Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #16

Happy Friday!

We have an exciting five days of posts planned for next week. Each day, we will be announcing a new product from the Zenyatta Shop, and on Thanksgiving day we will post the Breeders’ Cup fan photo gallery. If you haven’t sent in your pictures, there is still plenty of time to do so (see here).

In the meantime, enjoy this expert answer by Charles from Lane’s End:

Zenyatta, enjoying time in her paddock.

Q:

I would like to know what type of regular “maintenance” Zenny receives. By this I mean having teeth and feet checked and anything else that keeps her in such great shape.

Sue Werner

Moneta, Va

A:Like all the mares, Zenyatta has her feet trimmed at the start of every month. Regular visits by the farrier are very important in order to keep the feet in good shape and prevent cracks or flairs from forming. There is an old saying,”No foot, no horse,” and this is very true and especially with mares when heavily in foal.

With regards to teeth, all of the mares have their teeth floated once a year to prevent hooks, waves and uneven teeth wear. This is performed at least ten days post foaling and before the mare is bred again, as this is the safest time to work on teeth.

Zenyatta, like all mares in foal, will have her checkup at the end of November to ensure everything is progressing as normal with the pregnancy. Fecal egg counts are performed twice a year and depending upon the results a worming and vaccinating program is established in order to keep her and her baby as healthy as possible.

The rest of her time is spent in the paddock relaxing with her friends, enjoying the green grass and nice weather.

Our Expert

Charles Campbell

Broodmare Manager, Lane’s End

Originally from England, Charles has traveled the world working with horses. He has been the Broomare Manager at Lane’s End for four years, and he was with Zenyatta the night she foaled.

Reader Interactions

485 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Melbourne Winner Americain to Calumet Farm

    By Blood-Horse Staff Updated: Thursday, November 22, 2012 8:03 PM

    The 2010 Melbourne Cup (Aus-I) winner Americain will commence his stud career at Calumet Farm in Lexington, it was announced Nov. 22.

    Calumet has purchased a 50 percent interest in the son of Dynaformer, and Americain will travel to the U.S. in December to commence his stud career in February of 2013.

    Gerry and Val Ryan and Kevin and Colleen Bamford, who raced Americain, have retained a 50 percent interest and will also purchase mares in the Northern Hemisphere to be served by Americain at Calumet, according to a release.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/74644/melbourne-winner-americain-to-calumet-farm#ixzz2D0KdBdCq

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta,
      I posted this yesterday on a few of the other blog pages, too. This is very confusing
      as to where to continue conversations ????

      • / Reply

        Sign,
        It is confusing right now.
        Since this announcement that Calumet was the farm was made on Nov. 22nd.
        I am surprised that you were able to post it on the 21st.

        My post above is timed at November 22, 2012 at 5:22 pm
        Ray Paulick’s tweet which is posted below is on November 22, 2012 at 6:09 pm

        I was on the internet on Thanksgiving evening checking on something else and stumbled on the story. It surprised and delighted me as I knew it would others who have wondered where Americain would stand.
        My goal is simple: to provide the information I find and share it–nothing more, nothing less than that.
        Keta

        • Oh yes,
          I think I posted it early on Nov 22, on one of the
          Other blogs. Could not have posted on the 21st.
          Glad it got out to everyone as I know every one was waiting
          For it.
          Now is Bullet Train going to stand at the same farm?

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta,
      I posted on the BC photo blog and it was
      AM on the 23rd, for a minute I thought I posted
      Using I phone and it did not post. I was following
      What we did when a new Diary entry came out,
      Just following onto them rather than staying on
      Previous ones, oh well!!!!

  2. / Reply

    Keta,

    Thank You for telling us this. I was hoping that Calumet would start getting some top class Stallions. Probably since Brad Kelly has become involved with Calumet maybe it will be a great farm.
    Every time I think about that man that is in prison for his bringing down Calumet it hurts my heart so bad. I just felt so sorry that Alydar was there. Rest in Peace Alydar.
    Hope that farm can become great again.
    I have not visited there, but coming out of the hotel downtown Lexington about 4 or 5 years ago I was talking to the Bellman and I was telling him I was going to visit some of the horse farms. He just asked me if I was going to Calumet. I told him no, but that makes me ponder. I hope they will allow visitors maybe one day. From what all I have read about Mr. Kelly he sounds like a nice man.

    • / Reply

      Peggy,
      That was such good news that I had to share as soon as I saw it.
      Have another article on Americain by Ray Paulick which I am posting.
      Calumet has had its dark days.
      The sun is coming on and shining brightly.
      Happy Thanksgiving!
      Hugs, Keta

    • / Reply

      Dear Peggy N,
      The whole issue with Alydar made me physically
      ill, and they did not get a penny !!!

      TC and I had some great conversations about
      The Alydar situation. So sad, guess with new owners
      That situation should be a thing of the past
      For that farm.

  4. / Reply

    Frankel Confirmation Photo & News
    Michelle Kinane tweet: Frankel Confirmation photo at Banstead Manor Farm
    https://twitter.com/MichelleKinane/status/271727626819887104/photo/1

    Steven Powell‏ tweet:
    Great to see Frankel & his stud career being discussed on ITV News.
    Also, tremendous plug for @Racing_Post as first-up on tomorrow’s papers

    Aidan‏ m tweet: Frankel due to cover 130 mares including Midday, Alexander Goldrun, Zagora, Vodka, Otsee etc. 20-30 mares from Juddmonte.
    Of mares accepted to Frankel, 33 have either won a Group/Grade 1 or produced a Group/Grade 1 winner
    Keta Note:
    Asked: where did you get info from, is it published?
    Answer: in tomorrow’s Racing Post

    • / Reply

      Keta. Very interesting information. Frankel will be competing mostly with his father for mares. Frankel may have a lower fee than Galileo but he is as yet unproven in a business where nothing is ever certain. We will miss him on the track.

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta,

      Great comformation photo, just like 12 Z looking at the camera, of course Frankel is new at this breeding ‘thing’, too or maybe more laid back about confomation photos in the UK.

      Glad you asked where the ‘data’ is for the information on these mare’s. It is so important
      for TWITTER, FACEBOOK and HORSERACING NATION to have the fact as sooo many
      DRAMA scenes are created that are GOSSIP, with no factual base.

  6. / Reply

    Paynter Update Friday Nov. 23 2012
    A.ZAYAT‏ tweet
    paynter continues to do SUPER happy horse ,
    GAINED 20 lb this weekto 1036lb
    Bruce taking jogging on the freewalker well
    energy level very high

  8. / Reply

    Dear Peggy N,

    Here is an article from JAPAN RACING, about each of the entrants to the Japan Cup 2012

    Top Page : English / 中文 / 한글 / Français

    Home > News & Photo > Racing News > 2012

    2012 News

    November 13, 2012

    Exclusive Topics for JAPAN CUP 2012 – 3rd Edition

    With the completion of the two major Japan Cup prep-races, the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1, 2,000m) and the Copa Republica Argentina (G2, 2,500m), the Japanese field that will face the foreign visitors in the coming international G1 is beginning to take clearer shape.

    Foremost attention was focused on whether Japan’s national hero Orfevre (JPN, C4, by Stay Gold) would take part in Japanese racing’s biggest international event after his well-noted performance in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October. The interval between the Arc and Japan Cup is shorter than usual this year, and the chestnut colt had been under quarantine since the end of October. Despite some weight loss upon his return to Japan, his connections have announced their decision to start the colt in the Japan Cup. Last year, after sealing the Triple Crown with a victory in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger, G1, 3000m) in late October, the 2011 Horse of the Year passed up a start in November and headed directly to the Arima Kinen (G1, 2,500m), so this year will be his first Japan Cup challenge. Recent Arc runners who have taken part in the Japan Cup upon returning to Japan include Deep Impact (JPN, by Sunday Silence), who won the race in 2006 after finishing third in the Arc only to be disqualified, and Nakayama Festa (JPN, by Stay Gold), who was 14th in the 2010 Japan Cup after finishing second in the Arc.

    Orfevre in the 2012 Takarazuka Kinen Orfevre in 2012 Prix Foy Orfevre in the 2012 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (left)
    Runners who have run successfully in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) are probable starters in the Japan Cup. For this year’s winner, Eishin Flash (JPN, H5, by King’s Best), it was his first G1 title in nearly two and a half years and his second G1 since capturing the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby, G1, 2,400m) in 2010. Under Mirco Demuro’s skillful hands, the dark bay gave a tremendous late charge after a ground-saving trip along the rails for a narrow win. Unfortunately, the Italian jockey is unable to partner him again as his short-term license will have expired, but Christophe Lemaire, who rode Vodka (JPN, by Tanino Gimlet) to victory in 2009, is booked to ride Eishin Flash.

    Fenomeno (JPN, C3, by Stay Gold) just missed his first G1 title by half a length in the Tenno Sho after placing second by a nose to Deep Brillante (JPN, by Deep Impact) in the Tokyo Yushun. Sent to post the race favorite in the Tenno Sho, with expectations high for the three-year-old’s first challenge against top G1 winners, his performance did not fail to impress. He showed much power in defeat and confirmed his suitability to Tokyo Racecourse, where he has registered three wins and two seconds out of five starts.

    Third-place finisher Rulership (JPN, H5, by King Kamehameha) came into the race with 18 extra kilos to his frame following a four-month spell. His run in the Tenno Sho began from a poor break, which demanded extra effort from the outside to finish as well as he did. With one race now under his belt, further improvement can be expected in his bid to claim a second G1 title—following the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Hong Kong; 2,000m) in April—and first G1 victory in Japan.

    Eishin Flash in the 2012 Tenno Sho (Autumn) Fenomeno in the 2012 St. Lite Kinen Rulership in the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Cup
    The standout among this year’s three-year-old fillies is Gentildonna (JPN, F3, by Deep Impact), who claimed the Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas, G1, 1,600m), the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, G1, 2,400m) and the Shuka Sho (G1, 2,000m) to become JRA’s fourth triple-crown filly. Attracting much attention after kicking off with a win against male foes in the Shinzan Kinen (G3, 1,600m), the Deep Impact filly succumbed to fourth in the Tulip Sho (G3, 1,600m) owing to a fever prior to the race. She returned to form with a victory in the Oka Sho, and then demonstrated her dominance by storming from behind to an overwhelming five-length victory in the Yushun Himba. Her record-breaking time of 2:23.6 over the 2,400-meter course was 0.2 second faster than Deep Brillante’s winning time over the same distance in the Japanese Derby a week later. Success continued in her fall campaign with a G2 win in the Rose Stakes (1,800m) and then in the last leg of the fillies’ triple, the Shuka Sho, in which she narrowly nosed out Oaks runner-up Verxina (JPN, F3, by Deep Impact), who refused to give in as they dueled to the wire. Coming off a four-grade-race winning streak, the powerful bay filly’s lighter weight (53kg) should work to great advantage in her first challenge against top G1 caliber.

    Gentildonna in the 2012 Oka Sho Gentildonna in the 2012 Yushun Himba Gentildonna in the 2012 Shuka Sho
    Otherwise, however, the Japanese field falls short of quality three-year-old colts. Gold Ship (JPN, C3, by Stay Gold), who claimed two of this year’s Triple Crown Classics—the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas, G1, 2,000m) and the Kikuka Sho—has opted to miss the Japan Cup and head directly to the Arima Kinen. The three Deep Impact colts who had finished within the first five in the Tokyo Yushun all came up with injuries, ruling them out of racing for long periods or even forcing them to retire altogether. World Ace (JPN), the Satsuki Sho runner-up and fourth in the Japanese Derby, was found with a tendon injury during training towards his fall campaign and will be sidelined for quite some time. Tosen Homareboshi (JPN), who finished third in the Derby, retired after developing a bowed tendon during the summer. Tokyo Yushun winner Deep Brillante, who went overseas in July to challenge the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1, 2,400m) at Ascot and finished eighth, was getting prepared for the third leg of the Triple Crown Classic but he also was forced to retire with a tendon injury only days before the race. The three-year-old field has been greatly affected by the absence of so much talent.

    The Copa Republica Argentina on November 4 was won by second-choice Lelouch (JPN, C4, by Zenno Rob Roy), but after scoring his first grade-race title his connections have decided that the late developer’s first G1 challenge will be the Arima Kinen. The field also included Beat Black (JPN, H5, by Miscast), who scored an overwhelming four-length victory earlier this season in the Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1, 3,200m), but carrying top weights at 59kg in his fall debut, he finished fourth. The black son of Miscast hopes to show improved form in his second start this fall in the Japan Cup. Gustave Cry (JPN, by Heart’s Cry), a promising four-year-old whose dam, Fabulous la Fouine,was the runner-up in the 1996 Japan Cup, was sent to post favorite in the race after coming off an impressive third in the Kyoto Daishoten (G2, 2,400m), but he finished sixth and pulled up with a tendon injury that forced his immediate retirement. The 2009 Japan Cup runner-up Oken Bruce Lee (JPN, H7, by Jungle Pocket), who finished seventh in the Copa Republica Argentina, will make his fifth challenge in this year’s Japan Cup.

    Beat Black in the 2012 Tenno Sho (Spring) Oken Bruce Lee in the 2008 Kikuka Sho Lelouch in the 2012 Copa Republica Argentina
    Other contenders in the Japan Cup could include Jaguar Mail (JPN, H8, by Jungle Pocket), who finished seventh in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) this year and third in the 2011 Japan Cup. Tosen Jordan (JPN, H6, by Jungle Pocket), the record-making winner of the 2011 Tenno Sho (Autumn) but 13th this year, was runner-up in the Tenno Sho (Spring) in April, although he had to be sidelined with leg problems and a quarter crack, preventing him from starting in the Takarazuka Kinen (G1, 2,200m) and the Sapporo Kinen (G2, 2,000m). Considering that the Tenno Sho (Autumn) was his first start in six months, the 2011 Japan Cup runner-up should improve in his second start of the fall season. If he regains his true form by then, he could become quite a threat in the race. Another horse to watch is Dark Shadow (JPN, H5, by Dance in the Dark), runner-up in the 2011 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and fourth this year.

    • / Reply

      Hi Jonathan Glad you like the photos. I have given the old pix a CC rantig for non-profit use, so you can download all you want to paste all over your walls, fill up your blogs, create new content, and generally enjoy them ! Have Fun ! The only rules are flickr rules, which require making the photos linkable back to my flickr page or photostream if you post them on blog or website pages. It’s a courtesy thing. In any case, they are FREE ! Woo Hoo ! (Please don’t pay “picture pirates” for cheap copies of my posts!)See more info at my PROFILE page. Thanks.

  10. / Reply

    Dear Peggy N,

    Here is a lovely summary from Japan Racing about the Japan Cup and “O” and other infomation will all of the winners.

    2012 News

    November 15, 2012

    2012 Japan Cup (G1) – Preview

    The 32nd Japan Cup on Nov. 25 at Tokyo Racecourse is shaping up to be a racing fan’s dream, with nine of the 12 horses from the home team a Grade 1 winner including Orfevre, who will get a chance to pay back Solemia for his bitter defeat to the French filly in last month’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

    The Japan Cup is the Japan Racing Association’s international showpiece and its richest race with a purse of 521 million yen, having hosted some of the world’s top thoroughbreds over the years. In 2011, Buena Vista took home the first-place prize of 250 million yen after holding off Tosen Jordan at the wire and judging by the look of this year’s field, another close one appears to be in the making.

    Joining the 4-year-old Solemia from abroad are four invitees, all trained in Britain: Sri Putra, the winner of the York Stakes who was third in both the Eclipse Stakes and Prince of Wales’s Stakes last season; Red Cadeaux, the runner-up in the Coronation Cup and winner of the Yorkshire Cup; Jakkalberry, who placed third in this year’s Melbourne Cup as well as the Dubai Sheema Classic; and Mount Athos, winner of the Geoffrey Freer Stakes.

    The five will be counted on to break a long dry spell in the Japan Cup for the visitors, who last won through Alkaased in 2005 with Lanfranco Dettori in the saddle (Alkaased still holds the race record at 2 minutes, 22.1 seconds over the 2,400 meters). Falbrav won before that in 2002, with Pilsudski scoring in 1997. A total of 14 overseas horses have lifted the Japan Cup but a bulk of their victories came in the race’s early years, when Japanese horses still struggled to stand toe to toe against the best in the world.

    This year, all eyes will be on the rematch between Solemia and Orfevre, last season’s Japanese Triple Crown champion who was overtaken during the last few strides in the Arc as Japan again settled for second in the world’s most prestigious horserace. Solemia touched down in Japan on Nov. 14 and Stephane Duprey, the groom for trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias, said the daughter of Poliglote handled the 20-hour journey – the first flight of her career – well but would be eased back into form.

    As the winner of the Arc, Solemia is eligible for an 80 million yen bonus should she win the Japan Cup. Of the 17 horses expected to fill the gates, she is the only one to qualify for a bonus.

    Duprey said, “This was the first time we’ve transported her by air. Just after landing I could see signs of fatigue but she seems to have already recovered quite well. We’ll work her according to how she looks, of course, but we do plan to give her some fast work on Sunday.”

    The JRA created the Japan Cup in 1981, driven by the goal to raise the level of Japanese racing to that of world-class standards. The Japan Cup has always been held in late November over 12 furlongs at the Fuchu track, apart from 2002 when it was held at Nakayama due to renovation work at Tokyo. It is a popular race among the Japanese fans as it has brought many of the world’s biggest names in racing – both human and equine – to the country.

    The first Japan Cup was open to only horses from North America and Asia before Europe and Oceania joined the guest list the following year. In 1992, the Japan Cup became the JRA’s first Grade 1 race approved by the International Cataloguing Standards and from 1999 to 2005, it was a part of the Emirates World Racing Championship, then the game’s preeminent series around the world.

    Last year, the Japan Cup had four entries from overseas including Danedream, the 3-year-old German star who had won the Arc a month earlier in record time. Danedream went off as the first choice among 16 runners but the filly failed to even reach the board, finishing the highest of the foreign contingency in sixth.

    Like 2011, the party from the host nation is nothing short of superb, perhaps even more talented than the one from last season which was arguably seen as the best of all time. Apart from the already mentioned Orfevre, who will be reunited with jockey Kenichi Ikezoe and will be eyeing his sixth G1 title here as the expected favorite, there are the two reigning Tenno Sho champions – 5-year-old Beat Black who won the spring race and Eishin Flash, the 2010 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner who won the autumn race on Oct. 28 for his first victory in well more than two years.

    The filly’s Triple Crown champion this year, the Deep Impact-sired Gentildonna, has also thrown her hat into the ring and will be a very interesting pick with a 4 kilogram handicap ridden by Yasunari Iwata, who rises to the occasion. Five-year-old Rulership, trained by the internationally renowned Katsuhiko Sumii, won the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Hong Kong) back in April for his first G1 title and perhaps could have had another in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) had it not been for a bad jump out of the gate. By King Kamehameha out of Air Groove, Rulership will be reunited in the Japan Cup with Craig Williams who rode him to second place in the Takarazuka Kinen behind Orfevre.

    The most intriguing of the lot could be 3-year-old Fenomeno, who was a narrow runner-up in both the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) and the Tenno Sho (Autumn). The Hirofumi Toda-trained colt hasn’t missed second place in five starts at Tokyo, and should be pressure free with Orfevre and Solemia set to receive all the attention. The Stay Gold son with just eight races under his belt could finally make it in the big time in the Japan Cup.

    Tokyo Racecourse boasts the best and largest facilities of the 10 JRA venues. The track was originally built in 1933 and since then has been transformed into a state-of-the-art home to Japan’s most prestigious races including the Japanese Derby, Yasuda Kinen, Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) and the Tenno Sho (Autumn).

    The oval occupies an area of nearly 200 acres and measures just short of 2,120 meters in circumference. The left-handed track undulates throughout, with a gentle downward slope along the backstretch followed by more ups and downs going into the final bend. The half-kilometer stretch is truly punishing, with the course rising 2m over the last 140m.

    The Japan Cup will be the 11th race on the Sunday card. Post time is at 3:40 p.m.

    2012 Japan Cup (G1) – Nominated Horse International Ratings
    2012 rating Horse Name Sex & Age Trained
    127 Orfevre (JPN) C4 Japan
    122 Solemia (IRE) *F4 France
    123 Rulership (JPN) H5 Japan
    122 Tosen Jordan (JPN) H6 Japan
    121 Eishin Flash (JPN) H5 Japan
    120 Fenomeno (JPN) C3 Japan
    115 Gentildonna (JPN) *F3 Japan
    119 Jaguar Mail (JPN) H8 Japan
    118 Jakkalberry (IRE) H6 Great Britain
    118 Mount Athos (IRE) G5 Great Britain
    117 Beat Black (JPN) H5 Japan
    117 Dark Shadow (JPN) H5 Japan
    116 Red Cadeaux (GB) G6 Great Britain
    116 Sri Putra (GB) H6 Great Britain
    113 Oken Bruce Lee (JPN) H7 Japan
    112 Meisho Kampaku (JPN) H5 Japan
    112 Rose Kingdom (JPN) H5 Japan
    * Notes and Abbreviations
    1. Weight: 1 pound = approximately 0.453 kg
    2. Rating: Please add four pounds to the ratings because of weight allowances for fillies and mares, when comparing the ratings of fillies and mares to the ratings of colts, horses and geldings.
    3. Abbreviations:
    Gender and Sex:
    C = Colt (2-4 Y/O), H = Horse (5 Y/O & UP), G = Gelding, F = Filly (2-4 Y/O), M = Mare (5 Y/O & UP)

  11. / Reply

    Dear Kathy R and Z fans, Z Dumplings,

    This video was done by HRTV on Calumet Farm, it was done before it was sold,
    and the Farm will probably be up dated as it has been in existence since 1924, but
    it is a lovely place. Their website is not up now, I guess being redone.

    WE HOPE YOU LOVE THE US AMERICAIN !!!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48I9xWuUDVY

    • / Reply

      Sign,
      that was a magical video of Calumet–had not seen it before & not have it saved.
      Thank you for this gem of a find
      Keta

  15. / Reply

    Japan Cup TV info for DirecTV
    TVG schedule has the Japan Cup listed in International Racing
    In Phoenix, this will be shown in the evening on
    Saturday November24 8:30 – 11:30 PM

    LA is an hour earlier than PHX at this time of year.
    HOU is an hour later than PHX at this time of year.

    • / Reply

      Interesting, TVG has the Japan Cup on
      Sunday November 25, 2012

      12 mn to 1am, Which is what Peggy N had originally said.

      Very confusing, Guess Direct TV must be a replay.

      Japan Cup is not listed to be on HRTV.

      https://www.tvg.com/tvg-shows

      • / Reply

        Bravo!; An interesting image; Excellent Captured/treatment, an iniosratipn art worked:)Thank you for sharing such a beautiful image. I pleasure and honor to give the awards. BE HAPPY & ENJOY to display your BEST photos to My amazing Group;SPLENDID PHOTO YOUR PHOTO WINS THE BEST IN THE INSPIRE GROUP BY ADMIN SELECTEDYou are INVITED to display this wonderful photoin the INSPIRE Pool, and give the awards to your best friends;Have a nice day:)

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta,

      The one above must be the article they were talking about in the twitter you posted,
      as it does name the mares mentions and the focus and goals of breeding Frankel.

      Although, Frankel does not look very happy in his box, kind of bored.

  19. / Reply

    Simon Bray‏ TVG tweet
    Gentildonna (filly triple crown winner 2012) wins over
    Orfevre (2011 triple crown winner).
    Unreal finish. #japan cup

    Wow! Hard to believe but Gentildonna beat Orfevre in Japan Cup.
    Inquiry seems to be over & results posted
    15, 17 13 10 4 is the order of finish
    Good night!
    Keta

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.