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
Librarian
Thanks so much for the wealth of information today, it made me go find the Jockey Club papers that came with my first horse that I bought when I was 40 !She was a wonderful bay mare that had the patience of a saint as I tried my hand at Dressage. I realized that I had never really looked at them, to understand all that they contained, so tonight I found them and reviewed all the things you mentioned. Truly fascinating.
Now, I have a question about these papers at a racetrack… Who keeps track of them once a horse is entered in a race ? It seems like that could be a huge job, with 10-11 races per day and 9-12 horses per race, and then there are the ones that the trainers scratch, and the veterinarian scratches, who keeps it all straight ?
Can’t thank you enough for all of the “racing education” you so happily provide. Sweet dreams, Zenyatta.
Grace
Thank you for your wonderful post. I enjoy them very much. I appreciate the education on the jockey papers. I find it very interesting. I wish my Grandfather was still alive I know he would be a big fan of yours. My Grandfather and I could sit a talk for hours about race horses. I would love the chance to get to see you some day. I know we have a while for your baby but I can’t wait until the big day. Now I know if I go to a track and any where in the name, form, or program is Zenyatta that is the one for me. I will not even look at the form or program. I did/do that with Seattle Slew and hit some big. People would say how did you pick that it did’nt show anything. I would just smile and say Seattle Slew. I know it will be awhile but I will look for your hores at the track when I do go or watch on tv.I do not go to the track often but still have ones that I like to follow and see how they are doing . Hope you have a great day.
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: Happy Monday. I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Thank you for showing us your birth certificate, and for Dottie explaining all this to us. Now, I am very surprised to learn that the official birth certificate is issued through the Jockey Club. I would have never guessed that. I would seem to think that the breeder would be responsible for the paperwork, and then if the owners want to race their horse, they would have to present the birth certificate to the Jockey Club to prove their horse was a pure TB. So I learned something new today. As always Zenny, we appreciate you and Dottie educating us with all that goes into becoming a racehorse. Take care, Love, Linda
Regina From NJ
@Charlotte A. Farmer: I chuckled when I read your post about a passport for Z. My horse has a bona fide passport which was required when he flew to the US from Iceland. It’s like a book! Another interesting fact–horses leaving Iceland for any reason are not permitted to re-enter that country ever again. That is because Iceland is disease free for horses , and they don’t want to risk bringing anything back into the country.
nDfilly
I would think you are a Butler fan…the come from behind kind of competitor/winner!
Wendy Bratten
Zenyatta, at my house we love to learn from you. Thank you!
Linda Henderson
Good evening, Zenyatta. I am absolutely convinced you could not have had a better trainer or better owners. Yes, you are a very lucky horse.
Irene Caty
Hi Zenny, you are so fabulous, and your explaination of the Jocky Club Certificate is also fabulous. You are such fun and up beat. I love the way you can explain things in detail. We are all learning new things daily thanks to you sweet girl. Keep up the good work, Zenny, I love you
Carmela Bozulich
Lady Z–thanks for the info. I’ve seen lots of registration papers for other breeds, but never for the Jockey Club.
Signofthetimes
@JSmith
Thanks for posting the link to Uncle Mo’s website
I think Mike Repole has a good heart and loves Mo’s
fans. His generosity in donating part of
His breeders cup winnings to thoroughbred retirement
Homes is great. Mo is so very talented and has matured
So much this year. GOOD LUCK MO IN THE RUN FOR
THE ROSES!!!!!! I bet Zenny will be cheering for you.
Sweet Dreams Zenny. Keep that embryo almost fetus warm
And safe.
Linda/Maryland
Wonderful info Zenny. Any part of your life is so precious to us out here!!
Love U~!!!
Christine in VA
Night Zen
Thanks again for information and teaching. I love to learn from you. You are one smart girl. My greyhound has a tattoo, His are on both his ears. Unlike you who had a great racing history and love he had a bad time. He is with us now and is a happy boy.
Love Ya Zen
Yvonne and Maurice Kirby
Hi Zenyatta. Wow, how interesting about the birth certificate. Thank you so much for sharing. I will be getting my bronze statute in a few days – I purchased a wooden stand, shaped in the head of a horse, to hold it. It is gorgeous. Can’t wait. Yea!! Almost April 1 and your birthday – where does time go – just too fast. Love you so. Stay toasty, eat well, keep those pears and bananas coming and have loads of fun with your BBFs. Love you, Angel in Disguise.
Holly Zemba
Thanks for the info, I learn something new from you everyday!!
Cindy Trejo
ZENYATTA…You are the BEST teacher…EVER! Thanks for all that you do : )
Coach
Your diary post are so informative! This is the first time I’ve seen a horsey birth certificate! Thank you!
Kathryn Cogswell
Reminded how much fun bursts of new knowledge brings, and what it means to learn something new, the most fun is seeing how easily babies delight in their daily discoveries, and how much more like play than work that busyness is. Just about any student remembers with love and warmth those teachers who gave their treasures with such skill and sleight-of-hand the student felt, not only the grasp of a new territory, but that the discovery was made on their own initiative! Sometimes the world mistakes what knowledge and its power should serve. ~ Here there is the story of a larger-than-life filly, brought to perfection from the good fortune of generations of wisely-planned matches, her own lightening in a cloud-clap of raw talent; a sassy, ‘reasonable’ character who met her match in loving challengers, wanting nothing but the best for her — they show how it`s done, and now, she shows what it does. ‘Every horse is good for something .. .you don`t throw a whole life away, just because it`s banged up a little,’ was the will and heart that restored Seabiscuit. It is wonderful to think a whole nation could have begun, and continues to renew itself, and its people, on so simple a similar empathy.
Paula McCaleb
Good Evening Z…..I love your posts, that was very interesting! You were born on April Fools Day…..who would have thought an April Fools baby would have been the NUMBER ONE QUEEN in HORSE RACING and such a shining STAR! We love you Big MaMa!
Victoria
As u learn new things so do we…..thanks for the picure of your JC papers and the detailed info.
debbie gustafson
Zenyatta, wow those are royality, papers sweety…you are the QUEEN>>> i just love your song from Liza , it’s you girl!!!!! all of it is you,,she did awesome, i cry every time i hear it , just remembering seeing you at oaklawn, was just the bomb…miss you running gf, but cant wait for the baby,,,xoxox zen,,,sweet dreams,,,
Dawn Conrad
Dearest, Zenyatta. What fun seeing your Jockey Club papers. Thank John for the picture. I too have never seen them before, so found them very interesting. Thank you Dottie for helping Zenny with the wonderful explanation. The papers make me think about all of those foals born each year that continue the bloodlines through the ages. Dottie, I know that you are very accomplished in thoroughbred pedigree and I admire that knowledge a great deal. I have attempted in my own very small way to understand and follow some pedigree. Not easy! But what I love most is what can be discovered behind the names that appear. The fascinating stories that are unlocked from the past. Stories and of those magnificent horses that have come before, their character, accomplishments, owners, trainers, jockeys. Also pictures that show clearly the traits they have passed on, so much history. Abigail Anderson is great at this and I love the Vault. As in most things, there is certainly good and bad, but I think the more we know about the past, the more we truly appreciate the present and want to preserve it. You and Zenny are such a great team and help us understand so much! :) I look forward to more with every post. Zenny, hope you are feeling wonderful and enjoying your days of basketball and bananas. Say hello to everyone at Lane’s End. Bless you beautiful. Sweet dreams. Hugs and kisses. XXXOOO
@Dani – Little baby hoof print, how cute would that be.
@DJ – Hope you feel better. :)
@Trina Nagele – Thank you so much for the lyrics.
@Sandra Frey – I am not sure if you belong to Club Three Chimneys or not, but when you mentioned Dynaformer I had to let you know they sent me a couple of great pictures of him playing with a towel in his stall. He had it between his teeth and was waving it up and down. They thought it great that the old man still has a playful side.
Dawn Conrad
@Kathryn Cogswell – Loved your post!
Diana_NV
Hi Zenyatta! I think it would be even more interesting to note the races won on your papers as only one other horse has papers that show 19 wins. This part of your papers holds the history and the record. Let’s see those 19 winning entries across 2 pages. Gives me chills to even think about it. These kind of papers belong in the Smithsonian under glass.
Post Number
171
susan
late in the day-enjoyed the post, as always. good night,Big Z and Little z!!
Trina Nagele
To all racing fans–If you can get to Belmont, you might want to enter the contest to “meet and greet” Uncle Mo. Just go his new website at UncleMo.com.
Thoroughbred Times.com gives this info about the website and the contest:
“The site includes news, race replays, photos, and a place to buy Uncle Mo merchandise with proceeds benefiting owner Mike Repole’s efforts to support Thoroughbred rescue, adoption, and retirement programs.
As part of Uncle Mo pointing toward the Wood Memorial,owner Mike Repole, trainer Todd Pletcher, and New York Racing Association have teamed to offer one lucky fan the opportunity to “Get To Know Mo” on Thursday, April 2, at Pletcher’s Belmont barn. The experience will include breakfast with the trainer, jockey John Velazquez, and a meet and greet with the horse himself.
… NYRA will begin accepting entries on Tuesday, March 29; entries close Sunday, April 3.”
GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!
Karen Mitchell
It’s late in the day on the west coast but just wanted to comment. The info on the TB’s official papers is fascinating and so full of information which, as Dawn Conrad says, can lead you to all sorts of additional information, history, etc. — like reading a biographical history book.
@Dawn Conrad and Amanda Gilliland: thank you for your touching stories about your beloved brothers giving you horses that helped you deal with love, loss, and healing. My brother (my only sibling) is the love of my life who was with me every day as my husband was dying and I could not have gotten through it without him. I am so sorry you each have lost a brother, but I’m heartened to know what beautiful women you turned out to be and fortunate to know you through these diary posts. My brother’s birthday is April 13 and on Zenyatta’s birthday I will be 70. It makes me feel so happy to share her birthday, even though we are many years apart (LOL). Love and good luck to all in the contest, and thanks to Z and all her team for this wonderful gift.
HappyHarriet
Dear Queen Zenyatta –
.
I think it says a great deal about a lady who is willing to show her “papers” with her birthday, and all the family info for anyone to see! (wink wink) Thanks!
.
To our Divine Dottie – you have to break all known records for ingenuity, a sense of timing, and business sense. What an incredible lesson you offer us today. Honestly, I do really feel that I’m an honored attendee at the great and famous Zenyatta School of Equine Studies. What I wish for is all us “students” to meet at “graduation” some day. I’m thinking the day Zenyatta is safe in her own barn, and can have visitors and we can visit her would be “graduation” with Dean Dottie giving the commencement speech. AND I hope these Jockey Club papers will be available to see some day at the Zenyatta Museum of Racing.
.
Is there anyone here who doesn’t feel they’ve stumbled into the most blessed combination of horse and horse people? Zenyatta herself, AND her connections, AND this blog – did I die and go to Heaven? It’s a sacred space.
.
Horsey Hugs and Smooches to All – HH
jean
Happy, happy, birthday coming on April first! Tell me, Zenyatta, do you ever miss seeing all your admirers waiting to catch a glimpse of you, wherever you went? I had the feeling you were looking for them on that lovely video from Lane’s End farm, when you raced around the paddock, stopping, and looking over the fence…as if searching…I wish you can know how much we all still love you, though you cannot see us now!
Trina Nagele
@Kathy Kimber–Thanks for letting us know about Abigail Anderson’s new post about Northern Dancer at http://racingvault.blogspot.com/2011/03/kentucky-derby-1964-remembering.html, and especially for pointing out that we can help rescue efforts by clicking on any ads. I hadn’t noticed that before!