about your planned birthday party. I know YOU love parties.
bobbykstrel
THANK YOU for educating us – this is very interesting stuff!!
Tere Thomas
Happy Monday Queen Z and thank you for the info – very interesting as always. Love you so very much!!
EK
In 2001 the Jockey Club switched from blood typing to DNA testing. They require a minimum of of 4 photos submitted with the registration(left side,right side,front,and back.) Any Thoroughbred born before 2001 that is bred has to have a DNA sample sent in before any foal can be registered by that horse or mare and 4 or 5 photos also. See http://www.jockeyclub.com for more info
LauraJ
@J Smith, Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty are related, though not real close. Both are descendants of Roberto. Both also have Northern Dancer in multiple places in their pedigrees.
A. Surman
Sat. Dubai – Mikey now knows how all the other jockeys felt when “Rocket WOMAN” blew past. Euroears really did well though. Very infomative and welcome post as always.
Snoprinz
Thanks for educating us on your birth certificate AKA the Jockey Club Papers. Have a nice day and congratulations to your team, the Kentucky Wildcats, on making it to the Final Four.
Shema
Okay my Queen, your postcard is complete and I just came back from mailing it. I’m quite happy with my paragraph. Hope you’ll be touched by my words and feelings behind them. You are a STAR in my world. love and hugs!
Charlotte A. Farmer
Just when you think you have learned all there is regarding race horses,there comes along, what looks complicated, your birth certificate. Hope you never need a passport! Just kidding. I am glad you had a wonderful weekend and thank you for enlightening me on the world of the thoroughbred.
Lynne
Wow, Zenyatta!! – more great information to find out about. I love it. I got my postcard off to JS in CA. I am keeping my fingers/toes crossed.
xxxxx00000 -from Lynne
Barb
Wow. Thanks for the walk around yr registration paper. I knew there was alot to getting and keeping a foal s papers straightbut, I didn’t know there was THAT much. Thanks Queen Z
Sally L. Hopkins
Congratulations to the Wildcats! Happy Monday and have a great week ahead. I see four more days until your Birthday! Yor’re the GREATEST RACEHORSE that I’ll ever seen! Missed you in California. Lots of xoxxoxoxoxo
Quarterhossgal
Thoroughbred papers sound a little more complicated than quarter horse papers. We send 4 picture(each side, front and back) draw in any markings, have a completed breeder’s certificate. Show the stallion’s name and mare’s name place and date the breeding took place. Then we can send in a few names, 1,2,3 choice and if the name is available we are sent back the papers with all the information recorded. The papers stay with the horse for his or her life. The AQHA has a new program where you can track the ownership of a horse and recover the animal if he ever needs to return to the breeder or original owner. This might happen if the horse became unsound and was not able to be used for his usual discipline. Selling horses was not one of my strengths so any that I sold I included a form that said I would take any of them back if they needed a retirement home. Fortunately the ones I sold have all been in wonderful homes and I keep in touch with all the owners and check on each horse’s welfare on a regular basis. This wouldn’t work for a large breeding operation but for a small breeder it is not much of a problem.
I found out I was much better at selling real estate then selling my beloved horses. It took all of 5 minutes in my barn to become one of my horse family.
So my guess is that Ann Moss feels the same way about her Zenny.
Jackie
Thank you for such a treasured post. I agree with a previous post that the handler had no idea that this horse was going to be so special! What a steal at only $60,000.00.
It is always fascinating to read your posts as I sure we all learn something new each day. Thank you to all of Team Zenyatta.
Hugs and kisses
Jackie
Margaret-Rose Batterman
TEAM Z………..You all are as special as Zenyatta!
Maybe that is why Zenyatta was able to be her VERY, VERY, best at racing. Because with such a unique, nurturing, and cultivating, team like yours……she could exceed all expectations. Just like you do with us, her racing fans, every day.
I am had not followed racing for years, until Zenyatta….never heard of the Jockey Club papers.
And how they are used throughout the horses life.
I mean, THANK YOU for educating us!
And for you continuous kindness and consideration of us….from spending all day signing at the track the posters, lithos, etc…(no I wasn’t there:(( …..to creating this diary, and giving one of us the opportunity to win bronze #19…..that is HUGE! You exemplify fan appreciation!!!! Thank you.
Paula Higgins
More great information Dottie/Zenny!!! This is becoming a very educational blog! By the way, Uncle Mo now has a website at: http://www.unclemo.com
I wonder where they got the idea LOL. Anyway, Uncle Mo is pretty handsome, almost as handsome as you are beautiful Zenny, but not quite. It seems that people who understand the impact you have had on the sport, are taking their cues from you and your human family. A very wise thing to do.
Ellie
Great info on papers!! What is the tattoo process? I think that only happens if they make it to the races?? Or do they get tattooed if they make it to the track for training, but haven’t raced yet?? Or do they all get tattooed regardless at a certain age??
Cheryl
Such a sweet Irish lassie! How cool are you! Having such a detailed record of your life both on and off the track. I just love Thoroughbred horses and everything involved in it. Your posts are great! Are you getting your party shoes shined up? Birthday time’s a’comin! I can only imagine what is in store for you on your birthday! Let the festivities never end! Just LOVE YOU!
Regina From NJ
Dear Zenyatta: I love this post-thank you, DottieZ for enlightening all of us who always wanted to see JC papers but had no way of doing so. This was a GREAT lesson.
@LauraJ: That was a wonderful link. Thanks so much. Could you tell me the difference between Grand dam and 2nd Dam, etc. as noted on that page? Also, under the 3rd dam, you find listed names of DANCING CHAMP, REALLY PEACEFUL, SWEETEST THING and CALIFORNIA RUSH -which could all be descriptive adjectives of our Zen. Isn’t that interesting? Thanks again, Laura!
Dani
All that was missing on your papers was a little baby hoof print. Thank you so much for all the great information. I love knowing all these things you tell us. I feel so much more in tune with the sport itself equipped with such knowledge. (Thanks to John for the photo of your papers. Very special to be able to see them).
.
I’m sending hugs back to you and a happy, happy week. :)
Kimberly
Thanks so much for the continuing education. I love you Zenyatta with all my heart. Love your #1 fan in Montana!