Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #3

Q:

What is Zenyatta and Baby Z’s daily routine at Lane’s End?

Haley Van Vleck

Lawrence, KS

A:Currently their routine is pretty simple—they are out in the evenings when the weather is cooler. They come in in the morning to get checked over. We check their eyes, take their temperature, check that he’s nursing and that they’re both happy and have no cuts or bumps from the night before. They get their food in the morning. 12Z is now three months of age so he gets feed of his own, and Zenyatta will have her feed after him. They stay in their stall during the day, where they have fans on them to keep them cool in this heat. They go out again around two o’clock in the afternoon and play all night!

Expert: Charles Campbell

See Charles’s response on video:

Q:

How long do Zenyatta & 12Z sleep, and do they sleep together at the same time? Also, is there anything Zenyatta doesn’t like?

Jan Stein

Cypress, TX

Photo courtesy of Alys Emson/Lane’s End

A:In the mornings they do sleep together. 12Z sleeps most of the day when he’s in his stall, but when he’s out he’s always playing with his buddies and grazing with mom.

Zenyatta is a very easy going horse, but she does seriously dislike flies. We use a fly mask and fly spray to keep her happy.

Expert: Craig Andre de Villiers

Our Experts

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.

Craig Andre de Villiers

Mare Barn One Foreman, Lane’s End

Craig has been at Lane’s End for four years, working mostly within the Broodmare division. He grew up in South Africa on a game reserve and stud farm, and has been around animals his whole life—not just horses, but lions, elephants and everything in between!

Reader Interactions

746 Comments

  1. / Reply

    @Terry Crow

    Just wanted to let you know I have had the good fortune of seeing your picture with the skunk hat on. You look very much like I imagined. You are a cutie pie even with the skunk hat. Only thing wrong is the skunk tail should be sticking straight up.

    Have a good day.

  2. / Reply

    Dear JAG, Please forward love and best wishes to Karen if you are in touch with her. Hope things turn out well.

  3. / Reply

    I used to jokingly ask my daughter “What’s under a pony tail?” Is this what you mean by the tail sticking up?

  4. / Reply

    @Don-I miss you, old friend. @Keta-See my reply to your “much needed rest” post on the previous page.

    • / Reply

      Terry,
      We have parallel universes going–that is 2 blogs.
      Here is Lisag message on the 60 day blog

      July 10, 2012 at 12:38 pm
      OK, does anybody know or heard from Terry Crow? I have looked back and it has been way too long for him not to be seen here. HeadPoo, where are you?

      So, do we post here or do we post there or do we post both places?
      Knew that this would happen at some point.
      Keta

      • / Reply

        So… Terry has gone from being “Grand Poobah of the Redneck Club” to simply being “HeadPoo”? How disrespectful can this get?

        • Hi from the wifi cafe.
          Blame it on Bubba. He is the hard head of our bunch!!!!!!
          See ya later, all you cutie pies……hahaha!

        • I have a special place in my heart for sweet Bub!

          TC, I always used the string and my Mom would go to tie up the Thanksgiving Day turkey and…….uh,oh.
          Loved my cans and string communicating.Tied me up all day! Great childhood memories.

  5. / Reply

    From Twitter: Emily Grant tweeted
    Barbaro bro lovers Magano runs on Sat at Delaware on the Oaks undercard.” :)

    Keta note: Unverified, but from a good source

  6. / Reply

    Rood and Riddle on Facebook. Thought you’d like to watch. Keta
    Dr. Bramlage was interviewed this afternoon for a segment on tonight’s NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, addressing some of the recent media concerns about racehorse safety and health. Be sure to tune in for what should be a great story–6:30 EST this evening on your local NBC station. We will be live tweeting the interview as it’s released also from @roodandriddle.

    • / Reply

      The drugs they mention IHA took in the Bloodhorse article are very
      commonly used drugs.

      Bute is uses for every kind of pain an equine has.
      The cartilage lubricant is very popular and has been for equines for
      many years. Turns arthritis around, becomes painless and joints
      become less stiff.

      The third medication is also very commonly used.

        • Very true, TC. Just an antinflammatory !!!

          I guess the issue is Doug O Neill’s ethics are so very much questioned
          that even these drugs are being made into something bigger than they
          are when given to a horse.

        • Dancer’s Image had his victory taken away from him in 1968 Derby because the vets found bute in his system. Would never happen today. However, there were a lot of other political factors in the air at that time.

      • / Reply

        Good, he got relief from the drugs. Was it OK to train IHA ,that hard, on that sand pit of a track.Especially after running the SA,the KY and the Preak?

        They are lucky IHA did not snap!
        That is called…running em into the ground.Guess that was worth the few extra millions.

        • This situation is somewhat like when Majestic Prince was going for the triple crown. The owner insisted on him running in the Belmont when the trainer and the jockey were against it. MP did run, ran second, and never ran again.

        • Agree, Ann all of that repetative galloping for weeks before the race could definately take a toll on ligaments.

  7. / Reply

    ♥ KAREN GOGUE ♥

    Please come out of this A-OK. You are a wonderful wonderful person, and I was very much looking forward to meet you at BC! You are supportive and kind. You always have a good word to say. I think I speak for everyone when I say our hearts would break if something was not ok. But we will remain positive for a full recovery, and pray pray pray. I’m no poet, and I’m not a singer, but I have been told that I have a way with words, and I hope that my words will be ones you will remember. I don’t know how I would react without you there to comment on my writing and encourage me to jump higher literally and figuratively with my horses. You are a valuable, wonderful light in the community Christmas tree that helps make all of us shine a little brighter. So I hope my words touch you and that they carry with you. I would want no higher honor than to know that my Z family enjoys my writing and that it makes them smile. Praying and hoping for a clean bill of health.

    Pati

    • / Reply

      I am clearly two weeks behind, I was on vacation out of town, and I need to go catch up, as I have no idea what you’re talking about – about Karen. yikes!

    • / Reply

      Thanks so much Patti how well written. I hope that her health will improve soon and she will be there at the Breeders Cup cheering Mike Smith on. And, of course, for the special unveiling ceremony of the Zenyatta statue.

  8. / Reply

    Y’all need to join us over on the news blog – at least I haven’t missed any RN jokes – they always brighten up my day ….

    • / Reply

      Brenda-You should spend your time here. As Wilbur said in Charlotte’s Web, this is a nice place.

      • / Reply

        Love Wilbur in Charlotte’s Web.

        This place is soooo much better than the Forum.
        Much more personable.

      • / Reply

        Agree, this is more chummy friendly, and I can mosey my way thru the posts, paying attention to whatever catches my attention.

  9. / Reply

    Three Chimneys has posted some beautiful photos of Flower Alley on their facebook page. You can see where IHA got his looks.

      • / Reply

        Dear Judy, Thanks for the post. You are an absolute wonder woman, you can always find the pictures to go with the post. Flower Alley is so gorgeous and he sure gets down to business in the breeding shed, Vic and I saw him in action when Clever but Costly arrived for a date just as our tour of Three Chimneys was ending. I’d love to know how that date turned out, he/she would be a three year old now.

        • Dear Brenda S.:

          Thank you for your kind words. Will see if I can find anything on Clever but Costly and Flower Alley. Flower Alley was always one of my favorites. Besides he beauty and talent, he caught my attention right away as my sister’s name is Allee. Hugs, JB

        • Dear Brenda:

          I checked the Thoroughbred Pedigree Query site for progeny of Flower Alley and Clever But Costly. No mating listed on either page. Clever but Costly had 13 foals listed, none by Flower Alley. The last foal listed is in 2009 by Good Reward. Flower Alley has sired many foals. In 2008 a dark bay colt out of, coincidentally, Clever Actress, was listed.

          The site is not always accurate, so there may be a foal from this mating. Or, it could be there was no mating or no foal resulted from it. If I’m able to find out any more on this, will let you know. Hugs, JB

        • To Judy: Flower Alley has the girls lined up now. Lots of foals to come in a year or two. Thanks for the great picture of that handsome boy.

    • / Reply

      Dear Max:

      Thanks for the link on Musketier. Should be an exciting race this weekend. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Hi Max, Vic will be watching that race with a good deal of interest. Musketier won her some money at Woodbine on Queen’s Plate day. I always support Roger Attfield’s horses and will be cheering for Colleen’s Sailor on Sunday. I’m not too happy with his post position but hooves are crossed. Will you be at the Fort for the Prince of Wales??

    • / Reply

      Very interesting article. So many facets to a sort of questionable group of people. !!!

  14. / Reply

    Will the saga and drama surrounding IHA ever end? Geez. I don’t know what to think about that situation anymore. So many different things coming out, NY Times, Paulic Report etc.. Haskins Blog, and guest blog by Reddam.

    Karen G… My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope that all will be fine and, that you will be joining in the “family” conversations once again!

    • / Reply

      Interesting. O’Neill picked a good time as he doesn’t run that many at Del Mar or Pomona and will be ready for Santa Anita. I would question one of his statements. I do not know too many people who respect the CHRB.

  16. / Reply

    Dear Alys,

    I just love the photo of 12 Z and his “friend”. Everytime I look at it it brings such
    laughter and joy. I need to make a big photo of it a put it in my home where I can enjoy it.

    They are just so very very cute. I don’t know how all of
    you deal with these funny little boys and girls. What a great fun job, with lots
    and lots of responsiblilty.

    • / Reply

      Sign. Thank you for this. I did see it at the time of his death, but I am always ready to read anything about Big D. Notice that he began with very small stud fees and worked his way to the very top. Big D was a winner in every way. Love you, Dynaformer.

    • / Reply

      Sign, what a lovely tribute to Dynaformer, I hadn’t seen it before so thank you.

    • / Reply

      sign-Thanks for the link. She looks great. I also remember her pasture mate, Lakeway. Ran great at Santa Anita.

    • / Reply

      Sign. Amazing. She is in incredible condition. Beautiful.

      JudyB. We will have to put Manchester Farm on our list of places to retire. Obviously the living is good there if Twilight is any indication.

    • / Reply

      Sign, thanks for the photo. She is really a looker. Hope she has many more years of retirement.

  19. / Reply

    Terry,
    Loved the new jokes…..too funny. I think you should get the first Golden Outhouse Award, after all you started this mess, ha, ha.

    On a more serious note, I’m sending prayers and positive vibes for you Karen in hopes that this is just a hitch in the road and you will be back among us soon. I lit a candle in your honor, anyone else interested she has her own candle group for prayers……please visit and light one for her. Hugs

    • / Reply

      Dear Peggy N.:

      Thanks for the link on Big Red Farm. Will keep checking for news on IHA. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Peggy N.:

      Meiner Love is so beautiful. Looks almost a true black in the photo. Sire Seeking the Gold, Grand Sire Mr. Prospector and Great Grand Sire Secretariat. Wonderful genes. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Hi Judy, Isn’t he a Black Beauty. I think it helped my feelings a little seeing this web site.I read that Shigeyuki Okada is I’ll Have Another’s owner now. They Said he bought another one of our horses that was a previous horse of the year, but now I can’t remember his name. I sure hope he loves these horses and takes good care of them. We are going to have to try and keep track of them. Blessings,

        • Peggy,

          I feel the same the way you do. We must keep track of our dear I’ll Have Another!

        • Dear Peggy N, Darlene and Z Fans:

          Yes, Meiner Love is gorgeous. It’s wonderful to have the Big Red Farm website to keep track of I’ll Have Another. Hope he is loved, cared for and happy there. Hugs, JB

        • Roses In May and Spicule look black, too. Stay Gold may be as well.

          Rosado has awful knees.

      • / Reply

        Dear Laura J:

        Just checked out all the other stallions at Big Red Farm that you mentioned. All beautiful, especially Roses In May.

        Yes, Rosado’s knees are not well formed.

        According to Pedigree Query, Rosado (Sunday Silence out of Rosa Nay) had 46 starts, 6 wins, 6 place and 3 thirds and earned over $3 Million dollars. In his progeny record, only two colts are listed. One in 2005 and one in 2006. I wonder if they decided breeding him was not the best idea consideration his knee conformation. Hugs, JB

  22. / Reply

    WE’RE PROUD OF THIS AND WANTED TO SHARE IT WITH YOU!

    Equi-Army-NDO PMB 15 123 E. Main St. Suite #2 Denville NJ 07834
    For Immediate Release July 12, 2012
    Contact: Jeanie Esajian, 916-698-7078 or
    Barbara Grimaldi, 973-328-6564

    First Seabiscuit Descendant to Old Friends
    Mixed Pleasure May Be Oldest Living ‘Biscuit’

    DENVILLE, NJ – Mixed Pleasure, who at age 27 may be the oldest living descendant of the Great Depression-era hero Seabiscuit, has been invited to live out his life at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement in Georgetown, KY, making him the first Seabiscuit descendant to take up residence there.
    “We are honored to have Mixed Pleasure retired to Old Friends,” said Michael Blowen, Old Friends President. “The skill and commitment of so many people led to this great horse coming here,” he said. Blowen congratulated the New Jersey-based Equi-Army-NDO.com, a nationwide Thoroughbred advocacy group, on its commitment to placing Mixed Pleasure at Old Friends and taking over ownership and rehoming of the remainder of his herd, many of whom also are descendants of the ‘Biscuit’.
    Equi-Army-NDO is raising funds for the transport of Mixed Pleasure by Duane Belvoir of the Auburn, WA-based Belvoir Horse Transportation. The pensioned stallion’s trip to the Blue Grass State will take place from July 15 through 18. Besides this placement, Equi-Army-NDO is raising funds and seeking adopters for the 12 other horses owned by the late Helen K. Tice, a Central Oregon breeder. In addition to Mixed Pleasure, Tice’s bloodstock includes four other Seabiscuit descendants and descendants of the last Triple Crown Winner Affirmed and multiple-graded stakes winner Al Mamoon, who ran second to Cozzene in the 1985 Breeder’s Cup Mile.
    Equi-Army-NDO President Barbara Grimaldi said she expects the people-friendly Mixed Pleasure – nicknamed “Bo”– to fast become a visitor favorite at Old Friends. “Seventy-two years after his famous great-great grandsire won the 1940 Santa Anita Handicap in what was then called the ‘greatest comeback in sports history,’ Seabiscuit’s life and times still evoke strong emotions in both serious and casual horseracing fans,” said Grimaldi. “Bo is the finest example of what is now a rare bloodline and the Seabiscuit nostalgia that has stayed strong in America.” She noted that Equi-Army-NDO has been working toward this arrangement for some time and its culmination is a high point for the organization.
    Graded-stakes placed Mixed Pleasure is out of Sucha Pleasure, whose grandsire was Bold Ruler, and Sea I’m Lucky by Windy Sea, whose sire was Sea Anemone by Seabiscuit and Lucille K. Mixed Pleasure had seven starts as a two-year-old with three firsts and one second and third each. At three, his 13 starts resulted in two first-place and five second-place finishes. At four, he raced only twice. Of his 22 starts from 1987-89, he ran first, second or third 12 times for total career earnings of $140,175. At two, he finished second in the Grade 2 Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes at Hollywood Park and third in the Grade 3 Balboa Stakes at Del Mar.
    Blowen said a public welcome event will be held for Mixed Pleasure after he settles in at Old Friends.
    Donations to help transport Mixed Pleasure and to rehome and other Tice horses may be made to:
    Equi-Army-NDO
    PMB 15
    123 E. Main St., Suite #2
    Denville, NJ 07834

    Serious inquiries regarding ownership interest in other Tice horses may be made to:
    Jeanie Esajian at 916-698-7078 or Charlotte Farmer at 530-347-1402.

    • / Reply

      Barb,

      AWESOME, AWESOME,

      If I was in position to adopt any of the others I would love to do so, but I will happily make a donation. Thank you so much for sharing.

      Cant wait to go to Old Friends now!

    • / Reply

      BRAVO to everyone involved (including many Zensters). Hope we don’t get a new page (or a new post) before people have a chance to see this!

    • / Reply

      Senator Barbara Grimaldi, a true heroine for our times. Take a bow, Barbara, and that includes all of your organization.

  23. / Reply

    Awesome, Barb! So happy for Bo and the folks at Old Friends. Such wonderful and inspiring news. Thank you and God’s many blessings, Barb to you and everyone at Equi-Army NDO. To think that Zenny has helped connect so many people to accomplish so much. Will pass along the news to neighbors here about the rest of the horses needing homes.

    • / Reply

      Elizabeth,

      I think Zenyatta has helped contribute to many more miracles than we will ever know!

  25. / Reply

    Thanks to everyone wishing us well! Our job is far from done, and Kathy Cogswell, Jeanie Esejian, Charlotte Farmer and Katherine Wheeler and I continue to work hard on this project. I greatly appreciate any referrals to possible adopters, and I am honored to hear that you’d like to contribute. If you can make the checks payable to Equi-Army-NDO, that would be great. I am really looking forward to seeing Bo at OF someday soon…what an honor for him! And can you imagine? Not one descendent from the beloved Seabiscuit is already there? Seabiscuit kept the people of the Depression happy and even before the movie and the book, he was a legend. Now, his blood is at Old Friends. For me, that’s thrilling. Again, thank you for your good wishes and help, not only from me, but from every member of Equi-Army-NDO. And a huge thank you goes to a great man who is single-handedly saving our race horses–Michael Blowen!!!
    love
    Skip

    • / Reply

      Good job, ladies! I’d be happy to check in on Bo every so often once he arrives. It would be a good excuse to go to OF, not that I need much of one.

      Not terribly surprised he is the only descendant of Seabiscuit at OF. I don’t think there are many. He didn’t do much at stud.

    • / Reply

      Skip,
      Congratulations on the wonderful job, which I know is not done. Sure wish I lived closer,would be glad to come over and help groom or feed, whatever. You guys are a great bunch of special people…….God Bless you and your work! Hugs to all.

  26. / Reply

    Here are today’s redneck jokes. You might be a redneck if you think a sign stating pecans ahead means you are coming to a rest stop. You might be a redneck if you took your alarm system off your truck because you were afraid someone might steal it. You might be a redneck if slamming your truck’s door creates an instant sun roof. You might be a redneck if your local fire departrment doesn’t have a phone. You might be a redneck if you have ever carved a jack-o-lantern out of a basketball. You might be a redneck if you ever tried to get rid of your hemorrhoids with a sand blaster.

  27. / Reply

    Dear Judy B. Thanks for your work researching the Flower Alley/Clever but Costly date, it doesn’t seem to have produced a foal. I was wrong when I said the foal would be a three year old now, the cover was actually in July, 2009 but there’s still nothing listed in her progeny, so maybe it just didn’t take. A great experience to be there and allowed to observe.

    • / Reply

      Dear Brenda S.:

      You’re so welcome. Yes, I guess the mating did not result in a foal. Must have been quite an experience to observe. Hugs, JB

  28. / Reply

    Caleb’s Possee was retired and will stand at Three Chimneys. He had an injury of some sort in his leg and will not finish the year.

  29. / Reply

    @JAG-I noted your encounter with “The man” on the previous page. You got about as far with him as I did. However, if he thinks he can just shine us on, he’s sadly mistaken. @signofthetimes-Jan posted on the previous page and I recruited her for the Redneck Club. So far, no response.

  30. / Reply

    Terry, I’m still working on a joke for the Order of the Golden Outhouse award, but I do have a few cute puns I can share. Here goes:
    When chemists die, they barium.
    Jokes about German sausage are the wurst.
    I know a guy who’s addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time.
    How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it.
    I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then in dawned on me.
    This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I’d never met herbivore.
    I’m reading a book about anti-gravity. I just can’t put it down.
    I’ll have some more tomorrow. :-)

    • / Reply

      OMG!!! Cute. I will share these w/ my bro-in-law,the biggest punster around.
      Thank you Debbie.
      Go UK…took my boy ,John Wall,you did him right too!

    • / Reply

      Good ones, Debbie. However, I do not believe that they qualify for the Golden Outhouse award. Doesn’t make them any less funny, however.

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