Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #14

12Z in the paddock with other weanlings. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Q:

How much ‘training’ do the yearlings undergo (in handling, etc.) and what is the next step in their development (ie, when they are introduced to bridle/saddle, and eventually ridden, gate training). Do they ‘graduate’ to another location/farm where they are taught these things?

Sue MacPhee

Toledo, OH

A:“Training” begins at the time the horses are weaned at Lanes End and continues until they leave the farm. Horses are taught to lead, walk and stand while traveling to and from the barn as weanlings and into their yearling year. This is a very important stage in development where they build a cohesive bond with humans. In their latter weanling months/short yearling they are more formally introduced to plastic bit and grooming tools such as brushes, mane combs and hoof picks. Bits are connected to their halters while they are being groomed in their stalls for a smooth transition for when we start prep.

Usually sometime shortly after the derby, the yearlings are broke to a surcingle with side reins (tack) and prep begins. At Lane’s End we prep yearlings to be racehorses. The yearlings start staying up in the barns all day instead of going out in the afternoon to protect their coats from sunburn. We hand walk the yearlings in a 40 acre field as a training tool as well as trot them in a covered round pen for fitness. Both of these are important part of the prep process. We use the surcingle and side reins for both walking in the fields and trotting in the round pens to ensure proper movement.

More aggressive grooming methods are used during prep where they are introduced to a curry comb for shedding, rub rags to bring out the natural oils in there coats and a hose/bath. We do not ride the yearlings during this process—yearlings are broke to riders after they leave the farm in the fall. Most of the yearlings at the farm are sent to either Florida or South Carolina in September/October and the training process starts over with the next crop of weanlings.

Expert: Cooper Sawyer

Q:

Does your farm try to keep the same “social companions” throughout their years as part of the broodmare bands, or does this change often?

Carolyn Caswell-Brown

Alexander, ND

A:When broodmares have become good friends we do try and keep them together as long as their status allows us to. A happy mare is typically a healthy mare. However if a mare is given a year off from foaling and her friends are in foal then she will have to join a group of non pregnant or “barren” mares for the health of the herd, as her routine and feeding will differ from that of the pregnant mares.

When mares move away from their friends they adjust quite quickly to a new group and within a day or two have usually bonded with the new group. They are a social animal and need the company of the others in the herd.

Expert: Donna Vowles

Our Experts

Donna Vowles

Assistant Broodmare Manager, Lane’s End

Originally from Birmingham, England, Donna joined the Lane’s End team in 2004. As Assistant Broodmare Manager, she devotes her time to ensuring the health and happiness of all the broodmares and their foals.

Cooper Sawyer

Yearling Manager, Lane’s End

Cooper was born in Lexington, KY and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Agriculture. He started working with horses in 1997 in the training barn of Al Stall Jr. Before coming to Lane’s End as the Yearling Manager in 2010, I worked at Wimbledon and Mill Ridge Farm.

Reader Interactions

523 Comments

  1. / Reply

    To Barbara Wood. know that your whole family will remain in my prayers. Glad things all sound better from your previous post. So glad. Have a good time at the Breeders Cup.
    To Sue Frederick, Hope Cisco is doing well, Keep us posted.

  2. / Reply

    Max

    Who do you like in the Canadian International. I think I am going to pull for Joshua Tree. I have followed him in the past. Frankie is going to ride him. Hope he doesn’t use the whip to excessively
    Aidan O’brien has a horse in there also, Hope he doesn’t end Bobby’s record.

    • / Reply

      Peggy. It’s raining cats and dogs in Toronto so that the turf will be soft. This race is hard to call. There is a lot of horsey talent there. Joshua Tree might do well, but there are some good US horses like Al Khali in it too. Uncle Johnny is riding Forte del Marni for Roger Attfield. Johnny V always does well at Woodbine. I think that Mike Smith is in one of the undercard races.

    • / Reply

      Dear Peggy:

      I did see Papa Charlie on Saturday. Angela rode him and I took some video for her to see how he looks as she’s riding. He has gained weight and look great. Thanks for caring. Hugs, JB

  5. / Reply

    Ann in NC: Thanks for the update on Moose – and delighted to learn of Goose as well. Will be thinking of your daughter and the Holsteins on 20 October. Good luck!

  6. / Reply

    For dogs, these goldens certainly do fidget and move a lot at night! I was awaken at 3:45 a.m. today with a request to play….

  7. / Reply

    Paynter, The Unbreakable Horse
    By Laura Pugh 10/13/2012 1:34 PM
    There are those with speed, fast enough to run a hole in the wind. There are those with stamina to run all day, all night, for miles on end. There are those who love to fight, that will make you sit on the edge of your seat screaming, at the top of your lungs as they make that last desperate lunge for the wire. Sometimes, you are even lucky enough to see a horse with all three of those qualities, but rarely do you see a horse with such courage that he is unbreakable.
    We have all followed Paynter’s saga. The son of Awesome Again had the talent, but didn’t really put it all together until the Belmont, where he showed his stamina and that gritty determination. It was only too bad that Union Rags got the rail, giving him a head advantage at the wire. In theHaskell, he astonished us, showing us speed that we never thought we’d see again after the retirements of Bodemeister and I’ll Have Another. It was dominant, perfect. We had just seen the horse who could run a hole in the win, run for miles on end, and had the determination and fight of a hardened war veteran.

    Keta Note: Excellent article! Worth the read. These are the closing paragraphs

    After so many high profile retirements, breakdowns, and deaths, this is what this sport needs. Fans across America wept for Barbaro when he lost his fight with Laminitis.
    Now they have a chance to cheer and celebrate Paynter’s victory. They have a chance to watch him attempt what many deemed impossible, as he returns to the track.

    Paynter has demonstrated these past few months a great many things. On the track he showed an abundance of talent and brilliance, but it was off the track he showed his true fight. Paynter showed that one can overcome the odds. Paynter showed courage not many humans can even display. He is in his own dimension, he is Paynter, he is the Unbreakable Horse.
    http://www.horseracingnation.com/blogs/DeadHeat/Paynter_The_Unbreakable_Horse_123

  10. / Reply

    The words above from Laura Pugh leaveme with wanting to comment on it. For anyone to say that anyone or anything is unbreakable is just hard to read. Everyone and every thing can be brought down. I think we have prayed so hard for Paynter to get well and I will continue praying so hard but in a different direction. I pray to God so hard that he willput Paynter in a better place. For him to thrive and hopefull live a long and healthy life. That is the thing that I just me can do to help Paynter.
    I give Michael Matz and Phyllis his owner such high praises and all the Trainers that want whats best for the horse that might be a high risk horse to help them get to a Better Place.
    I believe that Paynter would be a High Risk Horse
    I remember Greta Van Susterin saying on her TV show either after Barbaro’s Tragedy or after Eight Belles Tragedy I heard her say that she would never goto a race again. I know that lots feel this way. I don’t think we want to see people staying away.. We need to look after all our great Thoroughbreds but especially the High Risk ones.
    I myself was just devastated by the death of Barbaro and the beloved Eight Belles(the way she came down was just heartbreaking) and anything that we can do to remotely stop this from happening is a good thing. Even ifjust helping one horse at a time
    I hope with all my heart that Mr Zayat will rethink his possition of bringing Paynter back to the racing and carry him to a better place.
    I could not watch Paynter on a race track again. That’s my opinion
    I will be praying very hard that Paynter can be taken to a better place.

    • / Reply

      I was referring to Michael Matz and Phyllis his owner as being Union Rags Connections I guess I was going to fast.

    • / Reply

      Dear Peggy N,

      Sooo very much agree with you, racing and training got him were is was (colitis,
      abcess, DIC, sepsis, laminitis) etc. He is a wonderful talented horse and should find another career to direct his fighting will to. Returning to training may very well make him sick again. Mr. Z made a valient effort to treat and make Paynter healthy again, but will he do what is best for the horse or himself????

      However, we will see how the almighty $$$$$ drives Mr. Z and BB. !!!!

  11. / Reply

    Paynter Leaves for Fair Hill Monday Oct. 15
    Justin Zayat‏ tweet Sunday Oct. 14 4:30 PM Pacific
    Paynters temp 100.4F….one of his nurses says “…he’s done with us”…
    Leaving to fairhill at 10 am tomorrow!

  12. / Reply

    Joshua Tree & Frankie Detorri Win the Pattison Canadian Intl Stakes
    Breeders’ Cup‏ tweet
    Joshua Tree being considered for one of three races next, including #BC12 Turf,
    says rep for owner K. Albahou

    BH_Race Results
    Joshua Tree (IRE) (Montjeu (IRE) – Madeira Mist (IRE)) wins the Pattison Canadian International Stakes Here is video replay
    http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/CAN/WO/2012/10/14/10/pattison-canadian-international-s-gr-1

    Mike MacAdam‏ tweets
    Joshua Tree jockey Frankie Dettori: “I was the hare; they were the hounds.”
    A hare who got away with :51.59 and 1:17.17
    Dettori, on pace: “Nobody wanted to take me on to sacrifice themself and set it up for the others. Sometimes you get away w/that”
    Frankie Dettori rode as an apprentice for trainer Marco Botti’s father in Italy. It’s his 1st winner for the son.

    • / Reply

      Kathy R,
      Thanks for the link. Sheena mentioned that he
      Might not run as the weather is very rainy on the
      Next blog. Not sure he would do well on heavy
      Turf, he is untested. We are hoping they scratch him
      And race him next year!!!! We can only hope or get
      A petition going with his dam reccomending that
      He continue racing as that is what she taught him to
      Do !!!

  15. / Reply

    Racing Post‏ tweet Mon. Oct. 15 Champion Stakes field:
    Frankel, Cirrus Des Aigles, Nathaniel, Pastorius, Declaration Of War,
    Ridasiyna, Bullet Train & Master Of Hounds

  16. / Reply

    Matt Chapman‏ tweet
    Little been made of frankel horse having the largest feet in the Cecil yard,
    wearing size 7½ shoes (front) and 7 (behind)

  17. / Reply

    Paynter Arrived Safe Justin Zayat tweet 1 min. ago Mon. Oct 15 10:10 AM Pacific
    The BIG horse arrived at fairhill safe and sound!
    Doing super!
    #RoadToRecovery #powerupPaynter

  18. / Reply

    Dear Dumplings and Z-sters:

    Since many of you have asked, we wanted to let you know that TC is in transit to a new location and we are sorry to say we do not have further details.

    Perhaps he will see fit to resurface in the future and fill us all in.

    Hugs, Diana and Trina

    • / Reply

      Thanks for posting this, Diana. I’ll just add that we two wish Terry well wherever he is, as I’m sure all the Z-sters and especially the Redneck Club members do.

    • / Reply

      Diana and Trina
      You are two very special people with huge hearts.
      My thanks to you both for all you did in helping Terry.
      Sending loving thoughts & prayers his way.
      Hugs, Keta

    • / Reply

      Diana and Trina, Thank you for letting us know. His presence here is missed and I wondered if all was well. I saw that he placed his bet in the fantasy capping so I figured he was ok, just busy or whatever.

    • / Reply

      Dear Diana and Trina,
      Thanks so much for this update on Terry, and many thanks to both of you for helping our dear TC. I sincerely hope that he will keep in touch with us and continue to post on this site when he gets sorted out and settled. There is a big void here without him.
      Thanks again and many hugs!

    • / Reply

      Dear Diana and Trina:

      Wish TC all the best and I think you are both very special people. Love and Hugs, JB

  19. / Reply

    GI Winner Creative Cause Retired to Airdrie
    By Blood-Horse Staff
    Updated: Monday, October 15, 2012 1:34 PM
    Grade I winner Creative Cause, one of the top performers of his generation at both 2 and 3, has been retired to stud duty at Brereton and Elizabeth Jones’ Airdrie Stud near Midway, Ky. Creative Cause will stand his first season for a fee of $15,000.
    A son of Giant’s Causeway and grade I winner and millionaire Dream of Summer, he retires with earnings of $1,039,000. Creative Cause raced in the colors of his owner, Heinz Steinmann, and was trained by Mike Harrington throughout his career.

    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/73575/gi-winner-creative-cause-retired-to-airdrie#ixzz29OGV7lJh

  20. / Reply

    ****To Diana Stuart, Sally B. and Peggy (South Georgia) RE: Paynter****

    Thank you for your responses to my feelings about Paynter.

    I appreciated everyone’s responses, of course, but obviously wanted to address the ones that feel the same way I do/did.

    While I will agree with those that point out Paynter is a race horse, an equine athlete with a “job” and one that he obviously loved, having had horses for over 30 years no one will ever convince me that they are not happy leisurely grazing all day, trotting around tossing their heads and racing with imaginary friends (or real ones) when the mood strikes them. Do horses like Paynter need a careful “let down” period after an active career on the track? Of course they do but don’t you think with all the “down time” he’s had that’s already been said and done?

    Right now his recollections of the race track, morning workouts, etc. are already faded memories to him.

    Time to let him be a stallion. Thanks to all for this place to express my feelings.

    • / Reply

      I have to agree. Will he ever get his full stamina back? Will the training aggravate his feet? Will he have less resistance to future equine illnesses if he is stressed by work at the track? Is he still fertile or did his treatment cause sterility? I guess all these questions will be answered at some point.

    • / Reply

      Judy

      You said that so well and I agree l00%. I fell in love with horses at age 6, and have had seven horses in my life so far and nobody could ever ever convince me that they are not just the happiest with just being a horse.

      • / Reply

        Dear Judy, Peggy, Bobbie and Z Fans:

        I do think horses are happiest just being horses. There are a few like Lava Man; he really enjoys his work as a track pony and seems happier then ever. But I think in time Paynter will let his connections know how he feels and I hope they do the right thing by him. Hugs, JB

        • Agree,Judy. Just because the horse says, I want to run like the wind,doesn’t always mean they should.
          Remember….horses are ALL heart and will do it, now matter how much they are hurting!

        • Dear Ann:

          So true. So many of them have continued to keep on running in a race when they were injured. I think what Paynter went through and survived is just remarkable. Miraculous really. Hugs, JB

  21. / Reply

    Algorithms retired after reinjuring leg
    October 15, 2012 at 4:29 pm by Mark Singelais, staff writer Times-Union
    Algorithms, the locally owned horse once considered a favorite for this year’s Kentucky Derby, was retired Monday with a recurrence of the leg injury that took him off the Triple Crown trail last spring.
    Owned by Starlight Racing, 3-year-old Algorithms finished his career 3 for 3 and hadn’t raced since winning the Grade III Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park by five lengths on Jan. 29.
    “There was so much excitement that you’re going to probably have one of the Derby favorites,” said Starlight co-managing partner Don Lucarelli, a Duanesburg native. “But in this business, the minute you think you’ve got it all figured out, is when they’re going to whack you alongside the head.”
    After the Holy Bull victory, Algorithms fractured a splint bone in his right front leg and had surgery in Florida in February.
    He had his first official work since the injury on Oct. 1, when he breezed three furlongs in 37.26 seconds at Belmont Park. But he missed his scheduled work last week with heat in the leg. The horse’s connections, including trainer Todd Pletcher, decided to have Algorithms examined by a veterinarian.
    “He was starting to carry some heat and Todd wanted to see if it would subside,” Lucarelli said. “Sure enough, it’s just one of those things you just can’t control.”
    Algorithms was being pointed to a comeback in the Grade I Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Nov. 24. But Lucarelli said it was a clear-cut decision to retire the horse.
    “There’s no fine line there,” he said. “Not only is it not right for the horse (to keep racing), but you also start having damaged goods where it’s not going to benefit anybody.”
    Starlight purchased Algorithms for $170,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale in 2010. He’s a son of Bernardini out of Ava Knowsthecode.
    There are no finalized stud plans yet for Algorithms.
    “There’s a lot of people interested him (as a stallion) because they knew what his talent level is and was,” Lucarelli said. “He’s probably the best bred horse we ever bought.”
    Lucarelli and co-managing partner Jack Wolf, still have Hopeful and Champagne winner Shanghai Bobby, scheduled to run in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita next month.

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta and Z Fans:

      So sorry to hear that this wonderful Boy of Bernie’s is retiring. He had some bad luck with injuries and hope he has a happy, healthy life. Hugs, JB

  22. / Reply

    Sorry to see another 2 leave so soon. But, it does make the Classic look better and better for my boy MMM! Game On Dude looks to be the star right now.

    Need need need more photos of the Queen and Z12.

  23. / Reply

    Steve Hakins does it again. A wonderful article about Paynter!
    Lots of great pics of his arrival, settling in, & Fair Hill

    Paynter Arrives at Fair Hill Rehab Facility
    15 Oct 2012 4:34 PM
    A light, steady rain fell as the Cooper Horse Transport van pulled up to the barn at Bruce Jackson’s Fair Hill Equine Therapy Center, located a stone’s throw from Graham Motion’s Herringswell Stable barn.

    Inside the van, Paynter, wearing a thick green blanket, was getting anxious as preparation for unloading began. From Upstate Equine Medical Center to New Bolton Medical Center, Paynter was about to embark on the next stage of his incredible journey. But this place was different, as he could tell as soon as he walked into the barn and placed in his new stall, one very much like those he remembered from the racetrack — fellow Thoroughbreds, activity, people dressed like normal racetrack people. Finally, after so many months, a room with a view. Outside the u-shaped barn, which also houses a number of Motion’s horses, was a brightly colored flower garden, around which was a large outdoor walking ring.

    Tina Clark of Cooper Horse Transport, owned by Joy and Keith Cooper, said as she watched Paynter settle in, “He really wanted out of his stall at New Bolton. He was ready to get going. On the van he was the perfect gentleman and shipped beautifully. He was more comfortable once he got on the van. He’s thinking, ‘Ah, this is more like it. I don’t feel like something bad is going happen now.’”
    http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2012/10/15/paynter-arrives-at-fair-hill-rehab-facility.aspx

  25. / Reply

    Justin Zayat‏ tweets on Paynter at Fair Hill Tues. Oct. 16
    Paynter Update: Paynters first night at fairhill with Bruce Jackson has gone very well. No issues at all. Drinking and eating well
    Temp at 10pm was 100.9 and at 4am 101.0. He has been out for grass this AM and
    will go again later! #powerofprayer #RoadToRecovery

    And, a very special exchange between Alex Brown Racing & A. Zayat

    Alex Brown‏ tweet to A. Zayt Three ridden, so far, at Fair Hill.
    A gorgeous morning after the rain yesterday.

    A. Zayat to AlexBrownRacing go give a big hug and a kiss to Paynter.
    He loves mint !! Lol

    Tweet Answer: Will do!

  26. / Reply

    There is a new Instagram photo by Alys of Mrs. Moss and Zenyatta. Gorgeous!!

    The link is on the right hand side below @teamzenyatta on twitter.

  27. / Reply

    @Marty, thanks for directing me to the new pic of Zenny ad her Ann. It’s all about LOVE in that picture. When these two are together it’s magic.

  28. / Reply

    Lane’s End Farm post on Facebook
    Fan Appreciation Day at LE on Sun, Nov. 4 from 10am to 2pm.
    No appointment necessary.
    Please enjoy visiting the stallions on this day.
    (Breeders may inspect the stallions at other times by calling for an appointment).

  30. / Reply

    Dear All,

    Judy Glore – the heart of Heart of Tucson – will be out of the hospital tomorrow after her bout of pneumonia. I’m not sure when her treatments for her cancer will begin, nor do I have an update on how Dyna King is doing. I hope to get that information to share later.

    In the meantime, I’m going to email her about the Gratefulness Candle sites we’ve started for her so I would love it if you all would return to BOTH of the sites below to light a candle so she sees your messages of love and encouragement when she gets home.

    Please post to your FB sites also. Thank you so much! diastu in tempe

    http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=HEART

    http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=JudyG

    • / Reply

      Thanks, Diana. We need to relight our candles every 48 hours. I heard from someone who spoke with Judy on the phone that she started chemo on Wednesday, October 17.

Leave a Reply to Jan S. / Houston Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.