Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Z's Diary

Diary Post #262

Zenny, WE’RE sending you a BIG HUG from BARN 55! Photo by “Our John”

Good Morning,

I have received so many FUN messages lately. You are all TOO CUTE! Needless to say, my Barn 55 Friends do keep in touch with ME and all that is going on in my life at the farm. David constantly updates Dottie and John on everything that I am doing. All of the messages are passed along to my dear California family and friends. I often TANGO with them as well. Ann and I do this quite often. I know they miss ME…but we really do keep in very close contact.

I have to say, my dear pal, SOPHIE SHIRREFFS, sent me the cutest message this morning. Firstly, she wanted ME to know that “OUR JOHN” had a fabulous birthday and he truly wants to THANK EACH OF YOU for the kind wishes. She also sent ME a big YIPPEE on my IN FOAL STATUS! She is EXCITED and said all of my BARN 55 friends are absolutely ELATED!

Sophie then added that she heard there is a contest taking place on-line having people suggest a name for my foal. Well, she thinks the name DUMPLING would be TOO CUTE if my foal is a filly. The reason for this is a very inside story.

It is my understanding that often in human families there is a sweet ‘pet name’ or term of endearment that is used when referring to family members and/or loved ones. Well, in our family, Dottie has always used the term “THE DUMPLINGS” to lovingly refer to the MOSS HORSES. As a collective group, we horses have been and are extremely creative both on and off the race track. Not only are we in training athletes at different stages of our careers, but we also send cards, gifts, letters, and messages all of the time. Then when sending notes and updates to our owners about us, Dottie often comments that THE DUMPLINGS are doing this or that. It is truly a loving way in which she has always addressed US!

Thus, that is why SOPHIE suggested DUMPLING as one possible name to be considered.

As you know, the Jockey Club does have very specific rules about naming a horse. The name has to “BE AVAILABLE”. It can’t be in current use or the name of a current producing mare or stallion. Some names are PERMANENTLY removed from consideration as they belong to a very prominent and ‘historical’ horse. I’m proud to say, my name, ZENYATTA, is now in this classification. It will not be able to be used again for another horse. SECRETARIAT’s name is also historical and it falls into this same category. The names of Kentucky Derby Winners are also viewed in this way…and may not be used again. It is truly an honor to be respected on such a level.

Other things may also prevent a name from being accepted. If it is too similar to a current name or if it is ‘reserved’ by an owner to be used in the future, it will be considered as NOT available.

When submitting a name to the Jockey Club for a horse, you may use up to 18 letters…including spaces. You may not use someone’s specific name without their written permission. All names must also ‘appear available’ through the Interactive Naming Program and ultimately be approved by the Jockey Club before officially being accepted for a particular horse.

As a result, it is truly NOT an easy task to name a horse. So many wonderful names are already taken. When you consider that over 30,000 thoroughbreds are born each year in our country…finding that one special or unique name can be a ‘fun’ challenge.

The Jockey Club has a web-site. If you go to it, THE JOCKEY CLUB, and then click on INTERACTIVE REGISTRY, you will see a screen that has several options. Please click on ONLINE NAMES BOOK and try a few of your choices. Have some fun with it and get creative! You’ll see, getting the name you really love is not always easy!

Hmmm….DUMPLING! Dottie just tried it and per the Jockey Club Progam…it is already in use. A 2010 horse has the name. Next, we tried ‘The Dumpling’…not happening. Getting a bit more creative, we tried ‘MY DUMPLING’…and YIPPEE…it appears available! Options, options! Names are just one more fun thing for ME to contemplate!

Good Thinking, Sophie!

With love,
Hugs to All~
Z

Reader Interactions

325 Comments

  5. / Reply

    i love “my dumpling”…or “lil dumpling”, although with you for his/her mommy, i doubt it will be “lil”.

  6. / Reply

    My Dumpling! How adorable! I can’t wait until your foal is born, Zenny! Glad to hear that John had an amazing birthday! :D

    ~Love from Kentucky!

  8. / Reply

    Hi Zenny!

    Ya know, That term of endearment Dottie likes to use just gives a whole new meaning to the title The Apple Dumpling Gang!! LOL
    Which leads me to my next point: Apple Dumpling would be a cute name if you have a girl. :)

  9. / Reply

    Dear Zenny – Sophie is certainly adorable – just like you. My Dumpling is just TOO CUTE. I like BZ Baby also. Oh such much to think about — this is great!!! Love you beautiful girl.

  13. / Reply

    My Dumpling would be a wonderful filly name. It evokes love, warmth, happiness, and home. I have always had multiple pet names for all my beloved dogs, but never thought of “dumpling.” Now I’ll probably start calling them that, too. Thanks for the great post. I’m so glad you are feeling so well and being so lovingly cared for.

  15. / Reply

    Mmmm what about
    “TooCuteMyDumpling” =)

    or here are some I put together myself
    “BernUpZTrack”
    “BernAndZenSome”

    Or from the Police
    “Zecret Journey” :Secret Journey
    “Zynchronicity” :Synchronicity
    “HintingAtZen” :I like this one =)

    Much Love my lovely Zen girl

  17. / Reply

    Hey Big Mama Z! You could always try Z’s Dumpling or Zen’s Dumpling. Then, mama’s name will sort of be with the baby’s name. I’ve gone on the Jockey Club website in the past and played with it. I’m kind of glad I don’t have to worry about naming horses. I’m glad to know names like Zenyatta and Secretariat will never be allowed again. For me, there’s only ONE Zenyatta. Love you, Z! Glad John had a great birthday.

  19. / Reply

    Glad your friend sugested that name I still like High Hooves, I wonder if any one likes that one, but only if you have a colt, the filly, would be cute as the other , anything, for you Zen, better think of a good one, this guy or gal, has a lot, to look up too, have a great day, and glad John had a great Birthday…

  20. / Reply

    Sophie looks so cute and her choice of name for your foal has lots of family meaning. I’ve been thinking that any foal of yours will have great moves so I thought that Zen Dancer would work for either a colt or a filly. What really matters is that you have a happy, healthy pregnancy and that we all get to see a healthy foal. Maybe Dottie and John can think up another contest for us all when the time comes to name the baby. Now we’re into June I’m counting down the weeks until my visit to LE – 7 weeks today! I can hardly wait. Lots of love and hugs to you Zenny.

  22. / Reply

    Congrats Z <333

    Dumpling is such a cute name! I was playing around on the site and came up with a few. c:

    Bedumplingz
    Dumplingz
    Zumplingspecial
    Zumpling
    Dumplinz

    <3

  24. / Reply

    Oh Zenny how fun!! Tell Dottie and Sophie thanks for the link. I looked up my favorite name and it is NOT taken. Yippee, I shall call the baby SINGULAR ZENSATION, in my own mind of course. This is such a fun site with really great people.
    Luv and kisses on your nose

  27. / Reply

    Wow! I didn’t know that about the naming conventions. It’s great to know that no one else can use “Zenyatta”. It will forever be associated with the greatest horse of my lifetime and her spectacular team. I remember reading about how Secretariat got his name. After being refused 11 times, the frustrated secretary finally submitted “Secretariat” based on her career! Thanks Dottie, for continuing to educate us about the industry.

  28. / Reply

    hi Z! I think part of your name should be in your babe’s name but my dumpling is too cute, what about Zensational;) love you gorgeous girl xoxoxo

  29. / Reply

    Zenny – I think Sophie has come up with a great name!!!! Love you! Hugs and Kisses from Roswell,NM!!!

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