Good Morning,
I’m hearing from MY TEAM that ‘working the sale’ requires a great deal of effort, hard work, concentration, and energy! They get up very early each morning and leave for the sales grounds. By that time, David and his crew have already gone over ALL of the horses to be offered that day and come up with the ‘short list’ which Dottie, John and The Moss’ review. All aspects of the individuals are evaluated: conformation, size, pedigree, walk, and other physical qualities! Monitoring the horse’s overall temperament is also a part of this process.
Each horse on this list is inspected. If they make this ‘cut’, the veterinarian then examines the horse and his / her xrays in the repository. The VET also scopes the horse’s throat to be sure “all parts are working well’ for good breathing to take place. A good throat is essential for a race horse!
Once a horse passes all of these steps, the decision is made as to the fair market value of the horse. As many of you may know, at an auction people can get caught up in the bidding. MY TEAM tries to be very careful not to do this. They thoroughly appraise each horse before the bidding begins and really try to stay within those limits while bidding.
If all goes well and the hammer falls while a particular HIP they are bidding on is in the ring, they sign the ticket and he or she is now a part of the racing stable!
Attending a sale as this one, is really a fun process…but truthfully a great deal of hard work. Every moment of every day while there is totally consumed with the SALE. It is all about planning for the future and getting the RIGHT HORSE for the program!
As you can see, BABY REAGAN is resting up for all of the company and activity this week. I think she wants to stay up a bit late on Monday night to see my relative, HIP # 147 sell! I do too!
By the way, HRTV is carrying the first few sessions live on their programming schedule. Otherwise, the internet is the best way to follow the events.
HMMM! This baby thing is rather interesting to ME! Reagan was born on March 7th, 2011. That is about the time MY BABY is due in 2012! I just didn’t realize human babies are so small! They told ME my baby will weigh about 125 pounds or so when he/she is born.) This becoming a MOM is really a fascinating process! I’m learning!
Enjoy the week, the racing, and the sales! Dottie is attending them this week and also spending time visiting with ME! When she returns home, we will update you on all of the action. She also promises that MY JOHN will take some terrific photos of ME to share with all of you!
With Love,
Hugs to All~(To my dear fan who made the Z BLANKET as a thank you….THANK YOU! It is absolutely priceless!)
Z
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
What a beautiful colt. Sire: Street Cry(Z’s Dad) Dam: Balance (Z’s half sister). Hugs, J.B. http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65001/irish-agent-mccormack-buys-street-cry-colt
JAG from California :-)
BERNARDINI’S DADDY DOES GOOD!
A.P. Indy pensioned but still in demand:
http://www.drf.com/news/keeneland-september-ap-indy-pensioned-still-demand
ENSIGN
For anyone wondering, it was confirmed that Balance’s colt will be going to Japan. There was some speculation last night as to who signed the ticket vs who actually bought him ;-)
victoria racimo
See, I never knew the detail in the horse auction/bidding process. thank you Z!
And the picture is adorable.
JAG from California :-)
Hip #307 – BERNARDINI / SILK N’ SAPPHIRE FILLY = $1.2 MILLION!!! HIGH HOOF!!! :-D
Vicki B.
@ENSIGN – Nice to see you again here, as always. So much going on with the sales this week — very interesting!
judy berube
Dear Ensign:
That’s too bad. I thought he was going to Ireland. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Guess the “Rough Riders” didn’t die with Teddy Roosevelt. Hugs, J.B.
http://www.drf.com/news/fairplex-rough-riding-triggers-tempers-pedroza-santiago-reyes
Rosemary McCauley
@Judy Berube: Thank you for posting the link to Hip 147, the Balance colt. I rushed home from work to see him at the auction and when I got there they were on Hip 148! Just missed seeing him and was glad to see a photo of him posted. He is beautiful. I wish him and his connections luck for the future. Can’t wait to see photos of Zenyatta’s visit with her family.
Especially Horses
The Balance colt going to Japan….not sure how I feel about that.
Gloria Jeanne
Too Bad about the Balance Colt going to Japan –
LauraJ
@Ensign, you are right of course. What can I say–it was late and I was tired. Too much auction excitement!
–
The Japanese did a lot of buying! They seem committed to putting Japanese racing on a par with racing in the U.S., Europe, and Australia.
Sue Fredrick
Not sure how I feel about the lovely Balance colt going to Japan, but I’m darn glad that gorgeous, sale topping Indy colt is staying here! Ever since Ferdinand met with that horrible end I just don’t feel right about so many of our fabulous horses going over there.
@ABIGAIL IN MONTREAL I guess I started something Huh?
JAG thanks for the link to the Indy article I certainly agree….he’s left his mark.
Brenda S..
I wish the Balance colt was staying closer to home.
Cynthia H.
At least something made in the USA is being sold to Japan, although I would rather it be a car or TV or something!
LOVE the Hard Spuns!
Lauren
Dear Zenny – Nothing like a bouncing 125 pound baby. By the way, do you feel the baby kicking from time to time? I was curious about that and wasn’t sure. Special hugs to you and Baby Z.
Jo
The Z blankie is…Too Cute! So exciting to think about the months ahead and the new arrival who will be here before too long. Hope Team Zenyatta has a wonderful visit with The Queen- can’t wait to see pictures!
Terry Crow
Catching up on the posts. @Barbara Wood-Huge fan of Jeff Shaara, not only his civil war stuff but his World World II books. His father wrote The Killer Angels, an outstanding novel about Gettysburg. If you haven’t read it, give it a try. The movies that was made about 15 years ago was based on his book. Tom Berenger is excellent as Longstreet as is Jeff Daniels as Chamberlain. @Cynthia H-Are you angling to become a member of the redneck club? @Kim S-Glad you enjoyed the joke. @Kari Bussell-One of George Custer’s brothers was also named for Boston. @Vicki B-Welcome aboard. You might be a redneck if your soap-on-a-rope doubles as a room freshener. You also might be a redneck if your Christmas cards include a copy of your butt.
signofthetimes
Info on Balance/Street Cry Colt
Birth to Sale
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/breeding-news/2010/february/02/balance-produces-street-cry-colt.aspx
Terry Crow
I don’t know when the next diary entry will be, so here is today’s joke–A little man was sitting ion a bar, just looking at his drink. After he didn’t move for about a half hour, a big trouble making truck driver took the man’s drink and downed it in a single gulp. The truck driver then proceeded to laugh at the little man. The man said “This has been the worst day of my life. First, I overslept and missed an important meeting and I got fired. When I left the building to drive home, I discovered that my car had been stolen. The police said they couldn’t do a thing. I took a cab home and found my wife in bed with the gardener. I then walked to this bar, and discovered that I had lost my wallet on the way. Then, you show up and drink my poison.”
signofthetimes
Continued
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/sales-news/2011/09/12/tada-purchases-colt-with-zenyatta-connections.aspx
signofthetimes
Day 2 of Keenland sale:
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/sales-news/2011/09/12/keeneland-september-day-2-updates.aspx
signofthetimes
@Terry Crow
Great jokes yesterday and today; got caught up in the Sale yesterday and could not tear myself away to get online.
#147 is one mighty fine looking colt, no wonder he was light colored, he is a chestnut !!! Dah!!! Guess Japan wants to start
them out instead of waiting until they are champions to purchase.
The probably figure they will only get a Z line baby by paying the big bucks that they have anyway.
Barbara Wood
@Terry Crow–yes, I have ALL of Shaara’s books, and I agree with you about the movies as well. His last one on WWII is lying on the table waiting for me to get down to it.
Barbara Grimaldi
SUNNY BOYD: truly loved “another hand”
SUSAN IN TN: I am so sorry for your loss. Sending you prayers…
TERRY CROW: you would really love the Civil War course from The Great Courses catalog online. The professor is outstanding, and he adds enrichment to every lecture. I read many history books but this course taught me things about the War I didn’t know.
ABOUT THE AUCTIONS: I hope none of these beautiful babies see an auction again in their innocent lives—they are so magnificent to see. May all of them have a good life.
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
What a very cute little one in the pic. That must be Sarah’s that she had when you first came to the farm. Oh yes, human babies are very small. We human women could not carry a 125 lb anything outside or inside our bodies. A large human baby is 12-14 lbs, but very unusual and usually from a mom with diabetes.Most human babies are 6-8 lbs at birth, the weight does depend on the size of the humans as well. However, humans don’t chose their mates by size; we just let the doctors deal with the baby no matter how big or small.
Ingrid Arnone
My dear Zenyatta, because I know you are a horse who cares about all us so much, I think you will like to know that today is my birthday, my brother is a great chef and he is making a great dinner especially for me. Love you always, Ingrid.
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
Hope you are having a wonderful visit with your family.
Really looking forward to the photos. YOUR JOHN is such a
great photographer. XXXXXOOOOO
Trina Nagele
@Eveline—Thanks for posting about your personal encounters with Mattei Stepanek and how you included some of his poems in your late husband’s service. Like Judy Berube (and Kari Busssell, I imagine), I knew Mattei only through his TV appearances on Oprah and C-SPAN Book TV, and of course through his books of poetry. What a bright and shining spirit emanated from him! What an ambassador for peace in the world! Jimmy Carter spoke at his funeral…
@Dawn Conrad—Thanks for your lovely post.
@Terry Crow—Cute redneck zingers and “what’s your poison” joke. How is Don?
signofthetimes
BABY Z is about 168 days;
Between the size of a rabbit and a beagle; doubt able to feel
the kicking yet. Her body is way to big and that fetus is buried
deep inside a lot of cushion.
Will post foal development link.