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

  4. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta, Love You
    12 Z, Jess’s Dream, Baby Rachel, Baby Ojos. Love You All.
    Zenyatta its not long. I’m going to start pacing.

      • / Reply

        Dear Ann: Haven’t heard any news on Barakey from the post race discussions this morning. It was his first trip east, and for some reason that seems to unsettle horses coming to tracks in Melbourne or Sydney from Perth – some of it goes down to the very sandy tracks they have back in Perth. Hay List raced in Perth and took a while to settle, so maybe it will come around for Barakey’s connections. He seemed okay until the filly went off in the inside stall, and they had been kept behind the stalls for a while when one horse was re-shod, so that may have had an impact on a few of them. They’re really babies after all. Hugs, KathyR.

        • Thanks,Kathy R. for the added info. Interesting.
          Barakey had his ” game face ” on and then having to put up w/ the antics of that neighbor,well, I can understand why he said…OK, I’ve had enough!
          Yes, they are all just babies! :)

          Having to wait for a horse to be re-shod? Wow, how long did it take? I am surprised they would hold the race for that? Very different here? Imagine keeping the horse ready,yikes!

          Anyway…all the best to you and again, it has been great keeping up w/ down under racing!

    • / Reply

      Thanks as always Keta for the videos – WOO HOO for MOL and Lauren. Great way to start a Saturday!!

  8. / Reply

    Tears of joy greet Blue Diamond Stakes winner
    Posted by: AAP Filled in: Australian Horse Racing | 23/2/2013 at 6:00pm
    The Blue Diamond Stakes has ended in a flood of tears as a family wept and screamed for the victory of battling Adelaide jockey Lauren Stojakovic and Miracles Of Life.
    Stojakovic sang to the horse she calls “Barbie” before the start and then rode the race of her life to land Miracles Of Life a winner ahead of some of the biggest names in world racing.
    The 29-year-old apprentice who suffered injuries so severe they kept her out of racing for three years, returned to scale, her face stained with tears and her parents, sisters and grandmother collapsing in each others arms
    Read more: http://www.justhorseracing.com.au/news/australian-racing/tears-of-joy-greet-blue-diamond-winner/190952 #ixzz2LiMNHlSd

    • / Reply

      Happy Happy
      Joy Joy!!!!!!!
      I am so proud,so happy for this team!!!
      Our ” Feral Filly” !!!!!! Congrats to all for believing in them.

  9. / Reply

    What the jockeys said – 2013 Blue Diamond Stakes
    Aaron Mills Racenet.com
    The Daniel Clarken-trained Miracles Of Life made for a fairytale result when convincingly winning the Group I $1,000,000 Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
    Miracles Of Life was ridden to victory by South Australian apprentice Lauren Stojakovic, defeating Fast ‘n’ Rocking and Godiva Rock.
    This is what the jockeys thought of their mounts’ performances in the Blue Diamond Stakes.
    http://www.racenet.com.au/mobile/article.asp?id=87730
    Keta Note: Interesting recap by each jockey! Well done!

  10. / Reply

    Mrs Onassis wins dramatic Oakleigh Plate
    Posted by: AAP Filled in: Australian Horse Racing | 23/2/2013 at 6:45pm
    Gerald Ryan had owner Gerry Harvey to thank after Mrs Onassis raced to victory in an Oakleigh Plate she nearly didn’t run in.
    Mrs Onassis improved on her brilliant record over the 1100m of the Group One sprint in a dramatic race that changed complexion before it even began with the scratching of favourite Barakey.
    Read more: http://www.justhorseracing.com.au/news/australian-racing/mrs-onassis-wins-dramatic-oakleigh-plate/190957 #ixzz2LiLX15qb

  11. / Reply

    good morning Zenny
    PURA….update later today…yeah
    to BARBIE…..she RAN LIKE A GIRL….congrats to all
    PACE…PACE….PACE….

  12. / Reply

    Laura J – would you be so kind as to recap your suggestions for better pedigree info than the pedigreequery site that many of us are using? I know that it’s somewhere in the last post, and I meant to copy it at the time but forgot. Slogging through 20+ pages can be done but . . . . Thanks for your patience :-)
    Sandy

    • / Reply

      Sure. There are two really good sites that use data directly from The Jockey Club. To get accurate information on active or recent horses, including up-to-date earnings, race records, most recent connections, etc., go to Equibase (equibase.com). Type in the horse’s name and information will come up. If there is more than one horse of that name, you’ll have to select the one you want. Equibase also has information about trainers, owners, jockeys, and tracks. This is also the place to go to set up a virtual stable should you want one. If you’re a handicapper you can buy products such as race replays and past performances, but the basic info is free.

      For pedigrees and other breeding information, there’s a related site, Equineline (equineline.com). You can get the free 5X pedigree of any horse in their data base, and you can generate a pedigree for a hypothetical foal. You can also look up a mare’s produce record. There is a charge for that, but there’s an easy, free workaround if all you want to know is whether she had a foal during a particular year. You input the mare’s name and the year you are interested in. If the mare had a foal, this information will pop up. This works whether the foal has a name and race record or not. Now not all 2013 foals are in the data base yet. They show up once a live foal is reported. (So for example, St. Trinian’s Lohnro colt is in the data base now, but Rachel’s Bernardini filly isn’t yet.)

      Pedigreequery certainly has its uses. The pedigrees are accurate, and you can trace back through them by clicking any horse’s name. It’s a good source of information on well-known historical horses. Data such as a sire’s progeny may not be 100% complete, but it is generally complete enough to be useful. Plus, it’s sortable. Pedigreequery’s main drawback is that it relies on users to keep the information up to date, so some information on active horses, such as race record and earnings, may be out of date. Also, occasionally people will go in and fool with the data just for giggles.

      Hope that helps.

      • / Reply

        Thank you, thank you, thank you Laura! I do have a few horses in my Equibase virtual stable, but I never explored the other info available on this site. I remembered that you said Pedigreequery relied on users to keep info up to date, but I’m glad to know that the pedigrees are accurate as I’ve kind of gotten used to the format. As always, we (I KNOW that I speak for others besides myself) are very appreciative of your knowledge and willingness to share in such a kind manner :-)
        Sandy

      • / Reply

        Laura J. I ditto Sandy’s thanks for this info and all that you share. It is so great to have knowledge passed along in an understandable and kind manner. It feels safe to come here again. Now I’m going to write this down and not trust my memory to find this post again. Much appreciated. Marty R.

      • / Reply

        Thank you so much, Laura, and I whole-heartedly agree with the above comments to you from Sandy and Marty.

  14. / Reply

    Mike Welsch‏ DRF tweet
    Itsmyluckyday has 1st work since upsetting Shanghai Bobby in Holy Bull,
    goes easy 1/2 in :48.77 at Calder. Rematch pending in Fla. Derby

  15. / Reply

    Mucho Macho Man (5-Year-Old Horse) Workout
    Date: February 23, 2013
    Track: GULFSTREAM PARK
    Distance: Five Furlongs
    Time: 1.02:08 Breezing
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: Dirt
    Rank: 14/20

  16. / Reply

    To All Z Fans:

    Stonestreet posted an update on Our Girl Rachel she is off IV fluids and going for longer walks each day there is a pic of her outside grazing! Doctor’s are impressed with her recovery so far, but are quick to remind us that she has many hurdles to overcome. there will not be another update until Thursday Feb 28th, unless something happens. They are going with “No News is Good News”!

    Continued Prayers for our Sweet Brave Fighter. May the angels surround you and protect you today and everyday , until you are back home on the Farm with all who love you.

    GirlSaratoga

  17. / Reply

    dear max it was a shame that nacarat could’nt end his career with a win but let’s hope he has a long and happy retirement kauto will need his early nights in readiness for his public debut next saturday do you remember ouija board she gave birth to a dubawi colt on the 10th of feb very handsome they say and in 2 weeks she will return to ireland to be covered again by galileo a lot of the ladies return to him must have got to know them by now!!!!hugs sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. I am very disappointed to see Nacarat lose in his last race, but relieved that he is going into retirement healthy. I hope that he gets a chance at a second career.
      Kauto is doing wonders for retired thoroughbreds. With his already high profile, I hope that he gets more support for dressage. It takes so much skill to perform those moves.
      Galileo now has competition from Frankel for the ladies. However Galileo already has the proven credentials. We will have to see how Frankel’s progeny do in a few years as racers. Then there is Bullet Train over here to watch. I really like BT.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena, Max and Z Fans:

      Grateful beautiful Nacarat came out of the race in good shape. Wishing him a happy, long life. Hugs, JB

  19. / Reply

    Rachel Alexandra Off IV Fluids, Nutrition
    By Blood-Horse Staff Updated: Saturday, February 23, 2013 4:27 PM
    Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Horse of the Year, was able to be taken off IV fluids and nutrition Feb. 23 at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital near Lexington, according to Stonestreet Farm
    Veterinarians are encouraged by her progress as she continues to recover from Feb. 13 abdominal surgery for complications following the Feb. 12 delivery of her Bernardini filly.
    “I couldn’t be happier with where she is right now,” Dr. Brett Woodie said in a release from Stonestreet Farm.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/76439/rachel-alexandra-off-iv-fluids-nutrition#ixzz2LlN3oExX

    • / Reply

      Judy, Marshal, Shirlee, Kathy, Heidi, Keta, Sandy and Trina

      The kitty is a striped tiger but a bit differentt. A soft smoky grey with dark stripes.
      I thought about the face book thing later. If you are not already friends with me please ding me. I left a way to find me in a message below.
      Thanks to Trina I have connected with many of you already. Thanks again Trina you’re the best.
      You may think I am strange but over the years living under all the giant oak trees I have named them. The 2 in the front yard are Ralf and Larry. The 3 on the side of my driveway are the 3 stooges. Larry, Mow and Curley. I never realized I gave 2 trees the same name. Larry
      Kitty is always in both Larry’s.
      I may name kitty Larry if it’s a boy but I don’t know of a feminine version of Larry.
      I posted some new photos this morning of kitty come down from the tree.
      I will keep you all posted on Tree Kitty and me.
      Love to Big Z
      Prince
      And new Princess?
      Sue

      • / Reply

        Dear Sue:

        I thinks is great that you named the trees. Too cute. Your little feline Larry or Elaria (as Trina suggested) sounds adorable. Very pretty smokey gray with dark strips. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Sue,
        Love that you named your trees! Very interesting that “Tree Kitty” seems to like the Larry trees. If Tree Kitty turns out to be a she-kitty, the name could be La-La (short for Lady Larry or for two Larrys?) — I think “Tree Kitty” is kind of cute, too. I know you will find a great name, however. Keep us posted! Hugs

  20. / Reply

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=296930260434908

    Hello my Zenster friends.
    I hope this works.
    This is a special delivery from GOD !!! my new kitty. :)
    I found this tiny baby on my front sidewalk last week.
    It is very shy and is going to take much work to get it to let me touch it.
    I have been taking to it and today it let me take this video.
    I think its about 6-8 weeks old.
    It is living in my giant oak trees in the front yard.
    A tree cat.
    I don’t have a name yet.
    I wanted to let you all know you where so wonderful to me when I lost Mr. Bubbles last December.
    I hope to have new photos to share as we become buddies.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue:

      Couldn’t access the photo, but I’ll bet he’s a real cutie. I’m so glad he found you. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        So sorry you could not see the baby.
        I am not good with the link thing.
        If you use FB look for me I use my doberman as my photo.
        Sue Robinson add Hempfield high school you will find me.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue,
      So happy for your “gift”! That little kitty is very lucky to have you. Isn’t it wonderful how miracles happen?
      I couldn’t access the photo either, Judy. I agree that he is likely very cute.
      All the Best, Sue

      • / Reply

        Sue,
        I don’t know why I used the masculine pronoun! He/she is a blessed kitty to have found you!!
        Cheers!

    • / Reply

      Sue,
      So happy this little thing has found you. My friend told me when I lost my 20 year old Muffin that it meant God had a little one that needed me. Sure enough, 10 days later my Pretty Boy found me or let me find him at the shelter and a month later Miss Mitzi came. Both had been in the shelter for quite some time. They have been the “bestest” cats.

      • / Reply

        Lovely story Sue – agree with the others – God does indeed work in wonderous ways. Best of happiness to you both in your new life together.

      • / Reply

        Sue,
        I think we have to be FB friends with you in order to see the picture (but at least now I know who I got a friend request from last week – couldn’t figure it out!!!). So glad that a kitty has arrived and will hopefully want to sign on with you.
        Sandy

      • / Reply

        Awwww, how special! It’s amazing how they just show up in your life. Best of luck to you and the kitten. Once you tame him/her, will it become indoor/outdoor kitty? Mine are only indoors.

    • / Reply

      What wonderful news, Sue! If kitty turns out to be a female, perhaps in light of her residing in a tree, you might consider naming her Nymph. In Greek mythology nymphs were beautiful young female nature spirits, some of whom lived in trees. They were said to be shy, but gentle and “friendly if approached by another good creature.” Sounds like your kitty and you! One famous tree nymph was Eurydice, another, Daphne, either of which names might also serve for kitty. I’m so happy for you and kitty!

  21. / Reply

    Congrats to our beautiful Barbie “Doll” she ran the ‘stuffing’ out of them.

    Also congrats to all of todays stakes winners, the derby field narrows. Safe trips to all jocks and horses.

    PUR and hugs Big Mama and EARnie

  23. / Reply

    Barbie bits and pieces:

    – Lauren quoted in The Sunday Age: “In the gates I said to Barbie there was about a minute between us being good or great, and after the run I told her she was just brilliant.”

    – Peter Snowden (Darley trainer also in the Sunday Age): “That’s the best racing result you will see. Good luck to them, it’s fantastic for them. You won’t see any better”.

    I think both these little quotes show the real class some racing folk have – Peter Snowden was interviewed prior to the start of the Blue Diamond, where most expected Darley to come in at least 1 and 2, and the first thing he had to say was to wish Lauren and the connections all the best for the upcoming race. Just terrific to see just quality in both horse, rider and trainers.

  24. / Reply

    Still love Rachel’s little brother, Violence. He only lost by 1/2 length and he gave the other horse 6 pounds and Johnny V.

  25. / Reply

    Keta’s mate Bensley has just been on Skysportsradio discussing yesterday’s results. He said Barbie is already en route back home to Adelaide. Lauren had rides in Balaclava (S. Australia) today, so is back too. Daren Clarken (trainer) said the connections have no plans to enter Barbie in the Golden Slipper, they just want to see how she pulls up post race. Barakey will have to trial for the stewards before he races again – the belief is that he went off because of the antics of another horse (Shamal Wind) but he has no serious injuries. Guelph (Darley, and the fancied entry) went down on her nose leaving the barriers, and never got into the race. And All Too Hard will go around next week in Melbourne all things going well.

    • / Reply

      Kathy R
      Thanks for this update.
      It was quite a race–love that Lauren was singing to Barbie just before the start.
      Said it relaxes her. Wonder what song she sings?
      Glad that Barakey will be okay. Reports said that he went under the barriers.
      I was trying to picture what that would look likes. Sounded scary.
      So, darling Barbie will have a wee rest before the next race.
      She is something special.
      Hugs, Keta

      • / Reply

        Dear Keta: The question of what Lauren sings to Barbie was my first thought! Typical that none of the blokey journos asked her what it was! Even Bensley should know better. I’ll leave you to sort him out on that one! I didn’t see Barakey burrowing under the barrier, because the cameras were on Shamal Wind and her jockey Glen Boss, but it seems he got a scratch on the top of his head. Think they were all a little strung out with being held in the gates so long, but he seems fine, according to reports. Guess there will be more discussion on the issue with Punters Postmortem on Skysportsradio tomorrow morning at 9 am. Will keep my ears peeled for the information. Hugs, KathyR.

        • Keta,Kathy R….LOL!
          Yes, hope we can find out what music she likes.
          I bet the other jocks were looking at them and wondering…singing?
          Lauren is too cute.

  29. / Reply

    @Sue FL CPRC– I got the picture. Precious kitty! I am so glad for you as you ebgin this new journey. Hugs and pats to kitty.

    @shirleeinindy–so glad Pretty Boy and Miss Mitzi have come to you. Hugs to you and pats to them too.

    Great report on RA. PUR!! You go, girl! Sending lots of love.

  30. / Reply

    Ray Paulick‏ tweet
    Fifth dam of Fountain of Youth winner ORB is named Shenanigans.
    She produced the great Ruffian. So much history here.
    Wonderful pedigree

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