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
Debbie
oh, never mind about Zensational, I knew that sounded familiar…
Jean
OR: “ZB’s Dumpling” could be either (filly or colt) I love this idea of coming up with a name. I always incorporated my dam and sire in naming my foals. Just something I felt the need to do. I do know it is really hard sometimes to get your first choose. Dottie you have been and still are such a big part of Zenyatta. And what with all you do for her fan’s and this Diary I think you should get to name the foal. No matter what, it will be Perfect.Love to you all~
Christine in VA
wow what a great post Zen,
How about ZENSDUMPLING OR DUMPLINGSWINK…lots of ideas I am sure are out there but a contest what a great idea. It is importand that the family has the last say and the new baby is given a special barn 55 name. Take care Big girl. Love ya
Patti in Carlsbad
GOOD AFTERNOON, LADY Z
YOUR DEAR FRIEND, SOPHIE, LOOKS TOO ADORABLE IN HER PINK OUTFIT. IS SHE TRYING TO TELL US SHE IS HOPING YOU HAVE A FILLY :)
WHAT IS THE WEBSITE FOR SUGGESTING A NAME FOR YOUR FOAL?
I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO NAME HORSES NOW FOR SOME TIME. IT IS TRULY AN ACT OF LOVE. THANK YOU FOR THE WEBSITE TO THE JOCKEY CLUB. IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO SUGGEST A NAME THAT IS ACCEPTABLE.
ENJOY YOUR DAY WITH YOUR NEW GAL PALS :)
olga lidia rubi
Dear Zenya….
I cant wait to see your foal,and dont worry about a thing we will think of a perfect name trust us.HUmm isnt breaking dawn being released about that time…
Sharon in Seattle
I still like Zendini a lot. It brings up the image of MAGIC – houdini style and Zenyatta and Bernardini are certainly two magic thoroughbreds.
Thank goodness there never will be, because there never COULD be, another Zenyatta!! Zingular Zensation!!!
Sug Gragg
Another awesome contest. Thank you for the opportunity for us fans to join in the happy occasion, by suggesting names for your foal.
Theresa Buck
zenadini is my pick
Joanna
Very informative; I’ve been wondering about the naming rules! ‘Dumpling’…now that’s funny! I get that it’s the endearing name for the Moss’s horses collectively; still funny! Take care, Z.
Lover of Horses
I think My Dumpling or Driven To Tears would be an excellent name for you foal, Princess Zenny! So excited for you!
Lover of Horses
I think My Dumpling or Driven To Tears would be an excellent name for your foal, Princess Zenny! So excited for you!
Nancy
How about Z dumpling?
Pamela J Hebert
Hi Zenny how about Z’s Pride n’ Joy? Could go either way for a filly or colt? Sophie’s TOO CUTE !!!! Glad John had a great birthday. Hugs & kisses !!!!!!
Charlotte
Zenny, You have such a loving, creative family I have no doubt that they will come up with the perfect name for your foal. Stay healthy and happy.
Linda in NJ
Hi Zenny: I am replying early today. I must have caught some bug and had to stay home from work. Isn’t it wonderful that Sophie came by with a hello! It’s so good to see a picture of her. She is adorable and appears to have a lot of personality. She always looks so smiley and happy.
Yes, I can see picking a name is going to be tough. Just a hunch, and I could be wrong, but I think you will want your baby to have their own identity and their own name not some version of yours or Bernardini. Whatever name you and Bernie pick believe me it won’t take long before the whole world is saying—hey look, there goes Zenyatta and Bernie’s kid!! Lol!! Take care, Zenny. Love, Linda
Shannon J.
How about Z’s Little Dumpling…or Dancing Dumpling…..
Carolyn
bleh – disklike. Foal needs a more dignified name.
Gloria Jeanne
how about “a bit of Zen” for the name.
luvscritters
I’ll bet Zenny’s Dumpling isn’t taken. :)
Linda
How about Sophie’s Dumpling!!!
Leslie R.
Hi Zenny, your friend Sophie is adorable. I’m glad that John had a wonderful birthday. Any name that I’ve thought of has already been mentioned but if I come up with something new, I’ll let you know. It is fun thinking of names though I’m sure your family will select another terrific name. They did a fantastic job choosing your name!
I hope you and all of Team Z have a great day!
Love to all,
Leslie
Judy
Going by the look on Sophie’s face I’d guess she might pick Baby Dumpling..
Paul
Zenyatta, I am really happy that you keep in such close contact with your barn 55 buddies. I’m happy to hear that they are doing well. You and Sophie seem to be really great friends. I’m happy for you. Another interesting process described here is the process in which a horse is named. It sounds somewhat difficult seeing as some names, like yours or Secretariat, can never be used again and that you cannot use a name already in use or a name that sounds too similar to a name already in use. I plan to find the site for testing out names for your foal and try some of my own ideas. This is a hard process considering that 30,000 horses are born every year.
Patty Smith
It’s all TOO CUTE! :-) I can’t wait to see the little darling and I know the Mosses will come up with the absolute perfect name for him/her!
Selene McCarthy
Dumpling, or any derivative is fine for a barn name, but not for a proper name. I like Singular Zensation. You will have so many suggestions and we have plenty of time!
Cj Blevins
My Dumpling…too cute…..lol..love you Zen…xoxoxo You must have been known as the Dappled Dumpling.. XOXOXOX
Linda Deutsch
How about “Winkin’ Dumpling”? Of course we just hope for a happy healthy momma and baby!!! More XOXOXOXOXOXOX
alice
I love the name Dumpling. It’s affectionate and not pretentious. Too many racehorse names crassly treat the horses as products. How about Zen Dumpling?
OraJean Stevenson
Dear Queen-Z & Team-Z,
This was really a fun and interesting Diary Entry!! Thanks, Zenny and Dottie.
Sophie is so cute. She looks like a really happy dog and member of Team-Z.
Today is my husband’s Birthday…about the same age as John…and also a Vietnam Vet, US Army.
Hugs to you all. Fondly, OraJean
cheryl
I like—GREAT ZENDINI