Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #5

Q:

I’m planning to become a breeder and a trainer when I grow up, so I have so many questions… But I think the biggest one is: how do you get started?

Mariah Rain Lester

Redmond, WA

Spring morning turn out with Matt. Photo by Kyle Acebo

A: By learning as much as you can about everything you can! There are lots of publications that will keep you up to date on industry happenings but you also need a good base of practical experience.

Identify someone you admire and who you would like to emulate; see how they got to where they are. Try to get a job with them or even volunteer your time!

The more diverse your experience and knowledge is, the better; you will be able to form your own opinions on the best way of doing things. Work hard, ask why, be nice, and someone will be willing to give you an opportunity.

Expert: Gemma Freeman

Q:

I am curious about why horses are called full siblings or half siblings, etc. only if they are out of the same dam. I realize stallions can sire over 100 foals a season and a mare only has one foal a year. There would be a lot of half siblings running around!

Andrea Neis

Santa Rosa, CA

A: In Thoroughbred breeding, the mare (dam) determines the “sibling status” for the foals that she produces. “Full siblings” are foals who have the same dam and the same sire. A “half sibling” is a foal that has the same dam, but different sire.

As an example, I’m thinking of PRIVATE STATUS, one of our favorite mares here at Lane’s End. Her first foal was SECRET STATUS (Winner of the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks!) who was sired by A.P. INDY. A few years later, PRIVATE STATUS produced ALUMNI HALL who was also sired by A.P. INDY. This makes SECRET STATUS and ALUMNI HALL “full siblings” as they have the same sire and dam. They have a “half sibling or half-sister” named PRIVATE GIFT who was produced by PRIVATE STATUS but sired by UNBRIDLED.

I am not sure what the scientific basis is for the “sibling” classification, but it makes sense that in order to be a “full” sister or brother, both mom and dad need to have provided the bloodlines.

Expert: Martha Heckerman

Our Experts

Gemma Freeman

Stallion Seasons & Shares, Lane’s End

Gemma graduated in Equine Business Management from Imperial College, London before completing the BHB Graduate Development Program. She has worked at farms all over the world and landed at Lane’s End seven years ago; she sells Stallion Seasons and RNA’s.

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

553 Comments

  1. / Reply

    On Twitter, there was an exchange of tweets between Stonestreet Farm & a fan about weaning. Thought our concerned Z’sters would find it reassuring.
    July 13th Yes, the colts were weaned last week and everyone handled it with class and composure! We have weanlings on our hands now!

    July 14th & 15rh are they all doing ok or do they miss their moms? Xoxo
    Reply on July 15th: They were champs about it and now they have other weanlings to run about with so they are focused on that.

    That’s fantastic and Rachel and HDC?
    Rachel wouldn’t care if the sky was falling as long as she had Dixie by her side :)
    Keta

    • / Reply

      So glad that things went smoothly with Rachel and Taco. That’s very reassuring. I know that Rachel loves her BFF, Hot Dixie Chick. I’m hoping that after Z12 is weaned Zenyatta and Tasty can get back together again.

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta:

      Good to know Taco and Chili are doing well after being separated from their Moms. Thanks. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Great information Lanes End, Really love the Expert questions and answers !!!!

      So great that you are sharing your expertise with all of us neophytes the the
      TB racing and breeding business.

    • / Reply

      Dear Kennedy’s:

      War Emblem is quite a character. Glad they are not giving up on him. Hope when he is pensioned, he does return to Kentucky. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Thanks for the repost. As soon as I saw it, it was posted on the last entry.

      Guess he just not like to breed, maybe too much estrogen as he is living with mares now, veterinarian said he is intimidated by stallions.

      • / Reply

        Max,

        The Japanese had a veterinarian from New Bolton come to see the issues
        with War Emblem (recent bloodhorse article). That veterinarian said that he was intimidated by the stallion and now he lives with all mares. I posted the bloodhorse link last blog where it said this

        Biting can be done for fear because of intimidation. He is breeding now and no longer on the track so behavior breeding is not the same as track behavior.

      • / Reply

        Here is the quote and I will repost the link with the quote in it.

        ” They have brought in equine experts from around the world, including Dr. Sue McDonnell of the New Bolton Center of the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School of Medicine, who concluded he was intimidated by other stallions and should be moved to his own barn, surrounded only by mares.”

        • Sign. You are right. It can happen that horses change their attitudes when they change careers. The common factor here seems to be that War Emblem goes his own way, and does not take any orders from trainers or breeders. I can see why the Kennedys love him.

        • Max,

          War Emblem is an awesome horse, just quirky in the breeding shed.
          Quirks make TB’s the best horses. Maybe he will come back to the US.

          They tried to get Lure to breed, although sterile, for quite a few years,
          before he returned to Claibourne Farms to “live the life of Riley” as
          Dell Hancock says. Another great horse, Lure.

    • / Reply

      Oh my gosh, thanks for the links. This is one of the most beautiful stallions I’ve ever seen! Poor guy. It sounds like he’s getting excellent care, though, and hopefully he’ll come around.

    • / Reply

      He was definately a character on the track and now in the shed !!!

      You were both so lucky to have experienced the phenomena of “War Emblem”
      as it happened in California, Thanks for sharing.

  3. / Reply

    For those of you whbo like horse jokes, I will post this one now and the redneck jokes later. A butcher is leaning on the counter close to the end of the day when a horse with a basket in its mouth comes pushiong through the door. The horse places the basket on the counter and the butcher sees a note and a $10.00 bill in the basket. The scribble on the note asks for three pounds of his best ground beef. The butcher, laughing to himself, goes to the window and reaches for the dried out stuff that has been sitting all day. The horse whinnies at him. The butcher glares at the horse and then goes to the fridge for the good ground beef and places it in the basket along with change for a $5.00 bill. The horse then acted like he was going to kick the butcher in the head, and this action prompted the butcher to put another $5.00 bill in the basket. The horse then leaves. The butcher was impressed do he decided to follow the horse. After a while, the horse entered a high rise building and pressed the button for the elevator with his nose. The elevator eventually arrives, and the horse enters it and pressed the buttion for the 12th floor. The horse then canters down the hallway and bangs the basket on a door. The door opens, and the horse’s owner started screaming at the horse. The butcher then came out of hiding and said “Hey, what are you doing? That’s a mighty smart horse you’ve got there.” “He’s not so smart,” said the owner, “This is the third toime this week he’s forgotten his key.”

    • / Reply

      I read a joke almost similar to this one, only it was with a dog. Silly animals, always forgetting those keys!

      • / Reply

        Actually, when I first heard this joke it was a dog. I changed it to a horse for the folks on the blog. Here are today’s redneck jokes. You might be a redneck if you regularly see kinfolk on America’s Most Wanted. You might be a redneck if you have gotten warnings to remove vehicles from your own yard. You might be a redneck if you spend most of your time in the laundromat because it has a TV. You might be a redneck if you think duct tape works better than spot welding. You might be a redneck if you vacuum the sheets rather than wash them. You might be a redneck if you have three first names. You might be a redneck if you think that people with ten fingers and ten toes are abnormal.

        • Dear Terry Crow GP Out of respect for your position I have been delegated to advise you that two of the RNC Presidents met for a luncheon meeting today. No minutes were taken but all discussions were respectful and civilized. Both Presidents will meet again in Santa Anita when they hope to make the acquaintance of the Grand Poohbah.
          Respectfully,
          Sandy, NE Ohio and Brenda S, Ontario.

        • Terry C.,
          Thanks for the laughter! Love the horse/butcher joke, and of course, the redneck jokes are great, too.
          Take care!

        • Love those jokes, TC.

          Hope you have fun with those two Presidents getting together for
          lunch !!!!

        • Glad you had fun Brenda and Sandy,

          Hope the discussions were full of jokes and fun !!!!

        • Brenda-Thanks for the information. Its too bad minutes were not taken. I’m sure they would have been most revealing.

  4. / Reply

    Hi Z Family.

    I need some help. I want to organize a fundraiser to help SHERR, but I don’t just want it to be local. I would like as many people from around the states to participate as possible. Does anyone have any ideas? We really need the money as we are adding stalls, and we still need to add lights, we need to put sand in the round pen, and the pasture for Gypsy and Riata still needs to be built. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I am emailing a few companies that sell their wares via the Internet. Maybe they would be willing to donate a percent of their profit to SHERR… But that has yet to go through, and I really want to help her out. Any ideas?

    • / Reply

      Check with some horse farms and/or horse owners and see if they would be willing to donate something, such as a halter, that you could auction. Maybe you could even get a Zenyatta halter! If you really want to swing for the fences, maybe the Mosses would donate a Zenyatta visit.

      Here is an organization you should contact. They make grants to equine welfare organizations. Probably wouldn’t help immediately, but down the line theycould benefit you.
      http://www.brennanequinewelfarefund.com/

    • / Reply

      Pati
      Are you also posting a Discussion on the Forum on SHERR?
      If not, wanted to make sure you knew someone else is working on SHERR?
      Good luck with this project!
      Keta

      • / Reply

        Yes, I am posting there too. I just have to finish my update and add pictures and I’ll post it.

  5. / Reply

    Dear Judy B, What a lovely picture of Life Is Sweet and her little one. This year’s crop is awesome, how are we going to remember all these huggable foals when they hit the track? I hope they are “too cute” in another year. I’m still somewhat in awe of that BL photo of Chili, he looks so like his daddy, I think he’s going to be a contender.

    • / Reply

      I have absolutely no doubt we will know all about 12Z, Prince of whatever else we choose to call him. To my way of thinking he will be a major force…ears and all. Zenny has been telling him all her secrets and I think he has listened to every one of them.

    • / Reply

      Dear Brenda S.:

      They are all so precious and beautiful. I think one way to try to keep track of them is to go to Pedigree Query; enter Dam or Sire’s name and click on progeny. We can track them by year of birth and if they have been given names, we will be able to track them in future by their names on Equibase.com. I hope between Z’s Blog and Lane’s End site we will be able to keep track of all of Z’s babies. Hugs to you and Vic, JB

    • / Reply

      Hi Barbara, We had a great time, lots of talking about horses, racing and how amazing it is that Zenny’s site has been the start of so many new friendships. We’re now looking forward to November and Santa Anita.
      Hope everything is coming along well in Texas.

      • / Reply

        We DID have a great time! What a treat to meet Brenda – one very classy lady! I’m going to have to bump things up a notch style-wise :-) So nice of her to come “over the border” to meet me.

        • Sandy, I didn’t expect to see you posting until you got home. Hope that you and Carol enjoy your weekend and thanks again for the lunch classy lady!!!!!

  7. / Reply

    Hello all! Just stopping in for a brief chat….Shirlee in Indy, thinking high hoof thoughts of you! Kennedys: yes I had just read that War Emblem update prior to “wandering” over here….what a fascinating animal. Good update! Terry Crow: yukking it up over the horse and redneck jokes–must keep up with my recent redneck credentials, LOL.

    Keta: so Taco has moved on…it’s really interesting to observe this process close up, so to speak. Preparing us for Prince’s new life…

    We may go to Del Mar this Saturday….did anyone else see the original Bode (Miller) in paddock Opening Day with Bob Baffert? The only reason I did is we had a power outage at work so we all went home early—therefore I was able to see several of the races—and of course the hats….I read in today’s LA Times that someone wore a bicycle hat (yes you read correctly) and he said everytime he moved he hit someone else’s hat! He said he was promoting cycling to the track. Ah, of course…

    I know we have moved on, but not entirely (or ever–look how many still think of War Emblem) from IHA, but soon I do want to tell my J. Paul Reddam story–just not now. I must move on and get ready for work tomorrow.

    Thanks once again to Lane’s End for your inside look behind the scenes…..:-)

    • / Reply

      Anne,

      I, for one, am anxiously awaiting your story about J Paul Reddam. Please share when you can, and thank you.

    • / Reply

      Dear Anne,

      Thanks for the CALI update and also looking forward to the J Paul Reddam story.
      It is so very great that you and all the other lucky CALI residents keep us up to date
      with such a wonderful racing place.

      THANKS TO ALL THE CALI FANS !!!

    • / Reply

      Dear Cali racing fans,
      You ‘ all are very lucky to have seen the
      Great War Emblem on the track. I remember
      Seeing his last BCC. They said he was very smart
      And did not want to run anymore. What a great
      Guy with a mind of his own. So glad he does
      Have some Sons and daughters.

      • / Reply

        It is so funny they talk about War Emblem’s terrible personality and why breed him etc…. but Dynaformer was a very tempermental, agressive personality horse and
        he never passed that on to his offspring either.

    • / Reply

      Yes, he does look great! Keep up the good work.

      On a side note, if you recall the horses I was so concerned about a few months ago, they all 3 are looking magnificent. I am thinking the farm I drive by, ARE the rescuerers, instead of the ones I was so worried about, which is of course an answered prayer. Still hoping to see people outside sometime so I can stop to talk to them.

      Barbara Wood, I know this will be good news for you too. Thank you so much for your concern when I first brought this all up.

      • / Reply

        Hey Jan,

        Glad you had such a great time these past few weeks.

        Love all the Zenny photos you sent me, so very beautiful.

        Thanks

    • / Reply

      Oh, Pati, WOW! What a change. I love his markings and can’t wait until he’s fully plumped out to see how he looks. Such good work to everyone.

    • / Reply

      Pati. So happy for Rescue Gus and for your hard work to get him well. He is so looking mighty fine. Beautiful markings on his coat. Keep eating, Rescue Gus.

  9. / Reply

    My Dear, Dear Judy,
    You are so great, don’t know how you find all these links. What a knockout filly, she has a fabulous body. Some of the credit has to go to daddy Bernie. Darley manager said he is a very intelligent horse, you can see it in his face, and I think he has passed his look onto his kids, just look at the pics of Ebby. She is stunningly beautiful!

    How are you doing? I think of you often and always read your posts. Hope you are doing better as time goes by. Special hugs to you!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue Fredricks:

      Yes, Bernie’s babies often have his beautiful face and eyes. Ebby’s gorgeous and the Prince, well, he’s just magnificent.

      Lola MW and I are just waiting for our new apartment to be ready, probably by the beginning of Fall. Once we get settled, I think everything will be so much better. Thank you for thinking of me. Means so much. Love and Hugs, JB

  10. / Reply

    My thoughts and prayers for everyone in Colorado this morning. How tragic.

    Dawn Conrad, have not heard from you in awhile. Hope you are well and will post something soon. Thought about you when I heard the news of the tragedy in Auroroa CO. this morning.

    Karen Gogue, Hope you are doing better and getting well. You are missed here. Hope you are back soon.

    • / Reply

      I echo your sentiments. Prayers are being sent for all the residents in Colorado and our Dawn and Trina.

    • / Reply

      Wasn’t this just a very horrible situation !!!!

      Such a young man, with so many issues !!!!

  12. / Reply

    ATTENTION KENTUCKY HORSE PARK WEB CAM FOLLOWERS! ♥

    I finally received a reply from my connection at the KHP. This is her email.

    Judy,
    “We are probably going to be removing the camera altogether as old as it is. We don’t own the camera. It actually belongs to the telephone company that provides service in Eastern Kentucky, hence the view of Pike County (old promotional idea of theirs from a marketing department no longer there). I haven’t looked at their website yet, but they probably just haven’t gone on and taken down the box labeled as us, or made the 6-hour round trip to remove the camera.”

    “Thank you for always being the number one fan for Cigar and John Henry and the Hall of Champions. I hope that one day we can have our own camera and control our own use of it.”

    I’m so happy I “captured” numerous photos of the Great Cigar grazing in his paddock over the years… memories I’ve saved on my facebook !

    Good-bye Cigar! Thanks for the smiles all these years! :-)

    ♥ Auntie Judy aka JAG

    • / Reply

      Dear Auntie Judy, Thanks to you and your “in” at KHP we’ve been able to watch Cigar for as long as did when the telephone company thought that Pikesville would be more interesting. I hope they don’t decide to remove Lexington and Louisville.

    • / Reply

      AWWW !!!!!

      No more Cigar, I really do love that horse.

      Thanks for sharing this with us JAG.

  14. / Reply

    @Karen Gogue–hope you are doing ok and feeling much better. We miss you.

    @Dawn Conrad and Susan in TN– we miss you too. We’re starting to worry.

    @shari Voltz–has there been an update on Miesha? Prayers for you too.
    Hugs to all.

    • / Reply

      Judy,
      I like the mispelling better, just add a “t” on the end………Bernardidit, ha, ha!! Hugs

    • / Reply

      Oh Judy,

      I missed it on the previous page, she has that white nose like her grandfather,
      AP Indy. Love that white nose.

      Just watched him with the BCC 1992 for the millionth time, I love it when they
      say Eddy D almost falls off of him cause he runs with his head so low.

      • / Reply

        Dear Sign:

        What a wonderful legacy AP has left. So many beautiful babies continue to be born. Hugs, JB

  16. / Reply

    Teresa Genaro‏@BklynBckstretch tweeted a Retweet from Daily Racing Form
    RT @DRFGrening: Belmont winner Union Rags has been retired,
    according to the Philadelphia Daily News

    • / Reply

      Keta. Such a talented horse who never had the chance to show it fully, although winning the Belmont is no small accomplishment. Very disappointing news for all racing fans.

      • / Reply

        And to think how generous the Mosses were to have Zenny race into her 6th. year. I doubt we’ll see something like that anytime soon.

    • / Reply

      I read the article @ PaulicReport.com earlier. I was like: “What?” I surely did not see this one coming! I thought, his injury wasn’t major and that, they were bringing him back once healed?! All I can say is, wow! Let’s hope they don’t retire Bodie because of his temperature!
      There’s been so much drama over the last few months. First, IHA injured then retired. IHA being sold to Japan. Havre De Grace might be going to auction because, her owner wants more $$$ (I’m unclear as to why he’s not keeping her?) Break downs on the first day at Del Mar. Injuries, injuries etc… Drugs, Dutrow, O’Neill etc.. Now, UR is retired too.
      If I was a new fan, I wouldn’t know what to think of all of this and would turn and walk away. Which is a sad thing. Thankfully, I’m not a new fan.

      • / Reply

        Dear Heidi and Z Fans:

        It’s been a very tough year for our three year olds. Also, in the case of Horse of The Year, HDG, it’s sad because it is a business and the focus for some is always money. Some sad parts of racing. We stay with it because we love the horses and there is nothing more beautiful than the Thoroughbred. Hugs, JB

  18. / Reply

    Stonestreet Farm tweet
    Wow! Our first-time starter Kauai Katie wins in the 5th at Saratoga in flashy fashion! #happystonestreet (Daughter of Malibu Moon)
    Justin Zayat in earlier tweet
    Interesting to see Todd Pletcher training for the @StonestreetFarm .. interested to see how Dominus will do this year

  19. / Reply

    It is always hard to find the right words of comfort & concern in a tragedy like the one in Colorado. It is so terrible to see/hear the stories from the scene.
    To all who have lost or had someone injured in this terrible event,
    my thoughts & prayers are with you.
    Keta

  20. / Reply

    Dear Z Fans:

    Opening day today at the Spa. In the First Race, Rosie N. brought in a longshot, Nine O Wonderful; paying $28.20 to win. In the Third Race, one of Bernies two year old fillies, Kimono, out of Runnin Ute, ran a good second in her first time out paying $3.20 to place.

    Hugs, JB

  21. / Reply

    Dear Experts:

    Thank you for all the information you share with us. We appreciate the time and energy you take to answer our questions. We are learning a lot and would like all of you to know that we look forward to your input and your responsibilities at Lanes End.

    Thanks again. Please hug and kiss Zenyatta and her baby for me.

    Regards, Marilu

    • / Reply

      Well said Marilu V.

      We are so lucky they are sharing their expertise.

  22. / Reply

    Here are today’s redneck jokes. You might be a redneck if your master bedroom has the words “porta” and “potty” written on the sides. You might be a redneck if your husband spray paints the upholstery of your car to make it look new. You might be a redneck if the idea for the Budweiser frogs came from listening to you and your friends trying to read the label. You might be a redneck Jedi if you find no grammatical errors in the way Yoda talks. You might be in a redneck hospital if the nurses are burned out cloggers. You might be in a redneck hospital if meals include you picking corn off the roof.

  23. / Reply

    I had so hoped that the next headlines out of Colorado would be about wonderful. spectacular things. But, no, they’re about another tragedy involving injury and loss of life in my own home city, Aurora. The mood right now is somber, understanding doesn’t even exist. An outing to a movie. theater is supposed to be fun and entertaining, I don’t think we know anybody who was directly impacted by this act, but our hearts also go out to those who were. Thanks to all who expressed your concern for our community

    We do have a fantastic Olympic swimmer, Missy Franklin, from our nextdoor neighbor town, Centennial. Great headlines could still be coming. Marty R.

    • / Reply

      Marty,

      My heart breaks for you and your community. All we can ever do in a time like this is pray. I will be praying for comfort for you and all of CO.

      Good luck to your Missy Franklin.

      Sending a big hug for you Marty.

    • / Reply

      can not believe how truly awful some can be….at my age should know better…
      prayers for those injury and for the families of those slain…

    • / Reply

      Dear Marty:

      So sorry for all in your community, especially those directly hurt by this needless tragedy.
      Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Marty,

        So very sorry for all that has happened today in Colorado.
        So very senseless.

    • / Reply

      Colorado has really experienced its share of sadness this year. Please accept our condolences as you try to find ways to heal. This is from someone who grew up in Dallas during the Kennedy assassination era. I remember people wanting to paint the whole city as a bunch of crazies. Hugs to you.

    • / Reply

      Such heartbreak for an unspeakable tragedy….prayers for all victims and their families and friends.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sign and Z Fans:

      Thank you for this link. Loved watching it again. What a thrilling finish. Is there anything more beautiful than a TB at full run! Hugs, JB

  28. / Reply

    Terry Crow

    Do you think a Dad would be in the club if he used a zip tie to put his little girls hair in a pony tail?
    I saw that one on FB this morning and thought potential RN.

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