Good Morning, Everyone,
Here we are starting another week with so many different activities scheduled. I do want to take a moment and CONGRATULATE my Barn 55 Friend, NEREID, on her Grade 1 victory in the American Oaks! Her sire is ROCK HARD TEN, who just happens to be on our stallion roster here at Lane’s End Farm. Needless to say, everyone at our farm is also pleased to hear this news.
YEAH, NEREID! I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU!
To win a Grade 1 race is the ultimate victory in our sport. In our country, a total of 123 Grade 1 races will be offered throughout 2011. This number is further defined in the following manner. There are 112 Grade 1 stakes races offered throughout the year at various racing venues which are designed to incorporate and appeal to the 1) sex of the horse 2) a variety of distances, and 3) different racing surfaces as dirt or turf. Then, additionally, the Breeders’ Cup offers 11 GRADE 1 races on their 2 days of Championship Racing. Thus, to win a Grade 1 race at any time during the year is truly a wonderful achievement and a fabulous addition to one’s pedigree page.
A horse’s pedigree page is a detailed history of the horse’s family. It notes the horse’s race record as well as that of family members. It is outlined through the female members of the family….as 1st Dam, 2nd Dam and 3rd Dam etc. Their names are written in ALL Capital Letters…and whether in blacktype or not depends on the dam’s racing accomplishments. There is an industry format that has been created to note all of this information in a clear and precise manner.
If a horse is unraced or a winner…the name is listed in normal print.
If the horse has achieved in stakes competition….1st, 2nd or 3rd…. BLACK-TYPE print is used.
For example, I will use my name to further illustrate the manner in which this information would be provided on a horse’s pedigree page.
Zenyatta…………written in lower case letters and normal print….means 2 things…that the horse is either “UNRACED” or “WON” some type of race whether it be a maiden race, maiden claiming, and /or additional races at either claiming or allowance levels.
Zenyatta………written in ‘blacktype’ letters in this format indicates the horse has placed (2nd or 3rd) in a stakes race
ZENYATTA……written in BLACKTYPE letters and ALL CAPITALS…indicates that the horse WON a STAKES RACE.
ALL BLACKTYPE ACHIEVEMENTS are very, very important to a horse for many reasons. Firstly, it truly enhances the value of the horse at the breeding shed. Secondly, the trickle down aspect of stakes activity and ‘blacktype’ also extends to the rest of the horse’s entire family.
On the pedigree page, after the horse’s name, they list other pedigree information, the number of races won during the horse’s career, the total amount earned by the particular horse, and the names of the stakes races and their ratings: as G1, G2, G3, (L) which means listed…etc. Further details as this are provided. It is almost like a coding system which is highly monitored to specifically make all of this information readily available to all aspects of the industry.
To further illustrate all of this for you, I’d like to share MY PEDIGREE PAGE which is current in the details through my 18th victory. I’d like to thank the Thoroughbred Daily News for this pedigree information!
Click here to see my pedigree.
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
s (in San Diego)
oops forgot to say congratultions to Nereid and team. Beautiful picture of a very pretty filly. Once again…sweet dream and God Bless everyone.
DJ
Sorry Chantal..I do know how to spell your name :)
Charlotte Farmer
@Terry Crow – I had a wonderful conversation with Dottie a few weeks back and she offered to post life on the road with Noor. I have never used a laptop on a trip and I have been asking questions of my friends, really dumb questions. So we will see. If nothing else I might set it up with someone from Z’s Dumpling to call it in.
Since you are a Glenn Ford fan, did you ever see The Rounders with Glenn and Henry Fonda? It is one of my favorites. Talk about an all-star cast and of course there was Old Fooler.
@Brenda S – Thank you so very much on behalf of Noor.
@Abigail from Montreal – Thanks for the heads up on the article about John. It was really a good.
@Especially Horses – What wonderful memories you must have; all those pictures and the passion that went with them. I have three 3-ring binders full of clippings from the 1960’s. All the horses that I followed, Candy Spots, Olden Times, Lucky Debonair, Quadrangle, Viking Spirit, and so many others. I remember that there was this fabulous picture of Carry Back stepping off from the trailer he had been vanned in. He had such a proud look in his eyes. I set the paper aside and later when I went back to cut out the article and scotch tape it into my binder I couldn’t find it. My mother had pitched the paper. Talk about mortified. My clippings were sacred. I always had my pile of clippings to tape in so from that point on I put them in a box until I was ready to take care of them, but I never forgot that picture.
Donkeyhotey
I LOVE to see your pedigree page, capped off by the list at the end of all of your amazing achievements. I feel so lucky and blessed to have been able to see so many of your heart-stopping races in person. I will never, ever forget the Years of Zenyatta! Blessings to all of you~
Diana S
@Charlotte Farmer: I bit the bullet! I’ve changed my vacation days; found suitable fligts bookending; and will be driving alongside you the whole way!!!
Consider me your grip – or is that gripe? Mayhaps both? I will have my laptop, cell phone, GPS, digital camera, analog camera, and if I get a pal in media – a video camera with me. (Hopefully I will remember a change of delicates!)
My boss said I would kick my butt later if I didn’t do this. He is right. Besides, the Old Friends end of the pilgrimage allows at least two checkmarks on my bucket llst short of the bucket itself!
@All: I hope lots of Z’sters can join a few miles of this historic journey once the finer details of Noor’s routing are cemented. I will help with ETAs along the route if Charlotte so allows. Piloting skills are rusty, but at least an error won’t cause a change in g-forces!
diastu – I’m goin’ to Old Friends!
Diana S
@Terry Crow & @DJ: I am not religious. Spiritual, yes, but not religious. However, I have come to seek out the comfort and steerage of the morning prayer, the afternoon prayer, and the brow un-furrowing of the joke. Thank you both for allowing heathens here to lurk.
diastu (remembering many hours in a confessional)
Diana S
@All: Found it and will post attribution in a minute. I consider this my personal prayer.
I am an Animal Rescuer;
My job is to assist God’s creatures.
I was born with the drive to fulfill their needs;
I take in helpless, unwanted, homeless creatures without planning or selection.
I have bought dog food with my last dime;
I have patted a mangy head with a bare hand;
I have hugged someone vicious and afraid.
I have fallen in love a thousand times;
And I have cried into the fur of a lifeless body too many times to count.
I have Animal Friends and friends who have animal friends;
I don’t often use the word “pet”.
I notice those lost at the side of the road and my heart aches.
I will hand raise a field mouse,
And make friends with a vulture.
I know of no creature unworthy of my time.
I want to live forever if there aren’t animals in Heaven,
But I believe there are.
Why would God make something so perfect and leave it behind?
Some may think we are masters of the animals,
But the animals have mastered themselves –
Something people still haven’t learned.
War and Abuse make me hurt for the world,
But a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for humankind.
We are a quiet but determined army,
And we are making a difference every day.
There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan, nothing more rewarding than saving a life, no higher recognition than watching them thrive.
There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play who only days ago was too weak to eat.
By the love of those who I’ve been privileged to rescue,
I have been rescued.
I know what true unconditional love really is for I’ve seen it shining in the eyes of so many who are grateful for so little.
I am an Animal Rescuer.
My work is never done,
My home is never quiet,
My wallet is always empty.
But – my heart is always full!
diastu
Laura M.
Nice but when you use I or me over 20 times it is not a prayer but about yourself.
Diana S
@I Am An Animal Rescuer was written by Annette M King-Tucker. There are more than one version, but I like the one above best.
diastu – finally saying good-night
Anna S.
Such a pretty poem. Hi Zeny, can’t wait to visit you soon at LE if they will allow us. Keep feeding your little one so she’ll grow big and strong just like you. You are the Queen.
Sue from KY
Great Job Nereid on your Grade I victory. I miss you so much Zenyatta and wish you would return to racing. Oh well, maybe your little foal will be a great champion like you. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Rob (LA)
Good nite Zenyatta. I won alot on you Nereid thank you very much. You are a great horse and getting better and better.
Olivia
I learn so much from your Diary beautiful Zenny. I will be at the BC and thinking of you. Always, in TN love.
Brenda N.
Thanks for the explanation of Pedigrees. I am always learning here and miss you so much. Go girl Power – Zenyatta forever. How about naming your filly Girl Power? That is my license plate in Oklahoma.
Heidi Kruckenberg/DinkyDiva
Happy be-lated birthday, Anne!!You have to be ONE PROUD MOM!!!! Soon to be grandma to one of the Best Racehorses!! And, your son-in-law: Bernie, well, he’s one handsome and talented dude!!
Heidi Kruckenberg/DinkyDiva
BTW… This weekends races were awesome!! Congrats, Nereid!!!! And, Blind Luck!!!
Elaine said
Ditto Heidi. Happy Belated Birthday to you Mrs. Anne Moss.
Christine Coleman
Hi Zenny Coleman! Thank you so much for the pedigree information. As usual, you make sure your fans are INFORMED. And I hope you know how much we appreciate it. Congrats to Nereid! Much different look of a horse on your little pasture patch, but she, like you, is quite a looker! Have a beautiful day Zenyatta, and take good care of the little Zen you are carrying!
Maria
As always you are generous, You are an inspiration. All the best.
Sunny Boyd
Good morning Zetty,
@ Kathryn Cogswell
I understand what you’re saying about women & some of their situations.
What bugs me about this, is your absence of comment during the time this actually happened to Lara Logan & then the eventually following 60 Minutes show. That’s when a flare should have gone up right in your head. I was the only one, here on this site, to bring this up, NOBODY, I mean nobody commented on the account of events as told by a very brave Lara Logan. People complained about the segment interfering with the Zenyatta up-date but nthg about Lara Logan.
What exactly is it, that makes you uncomfortable about Lara Logan, her blond hair, blue eyes? What? I find interesting that you put the triumph of Egypt on equal footing with the near lynching of Lara Logan.
Are you then selective in the flares that shine on your self-interest?
Joanna
I’ll add my congrats to Nereid and Blind Luck, too! Exciting races! I love the discussion thread re pedigrees. About Kris S…ya’ll know he’s Uncle Mo’s great grandpa on dam side; he’s Arch’s sire. No slouches lurking in there. Pray for rain for us here in S. Texas!
Judy Sims
Good Morning Zenny:
I read your posts every day but don’t comment very often. Doesn’t mean I don’t love you and so appreciate Dottie’s sharing your days with all your fans. I like to read what all your fans have to say and so enjoy all the comments and all the friendships that have been formed. I wanted to post this article today because I thought it was so incredible and show what heart and detemination you wonderful creatures possess. Had to stop crying before I could type. Such an inspiration:
http://www.centurylink.net/news/read.php?rip_id=%3CD9OIL8DG0%40news.ap.org%3E&ps=1011&page=1
Thank goodness for loving, committed owners like the Moss’s.
Hugs & nose kisses.
Judy 8-)
LauraJ
@Diane S the evil twin in Tempe, coat color genetics are fascinating, aren’t they? I suspect racing people don’t care much about being accurate; they care about performance. It seems to be mostly sport horse people who are into the flashy colors. Very often they do test to see what genes their horses are carrying. There are a few TB farms that breed for color. There’s one in Ontario that bred this beautiful boy. He is a real horse, and he has been turned into a Breyer model: http://www.breyerhorses.com/products/product.php?item=1470. BTW, at Old Friends you must meet Marquetry. He is cross-registered as a Paint with the APHA. He is a sweetheart.
Sharon Call
@Barbara Woods. The great thing about my vet is that she is a tiny person. If she’s 5’2″, I’d be surprised. She also has tiny hands and makes tiny incisions. Her spay incisions are about 1 inch and when they heal up, you can hardly see them. I doubt the people that own the little calico pick her up for any reason. People that allow their dogs/cats/whatever to breed at will aren’t really animal lovers. It’s a shame, too, because that little cat is such a lover. Anyway, at least now the kitty won’t be burdened with litter after litter of kittens that are unwanted. I’m presently “stalking” a very young male that comes in my yard. I suspect that he’s one of the “free kittens” from down the road and when I get him, he will go to my vet and be neutered and get a 3 year rabies shot.
Barbara Wood
@Diana S–you lucky duck!! Getting to go along with Noor! Thanks for the extra genetic info. I have lots more questions about the racing part, but I’ll save those for another day. On anothoer subject, I am a Christian who dislikes and avoids the word “religious”. It takes on a meaning of snobbishness and raising ritual over substance. As our pastor once said, “Some of the meanest people I’ve ever known were ‘religious'”
@DJ–my take on the thunder exactly. Thank you so much for the prayers and your lovely morning and evening posts. Loved the one about curiosity/wonder.
@Charlotte Farmer–Congratulations on your monumental undertaking. We can’t wait until it is Mission Accomplished and you can take some rest from your labors.
@Chantal–all the best to you. So sorry you had a bad experience. Jerks will be jerks.
Theresa Buck
Congrats Nereid!….thanks for the info
Deborah Carlino
Congrats, Nereid, daughter of one of my most favorite sires, Dynaformer. Z, thanks for the lesson on reading pedigree pages.
Abigail from Montreal
In the interests of staying cool — at least in your mind — here’s Barbara Livingston’s latest on DRF. Some EXTRAORDINARY photos!!!!
http://www.drf.com/blogs/evening-attire-tacticianor-and-line-thunder?nocache=1#comment-219000
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Linda in NJ — If you have to choose between the Alabama (Zazu, possibly) or the Personal Ensign (Blind Luck, possibly Havre de Grace and Awesome Maria), I would go with the latter. Blind Luck is currently ranked #1, Havre de Grace #2 and Maria is in the top 10 so you would be watching the probable 2011 Horse of the Year. On the other hand, why choose — do both.
Kathryn Cogswell
Listening. [re:Sunny Boyd note]. ~ Of course, I am selective, based on screens which filter my concerns, although those who complained at the airing, had to proceed w/out my voice, and earlier mention of Ms. Logan`s situation missed my attention here, though not on the public media, as it occurred. Where an imprecise choice of words to align two excited states, and was never meant to imply discomfort w/ Lara Logan on any score, for there is none, but rather for her situation, seems to have failed to convey true intent, the lapse in executing the sentences is mine. Within the mostly happy chaos of an emerging democratic government, being reported by a professional journalist of esteem, long-standing cultural tensions erupting against her. In a situation during which competitive tensions crossed professional boundary codes, to some distress, any comments were meant neither to address, nor dismiss, the looks of either, or presume their looks figured in their stories; only their standing as accomplished professionals and their acceptance by peers and the public, based on their work, figured in. Misunderstanding intent, or phrasing, or personal interest, surprisingly beside the point of the concern registered, means those words used didn`t make it, at least w/ one reader. Far from being the fault of the reader — more often it is the flaw of the writer. Ms. Logan and Ms. S. — both strong professionals — reached their levels of expertise, looks moot to their goals. Both garner praise for their work, both work in fields traditionally closed to women, and both succeed because they respect their peers, pay their dues and expect, and usually receive, like treatment in return. Ms. Logan`s peers were instrumental in her rescue; Ms. Sunderland`s may have many times given her support and consideration; perhaps not so much, during the incident in question. Wondering about the actual climates around both, and comparing them, may need adjustment at both the surface and deeper. As time sifts, it may be possible to listen and add considerably to what makes a controversy fruitful, rather than contentious.