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

    When did the Steelers get bumblebee socks? I always thought they were solid yellow. Did their entire uniforms change? O= Or is it the sugar?

  2. / Reply

    Wow!! Things happen so fast here it’s hard to know the best place to “talk to someone”. Guess I’ll take a chance here.

    Dear Judy B.,

    I’m wondering if Papa Charlie clipped himself while he was racing. Would his former trainer be someone you could contact to see if he had to deal with this problem with PC? I don’t know if he is approachable or not, but it was something I thought about. I certainly hope this is something that can be resolved pretty easily. Marty R.

    • / Reply

      Dear Marty R,

      Great question, I was wondering that my self. May have been an issue
      when he was racing, and why he was retired. He also is running way to fast an
      may need more exercise via lungeing. That always calms a TB down and kind
      of lulls them into “licking and chewing” as Monty Roberts says.

      • / Reply

        Great advice, Sign.
        PC only knows high gear. with love,patience and time he will discovery he can still be chill and enjoy a smooth trot.
        I have seen em hop over the fence during lessons,to the delight of their riders!
        PC is so happy being FREE!!!!!!!

        • Dear Ann,
          Oh my, hop over the fence in lessons.
          That would definitely be thrill, better than
          13 crow hops. Afraid I would go flying.

          Those young TB definitely need lots and lots
          And lots of lungeing. Takes awhile to get
          The licking and chewing and foaming going
          But it is very rewarding to see them head hanging
          And relaxed.

          Poor PC he only knows fast and faster !!!!

  4. / Reply

    Could one (or more) or you horse racing experts please explain what is meant by an “allowance race”? I KNOW that there websites about horse racing terms, but I usually get a much better explanation from all of you. Thanks!

    • / Reply

      Hi there! The ‘allowance’ refers to the weight assigned to the horse for the race in question based on published conditions. The description of the race can be extremely complicated but usually starts with something like ‘for non-winners [of more than x races] other than…’. And then they race conditions say how much weight will be assigned based on their previous race results. For example, they might get a break in the weights if they haven’t won in the last few months. The idea is to equalize the field somewhat, so more trainers think they have a chance to win. In this sense, its somewhat similar to a handicap race.

      Generally speaking, a good horse will begin their career in a maiden race versus other non-winners, proceed to allowance company against other non-stake winners and then move on to stakes company. Hope that helps.

  5. / Reply

    Is anyone adventurous enough to go shopping on Black Friday or are you going to rush shop cyber Monday, like me and my family? I’m not getting trampled in front of Walmart for a t.v. It’s not worth it! If it was donuts on the other hand…

  7. / Reply

    Stable Notes Betfair Hollywood Park Posted 11.18.12 at 12:27
    Trainer John Shirreffs reported Sunday that Zenyatta’s half-sister, Eblouissante, emerged from her impressive debut win “fine,” and that the striking black filly could return toward the end of the Autumn meet, which concludes Dec. 16.
    “We’re hoping to run her back the last week,” said Shirreffs.
    Asked about the blinkers she wore first time out, Shirreffs explained that he put them on about two months ago. “She’s so curious, we noticed she was watching people walk across the infield,’’ he said.
    The headgear obviously achieved its desired effect, as the Bernardini filly was all business Friday, winning by 4 ½ lengths under jockey Corey Nakatani.
    http://betfairhollywoodpark.com/news/eblouissante-fine-could-start-again-this-meeting

  8. / Reply

    Backside 55‏ tweeted Casey’s Photos on the Backside 55 Facebook page
    We would like to share with you some of the great photos taken by Casey Phillips at HP of Eblouissante in her
    Thanks for these great pics, Casey

    And did a tweet about Karen’s sign
    Here is a sign made for Ebby’s maiden race at HP, which was held up in the winners’ circle when her pic was taken

    • / Reply

      STILL NO WRITTEN WORD ON WHERE AMERICAIN WILL BE STANDING !!!

      WAITING FOR THE WORD!!!

        • Very much so Kathy R,

          Really like your term of “whispering” will incorporate it in my vocabulary and
          let everyone know I learned it from my “down under” friend.

  11. / Reply

    Darn, Shackleford and Take Charge Indy in the Clark. Now I don’t know who I will pull for. Would love to see Shack go out with a win, but also would like to see TCI do well.

    Anybody have any insights?

    • / Reply

      I’m with ya on this one, Shirley.
      Well, this has been the year of the Dead Heat? Maybe this is our solution.
      Shack can’t out perform his appearance at the BC,his paddock antics were enough to last a life time. Love that big,ole crow hoppin chestNUT!!!!
      TCI, great come back for him in his last race and w/ Calvin Bo Rail on……exciting race to look forward to. Just when we think racing has calmed down.

      Where is Judy B………exacta??!!!! let’s box em in!

      • / Reply

        Gotta watch out for Calvin at Churchill. He is sort of like Pat Day used to be there. Put him on a horse and the odds drop like rocks! Dead heat sounds good.

      • / Reply

        Dear Ann and Shirlee,

        Calvin is a jockey to reckon with at Churchill
        For sure. Shack is going to have his work cut out
        For him, dead heat would be great. Keep on crowhoppin
        My chestnut friend.!!!!

  12. / Reply

    Charles, please give Zenyatta and 12Z kisses on their noses for me and tell them how much they are loved.
    As always any information about gorgeous is so appreciated. Thanks to Lane’s End and all connected to Zenyatta who keep us informed and let us be part of her life as well as she ours.
    Love, hugs and kises

  14. / Reply

    What is it about our Zenny that can bring tears to my eyes at just the thought of her? I am not an emotional person but nearly every time I see her name in print or hear her name on TV I tear up.

    Love You, Big Mare

  16. / Reply

    Dear Zenny,
    I guess I got so caught up in your little sis’s race that I forgot to tell you how beautiful you look galloping across your paddock (and to say “hoofray” to Sue for having her question answered and “thank you” once again to Charles for the interesting answer!!!). It’s always great to get pictures of YOU, and please don’t think we’ve forgotten about you. There has just been so much going on. You must have been very proud of Ebby. I never got to see you race, dear horse, but I’m hoping that maybe one day I will get to see her, and if that happens, I know that you will be right there with us! Hope you’re enjoying this fairly nice weather for November.
    Love from your Ohio friend, Sandy

  18. / Reply

    Eblouissante’s BRIS
    @Ubercapper question tweet:
    Can you please post Eblouissante’s figure? No one will post it

    Bloodstock Research‏@Brisnet tweet answer:
    She got a 93 BRIS Speed Rating, 115 Class Rating RT

    • / Reply

      WOW, no Frankel, but his full brother Bullet Train,
      No wonder they retired them together. Can’t wait
      To see that news in print.

      • / Reply

        Noble Mission is Frankel’s full brother as they both have Kind and Galileo as parents. Bullet Train’s father is Sadler’s Wells. They call Bullet Train a three parts brother to Frankel because SW is Frankel’s grand sire.

        • Purchased any foxhunters yet, Max ?????

          Posted a great TB/Clydesdale gelding, 6 years old for you to buy
          so you can learn to FOXHUNT !!!!! WE DO DO THAT IN THE US
          AND HAVE SOME GREAT PROSPECTS. HE IS VERY CUTE.

        • Sign. You should check out Starbucks. They have a fox coffee cup in red for Christmas. I bought one of them.

      • / Reply

        Sign
        Ask and ye shall receive : )

        Frankel’s Half Brother to Stand in Kentucky
        By Blood-Horse Staff Updated: Monday, November 19, 2012 3:42 PM
        Bullet Train, a half brother to two-time Cartier Award winner Frankel, will enter stud in Kentucky in 2013 at an undisclosed farm, according to California bloodstock agent Bob Feld. A 5-year-old English-bred son of Sadler’s Wells, Bullet Train served as Frankel’s pacemaker in all five of his half brother’s races this year and one race last year.
        “He’s scheduled to arrive Nov. 24,” Feld said. “The plan is to announce everything Dec. 1.”
        Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/74580/frankels-half-brother-to-stand-in-kentucky#ixzz2CiJnTWDS

  20. / Reply

    Sign,
    If you are not careful on Twitter or any other social media site,
    you can get caught in the rumor mill.
    Something I work hard to avoid-as do our Z-sters.
    Here is an example of how a rumor could have gotten started.
    It was stopped almost immediately

    A gal on Twitter tweeted Justin Zayat
    Big rumor that Paynter will be at stud at Winstar in 2013.Can you confirm? Who would be booking mares?
    Justin Zayat‏ tweet answer:
    BIG FALSE RUMOR… don’t know where you heard that but not even close.

    Thought this was an interesting.
    Keta

      • / Reply

        Dear Shirlee and Janet,

        So that means you don’t buy into the DRAMA that some people like
        to create with inaccurate, hearsay information through these communication
        methods: facebook and twitter.

    • / Reply

      So very true Keta,
      If you don’t take the time to “weed throughl” the
      Tweets and get to the bottom of the question, rumor,
      Gossip and hearsay abounds. It takes time and
      Thought to get through each thread and most enjoy
      The DRAMA created by gossip and hearsay.

      Thanks for taking the time and for explaining how it
      Works to the Z family. Both Twitter and Facebook can
      Have someone’s name and another acting as an
      “imposter” as well.

      • / Reply

        Dear Keta,

        Thanks so much for “weeding through” the gossip, hearsay and DRAMA
        and getting to the fact from twitter. It really is alot of work on your part.

  21. / Reply

    Lane’s End Farm post on Facebook
    Under the lights, a Lane’s End trifecta at Churchill as
    Smart Strike’s Centre Court takes the G2
    Mrs. Revere S. with Belong to Me’s Leading Astray in 2nd
    and our own Colonial Flag in 3rd!

    Congratulations Land’s End! That’s impressive.

  22. / Reply

    Dettori faces key drugs hearing
    Posted by: AAP Filled in: Australian Horse Racing | 20/11/2012 at 4:45am
    Britain-based jockey Frankie Dettori faces a drugs hearing in Paris which could have a huge impact upon his career as one of Europe’s most successful riders.
    The Italian, the ‘face’ of British flat racing, tested positive for a banned substance at Parisian course Longchamp on September 16.
    He now face a hearing on Tuesday before the medical committee of France Galop, French horse-racing’s ruling body.
    If found guilty, the 41-year-old Dettori could face a minimum six-month ban which would be upheld by other racing authorities worldwide.
    Christopher Stewart-Moore, Dettori’s lawyer, told the BBC last week his client had not been seeking any competitive advantage over his rivals.
    “There are a large variety of substances which are banned by France Galop,” Stewart-Moore said.
    “We are not going to say which substance he has tested positive for as that would be in breach of their rules, but it’s not a performance-enhancing drug.”
    Dettori had four rides at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe trials meeting.
    He rode Joshua Tree to finish third in the Prix Foy, Sarah Lynx who trailed home last in the Prix Vermeille, then Farhh who was beaten by a head in the Prix du Moulin and Willing Foe, another Godolphin charge, who came in third in the Prix Gladiateur.
    It was after the ride on Farhh that he failed the doping control.
    Read more: http://www.justhorseracing.com.au/news/australian-racing/dettori-faces-key-drugs-hearing/176220 #ixzz2Ch39vJo5

  23. / Reply

    Hey Sandy,
    So I’m no expert, but I thought I’d take a stab at trying to answer your question on what an allowance race is and someone please correct me if I’m wrong. An allowance race, I belive, is usually for horses that have already won their maiden race, but aren’t quite ready for graded or stakes company yet. I think that the higher the money value of the race, for example a $20,000 race versus a $40,000 race, the better the horse, but I’m sure that’s not always the case. The term “allowance” I looked up and according to what I found, it refers to the weights that each horse is assigned. The weights are assigned to try and make a level playing field if I’m right. I’m not entirely sure what all goes into determining the weights however. Hopefully that helps.

    • / Reply

      Thanks Beth. I also read something about them assigning weights but wasn’t sure how that all worked or how the money was decided. It will be interesting to see exactly which “allowance race” Ebby winds up in, and then I guess we’ll learn something about where they see here in the “leveling the playing field” saga.
      Sandy

    • / Reply

      Allowance races are generally considered to be for horses that are better than claiming level but not stakes quality, although there is overlap at both the lower and upper ends. (There is a kind of race called an allowance-optional claiming.) Weights for both allowance and claiming races are assigned based on the conditions of the race, which are devised by the racing secretary. Conditions may involve such things as age of the horse, lifetime number of wins, date of last win, claiming price, and so forth. So for example, a race may be written for fillies and mares 3 and up who have never won three races. The 3-year-olds might be allowed, say, 2 pounds. Horses that haven’t won since a certain date might be allowed 2 pounds, and so forth. A horse that met both conditions would be allowed 4 pounds.

      Stakes races generally don’t have complicated conditions. Weights are usually based on age and sex. For example, the Breeders Cup races are weight-for-age (and sex, in some cases). So, in the Classic for example, all males 4 and up are assigned the same weight, all females 4 and up are assigned the same weight, all 3-year-old males are assigned the same weight, and all 3-year-old fillies would carry the same weight.

      In a handicap race such as the upcoming Clark Handicap, things are a little different. The racing secretary assigns weights individually, based on the perceived quality of the horse without regard to age or sex. The intent is to level the playing field, so to speak. The “best” horse in the race carries the biggest load.

      As a rule, the higher the class of horse, the higher the purse and the higher the claiming price in a claiming race. However, one can’t compare across different tracks. Some tracks attract an overall higher quality of horse compared to others. One wouldn’t expect (for example) a MSW winner at Turfway Park to be as good as a MSW winner at Keeneland.

      FWIW, there is no requirement that a horse start out in maiden races, although this is by far the most common practice. Horses have been known to debut in stakes races, albeit rarely. All that’s required is that the racing secretary accept the entry. An example is Terlingua, daughter of Secretariat and dam of Storm Cat. She broke her maiden at first asking in the Nursery Stakes at Hollywood Park , setting a stakes record.

  24. / Reply

    I don’t know if this question has been asked before as I don’t read thru all the posts. But, it appears Zenyatta has front shoes on. Does she have tender feet?

    • / Reply

      Kathleen,
      Zenny was originally barefoot, but with
      The weight of pregnancy, they are
      Used to prevent her hooves from splitting
      Under the extra weight. Shoes are not used
      for “tender feet” like in humans, they are used
      To improve footing for the horse so they don’t
      Slip and grip the track or what ever surface they
      Are working on. Race horses have aluminum
      Shoes because the are light weight.

  25. / Reply

    dear max thought i’d let you know wierd al is running in the betfair chase on saturday when kauto will be parading as for juddmonte they have nothing planned yet but realse the big public interest in frankel so they’ll decide after his 1st season at stud i dont know about juddmonte kentucky glad you are having bullet train out in the us hope you have a great thanksgiving! hugs sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Thanks for the Weird Al alert. I’ll be watching for that result. Also Kauto on parade. Any word on Nacarat? He reminds me of Tasty Temptation.

    • / Reply

      Interesting Sheena,

      Not sure where Bullet Train will end up !!!

      Guess it takes some time to negotiate these stallion deals and they are advertising for the potential breeders to make them aware who is available and then reveal where they will be breeding. Very slick move on Juddmont’s part to retire both of the boys and
      stud them the same year. Did not realize Bullet Train was 2 years older.

      Got your e-mail and will be responding in a few minutes. Thank so much.

      • / Reply

        This looks like Bullet Train has been sold, but it is not entirely clear. We will have to wait for the news on December 1.

        Sign. Bullet Train is 5, Frankel is 4. BT is only a year older than Frankel.

  26. / Reply

    Thank you Charles for sharing these fun facts with Zenyatta’s fans. We never tire of seeing her and hearing about her. Like everyone else, I was sooo cheering for Ebby…what a race she ran. In the after-glow of Ebby’s win, I watched again all of Zenny’s races on this site. She sure is a sight to behold.

    • / Reply

      Keta. Love those painted horses with their matching pink socks.They look like that horse with the Union Jack. They also look proud of themselves. Is there trend here? Makes Hansen’s blue tail look pretty conservative.

    • / Reply

      I just love Fairhill, a great place for a horse to train and clear their mind at the same time.

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta:

      Thanks for this link. Wonderful photos, especially the “leopard” and the “zebra”. Hugs, JB

  28. / Reply

    Taylor Made Sales‏ tweet
    For the 17th time, Taylor Made finished the Keeneland November Sale
    ranked #1 leading consignor! Thank you so

    Keta Note: Congratulations Taylor Made!

  29. / Reply

    Max, Judy, Sign, Sheena

    OK, Do you guys think Orfevre will win the Gold Cup? I so hope he does.
    Max I am going to try to find out about Juddmonte Farm, not sure if they allow visitors or not. Will try to find out.

    • / Reply

      Dear Peggy N,

      Definitely “O” can win. He is on his “home turf” !!!
      Have you visited Juddmont KY? does not seem to be
      a farm on the map for visitors, please do let us know
      as you are the “farm wizard”, Peggy N.

      • / Reply

        Dear Sign,

        No I haven’t visited Juddmont in Ky. I just have never heard any talkof them allowing visiters but I’m just not sure. Darley, Three Chimneys, Lane’s End, WinStar are all fantastic. I just could not say enough about how great Darley is.
        Go Orfevre………………………………………………….

        • Dear Peggy N,

          We are still not sure where Bullet Train with stand. Not sure about Juddmonte’s visiting policy, agree no one talks about visiting there

      • / Reply

        Peggy. I agree with Sign. O should win on his home turf. Danedream won the Arc last year, but did not do well in Japan. We will have to see how O is doing since his return from France. Not too much news yet.

    • / Reply

      Dear Peggy N.:

      I agree with Sign and Max. Orfevre can definitely with the Gold Cup. Go “O”. Hugs, JB

  30. / Reply

    A nice two year old race on Thanksgiving Day from California. The Prevue, Should be great.
    Does anyone know. Is Shackleford in the race that Take Charge Indy is in? I’ve forgot who all is in it. Oh my I like so many running this weekend. Groopie Doll is running I believe too this weekend.
    I am going to lose my mind.

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