Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #10

Q:

I have a question about the colts and fillies that are newly weaned. I understand that 12Z is in with a group of buddies right now and that one of them is a filly. Yet I thought colts got put with colts and fillies were kept separate, so there are no rivalries. My guess is that much like kids, at very young ages they don’t really “recognize” the difference. Am I right, and when does that start to change? Or does it completely depend on the personalities of the individual horses? And for that matter, when do the colts have to be in separate paddocks? At what ages do those separations need to start happening?

Julie Malida

Arlington Heights, IL

12Z is turned out with a group of colts and fillies. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

A:At this stage, the weanlings are mixed and not separated by gender. We will not separate them until later in the year. They don’t have a real understanding of their sex yet and mix well together at this point. Although you will see stronger tendencies of gender in some of them, to be honest some of the girls can be tougher than the boys at this stage!

Once we separate them they will stay in large groups until next spring when we start prepping for the yearling sales. The yearling fillies are always able to stay in a group, as they tend to be less boisterous with each other. The colts that are to be sale prepped are separated into individual paddocks at the start of the preparation period. Their paddocks are all adjacent to one another so this doesn’t really bother them too much. The “keeper” yearling colts will stay together, albeit in smaller groups, until they are shipped to the training farms where they will be broken in prior to joining their prospective trainers. This tends to be in the fall of their yearling year.

Our Expert

Alys Emson

Client Management, Lane’s End

Alys has been at Lane’s End for fourteen years. She has worked in every division of the farm and is now in charge of client management, keeping owners up to speed about the lives of their horses.

Reader Interactions

770 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Hi Z Family I wish I had more time to post. I have 140 students. A lot for one teacher : 0 Thank you Lane’s End for the update and answers. I am still trying to get my students organized. Love, Shari

    • / Reply

      Dear Lanes End and Team Z,

      Thanks so much for this great question and answer. Thought
      The girls and boys might be asexual at this time. How cute
      The fillies are beating up on the boys and the colts
      Get boisterous and they must beat up on each other.

      HOW MUCH FUN YOU ALL AT LANES END HAVE!!!

      • / Reply

        Hi Sign:

        Haven’t seen this question asked in awhile “when will they name our beloved Prince Z”? LOL! Just kidding you!

        Hope you had a nice time at the shore or the beach?

        GirlSaratoga

        • Hi GS,

          I know you know the answer. TEEE HEEE !!!!
          Glad you had a great trip.

  2. / Reply

    Dear Lord, please help Painter to get well Give him some of yourpower to fight all of this
    Before I went to sleep last night I was looking out my window at the moon. It was so beautiful. Peeping out behindsome clouds with a little bit of rumble to them. It was just beautiful. I was just thinking Paynter all of us the Good Lord we’re all in this together. Love You Painter.
    Dear Lord please help him get well.
    Love, Peggy
    The moon looked so close to earth.

    • / Reply

      That sounds so beautiful, Peggy. I know how you feel about Paynter. I can’t get him off my mind. The first thing I do in the morning is check my phone to see if there’s any new information about him and I check it all throughout the day. I’ll say one thing for him, he’s a hell of a fighter. I think he’s going to beat this. Still praying for him….

      • / Reply

        Hey Debbie, me too i’m checking on him till late at night and then all day. I’m like some others have said I’m just holding my breath before checking on him.. Praying so hard he get’s well.

  3. / Reply

    Thank you for the expert answer, Alys! What an interesting concept – I had just automatically figured that the colts and fillies would be separated so now I have learned something else new from being a fan of Zenyatta!! The entire team has created such a caring and kind environment in Zenyatta’s world that we can learn and grow with each other and I appreciate all that you do. Thanks!

    • / Reply

      Yvonne:

      St Francis is the patron saint of animals, my daughter took that name for her confirmation! Hopefully St. Francis will help keep our sweet boy free of pain and restore him to good health. He certainly deserves to live a long and happy life after what he’s been through these last couple of days.

      St. Francis, please watch over and protect our beloved Paynter, he is fighting the fight of his short life, he deserves to be healed to good health. He has shown the will and the strength to survive, so please give him the reward of life.

      Gold Bless, GirlSaratoga

      • / Reply

        Dear GirlSaratoga and Z Fans:

        Love your post. We took our Lola Mae to the St. Francis Blessing Of The Animals last Fall at our church. The priest read prayers of St. Francis and blessed each pet separately. Russ was able to come with us and it was a nice experience for all. I pray to him for Paynter. Hugs, JB

        • I’ve always wanted to do that, Judy, but my cats would KILL me if I tried! LOL Hugs, Debbie

        • Judy,

          My church does that service too, but I was always afraid to take my Chupy, for fear with all the other animals, she would be too much to handle. Does supernatural intercession take over and keep them all calm? Hugs.

        • Dear Judy B and Z fans,
          My church also does this blessing of the
          Animals, too. It is very special.

  5. / Reply

    Alys, thank you for another great answer. We learn so much from this site and appreciate Zenny’s team keeping us in the loop.

  6. / Reply

    So appreciate all Lane’s End does to keep us in the loop regarding 12Z and all the other weanlings. You take such good care of all of your charges. You guys rock!

  7. / Reply

    Saratoga Meet Has Ended
    Congratulations to Rosie Napravnik who did the bookend.
    She won the opening race & the closing race.
    Well done!

  8. / Reply

    Backside 55 tweet about Stanwyck.
    BREAKING NEWS: STANWYCK finished third in her race at Del Mar today.
    In her three-race career, she has yet to finish out of the money!

    Keta Note: Mike Smith rode her today. Corey Nakatani had shoulder problem.

    • / Reply

      Love that name !!!! Stanwick, wonder what it will be for 12 Z, we have sometime to wait to hear though.

        • Oh yes, Max. TT and Z for sure,Sign would want that. Maybe throw in a couple of ponies for some rides for the wee ones in attendance.

          Max…..you have made my day! LOL!!
          Did you see the shipwreck, uncovered on the LA or Bama coast line? Dated pre civil war, I believe. Issac storm brought it to surface. So cool…huge beams!

        • Ann. If Sign needs more fire power to handle the throngs, Lava Man could put his hooves in to keep things on target. Big D would have loved that job.

          Will check out this news of pre Civil War wreckage. I have visited Gettysburg and ran the length of Pickett’s charge on foot.

        • Dear Ann and Max,
          TOO CUTE !!!!!
          You both made my day full of laughter.
          We may have to turn 12 Z over to Tasty
          For some discipline, if he becomes too
          Boisterous . HA HA HA !!!!!

  9. / Reply

    Max

    Thank you so much for recent update on Paynter you posted on the previous page.
    Keep Fighting Paynter.

      • / Reply

        Peggy N and Janet. You are welcome. This is a stressful time, and I know how you feel about hearing bad news. I dread it too. However this horse is a real fighter. Hoping that we witness a miracle and he recovers. Keep going Paynter.

        • Max, I am following it to. A friend is sending me tweets from the Zayat’s. I know exactly what you mean when you say you are afraid to check. But maybe he has a fighting chance now that his diarrhea is more under control. I am praying for him.

  10. / Reply

    I like the Q&A Lane’s End does. It is interesting and there are a lot of good questions that are asked. I appreciate the time it takes to post on the blog and am thankful they keep us informed about Zenyatta and 12Z.

  12. / Reply

    Thank you Alyss and Lane’s End for once again “educating” us all about this love of ours, “Lane’s End”. Your generosity of time spent and caring for us fans, means so much. Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I do have one question? Isn’t 12Z, the one grazing, with his head down, right in the center of the photo? It doesnt seem to me the star matches on the other two looking at the camera?

    Dearest Zenyatta. I feel like you have been a little bit ignored with our infatuation with your dear son 12Z, and our current worry about Paynter. But never worry my dear, you are and always will be the most LOVED of all, in my book. I was just reading an article about you titled, Zenyatta-The Legend. It was wonderful and made me miss you even more. I am so proud of you and have loved you even before you became so famous and so loved. Cannot wait to attend your celebration party on Nov 1st. Take care and have a wonderful day and a wonderful pregnancy with your current foal by Tapit. I love you forever my angel! Someday, I hope to meet you and have you nuzzle your head into my hair. I promise, I will not wear hairspray and you can mess it up all you want. Love forever, Darlene

    Dear Paynter, Continue to pray for a full recovery for you, beautiful boy!

      • / Reply

        Glad you came back Janet. Thanks, Zenny,
        Janet, Z also put my heart back into racing.
        Zenny, Team Z,and Lanes End are just the best!

    • / Reply

      Darlene Daniels:

      I thought 12Z was the one looking at the camera?!?! You know he such a “ham”! Plus the colt looking at the camera looks like he has some pretty impressive ears! LOL!

      It’s hard to tell who’s who’s in these pic’s because some are taken from afar, in any case they look like a real fun bunch!!! The girls being aggressive and the boys just taking it! (GIRL POWER!)\

      I hope you do get to Saratoga some day, I left you a msg on page 1 of a few little hints!

      GirlSaratoga

      • / Reply

        I say we all meet up there next season. I want to meet the infield goose and see those canoes! Oh and walk thru the barn area and smell manure and feed the horses peppermints,right GS!

        Girl Power is right,GS!

        • Ann NC:

          I hope you make it to Saratoga, you will love it! The canoes look so great, and the painted jockey’s! Like I said if you park in the back the minute you open your car door to get out you can smell that sweet smell of horse manure! The walk to the gate is so inspiring, just to know all the wonderful and talented horses that have raced there. But be prepared when you are walking you will most likely get “hit on” or “picked up” by one of the sweet stable hands, they LOVE them some pretty ladies! And if you speak Spanish they LOVE you even more!

          I remember one year there was NOWHERE to park and one of the stable hands told me to park in his parking space, I of course said “no” and he replied “please yes, i have no car”! I was so taken by his kindness for no profit or gain for himself, that I tried to give him a “tip”, but he wouldn’t take my money. My daughter and I still reminisce about that day, especially when we are up there and we walk by that particular spot!

          If you should come up this way, just let me know I would LOVE to experience some GIRL POWER with you!

          GirlSaratoga

      • / Reply

        GirlSaratoga and Ann NC RN,

        I definitely think a meeting at Saratoga late summer next year would be fantastic. It is definitely on my bucket list. Are you two in with me?

      • / Reply

        Oh yes, GS and Ann
        Now that 12 Z is in a herd he does not stand out
        As much. I think he is the one looking at the camer, too

      • / Reply

        Judy:

        LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this video, there is a Dancing Queen 2 video too! I tried to find it but I can’t remember where I saw it! The video’s of Z-Girl always put a BIG smile on my face. (Can u imagine what Hootie was saying?)
        Thanks for the link so we all could smile for at least 4mins!

        GirlSaratoga

      • / Reply

        Thank you Judy,

        It always warms my heart and filled a loneliness I was feeling for Z. I miss Kari B. but am so thankful for all the videos she made and left for all of us to enjoy for years too come. Speaking of missing people, I miss Karen Gogue too.

        • Darlene, agree about Kari and Karen. Judy, thanks for that video, I have seen so many of Kari’s but don’t think I had yet seen that one.

  13. / Reply

    dear darlene such a beautiful message about our queen!!wish we had some pics of her as well.hope her pregnancy is going well i cant believe how much 12Z looks like his mum praying we hear some good news about paynter God will look after him. hugs sheenaXXX

    • / Reply

      Sheena,

      I cant explain why, but Zenyatta is as much a part of my life as my Faith, family, friends, career, and anything else I so love. It is like she is a special treat and blessing God has given to all of us who love her so much.

  15. / Reply

    Paynter Update Thurs. Sept. 6 8:30 a m Pacific. A. Zayat tweets combined

    Paynter update: Paynter was comfortable overnight and has been eating well. He continues to pass soft formed manure He is walking very comfortably in the stall. He continues to have low protein levels but his edema has improved dramatically.

    that was just a brief update on paynters medical situation. On a personal basis. I’ve heard from numerous people that it is impossible to beat laminitis particularly while fighting colitis! It’s a lethal combination but I have hope because I know that paynter is SPECIAL and will get through this

    • / Reply

      Keta Note: Backside 55 tweeted a DRF article with Paynter update in it.
      That was a nice thing to do to show their interest & concern.

      • / Reply

        Keta. Is Backside 55 an official Facebook of John Shirreffs? I thought that it was a fan who maintains it as a fan rather than John or the Mosses. I could be wrong.

        • Max,
          Backside 55 on Twitter has a web site on it
          http://www.backside55.net/
          This takes you to Backside 55 which is described as
          “Behind the scenes with John Shirreffs, his string of horses, and his team at Hollywood Park”
          So, think that Twitter and this web site are John’s.
          Wondered if this is Dottie’s new message board.
          Keta

        • Keta. If you read the section About Us, it says that it is the work of a fan named Maggi who admires John. There is no mention of John or Dottie as official voices on the site.

        • THANKS FOR THE REPOST OF THE SITE, I POSTED IT A LAST NEWS
          WHEN FOUND EL VINO’S CURRENT RACES ON IT.

          GREAT INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO LOVE BARN 55 AND ALL OF THE FOLKS !!!!!

        • DIC = Disseminated intravascular coagulation

          The body consumes/destroys clotting factors so the patient often have
          bleeding problems.

    • / Reply

      Thank you for the news on Paynter and the website at Barn 55.
      You are one special person and I am so glad you are part of this family.
      The Zenyatta Nation is so special and you are one of the shining stars.
      Thank you again and we love you Sue

  16. / Reply

    Hello everyone. Hope all are well. Gorgeous Zenyatta , sure do miss you talking to us and filling us in on all you do. If anyone had ever told me I would be completely and totally in love with a horse, I would have said they were crazy. But here I am totally and completely in love with you and all you are. I hope you are having a great day and that you are happy and well.
    How’s our boy doing? Sending love to you and 12Z and all your connections.
    Love hugs and kisses

  17. / Reply

    A little bragging this morning!
    Casey started my day with this FB message
    Keta- you won a signed photo of Joe Talamo in honor of his 10,000 followers on Twitter!!!! Woohoo- you go, girl!!!!

    Yes, I was one of 10 to win. And, was one of his first 100 Followers.
    Nice way to start the day–a big Thank You, Joe!

    • / Reply

      Keta:

      Congrats on your very special prize! Too bad it wasn’t our beloved Mike Smith! (Because then you would have a real piece of our Queen and her famous court!!!!)

      Enjoy your signed pic!!!!
      Thanks for all the updates on Paytner, been having trouble getting on to the drf site, so your updates are such a relief for me. Please if you hear anything else please let us know, I know your probably busy, but I am so very worried and scared for o
      “our sweet boy”, that I am up almost every hour checking the web sites!

      Congrats, and thanks again

      A tired GirlSaratoga

      • / Reply

        To our tired GirlSaratoga
        Twitter seems to a faster source right now than DRF.
        Ahmed Zayat and Justin post info almost as soon as they get it.
        So, if I am home, I check it frequently for updates.

        Actually, I do have Mike Smith signed Zenyatta memorabilia
        I was surprised & thrilled to be selected to receive Joe Talamo’s signed photo.
        He is a outstanding jockey.
        You are welcome–hoping that the updates are helping.
        Hugs, Keta

        • Keta. You are the best at updates. Keep them coming.

          I am still so worried about Paynter. Not much sleep these nights with him on my mind. I have everyone whom I know praying for him, lighting candles etc. Paynter, please fight on and get better. When he does get better, being positive here, I’m sending a huge bag of peppermints. Also one to Z for being Z.

  18. / Reply

    Max,
    Re: Barn 55 web site.
    I definitely stand corrected–got it.
    Still like the site and it is a nice way to get to the YouTube videos.
    Keta

    • / Reply

      Really love the Barn 55 site. Used to check it all the time
      Z was raving so I knew when her next race was. Also much
      Information.

      Thanks for reposting it m. It is really good to repost
      Things do anyone who misses will pick it up.

  19. / Reply

    The month of August flew by – I’m behind in reading the blog to boot! Busy with taking care of some personal things….

    I hope everyone is doing well….

    ♥ Prince 12Z is getting too too cute (if that is at all possible) every minute!

    I cannot wait for the life-size ♥ Zen statue unveiling – Full Moon – how cool is that! Remember, Prince was born under a Full Moon?!

    I’m counting down the days to BC – woo hoo!!!

    Back to work – talk care ‘ya all!
    JAG

  20. / Reply

    Great information — We have been curious as to how they are separated and at what stages in their development. Thank you.

  21. / Reply

    I’ll bet Stanwyck was named after the actress, Barbara Stanwyck. I am named after her and that fact means i can get into any movie theatre for only $12!!!!! Best wishes to everyone…

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Denman looks just fantastic. He is a handsome fellow. I am so glad that he has recovered from his tendon injury and is able to start a new career. I think that Master Minded is still with Paul, but remains turned out in the field to heal. I am waiting to see what decision is made about Kauto. His people have his best interests at heart.

    • / Reply

      Thanks to both of you for international horse information.
      There are so many talented equines a Ross the
      Pond !!!

    • / Reply

      Thanks, Heidi, for this link to the Northstar effort. I just sent a small donation. I hope and pray that he mends quickly and feels better soon. Sure hope they find who did this monstrous act — they deserve punishment for this unpardonable (to me) cruelty.
      Healing wishes to sweet Northstar — prayers for him and his owners.

  24. / Reply

    Max,
    Appreciate your comment about updates–it is not always an easy process using Twitter. Their 140 character count includes the @addresses. A. Zayat tweets using a string of several tweets to tell about what is happening.
    Here is one Tweet as an example: “impossible to beat laminitis particularly while fighting colitis! It’s a lethal combination but I have hope because I know”
    Now, I take these individual tweets–copy & paste them together.
    The tweets are not consecutive-other people are tweeting at the same time so I get one and then look for the next etc. until the update session is over.
    Then I copy the combined Zayat tweets and post them here.
    I never edit his words-grammer or spelling is left as is–want to avoid anyone saying it is not the original.
    As I said earlier, this is the fastest way to get info. it is straight from the Zayats to you.
    DRF and other publications are basically doing what I do with some rewrite.
    That’s my story.
    Keta

    • / Reply

      Keta. You are very good at this. I noticed that DRF and other media give out the same info as you but it takes them a lot longer. Have no doubt that we appreciate and admire your efforts, especially because in the case of Paynter it is not easy to convey bad news. We are all personally involved with him now. Hoping that you will only have good news to report.

    • / Reply

      Keta,

      And here I was thinking you read all the information and then re-typed it all to share with us. I am really glad to know you dont have to do all that typing. LOL

  25. / Reply

    Union Rags News
    Sid Fernando + Obser‏ tweet
    Union Rags extremely well received by breeders.
    40-share syndicate almost done.
    I know cause I spoke to Bill Farish y’day. Top breeders in.

  26. / Reply

    Animal Kingdom continues to make progress for his return (Breeders Cup?)
    By David Grening DRF 09/06/2012 5:01PM
    Animal Kingdom, the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner, continues to progress toward a return to the races, posting his third workout in 16 days Wednesday at the Fair Hill training center in North East, Md.
    Trainer Graham Motion said Thursday that if Animal Kingdom continues to progress, he could be ready to return to the races in late October or early November. While Motion said he is not under any pressure from owner Barry Irwin to make a particular race, nor has he picked out a specific spot, he has not ruled out anything, including a Breeders’ Cup race.
    When asked if it would be ridiculous to think about the Breeders’ Cup, Motion said, “I don’t think anything is too ridiculous with this caliber of horse.”
    http://www.drf.com/news/animal-kingdom-continues-make-progress-his-return
    Keta Note: Animal Kingdom was diagnosed with the beginnings of a stress fracture in his pelvic region in early March.

  27. / Reply

    I hope Terry Crow GP can return soon. Here’s a little attempt to fill in the gap.

    One day Cletus was driving in the big city when he caught the flash of the traffic camera in his rear view mirror. He knew he wasn’t speedin’ cause he was lookin’ for where to turn in to the discount appliance and electronics store parkin’ lot. Just to check it out, Cletus went around the block and sure ’nuff that traffic camera clicked and he was drivin’ slower than the first time. Cletus tried it three more times and the fifth time he was thinkin’ it was so funny and he was laughin’ real hard as he rolled through at turtle speed.

    Two weeks later, in the mail, Cletus got five traffic tickets for no seat belt.

      • / Reply

        Keta, I so appreciate all your efforts to keep us up to date on everything, but especially lately about Paynter. Happy I could provide some comic relief. Marty R.

    • / Reply

      Marty R:

      In the East there are all sorts of signs that say “click it or ticket” guess our friend Cletus never saw or read those signs, 5 tickets! Too Funny!
      Thanks for the laugh in Terry’s place!

      GirlSaratoga

      • / Reply

        Girl Saratoga, We have those, “click it or ticket” signs in Colorado, too. Guess Cletus isn’t from around these parts, either. Don’t know where he lives, but he can be a hoot. Marty R.

      • / Reply

        Peggy (N) You are just such a loving, caring person….you wear your heart on your sleeve. So glad I could give you a laugh. Marty R.

    • / Reply

      This is a great joke Marty !!!!
      Very very very funny !!!!

      We have lots of RN support when TC is busy
      Attending to life like we all do once in awhile.

  28. / Reply

    Thank you for this posting. Very informative. I have heard it said that female puppies are more of a handful than male puppies as well. Funny. Paynter, Zayat family and Dr. Laura (his vet.), we are keeping you in our prayers. Maybe he has a chance now that the colitis is under control.

    • / Reply

      I have a male dog since a puppy and he is more
      Of a handful than any female puppy dog.

      He slammed into a blind dog in the dog park
      A couple of weeks ago . Needless to say
      I was very embarrassed. He act like he gets not
      Attention and is starved for human contact and was
      Born with a silver spoon on his mouth !!!!

  30. / Reply

    Everyone, if you google Lamintis, there are some very good articles there about it.
    Paynter you fight really hard
    Dear Lord help him fight all these ailments. Please help him get well.

    • / Reply

      Paynter is giving it his all, Peggy.
      We can all be very proud ,for the effort he has shown us.
      The casts being used on him, seem to have given him much needed relief.
      Will keep praying for him.

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