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

    Dear Max, The Kennedy’s and Z Fans:

    Left a note for you on the previous page (Ask The Experts #3) regarding War Emblem. Posted a link of yearling sale in Japan last week listing two of his babies; Hips 349 and 480. There are videos of them too. Hopefully, he is doing well. Hugs, JB

        • Dear Max, Marilu, The Kennedy’s and Z Fans:

          You’re all welcome.

          Max, did not know BG was in War Emblems pedigree. Wow.

          The Kennedy’s, yes I think WE is very choosey. What unique and amazing individuals horses are. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Thanks, Judy. That is reassuring. I know they did not give up on him because he produced some winners even from a limited number of successful covers. He apparently is very choosy to whom he is bred.

      • / Reply

        Stallions are quite interesting, they say Seattle
        Slew would only breed the ones he knew were
        Going to get pregnant and were fertile and ready
        For him in the shed. What a sense!!! That is why
        He had such a high rate of sucessful breedings.

        He did not breed the others.

  2. / Reply

    Thank you for the info above….very interesting. It is not a surprise that Zenyatta is so sweet in retirement. When not on the track she was that way with everyone. She is so special and seems to keep getting more special as she ages. What a wonderful special amazing mare!!!!

  4. / Reply

    Zenny is a beautiful creature inside and out! She is sweet to all around her. What an angel from God, she is! Thank you, again, Lane’s End, for sharing such endearing information with us. She is such a blessing!

    • / Reply

      Judy thanks for posting the terrific pictures of Holy Bull. Isn’t it something that Mike Smith not only rode the Bull, but won on his son (Giacomo), and now his grandson (Mucho Macho Man). Mike rode the Bull almost 20 years ago. And when he met John Sherriffs and was offered the ride on Giacomo, he promised redemtion for the Bull by winning the Ky Derby. The Bull had supposedly been “gotten to” before the Derby and was listless. Isn’t it something that Mike goes to visit the Bull. Then Ramon Dominguez gives up the mount on Macho and Mike rides the Bull’s grandson. What a nice retirement present the great win at the Suburban Stakes was for grandpop (Holly Bull).

      • / Reply

        Dear Terri Z.:

        You’re so welcome.

        Yes, Mikey has had a wonderful career and has ridden some great horses. It’s amazing how it worked out his riding three generations in Holy Bull’s line. Of course, the frosting on the cake; he becomes Z’s regular rider. Hope he writes a memoir some day. Will be quite a read. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        I thought Holy Bull did not like the muddy track
        On Derby Day, that is what Mike Smith said.

  6. / Reply

    Got thinking about this “leader of the pack” thing….Z is so very secure in herself that she does not have to prove herself …if anything were not to her liking she could assert herself with a look..it speaks volumes to me that the babies choose to hang by her…
    Obviously she makes them feel secure ..hmmmmm
    just a thought

    • / Reply

      carol-I agree. When you are secure with who you are, you have nothing to prove to anybody or anything.

    • / Reply

      Being “secure with your self” a human characteristic
      Does not really figure into herd mentality. Self confidence
      Does, which is a horse characteristic.

      • / Reply

        Sign. Don’t you think that the real reason that Z was looking after the other foal was so that Spooky would in turn babysit Baby Z for Big Ass Beer Tuesday? When that picture was taken, Spook might have been getting her mane done and just needed a little break.

        • Oh yes it definately seems that she was doing SM a favor in turn for
          a Tuesday babysitting by SM.

          So maybe Zenyatta is really “baby sitting” because
          she knows and is committed to weekly visits for Big Ass
          Tuesday and it not her :wonderful” personality. JUST A MARE
          WHO WANTS TO HAVE SOME FUN TIME. She just wants
          to have time to party on BIG ASS TUESDAY !!!!

        • Yous guys are funny!!!
          Every new Mom needs some ” Me Time ” !!!!!

          Also….Sign…..Zenny really was impressed w/ your styling gel. Enough so,she used some,w/ out you knowing ,on the friend of young z. Being the “‘go to” Mom that she is,for her herd,she wanted to make sure the young lad had a good looking” spiked ” forelock. Seems to work.

          BA Tuesdays and Herd Dynamics will never be the same. P.S….the girls over in pasture 3 have been watching this and are ready to write the tell all book about Zenny and her antics!

        • Sign. Z is clearly a magnet for the other foals because she is the best as a mom and mentor. She probably gives racing advice to the youngsters as well as doing their “hair”. I recall that Dottie may have said that this could be a second career for Z.

        • Love the comment about styling gel,
          She did a great job with his pinky do.
          She has been doing the conservative
          Moss do for awhile.

          Glad paddock 3 is getting some lessons.

  7. / Reply

    TGIF!!!! Happy Weekend to all!!

    For those interested in Barnaby John,I posted at the end of the previous Question session,just before the new one came up!! It’s on Page 7.

  8. / Reply

    I am heading out and probably will not post until Monday Here are today’s redneck jokes. You might be a redneck if one wall of your home is a tarp. You might be a redneck if you have ever eaten anything out of a vacuum bag. You might be a redneck if you have ever given a happy meal toy as a Christmas present. You might be a redneck if your pillow has ever crawled out from under you. You might be a redneck if you ever patched a hole in your wall with salt water taffy. For our Wisconsin rednecks-You might be a Wisconsin redneck if you only have to drive 10 minutes to get away from it all.

    • / Reply

      Have a great time, TC, whereever you are going !!!
      Great jokes today.

    • / Reply

      Terry Crow; Ha ha ha, these all are just too funny. We once while building a tiny living quarter above a garage Up North, put a tent in a semi-finished garage. Could not stake it so ran rope to to the rafters! ha I did not sleep for a couple hours, when I heard something walking about outside this garage. A black bear? Still don’t know what it was. Washed in the lake and hung things to dry over a line in the balance of the garage. But, managed to connect a small dorm size frig to electric, so hey there was the essentials, and good ole beer & wine. One has to be hospitable if someone stops by! ha ha So happy to read your redneck jokes! hugs, Sally

  9. / Reply

    Thanks to Lanes End for the photo and the information. I don’t think any of the other mares would mess with Zenyatta since she just oozes power and strength. The babies know she will protect them.

    Is that Prince Z in the front of the photo? Sure looks like those wonderful ears. When he grows into them he is going to be a really really big boy.

  10. / Reply

    Now that you see both foals next to each other, Prince Z is clearly bigger. It’s lovely to see Z as such a wonderful mom to Prince Z and “stepmom” to the other foal. I think her foals will go forth and be very accomplished. The friend may rub off some of the talent and accomplish something special too. LOL

  11. / Reply

    Just heard on the news that three horses were lost in those dreadful chuck wagon races at the Calgary Stampede. I wish they would put a stop to them. Fortunately I was able to cover my eyes so didn’t have to watch it, can’t imagine why the TV station would even show it.
    Vic and I are looking forward to the Prince of Wales on Sunday. The weather forecast is for hot and humid. Have a good weekend everyone.

    • / Reply

      Brenda S. I can understand how you feel. They should however show these so called “accidents” on tv so that there will be more support to people like Bob Barker who have called for the shut down of these events. Too many horses already have died. Horses should not be put at this kind of risk. Very very upsetting to see these beautiful giving creatures, who are mostly former racing TBs, treated in this way.

    • / Reply

      Dear Brenda S.:

      Makes me so sad to hear about yet another way these beautiful beings are mistreated. Heartbreaking. Hugs, JB

  12. / Reply

    Not surprising that our show girl is laid back, easy going with a bighearted mind set.
    I know Lane’s End takes care and pride their horses, but Zenny is one of those horses, once you have her, you can’t image how you ever got along without her.
    I do love 12Z’s ears, I hope he doesn’t out grow them, I think that will be one of
    his trademarks.

  13. / Reply

    Thanks for the interesting questions and answers on this “Experts” post. Wishing all in
    the Zenyatta Nation a safe and happy weekend! :)
    Peace & Blessings,
    Kathy from SoCal xoxo

  14. / Reply

    Thank you for this, Lanes End. It’s always good to hear about our girl. I’m not surprised one bit that she is so easygoing. She is just perfect in every way!
    Ann, yes, we did take John Wall, but we were very good to him! I just love him.
    Terry, even though these don’t qualify as redneck jokes, I’m going to share a few more of my puns anyway.

    I did a theatrical performance about puns. It was a play on words.
    They told me I had type-A blood, but it was a Type-O.
    PMS jokes aren’t funny; period.
    Why were the Indians here first? They had reservations.

  17. / Reply

    Karen Grogue, a regular contributor on this site, has been ill and has been admitted to the hosptial. Many of us are sending prayers and get well wishes her way. Thanks in advance to the Zsters.

    • / Reply

      Karen Gogue is back home now, thank God, and needs to rest up, but will post soon. Hugz and prayers for continued improvement always appreciated!

  18. / Reply

    A big thanks to Team Z for the new info stuff.

    Wouldn’t it be sthg if Mr. Smith were to win all three crown races w Zee’s WeeZee. :)

  19. / Reply

    So sorry to hear about Karen hope you recover soon love all of the videos you have posted on your Forum page at Zenny’s site. Hope you get back soon.

  20. / Reply

    Thanks again for the great questions and answers. The consideration Lane’s End shows us is just phenomenal.

    I’ve wondered if because Spooky Minister has had several foals already, maybe she isn’t so into being a “hooves on” Mom like Zenny is. Just a thought.

    I see the baby fuzz is gone and boy, didn’t 12Z color out like his mom. He will be a head turner.

    I hope everyone has a good weekend. Stay cool.

    • / Reply

      Dear Marty R.:

      You’re so right. Baby Z is going to be soooo handsome. He’s already stunning. Good weekend to you too. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Oh, yes Marty R.

      An experienced broodmare is much holds a much looser rein on her foals
      than a new mom.

      Zenny is just getting more experience caring for two doing her baby sitting
      so she can attend BIG ASS TUESDAY, and drink her Evian water and dance
      for us Texans.

      • / Reply

        Sign. Fiji water is the stated drink of choice for Zenyatta. I am not certain if she would accept Evian water. John Sherriffs said that he once tried another brand of beer than Guinness, and she would not drink it. She wanted only the Guinness. She’s the Queen and knows what she likes. Gotta love her!

        • Dear Max, Sign and Z Fans:

          Our Z is very particular about her beer, so not surprised she would be so about her water. She is something else. Just love her. Hugs, JB

        • Max
          It also has to be Guiness stout and no
          Other Guiness. A woman with her own mind
          Just like Tasty !!!

  22. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    Goodnight and thanks for the great posts and links. Always enjoy them all. Hugs, JB

  24. / Reply

    FYI

    Not sure how the rumor was spread, Nereid owned by Eric Kronfeld, is in foal.
    Here is the link that she was recently raced in 7/12 in the Gamely and Royal Heroine
    Stakes. No written article on any breeding or in foal status. Don’t think her owner
    runs his mares when they are in foal.

    http://www.horseracingnation.com/horse/Nereid

    • / Reply

      Sign,

      You’re right about this being a very interesting article and wish I was the one who pointed it out, but it wasn’t me. I don’t know who deserves proper credit. Marty R.

  27. / Reply

    Dear KG,

    Thinking and praying for you and some good news on your tests.
    Really miss you, your videos and posts.

    Looking forward to hearing from you again, soon.

  28. / Reply

    It’s a new day and I’m getting over the horrors in Calgary, so I can now properly thank Lane’s End for another great episode of “Ask the Experts” Zenny has always seemed to enjoy children, as well as adults, so I guess her nature has just naturally transferred to all the horses in her current group. She is amazing in how good natured and friendly she is.

    Max, I hadn’t thought about how the TV coverage could be a good thing – if enough people see the horror then perhaps the pressure to ban the event will increase. Today, the “spin” is that one horse had a ruptured aorta which the vets could not detect pre-race and so the whole “accident” was not caused by chuck wagon racing. Sounds like a lot of BS to me. (My initials come in handy sometimes)

    Ron Turcotte was the guest of honor at the post position draw for the Prince of Wales so I’m hoping that he’s stayed around for the race. I would love to meet him. I’m hoping for a good run from Colleen’s Sailor to give Roger Attfield his sixth PoW win.

  29. / Reply

    Always a treat to hear how the great Zenyatta and her foal are doing. A very thoughtful question about the heard hierarchy. Thank you to all involved for your continued information.

    • / Reply

      Jane. Thank you. I loved the photos of the farm, the foal and Giacomo. He is looking exceptionally handsome. He poses like a pro.

    • / Reply

      Thanks, Jane, for the wonderful photos. Giacomo is as handsome as ever. So happy for you and your little girl that you got to spend time with him and at the farm. Looks as if the deer herd is happy at Magali Farms also. God’s blessings to you and your family.

    • / Reply

      Dear Jane:

      Thank you so much for these wonderful photos. Madison’s joy was so evident in her beautiful smile. She has a way with the horses. Giacomo look great. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Thanks much Jane and Maddie for posting the pixs with Giacomo. I missed the chance a couple of months ago to drive up and see him so these photos are well appreciated! He’s quite the handsome stallion.

    • / Reply

      Jane, Giacomo is looking wonderful. He also looks whiter than he was last year when we saw him in Kentucky. Thanks for posting your pictures.

Leave a Reply to carol in utah Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.