Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #13

Zenyatta in her paddock. Photo by Alys Emson

Q:

When a racing thorougbred is retired from the track with the intention of being bred, do they generally settle down quickly from all the excitement of the track or does it take a while depending on the horse’s personality? Also, shortly after Silver Charm was retired to stand at stud, I watched a brief special on TV that said that he continued to be ridden and that he enjoyed being ridden. How common is it that thoroughbreds are still ridden after they are retired and are on a breeding farm? Just curious! Thanks for all you guys do!!

Megan Tallent

Indianapolis, IN

A:

Racehorses typically settle into retirement quite quickly. You have to remember we are actually putting them back in to a more natural environment to the one they have been living in at the track. However we don’t just bring them to the farm and put them out in the herd in a big field. The process is gradual and each horse dictates how long it takes depending on their behavior and also the time of year and weather conditions. We will turn them out in a small paddock daily and bring them in every evening. Typically with the fillies we then introduce them to a friend or two before they are eventually put in a larger field with a bigger group.

We do not ride any of our horses here at Lane’s End but it is not entirely uncommon to hear of Stallions being ridden after they are retired. At Three Chimneys Farm they do ride the stallions hence the piece on Silver Charm that you saw. We use a horse walker for the stallions that need additional exercise to help keep them trim.

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

898 Comments

    • / Reply

      Great race,sign! Thanks. Hope all horses came back sound. To hear the track was sucking off shoes….whow! That track was a force to be reckoned with. Hope all legs on those beauties are A-OK?

  2. / Reply

    Paynter Update Sun. Oct. 7 2012 2:00 PM EDT (40 mins.ago) A. Zayat tweets

    Paynter Update: Paynter continues to enjoy a good recovery according to Dr. Southwood.
    He had a “phenomenal” day yesterday, eating, happy, healthy, finally took a deep sleep like a little foal. She was so happy, she told me I was almost in tears. very heartwarming,
    Today he continues to enjoy good health, while a little quiet in the very early morning, he perked up big time while grazing towards noon time, all in all we are happy.
    Not declaring victory yet.. not out of the woods yet.
    Been only 4 days since surgery.
    He is being monitored very closely by a very dedicated and skillful team.
    lets continue our prayers he develops no complications and he stays stable.
    #warrior #keepfighting #star #poweruppaynter

  3. / Reply

    Kate Hunter‏ KeibaKate tweet after Arc
    Orfevre’s trainer Ikee is quoted on nikkansportscom saying
    “Tomorrow we start all over, we will return to win this race.”
    Lucky 13! :D

    • / Reply

      Yippeeee…………..I hope he’s around for a long long time.
      Yes tomorrow’s another day
      I have been worring about us not seeing him much . Just worried he would dissappear after this. Like some horses we just don’t ever see them again.
      He’s great and I hope they keep him in the spotlight and when he’s retired I hope they will keep him in our lives and keep us updated with him.

      • / Reply

        Peggy (N). Orfevre is only 4. There is precedent for a horse to win the Arc at 5. Mortico actually won twice at 5 years old and later at 7. Orfevre is a special horse. I would like to see him race again.

  4. / Reply

    Zoe Cadman‏ tweet Update on Cathy’s Crunches
    Cathy’s Crunches pulled up in yesterday’s 8th race santa anita park is 100% sound today!

  6. / Reply

    Sign, especially for you

    Sign (2-Year-Old Filly)
    Date: October 7, 2012
    Track: CHURCHILL DOWNS
    Distance: Five Furlongs
    Time: 1.00:80 Breezing
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: Dirt
    Rank: 2/42

  7. / Reply

    Handicappers Alert for Santa Anita!
    Steve Andersen‏ DRF tweet
    Jockeys Victor Espinoza and Garrett Gomez are off Sunday.
    Stewards said Espinoza missed a flight, and Gomez cited illness

  9. / Reply

    Max

    Along if you see any articles on Orfevre will you please post them over here. In case I miss any.

  11. / Reply

    2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    FINAL ORDER OF FINISH FOR THE ARC 2012

    10/7/2012, Longchamp-FR
    Distance:
    1 1/2m (Turf)
    Age/Sex:
    3+ M
    Time:
    2:37.68
    *Rank is current Power Ranking among all active horses, based on highest HRN rating. Rating is based on HRN member voting.
    Fin Silks Horse / Sire Rating Trainer / Jockey Last Start / Next Start
    1st Solemia
    Poliglote

    C. Laffon-Parias
    O. Peslier
    1st, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    Oct 7 – Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)

    2nd Orfevre
    Stay Gold
    8.15
    Y. Ikee
    C. Soumillon
    2nd, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    Dec 25 – Arima Kinen (G1)
    3rd Masterstroke
    Monsun

    A. Fabre
    M. Barzalona

    3rd, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    Oct 7 – Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    4th Haya Landa
    Lando

    M. Audon
    F. Blondel

    4th, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    Oct 2 – Prix De l’ Opera (G1)
    5th Yellow And Green
    Monsun

    N. Clement
    T. Thulliez

    5th, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    Oct 7 – Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    6th Great Heavens
    Galileo
    6.87
    J. Gosden
    W. Buick

    6th, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    Jul 22 – Irish Oaks (G1)

    7th Camelot
    Montjeu
    8.38
    A. O’Brien
    F. Dettori
    7th, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    Oct 22 – Racing Post Trophy (G1)

    8th Sea Moon
    Beat Hollow
    7.95
    S. Stoute
    R. Moore
    8th, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    Aug 17 – Great Voltigeur Stakes (G2)

    9th Shareta
    Sinndar
    7.55
    A. Royer-Dupre
    C. Lemaire
    9th, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    Sep 11 – Prix Vermeille (G1)

    10th Bayrir
    Medicean
    7.05
    A. Royer-Dupre
    G. Mosse
    10th, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    Aug 18 – Secretariat Stakes (G1)

    11th St Nicholas Abbey
    Montjeu
    8.08
    A. O’Brien
    J. O’Brien
    11th, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    Oct 3 – Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)

    12th Meandre
    Slickly
    6.47
    A. Fabre
    M. Guyon
    12th, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    Sep 11 – Prix Niel (G2)

    13th Kesampour
    King’s Best

    M. Delzangles
    G. Benoist
    13th, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    Oct 7 – Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)

    14th Mikhail Glinka
    Galileo

    A. Savujev
    M. Demuro
    14th, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    Mar 10 – DRC Gold Cup (G3)

    15th Saonois
    Chichicastenango
    5.45
    J. Gauvin
    A. Hamelin
    15th, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    Oct 7 – Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)

    16th Ernest Hemingway
    Galileo

    A. O’Brien
    C. O’Donoghue
    16th, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    May 17 – Dante Stakes (G2)

    17th Aventino
    Jungle Pocket

    Y. Ikee
    A. Crastus
    17th, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    Oct 7 – Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)

    18th Robin Hood
    Galileo

    A. O’Brien
    J. Heffernan
    18th, 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)
    May 27 – Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1)
    What the Nation is saying about the 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1)…

    Japan denied as quirky Orfevre allows Solemia victory‏
    Carlos Laffon-Parias and Olivier Peslier came, saw and conquered in scintillating fashion as their four year old filly, Solemia, reeled in Orfevre in the dying strides of the Prix de L’Arc de TriompheRead More
    Posted 8 hours ago · like · Comment

  13. / Reply

    Dear Ann in NC,

    Woke up to a chill and rain yesterday, at least in the 50’s, which is winter here.
    Guess NC gets a little chillier, remember well living in GASTONIA and working
    in Charlotte. So I do have a little Loudon Wainright influence, huh !!! ????

    • / Reply

      That is almost phrasin,Sign. It is cold and wet here today. YUCK,getting indoor chores caught up,bout time.
      You worked in the Queen city and were about 3 hours from us.Have kissin cusins in Gastonia. Yes,you could wear the skunk hat proudly!

      Speaking of…..we miss you TC!

      • / Reply

        Dear Ann,

        Sooo funny, Just loved living in NC.
        It is one of the most beautiful states in the US
        and after living in Ohio close to the hillbillies in
        West VA. The NC rednecks were rally tops.

        Can’t wait to see TC, skunk hat. He said he
        was busy over the weekend. With what TC ???

  14. / Reply

    Dear Peggy N,

    I think “O” is very hard to ride, he has some unpredictable quirks that just appear and it is hard for the jockey to compensate.

    I think that his jockey was not expecting him to slow down after he got the lead, he got a little lost on the lead with no one around. Maybe as he gets older they will lessen.

    But the best thing about TB is their QUIRKS, and Jethro had the same ones at 23 years old. That is what makes them soooo very special. Love those blinkers !!!!

    • / Reply

      I wondered about his stopping too. But from the past He has shown some of this as well. (Unpredictableness).But maybe yes as he gets older. He will come out of this some. He may be even more asesome.

      • / Reply

        Definately, all commentators were talking about
        How big and muscular he is compared to the other
        Horse, may be a late bloomer. Glad he will be back
        Next year !!!!

  15. / Reply

    Sign, yes she was absolutely great. There is another article about her on Bloodhorse this afternoon. It is so cute.
    Groupie Doll’s trainer got scare after her Race Saturday
    While at the Champaingn party after here race, Her trainer was called back to her barn to see about her. Because of her Demeanor.
    He got there and said she wasn’t even blowing hard, as if she had done nothing.
    She was telling him, though that she wanted to go home. So back to churchill Downs they went.
    He says she’s fine today………………She’s back home. Just too cute. I was worried for a moment She is an outstanding filly too. I believe she has won her last 4 races. Look Out Breeders Cup. Here comes another Great Filly.

    • / Reply

      Peggy N
      Love that story about groupie doll and her trainer.
      The fillies and mares are something, always something.
      I leased one that always had issues and was very
      Mean, biting, kicking and pinning her ears at
      All horses. Really hard to ride.

      Really like geldings, masculine, but manageable at
      Least when they are older around 6 or 7 !!!

    • / Reply

      Dear Kathy R
      One of our sprinters, Amazombie, trains at 4 or 5 am.
      His trainer Bill Spar trains all of them in the dark!!

    • / Reply

      Thank you Kathy R. Great read.

      I bet the barn cats wish for later hours. They can’t even pull off a late night barn party w/ those hours. All good barn cats host a party now and then, secret invitations only!

  20. / Reply

    Just a note…..Zentastics…..Balance the Books who scratched from our baby race yesterday ….wins today on turf….Brown Almighty second after someone DQ’d….
    BtB did it with last to first run…..hey Zenny ….that sounds awful familiar

  21. / Reply

    dear sign hope you had a lovely birthday lots of cake and icecream!!! shock win for solemia in the arc I was thinking of peggy because she adores orfevre he’s a beautifulhorse I did’nt know she had the same owners as goldikova the ground suited her camelot is staying in training next year john gosden is hoping nathanial can run against frankel on oct 20th maybe they’ll keep orfevre for the japan cup hugs sheenaX

    • / Reply

      The Wertheimers own the House of Chanel. As I am paying the bills of one who loves anything Chanel, I feel that in my own small way that I am helping to keep the lovely Solemia in her horse shoes and oats. LOL!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,
      Heard Frankie said Camelot 2 or 3 shoes and he
      Got him in the bridle and he was just tired. Thanks
      For B-day wishes. Look forward to see Nathaniel again,
      And soo happy Camelot will be back next year.
      “O” is pretty quirky, maybe he will grow out of
      Some next year, he is sooo talented and gorgeous.
      Did you see him wear blinkers in gallop out. Millie
      Ball HRTV commentator from the UK, picked the
      Winner a couple of days ago, sooo surprised. What a
      Gorgeous trophy. Hope Frankie does not get fired!!!!
      Ha ha ha !!!!!

    • / Reply

      Sheena, Thank you for thinking about me. It has been a hard day and a good day. Even with Ofvere’s loss he did so great. I think I love him even more after that hard way he worked through all those horses and almost won it. Coming from so far off the outside. Such a heartbreaking loss. I feel so for the Japanese people also. There were so many of them there with so high hopes he could win.

      • / Reply

        Remember the Dubai win they Japanese had after the Tsunami, that was
        sooo very wonderful for them.

  22. / Reply

    I am late in checking in, but I want to wish SIGNOFTHETIMES a wonderful birthday ( never hurts ot drag it out a little!). And thank you, Trina, for the wonderful poem with all that neat info on sign.

    Loving the updates on Paynter. Everything I have seen appears to be positive.

    • / Reply

      Thanks so much Barbara, look forward to
      Meeting at the BC, your hubby, too

  23. / Reply

    Mike Smith just got dumped by a 2 year old filly,
    Light Shine, lame left hind late scratch. Tapit filly.
    John Sherriffs trainer, with a smile on his face at time
    Of scratch !!!

  24. / Reply

    Curlin’s daughter just broke her maiden down the
    Down hill turf course, dam Cambiacorsa, down hill
    Turf mare.

  25. / Reply

    Dear Sheena,

    Not sure if you have seen Goldikova’s groom celebrate her third Breeder’s Cup
    Mile win in 2010. It is such a very passionate display of his love for her.
    It is something we all love and watch over and over and over, he runs down
    the track yelling, “Goldi, goldi, goldi”.

    Hope you enjoy it.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W70SzJtkQwk&feature=related

    • / Reply

      Sign, that was one of the neatest things watching that groom run to the finish lline with her! So sweet to see the pride and love he had for that great filly! I will miss her! Thanks for reminding me, gonna go watch again! Hope you had a wonderful birthday!

      • / Reply

        Thanks so much for the birthday wishes, yes, I sooo very much love
        this video and watch it over and over and over, too.

  26. / Reply

    I love this new large photo of Z (at the top of this blog). I have missed her in that way so much, big and close-up.

    • / Reply

      Yes, this photo of Z in black and white is absolutely beautiful.
      Such a wonderful peaceful photo of her making a baby and enjoying the
      equine life, she sooo deserves.

  27. / Reply

    Thanks for all the posts, Z’sters! I can’t believe that it is only 10:30 PM, and I have made it through the latest entries! That is a record for me!!

    Heads up to all who have not seen the stage performance of War Horse. It is really fantastic. I saw the touring production yesterday at the Durham Performing Arts Center and thoroughly enjoyed it and the accompanying music. The Handspring Puppets are phenomenal — brilliant! If you have the opportunity, go see this beautifully done production.
    Take care, everyone. Goodnight and sweet slumber!

    • / Reply

      Marshall – I saw it in L.A. this summer. For me, the music helped soften the overwhelming intensity of the war story. The Puppets are really excellent, you’re right. And I loved the goose!

      • / Reply

        Vicki B.,
        I agree with you about the music — it was so wistful and hauntingly beautiful. I, too, loved the goose!
        All the best and hugs, too!

      • / Reply

        Yes, Ann, the DPAC is a very nice facility. Everything seemed so efficiently run and spotless. The employees are all so nice and helpful.
        Take care!

  29. / Reply

    Max & Peggy,
    Here is the latest on O. He hit the rail in the stretch

    Arc Race Replay Orfevre hit the rail Keta Note: This is French version
    Pat Cummings Dubai Race Night tweet
    You can see Orfevre hit the rail at 3:27 mark in case you missed it – I did until now
    Another Pat Cummings tweet
    Oh wow, Orfevre hit the inner running rail in the final strides of the Arc.
    Just saw on French replay
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZO0q6eYZ2M&feature=youtu.be

    • / Reply

      Keta, Oh Dear Lord, I hope he is ok tomorrow. I’ll be so worried for the next few days. I was so hoping nothing bad would happen. Oh my boy please be OK. I’ll be saying my prayers.

      • / Reply

        Peggy. It did not look to be too hard a hit on the rail. He should be fine. What an impressive run by Orfevre. As we know only too well, great horses sometimes come in second but they remain great.

    • / Reply

      Thanks ,Keta,
      Great footage at the end, w/ horses in slo-mo. Love it.
      The earth must have been shaking there yesterday.
      just added a race to my bucket list…..lottery?!

  30. / Reply

    Brown Almighty finished 2nd beaten by 1 1/2 lengths, on October 7, 2012, at KEENELAND in Race 7.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICfGkZscf68
    You’d need a drink after this running of the Bourbon
    Posted on October 7, 2012 by Jennie Rees
    LEXINGTON, Ky. – Jockey Julien Leparoux thought his mount, odds-favorite Balance the Books, had won Keeneland’s $150,000, Grade III Bourbon for 2-year-olds on turf Sunday in the tight photo with 38-1 Really Sharp.
    But he really was certain he was the winner regardless, because of Really Sharp’s swerving out in mid-stretch to start a chain of horses slamming into each other, a sequence moving so far out into the stretch that Leparoux said he actually was impeded even being on the far outside.
    He was right on both counts: Balance the Books won by a nose. And Really Sharp was disqualified and placed sixth for interference, moving Brown Almighty up to second under jockey Francisco Torres.
    “We were very fortunate to win the race outright, instead of having to be put up,” said trainer Chad Brown. “I thought my horse ran well. When he entered the stretch, he was a little green. Later in the race he altered course again, but that came from the contact. It came all the way out to him. And Julien was actually one of them that claimed foul.

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