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

    Looking forward to the upcoming posts. Love the Breeder’s Cup Gold” by Jaimie Corum. Great detail, emphasis, and cute socks. Go Ebby! I didn’t see the race live, but I watched it on youtube. Very Exciting!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sunny.

      She looks like she is running in a race, head down, all fours off the ground.
      A real beauty, she is teaching that foal to run already. He/she is hearing the beat
      of her hooves wondering what is instore for him when he comes into the world.

  3. / Reply

    Great Post and love the picture of Zenny enjoying her paddock time.

    Got to watch the replay of her lil sis E winning her maiden race.
    She just galloped out like she could run forever. Here is to a great
    future ahead.

    I am sure if Mama V could talk she would say “That”s my baby girl!”

  4. / Reply

    Now I know why nobody was posting on the old blog…a new Q&A. Always thoughtful questions and the experts give really knowledgeable answers.

    I was trying to see how Ebby held her ears during the race and they looked to be up like Zenny’s. She is so dark, I didn’t even realize she had blinkers on. I believe her tail is longer than Zenyatta’s, but she has the same big pushoff from behind. It was a super race! Congratulations to all the connections.

    It will be fun to see everything that is new here next week. In the meantime, everyone have a great weekend. Marty R.

    • / Reply

      Her ears are a little slanted in the pictures of her coming down the stretch. Hmm… Well she did well! And that’s awesome!

      • / Reply

        Pati,

        The ears a little back on “E” in the stretch, is her “game face”, that means she is focused and wants to win.

        They are NOT PINNED, which is a sign of anger/irritation. If you look at My Miss Aurelia in the Ladies Classic this year, you will see a “very game face” on her.
        She was bound and determined to pass Royal Delta, of course it did not
        happen, but she was focused on the task, so their ears “come back”.

    • / Reply

      Dear Marty and Z Fans:

      I didn’t see the blinkers right away either and I agree she does have the same push off from behind like Z. She’s so beautiful. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Marty R,
      Thanks so much for finding this video, it is wonderful.
      Got in when she reached the winners circle. Her face
      Book page said she was going to wear blinkers. They are
      Used to keep her focused and make her run faster.

      The “push off” is called turn of foot, ears slightly
      Back is her “game” face. She was concentrating on
      Winning.

      • / Reply

        Sign, Glad you liked the video. I was trying to figure out a kind way to say she has a big hind end like Zenny so that’s why I said “push off”. lol

        • Dear Marty R,
          Sorry I misunderstood what you were talking
          about, Oh yes, “Z” and “E” must get their Big
          A, as Steve Wilkard, use to say from “V”.
          Too bad no hind end view yet !!!
          Mr Kronfeld looked so proud, what a family he
          Has created.

    • / Reply

      Thanks SO much Marty! I was just kicking myself for not recording it (which I didn’t think of until it was nearly over). Now we can see it again and again and again!!!! We knew what you meant :-)
      Sandy

      • / Reply

        Dear Sandy,
        So glad you knew what Marty meant !!!
        Any snow yet, how about those plaid oxfords,
        Must have been very comfortable in walking around
        SA.

    • / Reply

      Thank’s Marty, I just found out about her race yesterday and missed it. Wow! What a race. We are owners and breeders here in Florida . We had our first time out filly win ! Not a very common thing to happen. Eblouissante will be a thrill to watch every time. Long live the Royal family.

  6. / Reply

    WOW! I saw that race and experienced that “deja vu” feeling! Eblouissante was indeed dazzling!
    Congratulations to Mr. Shirreffs and all connections.
    How exciting and how nice of them to have the group of fans come to the winner’s circle with them again.
    Classy!!

  7. / Reply

    To Charles C. at Lane’s End:
    Thanks so much for answering Sue’s question about Zenny’s hoof and dental management. It is great to learn about the wonderful care that our girl and all the other horses get.
    Thanks again!

    • / Reply

      Dear Marshall (NC broad): Agree with your comment – as usual, terrific responses from the great team at Lane’s End. And love the Queen in her paddock! Also, looking forward to news from the Shop – hope we have some clothing coming up (love those t-shirts to wear on raceway!).

  12. / Reply

    Dear Z fans, Z Dumplings and horse lovers,

    Here is a short article on the purpose of blinkers, “E” just needed to be focused
    on her job, winning the race yesterday, and to go fast after that great turn of foot
    in the stretch.

    Blinkers On, Can Be Huge

    They are a hood made of fabric, with cups sewn onto the eye openings. This hood is fitted to the horse’s head. The cups force the horse to look straight ahead. They are put on a horse for a few reasons. The main one is so he/she is not distracted by other horses and is a bit easier to handle for the jockey. If a horse is wearing blinkers for the first time it can have a dramatic effect on his/her race performance.

    Generally horses wearing blinkers for the first time will often show early speed. I am not a 100% sure why this happens, but it almost always does. They usually break much sharper from the gate and may have their mind more on running today. This often equates to a much improved race effort. Some horses seem to really relax much better when wearing blinkers. Young horses often show the most improvement when wearing blinkers. I have seen some dramatic form changes when the blinkers were added to a 2 year old.

    Here is a quote from a trainer which will make you think hard about the potential of adding blinkers ability to improve a horse:

    It’s amazing what something as small as a pair of blinkers can do for a horse. They’ve done wonders for both Aptitude and Exogenous, new horses each since getting the equipment change. Exogenous was, at best, a mid-level stakes horse before trainer Scotty Schulhofer gave her blinkers. Since then, she’s 2-for-2 with wins in a pair of Grade I’s, the Beldame and Gazelle. “They’ve made a big difference, a couple million dollars worth of difference,” Exogenous’ trainer Scotty Schulhofer said.

    Always, keep an eye on equipment changes and remember to reassess any horse who is adding blinkers for the first time today.

    Horse Racing Blinkers

    Skip Away Running With Blinkers On

  13. / Reply

    Dear Z Dumplings, Z fans and horse lovers,

    Here is a link to a great number of horse racing terms.

    Marty R, that “push off” you mention, is actually called “turn of foot”, which is defined as acceleration. As you saw “E” accelerated and pulled away from the group by 4 lengths.

    TURN OF FOOT IS A TALENT HORSES HAVE, IT IS NOT LEARNED, Zenny had it and they are born with the talent.

    The term “push off” us used more when a horse is jumping a fence and they
    use there hind end to push their upper body up and over a fence, there is no acceleration involved in a “push off”.

    http://suite101.com/article/understanding-horse-racing-terms-a14487

    • / Reply

      Thanks Sign, I was actually referring to how she looked from behind getting into her stride after leaving the gate. I was trying to find a nice way to say she has a big hind end like Zenny. I think I’ve seen others refer to it as an “engine”.

      That’s interesting to know that “push off” refers to jumpers. Here I thought I made it up. Always a wealth of information in this site. Marty R.

      • / Reply

        Dear Marty R,
        See above comment. Thanks again for finding that
        Video. Love Christina with 12 Z, he is probably
        Wondering who that strange lady was !!!

  14. / Reply

    Dear Lanes End and Team Z,

    Love to see Zenny doing her voluntary expertise, keeping her girlish figure as she
    waits the arrival of her next foal. He really looks very focused on her exercise and looks like she is having fun, remember running on the track, but a little heavier.

    Thanks so much for all of these wonderful photos, information on Zenny, her team and of course everything that goes on at Lane’s End that we are learning about.

    Keeping those hooves trimmed and teeth “filed down” is sooo very important so Zenny gets good nutrition while she is pregnant and of course so her hooves stay strong for the extra weight and allow her to run and chase after her youngsters.

    THANKS SO VERY MUCH, LOOKING FORWARD TO ALL OF THE ZENNY GIFTS FOR
    CHRISTMAS PURCHASE !!!!!

  15. / Reply

    Dear Sheen and Z fans,

    Here is the Inaugural 1986 Breeders Cup steeple chase, Flatterer, one of our best
    chasers was scratched. Kind of funny that it is only 16 jumps and a little over 2 miles.
    They are running around a turf like track. Definately not like the beautiful, EURO
    steeplechase fields at Cheltenham. Their was a horse and rider, who took a good fall, but both were OK, not sure if the horse jumped too early or the rider asked him to jump early. Jethro used to love to be bold and jump early and way out away from the jump,
    to challenge himself, never knew when he was going to decide to do it. When he did,
    just hung on !!!. It seems that in the Grand Prix jumping, when a horses/riders timing
    is off they just fall on top of the fence or go through it, don’t usually fall. It seem that
    all of the falling in chasing is related to balance, both horse and rider, without a stable seat and leg. It sure is fun to watch. Hope the chasers do well today and all come home
    safe.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzkGUACpjME

      • / Reply

        Sign:

        Thank you so much for posting the stills of Ebby, she is so beautiful! I liked what you posted early about Ebby ‘”not being Zenyatta”. I just hope she finds her own little nitch, something of her own so she will stand out, and NOT ALWAYS, be compared to her big sis! I think we should nickname her “QE2? I loved reading the things that were written about Ebby, she likes to cuddle, nuzzle, and be kissed, I thought that was so very sweet, and speaks to personality and temperament! Just love those real dark, black horses, so regal looking!

        Again thanks for the links and the info about trainers, or track terms! You are my “Ask the Expert”!

        GirlSaratoga

        • Dear GS,
          Great nickname for “E”. I think she will separate herself,
          It is so nice for her to already have a fan group.
          So very glad she won and is showing some talent.
          Agree with you about the dark brown or black horses,
          She looks do elegant and shiny, wonder if they use
          Show sheen or Cowboy Magic. She does have a longer
          And fuller tail tha Zenny. In general TB don’t have the
          Best Tails, they tend to be thinner.

          Please let us know how your daughters trip goes,
          It is going to be Sooo exciting for her. Can’t help
          But worry though, just being a Mom!!!

  16. / Reply

    Wow–another blog post. I’m having trouble keeping up.
    @Suew/VA–congrats on having your question answered.

    I am so looking foward to seeing all the BC pictures, even though I was there.

    The favorite part of the race, for me, (other than Ebby’s win) was seeing her tail flying out gracefully as she pulled away. What a beautiful run. I was thinking to myself, “That answers the question about her running style”.

  17. / Reply

    dear sign thanks so much for the breeders cup steeple chase the jumps reminded me more of the french hurdles not like the fences we’re used to over here it was great to see our richard pitman as one of the commentators his ex wife jenny became the first woman to train a grand national winner in 1983 and again in 1995 hugs sheena ps the going was very testing at cheltenham today a few falls but nothing serious horses finishing soooo leg weary!!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,
      Thanks for your insight into the US Steeplechase
      Course. Definitely does not look like all of the
      Hurdles, Kauto was jumping, much taller and wider
      In the UK. Glad the falls were not serious. It really
      Is all about riding a horse, one must be able to fall
      And just get back on as well as being fearless.

  18. / Reply

    Has anyone who was invited to Ebby’s Winner Circle posted? That was so gracious of John and Dottie.

    And wasn’t it fun to see Christina from TVG at Lane’s End with 12Z? He looked so cute; I wish I could kiss his nose.

    • / Reply

      Escpecially Horses,
      Yes, posts are on 3 Blogs now.
      Some on the one with the Poster.
      Some on the Breeder Cup Photo Blog
      And, some are here.
      As I’ve said before, It’s complicated.
      The random timing of putting up new Blogs & Ask the Experts does not help.
      That is not to say that all are not appreciated. They are.
      However, it would be great to have a schedule and/or an alert on a current blog as to when the next will be posted.
      Keta

      • / Reply

        Thanks Keta! I’ll start my search..I want to hear first hand what some of the lucky gang experienced.

      • / Reply

        Keta, man oh man…I have to agree with you…it’s complicated to hunt down all the “Post Ebby Race” comments. So many places to look. Sometimes I long for the old format of being able to see a continuous string of comments in the order they were posted. Oh well…

        • Here is a repost of Karen’s Comments

          Karen Gogue / My heart :)’s
          November 16, 2012 at 5:10 pm

          OMG OMG! I am still crying! A dream come true! My heart is smiling BIG TIME!! Eblouissant’s race today was so thrilling – we screamed our hearts out! E Backsiders were invited into the winners circle by Mr. Kronfeld – hope you got to see us and our tears streaming down our faces! What magic – I got a hug from Dottie, John, and a peck on the cheek and hug from Mr. Kronfeld! John was just over the moon! He even led Ebby into the winners circle!!! I know!!!! LOL!! She looked magnificent and so proud of herself. Only thing that was surprising were the blinkers! Mario said it was because she needs to focus more. (A few of us went back to the barn to see her after the race, but she was still in detention barn.) I am so happy for Barn 55 and her connections! Lets hope she continues on this winning path. And the thrill of watching her coming around the first turn, I could have sworn that it was Zenny at the back of the pack, looking at her huge rear!! LOL! She looks so much like her big sister in a race. Congratulations Ebby and John! Ebby’s fans are so proud of her and you! Thank you, Thank you for this second time around lifetime experience that you have so generously allowed Ebby’s fans to enjoy!!!!! What a glorious joyful filled day!!! Thank you Ebby!!! Love <3 you Princess!

    • / Reply

      Dear Especially Horse,

      Mr. Kronfeld invited “the dumplings” to the winners circle. That was a very special effort by him.

    • / Reply

      Another Karen Comment.
      Karen Gogue / My heart :)’s
      November 16, 2012 at 6:46 pm

      Thank you Keta. It was incredible! I am waiting to hear from the Kennedys and JAG … they stayed at Barn 55 to wait for Ebby to come back from detention. I had to get home for my daughter’s bus or I would have stuck it out there too! I wish you all could have been on track today – what a wonderful win for her! I don’t know what John must be feeling, but if it is anything like I feel, it must be three times as much! He looked ecstatic – just beaming – as all the connections did! What a trainer! You Da Man John!!! :)))) YAY!!!
      Both these were on
      https://staging.zenyatta.com/zenyatta-shop/announcing-new-jamie-corum-print

  20. / Reply

    Churchill Downs PR tweet on Shackleford
    Multiple Grade I winner Shackleford breezed 4F in :47.40. Splits: 11.60 & :23. Out 5F 1:00.40. No decision yet on Clark or Cigar Mile

    Marty McGee‏ DRF tweet
    Romans re Cigar Mile or Clark: “We haven’t made a decision yet and don’t know when we will. He worked great like he always does.”

    • / Reply

      There is concern that Shackelford may have the heavy weight in the Clark and possibly going against Groupie Doll in the Cigar ????

  21. / Reply

    Churchill Downs PR‏ tweet on Groupie Doll
    BreedersCup F&M Sprint champ Groupie Doll breezed 4F in 48.20. Split: 24.60, out 5F 1:01.40. Next Saturday’s Cigar Mile still possible.

    Marty McGee‏ DRF tweet
    Groupie Doll a half in 48.20. BBradley says he very much leaning toward running in Cigar Mile, optimistic “weights will be fair.”

  22. / Reply

    Racing Post‏ tweet on Farraaj
    Farraaj takes the Listed Churchill Stakes at Lingfield for trainer Roger Varian and jockey Andrea Atzeni

    Tom Hall‏ tweets In Eng, Farraaj, 3yo c by Dubai Destination (Kingmambo) o/o Nureyev mare Pastorale (dam of sire Iffraaj [Zafonic]) won listed Churchill S

  23. / Reply

    Irishracing.com Team‏ tweet on wrong course taken at Punchtown
    Mayhem in the cross country race @punchestownrace with 5 horses incl long-time leader Lord Nellerie taking the wrong course early on

    Stewards enquiry into cross country race @punchestownrace & Lord Nellerie (finished 10th) disqualified for taking wrong course

    Suspensions for taking wrong course in x-country race @punchestownrace Evanna McCutcheon (7 days), Philip Enright & James Slevin (4 days)

    Racing Post‏ tweet There will be an inspection at Punchestown at 8am on Sunday
    due to the threat of an overnight frost

    • / Reply

      This is really funny. Not sure if any one heard a couple of months ago
      A horse got loose on a race at SA. All of the jockeys were yelling
      In Spanish as the horses rounded the turn. Poor Joe
      Talamo did not know what was going on until he sac the horse
      Coming i his direction. Glad everyone was alright.

  24. / Reply

    Tom Hall‏ tweets on various International Races
    Encosta De Lago (Fairy King) sons finish 1-2 in gr3 RJ Peters S at Ascot: Maschino, o/o Tahni Girl (Redoute’s Choice) over Niblick

    In Japan, Codino, 2yo c by King Kamehameha (Kingmambo) o/o Sunday Silence mare Happy Path, won gr3 Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai

    In NZ, Dancer’s Tale, 2yo f by Tale of the Cat (Storm Cat) o/o Carnegie mare Our Pineau, won listed Welcome S at Riccarton Park

    In NZ, Zennista, 5yo m by Zenno Rob Roy (Sunday Silence) o/o Maroof mare Zarnitsa, won gr3 Thames Valley S at Tauranga

    Blood Brotha, 7yo son of Danzighill (Danehill) o/o Personal Escort (Mr. P) mare Laura Dee, won gr3 NZ Cup at Riccarton Park

    Rollout the Carpet, 3yof by Holy Roman Emperor (Danehill) o/o Red Ransom mare Out of Egypt, won gr1 1,000 Guineas at Riccarton Park

  25. / Reply

    Dearest Keta and Judy B:

    Thank you so much of the video of Ebby winning her first race, all I can is WOW! She is one gorgeous girl! I see both Zenny and Bernardini in her! I am sure “Our Queen” is bragging to all her good girlfriends about her little sis! (Oh to be in the paddock listening to all the gossip!)

    @JudyB: So sorry to hear Charlie has a “boo-boo” glad he is behaving and letting Angela treat it, he is one smart horse knowing that Angela is there to help!

    Thanks to your video of Real Quiet I had forgotten how very very close the triple crown race was, and I agree, my best guy didn’t get the accolades is so deserved, as I said there was a very heart warming story behind his purchase and training with Bob.Baffert. My heart aches knowing he’s gone.

    @Keta:

    Hope your daughter is doing better after the storm? I know on the news here everyone in NY and NJ are complaining about the shortage and price of gas! It makes me sick to think people are so cruel and dishonest during this very difficult time for alot of people. Sending her my good thoughts and prayers.

    And last but not least to ALL THE BEAUTIFUL DUMPLINGS CHEERING OUR GIRL EBBY ON YOU ALL LOOKED SIMPLY GORGEOUS! You lucky ducks!

    GirlSaratoga

    • / Reply

      Dear Girl Saratoga:

      Yes, I see Z and Bernie in Ebby. Was wonderful to cheer her on and get the goosebumps again.

      Just realized your daughter was traveling to Alaska. Wonderful that Texas Dumplings, Sign and BW were there to help. Hope she is doing well.

      Will visit Charlie again tomorrow. It’s so true how our beloved animals know when we are trying to help them. Russ and I had a retired Greyhound, Lou Lou. She used to run like crazy in the fenced in yard we have and she often would cut her footpads on a stone or sharp branch. She was Russ’s dog, but whenever she was hurting she would come to me because I was the one who cleaned the wound and applied the med. She was so sweet. Charlie is one smart cookie too.

      It was so freaky what happened to Real Quiet. Horses are so fragile, as all the injuries this year prove.

      Love and Hugs, JB

  26. / Reply

    Dear Cali dumplings,
    Sooo very glad you represented all of
    Us in the winners circle yesterday. How very
    Special for you all to be there with “signs”
    For “E” and also your cheers. She is very special
    Being Zenny’s half sister !!!!

  27. / Reply

    It’s always good to see Zenny doing what she loves…running free in her paddock. In this picture she looks as if she could still be a winner on the track. Her life is joyful…she sure deserves all of the goodness coming her way.

  28. / Reply

    In addition to GirlSaratoga’s comment about the cheering and giving a thumbs-up to Sign’s thank you for representing all of us Zsters with your cheers and tears…just want to say “I HEARD YOU LADIES cheering during the live broadcast and knew without a doubt who was behind the screams. During the pre race activities I was looking intently for signs of the Dumplings. It was a hoot to hear the commentator say “…all these women at the track on a Friday….”

    • / Reply

      Dear Especially Horses and Z Fans:

      I heard the cheers from the crowd and knew it was our Dumplings. So much fun! Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Especially Horses,

      Me, too. All that cheering was really something for her on her first race.

  29. / Reply

    To Sign and Barbara W:

    A Big “Thank you” to your fellow Texans who helped my daughter while she was there on one of her layovers to Alaska! She texted me to tell me “how kind” everyone was helping her with her bag and making sure she found the right gate!

    To anyone who lives in Portland Oregon “thank you” too, again the kindness that strangers showed a first time traveler alone was so very heart warming!

    I guess it’s true what they say Texans have big hearts and big hats!

    With Gratitude

    GirlSaratoga

  30. / Reply

    I hope you will be including sweatshirts and maybe a hoodie among the new items at the z shop. They would be good for fall and winter.

    • / Reply

      I second that request! I wish I could design it too, something more than just a Big Z.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.