Good Morning,
It is so hard to believe that another year has passed and Breeders’ Cup 2011 is now over! It is amazing how quickly the horses leave to return to their home bases. I know my pals, HARMONIOUS and MR. COMMONS, returned to BARN 55 the very next day.
It is quite interesting how the flights are scheduled and coordinated. The horse division of the Louisville Airport is very close to Churchill Downs.
My two BARN 55 pals and several other horses returning to California left the Churchill barn area Sunday morning by van around 4 a.m. for their flight. Their Tex Sutton Flight was scheduled to land at Ontario Airport in Southern California…also a special area that is meant for horse planes. The vans then pick up the horses from the plane and return them to their respective barns. The flight takes approximately 4 hours…give or take some time depending on weather conditions etc.
The Sutton Plane then turned around and returned to Louisville to pick-up the next load of horses. They will return to their home bases. I think the next load was going to New York.
When a horse travels like this, he / she must have all of the proper paperwork for safety procautions. Each horse MUST HAVE a current Coggins and also a health certificate stating exactly where the horse is leaving from and the exact destination.
A Coggins is a blood test that checks for antibodies to equine infectious anemia (EIA), a disease that affects horses worldwide. It is a viral disease that has no cure or vaccine for prevention. That is why it is SO IMPORTANT to test for it. Blood is drawn from the horse for the test and sent to a lab for testing to see if these EIA antibodies are present. You want the results to come back NEGATIVE!
Many states require a Coggins to be done once a year. California and other states require this to be done every 6 months. All horses sold at public auction must have one that is no more than 6 months old. The sales company determines this time frame for each sale.
A Coggins is one of the very important things that the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT requires to document that a horse is negative for equine infectious anemia (EIA). As mentioned above, it must accompany the health certificate when a horse is traveling from state to state. It is mandatory by law.
ALL of this is done to protect the horse. It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!
Several of the horses who competed in this year’s Breeders’ Cup did not return to their barns….they were retired! GOLDIKOVA is going to become a broodmare…just like ME! GIO PONTI, COURT VISION and DROSSELMEYER are going off to stud. I’d like to wish all of these horses and all others who are retiring a very healthy and happy 2nd career! From my personal experience, I can say that life at the farm is great FUN and this 2nd career aspect of one’s life is quite intriguing.
With Love,
Hugs to All~(Hollywood Park opens their fall meet today! Good luck to ALL!)
Z
Diana S
@Zenny: Speaking of “colors” – For serving and fighting to honor and protect our RED WHITE and BLUE: Semper Fi to YOUR MARINE JOHN, and my brother Bud (who served in Korea) and thank you to my late Dad who was at Pearl Harbor and a life long employee of the U.S.Navy, and all service men and women – THANK YOU!
diastu in tempe
LauraJ (Cincinnati, OH)
Blind Luck gets cleaned up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_vHG8kejRs&feature=related
Delrene from Carlsbad - (California)
Dear Zenyatta and Zenyatta fans. Today is Veteran’s Day and as mentioned let us pause and reflect on the sacrifices many have made for the Red/White & Blue. To those families who lost a loved one, to those whose family members are currently serving in the military and to all soldiers in all military divisions, thank you so much. I humbly ask that you take time to appreciate today and what it means. It’s not just a big shopping day. Please keep all our military (including my son) in Afghanistan in your thoughts for a few moments of quiet reflection. Forgive me for these feelings of emotion that well over, he will be home for certain in March and I count the days. Zenyatta you will soon experience great pride and joy in your new baby and always wish them the very best in life.
Thanks for all you do. A great weeknd to all.
Karen Gogue
Veteran’s Day hero
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/bloodstock/veteran-s-day-revisiting-an-equine-war-hero/
Karen Gogue
Trina and all
On the Save Hollywood Park site, a link above, click on HOME at the site and see beautiful Zenny at her home HP…another reason to save the racing at HP. Also click on to the HOW YOU CAN HELP and scroll all the way through to the end, so many ways to try and save Hollywood Park. But what does it need the most? YOU – The presence of PEOPLE to attend the races there in person. If enough people cared, it could happen.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
To allveterans and their families: THANK YOU for your service. And to those who have lost family members, I say I pray they will not be forgotten. Current member of the armed forces are the ones keeping us free to do what we do.
One side not many of you may know but I did not until we visited Hawaii: the money for the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor was donated by Elvis presley.
Diana S
@Karen Gogue: Thank you GF for the great link to the Reckless story. We need to keep her near the top of those we remember in the equine world.
diastu in tempe
Gloria Jeanne - The O.C.
I know that if I ever watch Zenyatta’s last race without a tear forming in my eye or the hope that she might catch Blame and win the race of her life – or watch any of her races and not get chills or a huge smile on my face – that the love affair I have shared with Zenyatta will be over…. I know that will never happen in my lifetime!!!
To my Sweet Zenny – that Your John loves so much… You will always have my heart and sole. My dreams of you will always be in my mind and the excitement you have brought to life will always burn bright in heart… I can’t wait to see you again someday soon…. Until then I will continue to wait for the birth of your foal and imagine just how cute that sight will be.
With All My Love – Hugs and Sweet Kisses
Diana S
@signofthetimes: Watched the beautiful Hickstead video – a fabulous horse and rider combination. Alas, I accidentally clicked first on the video of Hickstead having his heart attack. So sad to see such a thing happen to such a magnificent animal. I hope sometime soon that heart work ups become routine (and affordable) for our equine performers. Not many drop from heart attacks or aortic ruptures, but one is too many.
diastu in tempe
Karen Gogue
diastu in tempe
I agree my ditzy desert lizard friend in tempe, thank you! :)
Karen Gogue
All
The Save Hollywood Park site also has some awesome photos of Zenny on the photo gallery.
The Kennedys in San Diego
@LauraJ — Thank you — love this high- spirited filly.
JSmith CA
Does anyone know if St Trinians was sold at the sale last week? I checked Keeneland site and couldn’t find anything. Karen G., u r so right, no business can stay in business if it has no customers! OFF TO THE TRACK EVERYONE. I want to see Comma To The Top when he makes his return to the track at HP, who is meeting me there? No date as yet, that I know of, but soon, he has had 2 published works of late.
Anne
The handsome fellow holding the lead of Gio Ponti is his regular exercise rider. He was the only one that could handle this guy during workouts. Gio was a true let’s go… kind of guy. He will be missed and more so by his handlers. Nice job by Christophe Clement by keeping him sound and competitive.
Pam
I’m behind in reading your diary this week! Much to do around here, including an out of town hay buying trip but you are always on my mind even if I can’t take the time to read each day. I eventually read everything you write.
Loved hearing about Tex Sutton. It almost sounds as if traveling by plane for a horse is easier than for people. I realize it really isn’t with all the required tests and paperwork but 4 hours from KY to CA is good time! I might be able to drive my horses 200 miles in 4 hours and horses can fly cross country in the same amount of time!
Happy to see Gio Ponti getting a little snooze in the sun. All the horse athletes are deserving of a little rest after a big race! They all work so hard and give it their all. You can see the “try” as they all cross the finish line.
Thanks for another interesting diary entry and thank you, Mr. Shireffs, for more great pictures. I hope you’ll publish a book someday of your horse pictures! Dottie and Zennyatta would be perfect to write the commentary to go along with your pictures.
Love you all and thank you for letting everyone be a part of your life!