Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #20

Q:

I consider Alys an expert! Does she have any advice for taking these wonderful photos? Not just equipment (although that is always of interest), but time of day, how to get those amazing action shots, beautiful portraits, etc. I enjoy her photography so much! Thank you, Alys.

Betsy McGrath

New York, NY

Zenyatta enjoying some winter mud. Photo by Alys Emson.
Zenyatta enjoying some winter mud. Photo by Alys Emson.

A: Obviously good equipment does help a great deal, and you need a camera that is capable of shooting at high speed. I use a Canon 7D that was very generously given to me by the Mosses. A telephoto zoom lens helps me get close to the action when I’m shooting in a large paddock.

Light is one of the most important factors. Good light can make all the difference to a photo. In the summer I try to shoot early or late to avoid too much glare. The light is softer earlier on in the day especially in KY where we are quite humid. In the dead of winter it is pretty much the opposite—I go and shoot once the sun is at full strength.

As far as the action shots go, a lot of it is being in the right place at the right time. Most of the time the horses are pretty tranquil here so there isn’t a lot of action. The best time to shoot is when they are first turned back out. The yearlings and foals will usually run and play for a little while after they have been up and in separate stalls for a few hours.

I walk the fields and paddocks quite frequently as I find that is the best way to get to know the young stock and I always carry a camera, which often can lead to some nice shots. I am a total amateur so don’t let that hold you back. Invest in a decent camera and lens and fire away!!

Our Expert

Alys Emson

Client Management, Lane’s End

Alys has been at Lane’s End for fourteen years. She has worked in every division of the farm and is now in charge of client management, keeping owners up to speed about the lives of their horses.

Reader Interactions

825 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Hi Everyone:
    I am back home now. What a beautiful country New Zealand is!

    I have to tell all of you a funny story. I got to ride an ex-thoroughbred, New Zealand racehorse, Baxter. How about that! I haven’t been horseback riding for years. I asked the stables for a nice, easy going horse. Baxter was wonderful. He is a gray horse, but bleached out from the sun, so he looked more white than gray.

    Anyways, every year a nearby golf course permits DART Stables to use their course for horse races. It must be some sort of fund raising event. Baxter got to go. The stables walk all the horses over to the course. The closer Baxter got to the course, the more excited he got. He couldn’t wait to run, and liked to run. He was entered in a few races. But, unfortunately, Baxter never won a race. He always got disqualified because when the “GO” was given, Baxter just stood there. I thought that was so funny! Then he would start running.

    He was a really nice horse. I am so happy he was rescued. He has been at the stables now for 10 years. They took him on when he was 5. They are going to retire him shortly and he will enjoy being in the paddock living out his years.

    I feel very fortunate that I got to ride a former racehorse.

    – Linda

    • / Reply

      Dear Linda: Delighted you enjoyed your time in the Land of the Long White Cloud. Have never been there, but do have Kiwi friends, and they do breed some fantastic horses. Welcome home! Hugs, KathyR.

      PS: What a thrill to ride a former racehorse – I’m a little green.

    • / Reply

      Hi Linda! ♥
      Welcome home!! I look forward to seeing you… hopefully, in the near future – before the Breeders’ Cup!
      ♥ Judy

      • / Reply

        Hi Judy:
        I was hoping to make it out for Ebby’s next race. Is she still slotted for March 16th? And that’s at Santa Anita, right?

        Another thought is the Santa Anita Derby. If I don’t make either of those, then I am definitely coming out to Hollywood Park for the Gold Cup.

        – Linda

        • Linda, that’s wonderful news. Be sure to let me know when you’re coming–I wouldn’t want to miss you.

    • / Reply

      Dear Linda J.:

      Wow, sounds like a wonderful trip and you got to ride a former race horse. That’s great. Hugs, JB

  3. / Reply

    The Tapit filly looks soooo cute!, can’t wait for our Tapit babe to show up, she too will be a stunner.

    Hope all Z nation family had a wonderful day. Good night to all.

    Queen Z, have a wonderfully restful night with the little one and you too Prince all mighty. LOL my loves.

  4. / Reply

    Paynter has first workout since recovery
    By Jay Privman Daily Racing Form 02/26/2013 2:34PM
    In his first workout since taking seriously ill last summer, Paynter went three furlongs in 36 seconds on Tuesday morning at Santa Anita for trainer Bob Baffert.
    “He went nice, very nice,” Baffert said. “He’s training great. He looks great.”
    Paynter, who finished second in last year’s Belmont Stakes, has not raced since winning the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth last summer. He became so ill immediately after that race that he had to be sent to a veterinary clinic in New Jersey. After recovering there, he went to Belmont Park and then Saratoga, but became sick again and subsequently spent time in two more clinics on the East Coast and fought off laminitis before regaining his health.
    http://www.drf.com/news/paynter-has-first-workout-recovery
    Keta Note; Photo by Casey Phillips
    Thanks Pati for heads up on article!!

  6. / Reply

    Black Caviar‏ tweet 3/4 brother in blood, ICONIC, trained by TonyMcEvoy is by Bel Esprit out of Danavia, a half-sister to my dam Helsinge

    • / Reply

      Golden win for Caviar close relation
      Racing Victoria News Wednesday 27.02.2013
      Iconic takes advantage of VOBIS Gold bonus in breakthrough Bendigo win
      As the Black Caviar steam trains powers ahead to William Reid Stakes Night at the Valley on Friday 22 March, her three-quarter brother in-blood, Iconic, is flying under the radar.
      Trained by Tony McEvoy, the lightly-raced juvenile by Bel Esprit out of Danavia, a half-sister to Black Caviar’s dam Helsinge, is still learning his craft after a breakthrough win in the Eastman Lynch Plate (900m) at Bendigo on Sunday 17 February.
      In what was a scorching heat wave, nine horses were scratched from the race, leaving a three-horse field to chase the $20,000 in extra incentives on offer as part of the lucrative VOBIS Gold bonus program.
      http://www.racingvictoria.net.au/news/RVL/n_Golden_win_for_Caviar_close_relation.aspx

  7. / Reply

    @Linda in NJ–welcome home. So glad you had a great time. And I bet the weather was better than NJ’s too! Hugs.

    Prayers for dear Fancy and that the medicine will work.

    @Also, I was remiss yesterday in forgetting to add congrats to Shari Voltz about Madame Mistletoe’s win. Hurray!!

  8. / Reply

    Good morning to all, hope today is the best day yet. All of you in the snow, rain path, stay warm and safe.

    So happy for Paynter, he is such a handsome horse. Very best wishes to him and his connection.’ He is a good boy and deserves the best coming to him and to his trainer whom I think is one good guy.

    Hi Z, hope you had a great night, stay safe, warm and healthy. Eat another extra carrot for the little tyke, we want her looking glorious when she decides to grace us with her presence. Say hi to Prince.

    LOL to all, Gods Blessings today and always.

  9. / Reply

    I am thrilled for Paynter!!

    Hey Z’sters; I will once again be in Fl. when all of you will be able to pace for Zenyatta together. The strength in numbers with each of your prayers for our Queen will assure that both Z and the new baby will be perfectly healthy!!!

    I will be doing the same. I will be one nervous wreck until I hear good news!! Looking for a library again! ha hugs, Sally B

    Zenyatta; you are forever gentle on my mind. God bless you and your soon to be new foal. I wish I could be right by your side.
    love n kisses on your soft nose, kisses for 12z too Auntie Sally

  11. / Reply

    Mr. Bossy Pants (7-Year-Old Gelding) Workout
    Date: February 27, 2013
    Track: SANTA ANITA PARK
    Distance: Four Furlongs
    Time: 48:60 Handily
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: Dirt
    Rank: 9/18

  13. / Reply

    Not sure where most of the commenting is occurring these days…. “Ask the Experts” or “Snow Day”. Oh well….

    Waiting for news on the next “BIG EVENT”…

    Hoping for a filly….will probably be a colt
    Hoping for a grey….will probably be dark brown
    Hoping for a blaze…will probably be a star

    Does any of the above really matter…no
    Praying for a safe and sound delivery for Z and 13Z

  14. / Reply

    Huge Rule Change! Must read article!
    The Jockey Club Makes Amendment to Rule Book
    By Blood-Horse Staff Updated: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 2:39 PM
    The Jockey Club has amended Rule 18 of the Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Stud Book from “Sold Without Pedigree” to “Sold as Retired from Racing” so an owner can retire a Thoroughbred from racing without affecting its breeding privileges, it was announced Feb. 27.
    Under the previous Rule 18, the Certificate of Foal Registration for a horse sold without pedigree was returned to The Jockey Club and canceled, and the horse was no longer considered a Thoroughbred for breeding or racing purposes.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/76520/the-jockey-club-makes-amendment-to-rule-book#ixzz2M8AKFOWO

    • / Reply

      Great article and I learned something.

      I knew trustworthy dog breeders sold Companion puppies on limited registration, but I never knew there was such a thing as “Sold without Pedigree” for Thoroughbreds. At first I was like “What? Why would anyone want to cancel the registration of their horse and who would want to buy a horse with a cancelled registration”? But I get it now…it was to protect a horse that should not be racing, from ever being entered in a race again. But the flip side was “no papers/no official pedigree/no ability to breed and register offspring” therefore it might discourage a prospective new owner from buying. With this new rule the seller can control the “racing” destiny of the horse if they feel strongly they should never race again. Great new rule! I’m for it.

  15. / Reply

    Odeon (4-Year-Old Gelding) Workout
    Date: February 27, 2013
    Track: BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK
    Distance: Three Furlongs
    Time: 38:20 Handily
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: All Weather Track
    Rank: 6/8
    Trainer: John A. Shirreffs
    Owner: Moss, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S.

  17. / Reply

    dear kathy glad you appreciated the rain I sent we’ve had quite decent weather recently as in no rain still cold and windy given the land a chance to dry up after 12 soggy months dont suppose there’s any hope of BC coming over for ascot with frankel gone we are in need of a superstar!!! hugs sheena

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena: So pleased you’re finally getting some decent weather – it’s going to really bucket down here on the east coast for the next few days, but no complaints as the fires in Victoria are thankfully being put out. As far as Nelly and Frankel go, I think we’ll all just wait and see – still wouldn’t put it out of the question, even if she only goes to Frankel and not Ascot. But the Ascot people were pretty keen to have her back, and if she continues as well as her last run, the connections may be tempted to show the “real” Black Caviar to European fans. Have heard that some in the US would like to see her there, but I’d say that is not on the cards. Hugs, KathyR.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        Loved your comment about PC being a Stylist. Left you a reply to your comment on Page 8. Angela thought what you said was very funny. Hugs, JB

        • JudyB. Thanks for your comments. Angela cannot get any better style advice than from PC. He’s a charmer.

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta:

      Thank you. I was so hoping to see a photo of this Street Cry baby. He is one adorable colt. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Keta, As always, thank you for posting the photo of Hot Dixie Chick and her foal. Was wondering how things were going with her.

      Does anyone have any idea where Rachel will be pastured when she is well. I don’t think she will be in with the mares and foals. Perhaps she and HDC can be together again when this little one is weaned.

  25. / Reply

    I finally found a moment to write one big summary as to what has been going on lately in the SHERR and graduation world of mine, so I’ll write one up really quick.

    It’s hard to believe that graduation is June 13th. It doesn’t quite feel real yet.

    I was invited to the All-Honors College at Cazenovia. I’m very excited. I met a few people who are going to be graduating with the same degree as me, and will also be trying out for the Equestrian team on Facebook. They are the nicest girls.

    Red and I are gearing up for the first official show of our final season together. The first one is March 23rd, so we are in count-down mode. We’ll be able to show in individual competitions in the summer when I return from college, but not in the series, so it’s a bit bitter-sweet.

    It’s great seeing that Rachel is feeling better. This upward trend is a very good sign!

    Paynter looked like he really wanted to fight it out with his workout mate. He skipped along and I can’t believe how fantastic he looks. I wrote a letter to him, and sent it to the Baffert barn. It’s being read along with other fan mail. So, that’s awesome!

    I hope everyone’s health remains good, or gets better, and that these next few weeks as we await the arrival of our new prince/princess and other super babies are peaceful and event free.

    Zenyatta, you look like a runway model, and always have. It’s great to see your Look of Eagles, and I hope that all your babies get the same look in their eyes. Great to see that you’re healthy and happy. What more could we ask for?

    Happy second to last day of February!

  27. / Reply

    Abseloutly can’t wait for the Tapit x Zen foal. I’m practiaclly bouncing off the walls waiting for this little bundle to arrive!! Let it be a filly! I just hope it’s born safely. Night to everybody and Queen Z, 12Z can’t wait till the Kentucky trip soon and seeing Lanes End. Life’s gonna be better after.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.