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
Sharon Call
@Lover of horses. Isn’t Driven to Tears already taken. Seems like I read somewhere that it was.
Pati
I like Zensibility, Zee Winner, BZ Baby(as mentioned up there), and Zeze Zoom.
Kathy Baldwin
John took a cute photo of Dottie and Sophie.
Your “Connections” are all so wonderful and
creative Zenny! Thanks for the interesting
facts on picking a horses name. Cute name
you picked Dottie, MY DUMPLING, very sweet.
Peace & Love,
Kathy from SoCal :)
Doreen
Zenny, how could the Jockey Club NOT permanently remove your name from further use? You’re that special once-in-a-lifetime racing mare that every owner wants to have. As a Navy veteran I was thinking of “Bravo Zulu” (which means “well done” and is often used in the phonetic alphabet form: “BZ”). With its pedigree, how could your foal not have the potential of doing real well in the sport of horse racing? Also the initials just happen to be Bernie’s and your initials. Unfortunately, the name has already been taken by a 4-year old colt according to pedigreequery.com, so I guess I have to look for another name. When you get to talk to Dottie again, tell her I think Sophie is adorable. Have a great day munching on grass along with your paddock pals!
Gary Moulton
“Quenelle” Filly – French – A quenelle is a dumpling made from finely ground seafood, meat, or poultry.
.
“Uszka” – Colt – Polish – meaning “little ears”, are small dumplings usually filled with mushrooms.
.
Both names are available
lil bunny foo foo
I like “Yatta Yatta Yatta”
Mary Stanford
Z…..Sophie is just “too cute”…. yes us fans are being so excited about your foal…we have such a long wait…guess we need to calm down or the wait will seem even longer. I am just glad you are happy and doing so well. Hugs to you Z…
Becky Fredericks
Reading your post is always such a happy experience! LOVE the story about Dottie referring to all of the Moss’s horses as “the Dumplings!” You and your herd truly are sweet as dumplings. Hope you have another great day and wishing health, happiness and well-being to you, to all that you love and to all who love you. I don’t think that leaves anyone out!
Sharyn
Very interesting – never knew there was so much to it…..Sophie is so sweet! I’m sure whatever name the Moss’s come up with will be extra special…Ü
Elizabeth
Hope you have a “Darling Dumpling,” Zenyatta. :-) Thank-you, Dottie, for the info on naming foals–much like AKC’s rules for naming dogs. What a cutie Sophie is and pretty in pink. We saw you and John at Santa Anita when we went to the Derby. We’d love to have thanked you in person for all you and Team Z do for the fans but didn’t want to interrupt your conversation. Glad John had a great birthday!
Hugs to Zenyatta, Elizabeth in Oregon City
Kathy B.
Such wonderful information! Truly Team Z and Zenyatta are very much deserving of the Eclipse awards they were presented. It is great that the Queen’s presence continues to reach out to all of us fans. it’s the highlight of my day!
Charlotte A. Farmer
I am glad “Your John” had a wonderful birthday. Team Zenyatta is so loved by all of us. I will have to check out the Jockey Club website that you recommended. I remember in the movie, “Secretariat” about how hard it was to pick a name that the Jockey Club would accept regarding Big Red. I am happy that YOUR name has been permanently removed (I like retired better), that’s an honor and well deserved. My Dumpling is an interesting name. I like the idea that Dottie uses such terms. It shows that she truly has that heart connection.
I was going back through past Posts when I noticed Post 235 and the picture of you by John Kaiser. It got me to thinking what a beautiful U.S. Postal Stamp that would make. You would be sent all over the world.
I know there is a “new” video of you that has been put together there at Hollywood Park that would be perfect for your little one. You must tell “Your John” to connect with the people there to view it. It is full of wonderful memories, something that could be tucked away in a baby book . . . wink wink.
One of the beautiful things about your website is the camaraderie between the people who posts their thoughts, sharing with others their feelings about you and Team Zenyatta. But I also like to read the history of past greats that is shared by many. The definition of your name, Zenyatta, should mean “Universal,” because that is how I think of you. You share your world and that of the Team with us about other horses and what they are doing. I really like that. I am so glad there is no jealousy, but then you are quite a lady and that would never be who you are. You are like a teacher, educating young ones to the Sport of Kings. Long live the Queen!
I love you Zenyatta!
dunie
“My Dumpling” is too cute!
Jeanie
I AM SO EXCITED!!!! WINK WINK IS AVAILABLE!!!!! ANN, JERRY, THINK ABOUT IT!!!!!
Katie Clawson
TOO CUTE ZENNY!! Picking a name for this foal is going to be a TOUGH job! Good luck finding the perfect name :D We are all racking our brains!
Love, Katie(future jockey)
sherry drish
THIS IS A GREAT PHOTO. I HAVE HEARD THAT PETS AND THEYRE OWNERS LOOK ALIKE, DOTTIE AND SOPHIE ARE TWO CLASSY AND PRETTY LADIES. WE ALL WILL KEEP THINKING OF NAMES FOR THE Z BABY. LOVE TO ALL, SHERRY D. WV.
Signofthetimes
What a lovely post!!! Sophie is sooo smart and TOO
CUTE. What a wonderful “family” horse and human
That you have. Such a very lucky horse in all
Respects. Have a wonderful evening with BBF’s. Mona
Is a nice looking mare. I live PQ too she is sooo sweet and
Loves all the attention. Love her grey coloring. You
Girls keep your “hamsters” warm and cozy.
XXXXOOO
Margaret
How about Dapples in honor of your oh so many and beautiful Dapples?
Valerie
ZeeZee Zoom is really cute! I still like “My MaMa Can Dance”! “Dumpling” is cute too…oh my gosh Zenyatta your fans are having so much fun with this. How about “TOO CUTE”?
judy berube
Dear Z,
We think your friend Sophie is a “Little Dumpling”.
We have a “Munchkin” of our own named Lola Mae. She is a five lb. black Toy Poodle. Hope you are well and enjoying the outdoors with your friends. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ
To Susan in Tn., Shari Voltz and Terry Crow:
Left messages for all of you on Diary #261. Hugs, J.B.
lil bunny foo foo
How about Regatta de Blanc? It is a Police album that came out in 1979, a year before the Zenyatta Mondatta album. I checked out the Jockey Club website and there was a Regatta in 2003 but there isn’t a direct match with Regatta de Blanc. I think it would be great if Zenyatta’s brilliant foal would stay within the Police album tradition. It would be “too cute” and would carry on the tradition!
Astrid
Adorable pic of Sophie! “My dumpling” lol All that talk about dumplings makes me hungry:)
Zenny, you can sing this (re-written) nursery rhyme to your little one:)
“Diddle, diddle, dumpling,
my trainer, John,
Went to bed
with his Z-cap on,
One shoe off
and one shoe on!
Diddle, diddle, dumpling,
my precious trainer, John!”
MarVeena
I don’t care for Dumpling at all, it doesn’t sound fast or classy. Cute but just not at all what I would want for the coolest mare ever’s foal.
jeanie langford
I got it Zizzlin’ Zen or Danzen on Air.
Donkeyhotey
Even though I’m sure your foal will be a very fast runner like you, I must say that I’m suure any offspring of yours would also be a fabulous dressage or eventing horse too! Wouldn’t it be awesome to have “My Dumpling” win a medal at the Olympics? LOVE the name!!!!
J J
Too funny! I call friends & family “Dumpling” all the time!! It’s so endearing. You’ll get tons of name selections! If I could throw in my two cents, Terpsichore (terp-sik-or-ee)….. The muse of dancing……
Paula Higgins
Sophie Sherriffs is one absolutely adorable girl! They don’t come cuter than that, Dottie. She looks very well loved. As for a name for Zenny’s foal, I know you all will come up with something spectacular. She or he will also be a “Dumpling.” Very cute.
Hernan Tovar
My dear Zenyatta, Sophie she is so cute…
The name My Dumpling, is really very nice, or maybe,
Queen Z for girl, King Z, for male.
@ Jean, I like very much ZB’Dumpling.
Ingrid from SoBe.
Ann Maree
Hi, sweet girl,
Like others have said, Queen Z fans are really the greatest, and it is a wonderful community of people who all have one thing in common: their absolute love for a special horse named Zenyatta! You have brought literally thousands of people together who likely would never have even known about each other but for you! Love the “name game”! Whatever the Mosses come up with for a name, we will love. Big hugs! Ann Maree
Margie
Sophie is a sweetie (no surprise considering her family). Love all these posts and the info on the naming process. Kind of fun to fool around with that!
Love you, sweet Z. I’m glad you’re so happy in your retirement and so well cared for – you’ve earned it, for sure.