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

    • / Reply

      Dear Max:

      Thanks for the link on Orfevre. Do you think if he does well in the Arc they might consider entering him in the BC Turf. I think entries must be submitted by October 22nd. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        JudyB. It could be because he is a world traveller. Danedream has already qualified with her win in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. She is a wonderful filly, small but with a mighty will. She looks like Frankel’s mother, Kind, who is a daughter of Danehill. She also denied Aidan O’Brien another group 1 win as he tries to take Bobby Frankel’s record. Bravo Danedream.

    • / Reply

      Great update Max!!!
      Would love to see this Japanese HOY
      And Danedream at the BC !!!

      We can only hope !!!

      • / Reply

        Sign. These invaders are welcome, but I would like to see a home bred like Point of Entry take it. Love those Dynaformers.

        • Oh yes, our homebred turf specialists are prettgood too,
          Just not at long distances and those hills and dales.

          Point of Entry ran a great race, and Big D deserves
          Another BC winner.

          TOO CUTE
          A couple of weeks ago AP Indy had his 198 stakes maybe
          Even graded stakes winner listed in TT. It was great
          To see him still being sucessful.

        • Sign. Lucarno, a son of Dynaformer, won the St. Leger in 2007, the longest race of the English Triple Crown at 1 mile and 6 furlongs. These Dynaformers can be as tough as nails. Lucarno raced in Europe but he was definitely a Big D offspring.

        • Sign and Dynaformer fans. Here is a link to Lucarno, looking handsome like Big D. His mother was also American, and from a very fast family. There were doubts that Lucarno could make the St. Leger distance, but he defied the doubters and won it.

          http://www.lts-uk.com/lucarno_main.html

        • Thanks Max,
          That was a beauty of a race. He stayed tucked in there, just right, and then had a great charge. Glad he could stretch those legs and head for home!

    • / Reply

      @Max, Thank you so much for the information on Orfevre. i try to keep up with his comings and goings. I believe he is off for a little right now, traveling to England in August I believe to race in England in September, and then on to the Arc in October. I just love this colt.
      @Judy B., Thank You also on Danedream’s win. That was great.

    • / Reply

      JudyB. As we unhappily know only too well, a nose can be very important in racing. Danedream did a lot of work to get that win, coming through traffic against top quality colts. She is tiny but a real terror against the boys. Go Danedream.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        Oh yes, Z was closing like crazy in the 2010 BCC. A little more real estate and she could have reversed the end result by a nose. Hugs, JB

        Thank you so much for the links of Lucarno’s races. Not only did I recognize those Roberto ears, but he closed like Z at the end. Wow. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Those Euro Fillies are really something !!!!!
      To beat Nathaniel and St Nicholas Abbey.

      Wish Danedream had come to BC instead
      Of going to Japan!!!

    • / Reply

      Yes, she great but I think both are very good, I saw the race this morning, thanks you for the link, hugs Ingrid.

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy B.,
      Thanks bunches for the link to Danedream’s win in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. What a finish!
      Hugs!

      • / Reply

        Dear Ingrid and Marshall:

        Nothing more thrilling that a close race. What detetmination Danedream showed. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Hi Judy Berube; That was quite an exciting finish!! Danedream’s got his nose out front!!
      I did not realize that over there the horses run clock wise, while here, ours run counter clockwise. It must be just like driving on the left versus driving on the right!!!
      hmmmmmm. Thank you sweetie hugs, Sally B

    • / Reply

      Another great link – thanks again Judy! The photography during the race was amazing – especially the shots in which the horses seemed to be heading right at the camera! What an exciting race!
      Sandy

  4. / Reply

    WHOOO. HOOO !!!!

    Royal Delta battles Tiznow Miss Sue for the
    Win in the Delaware Handicap, Awesome Maria
    Third!!!!!

    Will there be another female HOY ?????

    • / Reply

      Maybe. If she puts forth a stellar effort in the BCC, then yes. If she doesn’t, G.O.D wins, or she goes to the Ladies classic, she might not. Plus, Acclamation is on a roll this year too. So despite the three year olds dropping out like flies, the older division still has some punch. I see G.O.D, Acclamation, Royal Delta, and MMM battling it out for HOY this year.

      • / Reply

        Acclaimation will have a hard time with HOY because he is a sprinter. They are not usually chosen as that is not the “American ” distance.

        The remaining horse still have the year to prove themselves better than
        IHA !!!

        Personally, I hope a filly/mare or IHA for HOY, but of course I don’t get a vote ???

        • At least, Judy, we can have a say in the Secretariat Vox Populi Award; I hope that I’ll Have Another gets at least one award. And I wish that they could award a special award for an undefeated Australian Queen: Black Caviar. It would be nice if foreign horses were recognized with special awards every once in a while. Goldicova was certainly deserving of one.

    • / Reply

      Sign. Royal Delta really worked for that win. Mike did very well. She is a beautiful horse, quite elegant looking. I hope that Maria keeps at it as she had some traffic issues in that race. I do love Maria. Those grays are pretty hard to resist.

      • / Reply

        Max, You are definately right. I think the 10 lbs allowed Tiz Miss Sue to come
        a running and Royal Delta really had to dig in.

        Jeff Siegel HRTV thinks she might have used too much in this race
        to compete in the classic against the boys.

        Why are those EURO fillies so very sturdy and strong: Goldikova, Danedream ????

        • Sign. If you look at their pedigrees, there are a lot of US horses there. Both of Goldikova’s parents are US bred horses. Danedream has Northern Dancer bloodlines, Danzig and his son Danehill. Also the great Nijinsky. Is it the turf? However for sheer grit and determination, who can match the Queen herself? Z is the epitome of sturdy and strong, and number one for charisma.

        • Maybe the turf??? However those up and down
          Hills and dales and having to deal with firm
          Good or soft turf.

          Dirt is very hard on the young TB body, which
          Is developing and growing at 2, 3 and 4.

      • / Reply

        I really love Awesome Maria, Winter Memories and recently retired Snow Top Mountain all greys and of course the great ZAZU !!!!

        Just a lot of grooming work to keep those white, grey horses clean and tidy !!!

        • Sign. Bernie’s mother is a gray, and do not forget the naughty BFF Tasty Temptation. Spooky is a gray as is Pirate Queen. Perhaps the most famous gray was Native Dancer, the Gray Ghost.

        • Oh yes, Cara Rafaella, Bernies mom !!!
          She is a gorgeous grey. Wouldn’t it be
          Funny of Zenny had a grey filly??? She has
          Pretty dominant genes though so not sure
          It will happen.

          12 Z really does not look at all like Bernie like
          “E” does.

        • Sign. Agree. 12Z is the image of his mother and her side of the family, especially his head and those ears. I can see Roberto in him.

        • Hopefully Max, 12 Z will get some of Bernie’s
          Traits, cool calm and collected all the time,
          Very professional and focused.

          Love Jimmy Bell’s description of Bernie
          I think before the Travers stakes he won.
          “It was so hot everyone was sweating, out
          Comes Betnardini, dry as a bone, cool calm
          Collected and in charge, that is when we knew
          We had something special”

  5. / Reply

    Hi All,
    Just got done watcing some races from Del Mar. Congrats to Royal Delta( yippee to Mikey), Acclamation, and there was a new filly, who blasted away the opposition her first time out, and did the same thing today. Her name is Winding Way, by Malibu Moon( A P Indy) who everyone is all excited about (TVG guys couldn’t say enough) and she is the sister to Stonestreets Kauai Katie that I believe Keta mentioned in an earlier post. Wow, she is going into my virtual stable so I can keep an eye on her. And, get this, she has a woman trainer……too cool! Hugs to all especially my girl Zen and EARnie.

    • / Reply

      Sign. What a story! It is like Neville Bardos. Talent lurks in many places. You just have to have the grace to see it. I had never heard of this horse before, but I am very very glad to know about him now. With so much evil and nastiness in the world, it is unlifting to hear a heartwarming story about a very good horse.

      • / Reply

        Max,
        Just found it looking on Amazon and bought it.
        Will let you know how it is. So love the story of Neville
        Bardos, the horse with the bouncer personality.

        Hope we do see him in the Olympics.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sign, Max and Z Fans:

      I had never heard of this horse either, but like NB and others that have miraculously been saved from slaughter at the last moment, he and all of them prove how much they deserve to live and thrive in other venues. Hugs, JB

  7. / Reply

    Hello to all…..
    @Max…Big D’s boy LENTENOR….full bro of Barbaro ….wins the Kittens Joy Stakes today…
    …..
    Congrats to Howe Great on his win…son one of my favorites Hat Trick…
    …….
    I watched Kauai Katie win at Saratoga yesterday….she is 2yr….today her full sister Winding Way runs away from everyone at Del Mar ..
    .she is 3yr…I think both are undefeated..
    I put them into my stable….daughters of Malibu Moon
    …….
    Royal Delta….Tiz Miss Sue ran a big one…
    Acclamation …wow…
    …….
    Zenny …will always miss you

    Miss

      • / Reply

        Ingrid,

        It’s good to see you here. Have you been successful handicapping lately? It’s been so hot here, I haven’t even been out to the track to place my little $2.00 bets. I know you’re much bolder in your betting than that. Marty R.

    • / Reply

      carolinutah. Thank you for this. I just watched the video. Lentenor is another who fights to win by a nose in good style. Those Dynformers are so proud and majestic. Big D would be thilled by this boy.

    • / Reply

      Great link Max, glad he is back.
      Wonder how Phillis is going to be able to
      Get UR back on the track from that Accountant
      Of hers. HA HA HA !!!!

  9. / Reply

    Picked up tidbit from a blog…unresearched but made me stop and think…stated that there have been 8 Grade I races for 3 yr old fillies so far this year….8 different winners…hmmmmmmm….Breeders Cup should be really interesting

    • / Reply

      Great interesting tidbit Carol, so no real
      Female stand out yet, as the boys are dropping!!!

  10. / Reply

    Hi to all! I am happy to see a couple new pictures of our Z and colt z!! Warms my heart each time. Thanks to all of you for keeping me informed as to “whose in racing” as I don’t have TVG etc. Bloodhorse magazine is after the fact so to speak. I still enjoy this magazine though!
    Has anyone found out how things will go on as far as Zenyatta’s party at the BC??
    I wish I could be there.

    At the Cedar Valley Horse Sanctury, Angel the 8 year old grey found a home!! She will now continue to ride and she is going to be shown evidentually. I am so happy for her but selfishly sad for myself. It felt so empty without her the first day I came and she was gone. At the meeting, they will be considering an older Hackney ponie now to fill Angel’s stall. They prefer to remain a sanctuary for the older horse to live out their lives here, similar to Old Friends but on a smaller scale.
    I love being there, but Zenyatta will always be No. 1 in my heart and soul!!!
    Thanks Ask the Expert. Team Z , I am sending love and kisses on Z’s & colt z’s noses

    Auntie Sally

  11. / Reply

    @DarleneDaniels, I meant to comment to you earlier about something you said, but I agree so completely. I was commenting to Max earlier about Orfevre and remembered. I think I am going to have to (like you said) “Learn to SpeaK Japanese”.
    Well you know with two of my very favorite horses owned by the Japanese, I’ll Have Another and Orfevre, I just have too. So I can completely keep up with these two magnificent Stallions. NOw I just have to go to class. …………………………………..

    • / Reply

      Guess if Orfevre comes to the US, he won’t understand what we are saying
      and IHA is going to have to learn Japanese.

      Cute comment Peggy N.

    • / Reply

      Peggy (N) and Sign. Maybe they will give Orfevre some lessons in English and French so that he can understand his jockey while he is in Europe? Christoph Soumillon speaks high quality French, and from some interviews it appears that his use of English is good. Mario Gutierrez once said that he spoke to IHA only in English because IHA did not understand Spanish.

      • / Reply

        Uh Oh, no Japsnese for the French jockey.
        Hope there is no language barrier with Japanese???

        • I have some friends who breed Dogs and they have
          Been importing dogs internationally to US to improve
          US breeding stock. The have a gorgeous puppy
          Who really perks an ear when she hears French. She was
          Born in France. Another was purchased in Sweden, no such
          Luck with anyone who speaks fluent Swedish.

        • Dear Peggy N,

          I can just hear myself with Jethro telling him to
          QUIT when he was acting up in Japanese.

          How hilarious !!!

  12. / Reply

    Judy Berube, Hi!! Thanks sweet Judy to the link to Danedream’s race. WOW, this was a finish!! Exciting to watch. So, over there, the horses race clock wise on the track and at home here, ours race counter clock wise. Hmmmm Well, they also drive on the left side rather than the right that we do don’t they? If a horse competes over there and later here I imagine there has to be an adjustment period! ha Of course I am thinking of myself if I were a horse though I am not. Big hugs Sally B.

    Terry Crow; It has been a while. I finally got to some redneck jokes! hahaha, you do make me laugh! I will be on the go again. I am heading up to Sue F.’s to visit a couple days and to do our thing at the huge water park in the Wis. Dells. I really looked like a redneck one time. My watershoes had not arrived in the mail. I used my 37 yr old’s worn out watershoes two sizes bigger than I usually wear!! I noticed a few individuals looking at me, their eyes dropping down to my feet and their astonished look as they attempted to hold back their laughter until they passed us.
    hahaha Oh poor Sue F had to put up with it too!! haha Miss you & your jokes!!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sally B.

      So glad you and Sue has some great fun.
      And especially since part of it was RN fun.

  14. / Reply

    Big Brown Will Not Shuttle for 2012
    07/22/2012
    Robert N. Clay’s Three Chimneys Farm announced today that 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown will not be returning to Australia for the coming 2012 Southern Hemisphere breeding season. Big Brown sustained a laceration to a hind leg which, although not structurally serious, did become infected, delaying the healing process. Veterinary advice has recommended against shuttling the horse, as the extensive travel and quarantine process would not be conducive to his recovery.
    “Those who’ve been around Big Brown for any length of time know him to be a good-natured horse, which makes him a good patient,” said Three Chimneys president Case Clay. “While his initial injury didn’t affect his ability to cover mares, looking out for his best interest, shuttling would not be conducive to his recovery.”
    Big Brown maintained his popularity with breeders this past year in Kentucky. Fueled by positive reports about this two-year-olds in training, Big Brown covered a book of 140 mares during the 2012 Northern Hemisphere season.
    His three winners to date include BROWN ALMIGHTY, winner of a one mile maiden special weight at Arlington Park in his first career start, and BROWN EYES BLUE, who debuted a winner in a six furlong maiden special at Churchill Downs on June 30 by a length and three-quarters.
    “We are very happy for those breeders who took the opportunity to send mares to Big Brown in his first two seasons (in Australia) – 130 plus each year,” said Peter Orton. “It looks like he is going to reward their support given good early results and the promise of so much more to come. We greatly look forward to Big Brown’s return to Vinery in 2013.”
    The Eclipse Champion Three-Year-Old Male in 2008, Big Brown earned more than $3.6 million on the track and was undefeated in all but one of his eight starts. His first crop are two-year-olds of 2012 and he stood for a $35,000 live foal fee this past breeding season.

  15. / Reply

    Keta Thanks for the info. I am glad he is not going to shuttle. I would like to hear some news on Smarty Jones. I wonder how his trips to Euroguay are going. Hope they all stay safe.
    @Sally B, just wanted to say Hi. Hope you are doing well. Just back from Church just wanted to check back in and see whats going on. Guess I better go eat lunch.
    I think we need to see some more of Zenyatta having Sunday Brunch. That one with her munching the pears was so cute. Now she has baby Z to have Brunch with her now. Would love to see more video’s.
    Happy Sunday to all.

  16. / Reply

    MIKES SMITH POSES IN ESPN BODY ISSUE !!!

    “The 46-year-old rider was recently snapped up for ESPN’s Body Issue magazine alongside sports stars Daniela Hantuchova, the tennis player, and Carlos Bocanegra, the footballer, and a host of other American sports talent such as Tyson Chandler, the basketball player.

    In the magazine Smith is photographed tastefully___ , with only a horse licking his bald head from inside a stable.

    “It’s an honour to be in such a magazine but my friends are giving me a really hard time about it,” he said. “Throughout the years it has been argued that jockeys are among the fittest athletes, pound for pound, and it was an opportunity to show some people that this is the case and we are pretty fit.””

    • / Reply

      I find it amusing. I was watching the Fleur De Lis and the post race interview, and it almost seemed like everyone was desperate to see him compare Royal Delta to Zenyatta. The lady pretty much asked him “Is RD comparable to Zenyatta?” just rephrased two different ways. I like how he smiled though, when they brought up Zenyatta. He’s a man who is still in love, even after the time and space between the two Hall of Famers. However, back to the issue. I agree she is a talented mare, but Zenyatta is on another level. Not the next level but the next next level. You can tell that Mike is not going to do it but the reporters keep forcing the issue. Seriously, if she gets to that level, Mike will tell us on his own, and not when being instigated by reporters. They’re like vultures, leave him alone already.

      • / Reply

        Zenyatta made all of her races look easy, even when she blew by the boys
        in 2009 BCC. She conserved her energy and used her turn of foot in the last
        few furlongs to win.

        Blame was too talented, on his home track and too young, lots of testosterone
        for her to beat with the trip she had 2010 BCC, but had she had a good trip, it
        would have been a different race. She showed her champion qualities in the
        2010 BCC.

        Royal Delta is very different animal, with a very different style of racing. They were also getting him to compare her to Azeri. She won in a very different style than Zenyatta and Tiz Miz Sue was the closer. Never saw Zenny run against another closer !!!!

    • / Reply

      Definately too little for pears. He is eating grain and hay small amount and still mothers
      milk. He has no idea how to chew anything like a carrot or bit a pear or an apple.

      Very complicated for a little guy 3 months old and too dangerous.

  19. / Reply

    DID NOT REALIZE TS MIZ SUE WAS SECOND TO HDG LAST YEAR, SHE WAS REALLY AFTER A WIN; SO GLAD RD HELD HER OFF. THIS WAS A GREAT RACE FORT BOTH OF THEM. A FIELD OF VERY TALENTED FILLIES/MARES.

    “Tiz Miz Sue, second to Havre de Grace in last year’s Del Cap, has a 4-2-0 record from 6 starts at Delaware. Pachattack was second in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign at 1 1/4 miles last year. Daring Reality completes the field.”

  20. / Reply

    Royal Delta works for win in Delaware Handicap
    by Press Release Jockey Guild via Pauling Report | 07.21.2012 | 4:53pm
    Excerpts from Press Release. Link to full article below.
    Royal Delta dug-in and held-on to notch a gutsy victory over long shot Tiz Miz Sue in the Grade II Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park today. Besilu Stable’s Royal Delta, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic last year, earned her spot in the same race this year as the filly and mare summer classic is a “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge race. The Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic will be run at Santa Anita Park on November 2.
    With Mike Smith aboard, Royal Delta notched a neck victory and returned $3.00 as the favorite in the field of seven. Tiz Miz Sue, a 28-to-1 shot with Joe Rocco Jr., was second 5 ¾-lengths in front of Awesome Maria, with Ramon Dominguez, in third.
    Royal Delta, a Kentucky-bred conditioned by William Mott, ran the mile and a quarter in 2:03.51 over a fast main track. The 4-year-old daughter of Empire Maker improved her record to seven wins from 12 starts with earnings of $2,263,851.
    Winning trainer William Mott was impressed with the victory considering everything she had to overcome.
    _________________________
    Winning jockey Mike Smith was worried about Tiz Miz Sue and Royal Delta making her first start at Delaware Park.
    “She was the horse that I was worried about,” Smith said of Tiz Miz Sue. “Not only is she talented, she was on her home course. She got to me, but my mare just wasn’t going to let her by. She just kept digging in. She’s extremely talented, and that’s what it takes to win a race like this. Delaware is a great, great track, but it’s demanding. It’s a good, old-fashioned kind of racetrack, and you need a horse that really takes to it. I was just lucky I was on the mare I rode.”
    He knew nobody was going to do him any favors in the race.
    “I was 1-5, and I’m on the horse to beat, so they’re not going to do me any favors,” Smith said of the other riders. “I had to try to figure out a way to let my horse get into a groove and get into a rhythm.”
    The local horse for the course, Cresran Stable’s Tiz Miz Sue ran a gallant second but could not get past the winner. The 5-year-old daughter of Tiznow ridden by Joseph Rocco Jr. brought a Delaware Park record of four wins and two seconds from eight starts into the Delaware Handicap.
    ______________________________________
    The race did not unfold as expected for the Ramon Dominguez aboard Awesome Maria.
    “The race set up a lot different then I was expecting,” said jockey Ramon Dominguez. “For one thing I was expecting Cash for Clunkers to go early. I was fine with that but I was surprised to see the winner taking the lead. It really left me with a tough decision. It just did not set up at all for us. I was happy she finished third, but the race did not set up at all the way I envisioned the race.”
    http://www.paulickreport.com/index.php/news/thoroughbred-racing/royal-delta-works-for-win-in-delaware-handicap/

  22. / Reply

    I worry about the horses that Shuttle. Would like to give a little remembrance to Our Great War Pass.
    I was very fortunate to be visiting at Lane’s End in October a number of years back. We had just been visiting at the stallion barn. It was either me or another lady who asked about War Pass we had heard that he had just been retired and sent there to Lane’s end for Stattion duty. He was not in the stallion barn. We asked Daniele about him and she told us yes that he was there. We asked if we could possibly see him. She told us that he was in his paddock and that he was still a little disoriented. She sad he still just didn’t know where he was. Anyway me and this lady went over with Daniele to see him. The other lady reached him before I did. He was just breathtakingly beautiful. (Although he did look like he had been rollling in the dirt and hay that day, But still a beauty. (Reminded me of Bernardini a little bit)
    Anyway when this laday reached him she visited for quite a while took pictures etc. I just waited my turn to see him. I heard this lady tell him that He had not only Made Her Day, but Her Life to get to see him. (thought that was so special. I felt the same way. (when i got back to work I told a customer of my getting to see him and whatthat lady said and about my bit of a wait to get to see him. My customer said well you couldn’t really hurry her afte she said that. And I agreed no you couldn’t. ..I will cherish my time getting to see him.
    After i believe after his first shuttle trip he came back and they I believe they just found him in his paddock passed away.. So sad I tried to find out what had happened to him but it seemed to be inconclusive on the tests. Gone To Soon.
    I did meet one of his few offspring at the OBS sale this past March and fell in love with her. I visited with her a long time at her barn. I know who she sold too and want to keep track of her. I told her that I had gotten to meet her Dad. So special. I feel like it will be easy to keep track of her because I know Eisaman Equine sold her to Harris training.
    If anyone ever hears of a War Pass filly racing please post it here. She is a 2 year old. Just love her.
    Rest In Peace War Pass, remembering you.with love.

    • / Reply

      Sally B. This is a nice story about your visit at Lane’s End. I agree with you about these shuttles. I guess that the horses have to travel, but sometimes it can be hard on them if it is far away. If I ever see anything about the War Pass filly, I will post the information.

    • / Reply

      Peggy,
      Thank you for sharing this story.
      I too wonder how horses adapt to traveling back & forth.
      Some probably better than others.
      Black Caviar has a special suit she wears that is supposed to help with blood flow during air travel.
      Your description of War Pass & his behavior are indicators of oxygen flow deprivation to the brain–just my opinion.
      Lost a great horse way too soon.
      Keta

      • / Reply

        Keta. I read that Black Caviar wears the suit even when she is not travelling, up to days at a time. She wears it while she sleeps. Apparently all of the horses who have them really like wearing them. There really are clothes horses. LOL.

        • The Aussies seem to use this “wet suit” for a lot
          Of their horses for circulation, limit swelling etc…

        • Sign. I also read that it has a calming effect on BC. She really likes strutting and posing in hers. She looks good. Her leg wraps with velcro tabs are practical and attractive too. Velcro reminds me of reusable duct tape.

    • / Reply

      What a lovely story Peggy N.
      Wonder why he was disoriented????
      So very sad !!!

      • / Reply

        Sign, I think by the way they talked was that he was new at Lane’s End and just didn’t know where he was yet. I saw him right after he first arrived there. He died later after he came back from I believe his first shuttle. He did cover mares here for maybe it was just one season. (I believe it was just one.) The filly that I met was the image of her dad. When she was in the walking ring right before going in the sale ring. I felt like she recognized me. I hoped she did anyway I visited with her for a long time that day. I told her that I was going to keep track of her. She sold for 40,000.00.

        • I looked it up just then. He made a second trip to the Southern Hemisphere. It was the day after i beieve it said that he got back that they just found him in his paddock passed away. Said he had not been ill or injured..

    • / Reply

      Dear Peggy N:

      Thanks for sharing your story on War Pass. Wonderful memory for you to have see him. I worry all the time about Bernie and other horses who are shuttled for breeding. War Pass gone to soon.

      There’s at least 24 fillies born in 2010 listed under War Pass Progeny on Pedigree Query. Do you know the name of the Dam of the filly you met? If you do, then maybe we can determine the filly’s name (If she’s been named) by checking under the Dam’s name and then we can check on Equibase for any activity on her. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Judy, yes I am so glad you posted. I do know her Dam’s name, It is Fancy Title. She is by Dixieland Band and Dam Head Count. This side is from the Northern Dancer, Forty Niner line. The Filly that I just fell in love with was Foaled in Kentucky March l0, 2010. She sold in March to Harris Racing, but I don’t know if she is still with them or not. She had not been named at the March Sale yet. She was just listed as a Dark Bay or Brown Filly. So hope you can find something about her. I didn’t realize there were as many as 24 Filly’s.
        I had been looking into War Pass’s pedigree too. Very Nice. I am thinking about some of this just from memory, But was there some Bold ruler and Roberto in his line too.? I am trying to remember, not sure I’m right, But I just loved this Filly.

        • Dear Peggy N. and Z Fans:

          I checked out Gabbiano’s pedigree and there are some very impressive names. Vue, her Dam, has Mr. Prospector, Hoist The Flag, Native Dancer, Nashua, Bold Ruler (Secretariat’s Sire), Ribot and Count Fleet, to name a few. Cherokee Run, her Sire, has Blushing Groom (FR), Runaway Bride (GB), Nasrullah, Sir Gaylord. From Sir Gaylord there is Somethingroyal (Secretariats Dam), Princequillo (IRE) and Prince Rose. Hoist The Flag, Princequillo and Prince Rose are some of Z’s ancestors. Didn’t see any Roberto connection, but I didn’t search any further. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Peggy,

      I love your story and enjoy hearing of everyone’s visits to TB’s far and wide. But I must risk sounding like a complete idiot, what do you mean by shuttling? This makes me worry about I’ll Have Another even more.

      • / Reply

        Hey Darlene, I remembered what you said About you might have to learn Japanese pertaining to IHA, and I thought oh my gosh me too. We have two keep up with these Thoroughbreds. Your question about horses that Shuttle. Don’t worry about asking I am still learning lots too. There are some of the farms that fly certain Stallions to mostly the Southern Hemisphere for there Breeding seasons. For example Bernardin isSoon to leave if he hasn’t already for Australia I believe.. He will stay there untill before it is time for the Breeding Season here to resume again. They sometimes come back a little sooner, I guess it just depends on the farms. Smarty Jones Shutles now and War Pass did also. I think Point Given may have too for a while.( I was upset big time about him as he is another one of my favorites. But really I just wish none of them had too. I guess some of them they think they have to send them, but its a long way from here. I just feel it can be hard on them. They just go for the Breeding Season there like they stand at the farms here. Smarty Jones I believe goes to Euroguay. Hope I have made sense to you about this as I am no expert. Some of our eperts here I know could do a better job. Blessings, Peggy

    • / Reply

      I think the suit that Black Caviar wore on her 30 hour flight to England will help prevent another horse like War Pass from dying. The compression suit prevents stagnation of the blood and prevents blood clots from forming in the extremities. I think it should be a requirement for all horses on long flights.

  23. / Reply

    Z fans always love to see the fillies do well. Here is a very exciting win in the Irish Oaks by Great Heavens, a full sister to Nathaniel. Like Danedream, Great Heavens snatched another grade 1 win away from Aidan O’Brien, who had at least two fillies racing for Ballydoyle and Bobby Frankel’s record. Congrats to Great Heavens. She may go to the St. Leger.

    http://www.racingpost.com/news/live.sd?event_id=190544

      • / Reply

        Sign. Her trainer says that she is a wonderful filly. She eats up so well after her races that she does not lose any weight between races. She can gain it. If they send her to the St. Leger, she may be facing some other tough racing girls like the Queen’s horse, Estimate. Camelot will have competition from fillies who can tear up the tracks at long distance. There will probably also be at least one son of Dynaformer in that race. Big D’s offspring are great on turf like their daddy even in retirement racing around his paddock to guard his territory.

  24. / Reply

    Wow! So much good information, along with so many good links today.
    Congrats to DaneDream. What a finish! Heart-stopping.

    Congrats to Royal Delta as well. Going to watch the replay now.

    Also, all the best to Big Brown. So glad the fine folks at Three Chimneys are keeping him here instead of sending him away this fall.

    @Peggy (N)–thanks for your great account of meeting War Pass. RIP.

    Way to go, Lentenor! Does anyone know what has become of Nicanor?

    • / Reply

      @Barbara….have nothing new on Nicanor….Margano ran a couple of wks ago …
      I have all three in my virtual stable …I trying to find info on the 2 yr old …may not have a name yet….and I think there is a baby too
      ……
      RIP Hootie….just read the fb article about is passing….RUN FREE BOY

    • / Reply

      Barbara Wood: I understand that Nicanor has been retired and is currently in Florida, though I don’t where but apparently relaxing and retired. I just love the Barbaro brothers so much, but I wish for more info about them.

      • / Reply

        Louise. I agree that all of the sons and daughters of Dynaformer are like their daddy, beautiful and majestic. They know that they are good and are not afraid to show it. I loved the way that Point of Entry pranced so proudly to the winner’s circle in the Man o’ War. Big D, that was for you.

  25. / Reply

    Hootie Passed Away–From Facebook
    Thank you to everyone for your good wishes and kind thoughts for Hootie.
    It is with a heavy heart that we announce his peaceful passing.
    Hootie led a happy and exciting life as a track pony, with his most famous racehorse partner being the great Zenyatta. When Zenyatta retired, Hootie’s owner, Freddy Wilson, decided to let Hootie retire, too.
    Freddy told us he knew Hootie would still like a little job, just not a hard job, after his many years of being a track pony. So Freddy decided that donating Hootie to TROTT would give Hootie the kind of retirement he would love.
    Thus Hootie became TROTT’s beloved spokeshorse. Hootie certainly loved his life with TROTT. While he was still able, he gave trail rides around Stonepine, as he taught the young racehorses how to be safe trail horses. Hootie was a patient teacher and loved every minute of his retirement job.
    Our volunteers adored him and gave him lots of spa treatments and horsey treats. Hootie loved all of his visitors, and made them all feel special.

    • / Reply

      Very sad news. Hootie was a wonderful horse. We will all miss him. RIP Hootie. You were loved and still are.

    • / Reply

      I am really saddened for the loss of Hootie. Time passes by each day and if it was not for those like you to spread the word of Hootie’s passing we would miss the opportunity to salute a special horse and recognize how wonderful Hootie was.
      Sally B.

  26. / Reply

    NYRA‏ tweeted on Sunday July 22
    Jockey John Velazquez, sidelined since June 16 spill, will return to the races Wednesday, July 25 at Saratoga with two scheduled mounts
    Keta Note: What great news!

  28. / Reply

    I just saw that on FB via El Vino. I started to cry, he was a part of the family too. So sad, but, they didn’t say why? Anyone know?

    • / Reply

      The account I read implied “neurological disorder” as the cause..
      sounds like he was happy pampered and loved….
      Wish they all were…

      • / Reply

        Hootie’s Facebook contains some exceptionally nice photos of him and his friends. Also there is a story about the decency and loyalty of horses. It breaks your heart and inspires at the same time. If anyone can read that story without shedding many a tear, you are made of tougher stuff than me. Hootie and pals, you are such great lovely and graceful creatures. I give thanks for hearing these wonderful things.

        • What a wondeful tribute to Hottie, thanks
          For letting us know. Kleenex was close by
          As I read it .

        • Hi Max, can you tell me where that article is on facebook. Probably looking right at it but am not seeing it. Thanks!

        • Oh, thank you so much Max. As I suspected, I was looking right at it. I’ve got the “housebreaking a new puppy” crazies going on in my brain! Thank you for pointing the way and the tissue warning. Such a sweet story! RIP Hootie.

        • Max,

          Thank you so much for sharing. I am crying my eyes out.

          Does anyone think Zenny senses the loss?

  29. / Reply

    @Barbara and Louise….
    just looked up La Ville Rouge’ s pedigree page….
    you are correct…Nicanor is retired…
    but a new name has appeared ….Sereno…
    He is listed as a 1 yr old ….
    I think her current foal is another brother…
    and I think she is going to have a Bernie next yr

    • / Reply

      Darlene, I think animals are more sensitive than we humans. My dog sees spirits. And when one of his friends died, I had to tell him so he wouldn’t be startled by seeing his spirit.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.