Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #4

Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Q:

I work around horses myself. Herd dynamics have always been an interesting thing for me—the way certain horses interact with one another and the hierarchies they establish can be fascinating. Sometimes horses who show a certain personality around their human caretakers take on a completely separate personality among their own kind. My question, then, is how does Zenyatta fit into her herds, past and present? Is she a definite alpha mare no matter who she’s with, low (wo)man on the totem pole, or somewhere in the middle, and how does this compare to her personality around her human handlers and caretakers?

Kelli Clark

Toms River, NJ

A:There is definitely a hierarchy and a pecking order established in herds, and once that is established we don’t have too many issues. Surprisingly, for a horse that was so dominant on the racetrack, Zenyatta is not aggressive or competitive in any way whilst in the herd. She is a lovely mare to be around with a very kind temperament that transfers to both horse and human contact. It is quite common to see her hanging out with more than just her own foal!

One of the most important aspects of farm management is keen observation and making the necessary adjustments to keep the horses happy in their environment. This in turn leads to fewer health issues and injuries. Mares that are older or are less mobile are placed in smaller groups so that they are not competing for feed in any way.

Expert: Alys Emson

Q:

Is there a deadline for naming Baby Z or any Thoroughbred baby? I know there are guidlines as far as the actual name goes, but I’m wondering if there is a time limit.

Katie Speake

Topeka, KS

A:Selecting names for Thoroughbreds is surely one of the most important (and rewarding) aspects of ownership! Most owners name their horses between their yearling year and February 1st of the horse’s two-year-old year. After February 1st of the two-year-old year, a small naming fee must be paid to The Jockey Club. The Jockey Club Registry website (www.jockeyclub.com) lists The American Stud Book Principal Rules and Requirements. Rule # 6 in the American Stud Book, relating to naming, lists all of the requirements and rules for submitting names for Thoroughbreds. An actual time deadline for naming is not stated, but all Thoroughbred horses must be named before they can enter a race.

Expert: Martha Heckerman

Our Experts

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.

Martha Heckerman

Service Certificates/Registration, Lane’s End

Martha Heckerman has worked in the Lane’s End office for 16 years. She began as a stallion booking secretary in 1996 and currently coordinates the foal registration process for all foals born at Lane’s End, and related duties. Martha also has the happy task of administering the annual “Name Game” in which Lane’s End employees submit name ideas for horses that will race for Mr. Farish.

Reader Interactions

493 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Wow, it’s interesting that she’ll let another foal hang out near her. Most mares don’t tolerate that at all! My filly’s adoptive mom runs off the other filly that’s out with them and now my filly will also run her off if her “people” are visiting! She’s become very protective of us and the attention we give her. She lets her mom stay though :)

    Thanks again for the updates, always fun :)

    • / Reply

      Dear Alys and Martha,

      Thanks so much for the wonderful expert information. Love the photo of
      Z and her foal and her foal’s friend. That is a very unusual characteristic
      for mares to have and Zenyatta is a very unusual mare.

      Thanks for doing this wonderful question blog. Zenny seems to be pulling
      some great questions.

      Don’t think the Mosses name their horses until after they are in their 2 year old training as Zenyatta still did not have a name when she was at the Mayberry’s training facility. They really seem to like to get a good feel for their personality, which always
      I am sure makes it fun for owner’s. They always select such wonderful appropriate
      names for their horses.

  2. / Reply

    so interesting about Zenyatta not being aggressive or dominant with others. I guess she truly did leave it all on the track. Bless all you wonderful people who take such good care of the LE horses. I only wish every equine were so fortunate.

  3. / Reply

    What great information! In earlier photos, before she became a mom, it was evident that Zenyatta was given deference by the other mares, Alys, Pirate Queen, Sea Gull, et al. So, I’m gathering in her current role, she’s not been given the “lead” role. Is this correct, or did I miss something in the answer.

    Thank you, thank you, thank you for the updates, photos and videos. It means to much to be able to stay close to Zenyatta in this way.

    • / Reply

      I think the pecking order changes when they have their foals as the foals presence changes it. So it is no longer Mare to Mare interaction or a herd with only mares,
      which will accentuate their individual personalities.

      Mare/foal and Mare/foal is a very different dynamic and so presents a different
      herd dynamic.

  4. / Reply

    PS – I hope to get out to Emerald Downs this Sunday to get an autograph from Mario Gutierrez!!

  6. / Reply

    Surprising but then again not that she doesn’t run off the foal. She experienced so much love from her time on the track that she might just be acting like people did toward her; patient and unending love. Plus, she might be that mare that absolutely loves children of every kind!

    • / Reply

      It is mare/foal and mare/foal herd mentality.

      Her track behavior will never be recreated again as she is no longer on the track.

  10. / Reply

    Does zenny get along with the other mares in her pasture? I have never seen pictures of her hanging with spooky for example.

  12. / Reply

    Many thanks. It’s great to learn about all things Zenyatta and PrinceZ as well as all horses at Lane’s End. Maybe we can have some news about Tasty sometime soon?

  14. / Reply

    As a person who has little knowledge of horse behavior, my take is a little different. If I read post correctly, Z is not the ‘lead’ horse. I interpret this differently, she doesn’t need to lead. I think for a horse she has such a self awareness, Z’s interactions with people and her horse family are what she desires most, not the ‘lead’ with her family. Most importantly, I think it’s a testament to her mental soundness and happiness. She trust……people and horses alike. In the beginning of Z’s retirement, I was one of those who couldn’t believe Z would be happy in her new life. I was wrong. I believe (like her mother) she will love motherhood and pass on her beautiful genes.

    Thank you again LE for the post. I anxiously wait every week for your post :)

  15. / Reply

    It makes perfect sense to me tht zenyatta does notfee? The need to be head of th herd. She is very confident with herself and always been treated kindly and 8 find it charming she enjoys th other foals also I think it is helpful for little gentleman Z to learn to gt along with others, because I have a feeling he is already very self cinfident. Also aren’t they just gorgeous!!!

    • / Reply

      Kim,
      No worries. We all mis-type.
      And, I have learned to speak several languages including Text & Twittese. :)
      Keta

      • / Reply

        Kim,
        See, now it is my turn to correct
        Twittese should have been Twitterese.
        Trying to do too many things at once
        Keta

  17. / Reply

    Great questions

    Thank you Team Z and LE for all of the information. This reminds me of Dottie in some ways tell us about horse life and such.

    FYI there is one more new pic under Watch Baby Z Grow.
    Z you are so cool in your SPA mask.

  18. / Reply

    The first was my question! Yay!

    I always had this picture in my head of Zenyatta being the definite boss mare in her herd. So interesting to hear that is not actually the case!

    • / Reply

      Z may just be letting the so called boss mare think she is the boss. Knowing inside that there is NO OTHER horse like her and she can just be cool with that.

      again great question

  19. / Reply

    I know we are very excited about a new blog page and questions.

    Please if anyone can update us on Karen we would also appreciate that information too.
    In our prayers Karen.

  20. / Reply

    That picture is so sweet – Zenyatta is such a good mommy that the other foal wants to hang out with her too! There’s no question about it: Zenyatta is just the most perfect horse in the world, on or off the track.

  21. / Reply

    Zenyatta, John Henry, Lava Man, & Goldikova now have Stakes Races!!
    SANTA ANITA RENAMES 14 STAKES INCLUDING SIX GRADE I EVENTS FOR UPCOMING AUTUMN MEET, LAVA MAN TO BE HONORED ON CAL CUP DAY, OCT. 13
    ARCADIA, Calif. (July 13, 2012)—Santa Anita Park, which will host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Nov. 2 & 3, has announced name changes for a total of 14 stakes, six of them Grade I events, effective with the opening of the 2012 Autumn Meet on Sept. 28.
    The 2012 Autumn Meet Stakes, excluding Breeders’ Cup races, their prior names where applicable, and the dates they will be run on are as follows:
    Eddie D. Stakes (Gr. III)– Morvich Friday, Sept. 28
    FrontRunner Stakes (Gr. I)– Norfolk Saturday, Sept. 29
    Awesome Again Stakes (Gr. I)– Goodwood Saturday, Sept. 29
    Rodeo Drive Stakes (Gr. I)– Yellow Ribbon Saturday, Sept. 29
    Zenyatta Stakes (Gr. I)– Lady’s Secret Saturday, Sept. 29
    Chandelier Stakes (Gr. I)– Oak Leaf Saturday, Sept. 29
    John Henry Turf Champ. (Gr.II)– Clement Hirsch Sunday, Sept. 30
    Arroyo Seco Mile (Gr. II)– Oak Tree Mile Saturday, Oct. 6
    Santa Anita Sprint Champ. (Gr. I)– Ancient Title Saturday, Oct. 6
    Swingtime Stakes– (Same) Saturday, Oct. 6
    Tim Conway Stakes– Jack Goodman Saturday, Oct. 6
    L.A. Woman Stakes– Louis Rowan Sunday, Oct. 7
    Zuma Beach Stakes– (New) Monday, Oct. 8
    Surfer Girl Stakes– (New) Monday, Oct. 8
    Lava Man Cal Cup Classic– Classic Saturday, Oct. 13
    California Cup Distaff– (Same) Saturday, Oct. 13
    California Cup Sprint– (Same) Saturday, Oct. 13
    California Cup Juvenile– (Same) Saturday, Oct. 13
    California Cup Juv. Fillies– (Same) Saturday, Oct. 13
    Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes (Gr. III)–(Same) Saturday, Oct. 20
    Autumn Miss Stakes (Gr. III)– Harold Ramser, Sr. Saturday, Oct. 27
    Breeders’ Cup Day 1– Friday, Nov. 2
    Breeders’ Cup Day 2– Friday, Nov. 3
    Damascus Stakes– (Same) Saturday, Nov. 3
    Goldikova Stakes (Gr. II)– Las Palmas Sunday, Nov. 4
    http://santaanita.com/press/pressrelease/2012/07/santa-anita-renames-14-stakes-including-six-grade-i-events-upcoming

  22. / Reply

    Hollywood Park: Lady of Shamrock ready to go long in American Oaks
    By Steve Andersen Daily Racing Form 07/12/2012 3:34PM
    INGLEWOOD, Calif. – Lady of Shamrock gave trainer John Sadler a small measure of consolation in the seconds after she had finished second by a nose in the Grade 2 Honeymoon Handicap at Betfair Hollywood Park on June 9.
    Lady of Shamrock galloped out well clear of the field after a troubled trip, leaving Sadler immediately looking forward to Saturday’s $350,000 American Oaks.
    “She just zoomed,” he said of the way she traveled after the wire.
    The Honeymoon Handicap was run over 1 1/8 miles. The Grade 1 American Oaks is run over 1 1/4 miles, and will be the longest race in Lady of Shamrock’s accomplished career. She won three stakes during the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting, all for owner Kosta Hronis.
    ……………………
    Lady of Shamrock will be ridden by Mike Smith, who was aboard for her wins in the China Doll Stakes in May and the Grade 3 Providencia Stakes in April. Alonso Quinonez rode Lady of Shamrock in the Honeymoon because Smith rode the Belmont Stakes program that day. In the Honeymoon, Lady of Shamrock raced in traffic through the stretch and did not have a clear path until the final sixteenth.
    http://www.drf.com/news/hollywood-park-lady-shamrock-ready-go-long-american-oaks

  23. / Reply

    Thank you Alys and Martha, Lane’s End and Team Z. I’m really loving these questions and the ones today were two good ones. I’ve seen other pictures of Z and Z12 plus Z12’s little playmate all together so that it actually looks like both babies belong to Zenny. I’ll bet she’s just as kind and sweet to the other youngster as she is to her own so that’s yet another endearing quality in our girl. The fact that the other colt likes to spend so much time around her says volumes and makes me love and admire her all the more!

  24. / Reply

    @LE and Team Z–thank you so much for answering our questions. I do hope Z and Baby Z are faring well in this ever-changing weather. It makes poerfect sense that Z., who has never known anything other than kindness herself, would feel the need to do any but the most necessary correcting. Her instincts have always elevated her to the height of correct actions.

    @Karen G.–waiting for a report from you. Hope all is well. Please check in when you can. Hugs.

  25. / Reply

    I just love the info we are getting from these questions ….
    Just read the article on SA re-naming the stakes…
    So glad Z got her race….but kind of sorry to lose Lady’s Secret….she was a HOY too..

  26. / Reply

    Dear Lane’s End Team and Z Fans:

    Thank you LE for this wonderful Ask The Experts concept. It is so informative and interesting and thoughtful of you to do. It’s funny, but I myself noticed how Z is in the company of not just Prince, but another foal as well in some of the photos. Must be her nurturing, loving aura that draws the little ones and simply commands respect from the other horses. Just love her. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      After this race, it was suggested that Arazi might have a walkover in the Derby. Didn’t turn out that way. A lot can happen when two-year-olds turn three.

      • / Reply

        Read he had bilateral knee chips removed after
        The BC Juvenile, French trainer later said it was
        A mistake. He was never the same. Had a great turn of foot,
        But faded at the end of the KY Derby.

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