Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #23

12Z. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
12Z. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Q:

I have a question about the colts. When is the decision typically made whether to geld or leave them intact, and what factors go into that decision?

Nancy Schaffer

Tucson, AZ

A:Typically we will never geld a colt before it leaves the farm, either for the sales or to be broken in, unless there is a medical issue involved. We often have a good idea that they may become geldings fairly soon into their training careers though! Some colts are definitely more “studdish” than others.

Buyers usually don’t want to purchase a yearling gelding, as this will often indicate they have a difficult temperament. On top of that, this is a dreamers game—when someone buys a colt they like to think they have a shot at owning a horse that will have a stellar racing career and go on to leave his legacy as a stud.

Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End
Some of the colts that are headstrong and studdish as yearlings improve once they are in training and they have a job to do. With the horses that don’t settle down, it becomes a question of whether you can get the horse to train and race to his full ability if his mind is not on the game and he’s fractious and difficult to handle. If the answer is no, then often he will be gelded at this point.

The other reason to geld a colt is if they are clearly not going to compete at the levels that would then lead to a career at stud. A gelding is usually easier to handle and deal with on a daily basis. I know a lot of people will say they have had difficult geldings or easy colts, and of course that can be the case but generally it’s easier to have a gelding in the shed row, especially when there are fillies in the barn.

Our Expert

Cooper Sawyer

Yearling Manager, Lane’s End

Cooper was born in Lexington, KY and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Agriculture. He started working with horses in 1997 in the training barn of Al Stall Jr. Before coming to Lane’s End as the Yearling Manager in 2010, he worked at Wimbledon and Mill Ridge Farm.

Reader Interactions

965 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Dear Zenny, Mr. and Mrs. Moss, Lanes End.

    I am so excited I could just bust. Safe delivery is my prayer for you Zenny, my angel. I love you forever. Will be thinking of you all night.

  3. / Reply

    Foaling around in the waiting room!! Baby belly rubs sweet Zenny!! ♥♥♥

    Getting comfy:

    Yawn!! … bleary eyed Zenny!

    No doz … check!

    snow bootys, slosh … check!

    All sites open … check!

    Ahhh hell, shot straight Bourbon …. check! PACE … Pace … Pace …

      • / Reply

        hi linda….as best we know…the tweet from teamzenyatta with picture of LE is real…other than that who knows…I got that one at my twitter which I can remember how I got to earlier…go figure..everyone is pacing and posting…
        and…
        last year it was late afternoon early evening and a full moon…so ambiance is right

  5. / Reply

    Inside Tips‏ tweet
    Waiting on confirmation on this but got one text saying the foal is out!!
    Awaiting text from vet at lanes end now

  7. / Reply

    Glorious Alliance‏ tweet
    Best wishes to Zenyatta and her foal from our mare pasture!
    A near full moon birth! Lovely!

  8. / Reply

    Oh, my! We just logged in and are pacing like everyone else. Do we have a filly or a colt?
    The suspense is killing us!

  10. / Reply

    From twitter:

    Inside Tips ‏@Backsidetips 16s
    Waiting on confirmation on this but got one text saying the foal is out!! Awaiting text from vet at lanes end now

  14. / Reply

    Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Moss for sharing Zenyatta and the new baby with us. Thank you to Lane’s End for putting up with all of us. We just love her so much. I feel the more little Zenyatta’s in the world a better world we have. God Bless Zenyatta, new Baby Z13 and our little Prince. My classes and I love you all. Shari Voltz and Homeroom 215-217 XXXOOO

  17. / Reply

    Twitter:

    Inside Tips ‏@Backsidetips 8s
    As expected source at farm stated “zen still in labor taking time but everything is great so far”

  18. / Reply

    We really need an edit button on these comments

    Inside Tips ‏@Backsidetips 1m
    News outlet is at the farm as we speak! Will be video of new foal tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  20. / Reply

    Picture of 12z posted on the facebook page with the caption ‘Still an only child, but not for long! Predictions?’

  22. / Reply

    Trina gave me the heads up!! I knew the time was close at hand. Oh sweet Zenyatta, your gonna have a sweet special baby!! We all have prayed for you and your baby.
    Your masters Ann & Jerry Moss are there with you. We are with you in heart.
    There is nothing more important right now than Zenyatta, the horse of my lifetime and her _____(filly/colt)).

    I wanted to share with all of you what has been transpiring since before and when I came back from vacation. It can wait!!

    Ain’t no mountain high enough ain’t no river wide enough to keep us from you!!!
    God bless you Zenyatta, the Mosses, and sweet baby 13z; also those by your side to help in any way.

    love with kisses on Z’s soft nose, some for 12z and the newborn 13z

    Auntie Sally B

  28. / Reply

    Oh how I wished they had a foaling barn cam so we could be there with her also. How exciting that would be for all of us.

  30. / Reply

    I was thinking this morning. Oh, i just gotta get more sleep at night. Not a chance. Reminded me of something Betty White said to Jay Leno a little while back. So funny. He was commenting on how well she was doing for a little over 90. But he said let me ask you something.
    He told her he heard she didn’t go to sleep untill 12 or lam at night and then got up at 6. He asked her if this was true. She said it was true. He asked her why do you do that and she told him that she just required little sleep and This is the good part………….
    She said actually I’m just afraid I’ll miss something…………………..Too Cute.
    I think that is my Philosophy…………………..

    Zenny Love Ya Pacing Pacing Pacing. We’re so anzious to meet baby……………..

    • / Reply

      Dear Peggy:

      Don’t know why, but the tears are just welling up. Had the same reaction last year when we were waiting on Z12. Can’t wait to see the new baby. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Judy,

        You know since that video last night. My eyes are still welled up. That video was just great.
        So hoping Zenny has a safe birth.

    • / Reply

      Peggy (N). Good story. I was on my way to an early night when I decided to check this site just in case. Goodbye sleep.

      Z, you take the time that you need. We’re pacing.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        Wonder if there is anything yet on Vertigineux. Can’t find any info. Thought she was due before Z. Hugs, JB

        • JudyB. Have not seen anything yet on V. I light candles for her all of the time and hope for the best. Same for Tasty.

      • / Reply

        Yep, Your right Max. No sleep tonight. And what about this weekend. Yes Goodbye sleep. Great races coming up.

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