Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #6

Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Q:

We’re curious about the weaning process. Is separation done gradually over several weeks, or is it a fast process? If the latter, how do you deal with the mares’ and foals’ distress and stop them from, say, hurting themselves, when separated and perhaps trying to get back to each other? It seems like weaning would be awfully hard on the human handlers, too.

Trish & Mike

Highlands Ranch, CO

A: The weaning process starts between five and six months of age at Lane’s End. At this stage weaning has started to begin naturally—the foals will be playing and socializing with their buddies more and more and be quite independent when they are turned out.

We typically wean early in the morning so we have a whole day to observe the mares and the foals and make sure they are handling it well. The weaned mares and foals are on opposite sides of the farm so that they are unable to hear each other. This actually makes the separation much easier on both when there isn’t a constant reminder. They stay with the groups they have been with for the last few months so they draw comfort from each other, and it really is only a matter of a few days before they are happily settled into their new routine.

The weanlings continue to come into the barn everyday and have already been taught to eat on their own before being weaned, so their routine is much the same as before. They will be checked over and have their temp taken and their feet picked before going back out in the afternoon with their pals.

Our Expert

Donna Vowles

Assistant Broodmare Manager, Lane’s End

Originally from Birmingham, England, Donna joined the Lane’s End team in 2004. As Assistant Broodmare Manager, she devotes her time to ensuring the health and happiness of all the broodmares and their foals.

Reader Interactions

731 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Shackleford Update
    Saratoga Race Course
    Trainer Dale Romans confirmed Monday morning that multiple
    Grade 1 winner Shackleford (Forestry) will run in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap
    (G1) at six furlongs on Sunday, August 5.
    “Our plan is to run in the Vanderbilt,” said Romans, who added that the four-yearold
    colt would arrive on flight from Kentucky to New York later this week.
    “The only thing that would change our plans is if we don’t like the way he is handling the track after he arrives at Saratoga.”
    In his most recent start, Shackleford scored a dramatic,
    front-running victory by a nose over Caleb’s Posse (Posse) in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) on May 28 at Belmont Park

  3. / Reply

    I think it’s cruel to force a separation before it happens naturally, especially in the case of a super intelligent and loving mother like Zenyatta and her son….very sad, very sad.

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        Horses don’t feel emotions? Other animals such as Canada geese feel emotions; they are known to be emotional birds even by wildlife biologists. I find it hard to believe horses don’t feel emotions.

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        I understand your comment. Weaning on the open range occurs when the weanling is about a year old or so. There is some distress for the weanling/yearling when its cold shouldered by the dam. If separated too soon, there will be panicked vocalization and physical agitation from both. The horse farms greatly minimize this ordeal by the gradual separation process described in the answer provided.

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      Zenyatta will be just fine. She will spend her days with her friends while she awaits the birth of Z13. At this point, he is spending more time playing with his buddies than he is staying by his mom’s side. She will look for him for a few days, she will possibly remember him if she sees him again, but this is SOP in the horse breeding business.

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    Greetings everyone!! It has been a very busy two weeks for me and am now trying to play my usual game of “catch up.” (Sounds like that could be a You’re It/ or Tag game for colts/fillies, no?) It has been riveting (or as Trina and I would say–ribbeting–frog collectors that we are ) to read all of these fascinating posts. First, BIG high hooves to LE for the fantastic photos–such horsey, delightful exuberance! WELL DONE!!!
    Dawn, enjoyed your KY travel story! Good for you!
    Cindi M (is that right?) Ottawa, it’s great that you saw Rapid Redux–I just read a great piece in this past Saturday’s Form pullout section of Michael Blowen saying he thinks the younger generation will know his name more so than the older horses…so he is pleased that he has come to be there, amongst all the other wonderful horses. As Judy B (I think!) said, sure hope he is feeling okay.
    Terry Crow: the “moving expense” redneck joke made me LOL..
    Cynthia H: loved your “Splendour in the Grass.”
    I am reading a good book: Horses Never Lie About Love, by Jana Harris. More about breeding and training horses in general–not about racing. Autobiography. Takes place in Washington State. I’m not quite half way through it. Slender book, even a redneck can pick it up. A few pictures, too!
    I want to digress (can I use that word if I am a redneck?) to relate my visit to Donuts Day at Del Mar on the 21st. I will do that separately, so all of our collective eyeballs don’t glaze over. :-) Coming right up!

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      The book sounds good,thanks for the review Ann…w/ an E!
      We have missed you .
      Sounds like Del Mar was fantastic.

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    Donuts Day at Del Mar: Trevor emceed. Guests were jockey Vinn Bednar (sp?), Doug O’Neill and Chantal. Vinn was first, a pleasant young man. We raised our hands to ask questions, and at first I thought I had no questions to ask, but next thing, how odd, there I was up front with a microphone being handed to me. How did that happen, huh? My Q was for Doug: did he still plan to go to Japan in the spring to see IHA, as he had said before? He said, definitely he would be going and they all love IHA over there at the barn and he is “being treated like a king.” He said he and Mr. Reddam would go in the fall also to see about that plan that Mr. R had referred to about some eventual Calbreds. (Sorry I can’t be more specific..it’s me, not Doug.) There were several Lava Man questions: he is currently at Hollywood Park where he can help “coach” the two year olds. When Chantal sat down, Doug joked that if anyone wanted he would take off his shirt and pose for pix. Oh yes, he is now clean-shaven. Something about a bet with his wife. Chantal was asked many questions, one referring to her and Mike. She said that people forget that she and Mike broke up four years ago, although she knows they-as a couple–can still seem fresh to people. She mentioned being married and that the courtship was “kind of quick,” but her husband wanted to “lock this down.” Another question: where does she make the most money, racing or modeling? She said for now, racing. Eventually she would like to do a show similar to “Live” (such as Regis and Kelly…) As my own aside, we left early that day and saw some evidence of her modeling: on a poster in a Del Mar shop window and then going a short way up the coast there she was on a billboard–a big billboard. So the money is definitely there! Then there was a Mine That Bird question—seems she had been considered for his Derby mount–which I had not known. (had ridden him in Canada.) Per Chantal, she wasn’t sure so she asked Mike (at the time they were a couple) and when he said no, don’t embarrass yourself, she then asked Sandy Hawley who told her to go for it. Well, she flew down to KY to check further and learned they had chosen Calvin Borel— and we all know The Rest of the Story. IMO it seems odd that Mike would have told her that…..but then I wasn’t there, so… She also told some Game on Dude stories, and how she saw Mike coming up to outrun her in the BC Classic and how she felt later—frustrated, that she was so close! One more thing with Doug: he mentioned two young colts in his barn whose names are: Know More and He’s Had Enough. I know the first name is real, but wasn’t sure if he was joking about the second one or not.
    BEFORE I FORGET: I can’t remember how it came up, but Trevor said a few sentences about Zenyatta and how much he was pulling for her to win her 20th–oh I know, he said he REALLY wanted her to win that race, just so she could be undefeated..it would have meant so much for her and history. He always speaks so fondly and wistfully of her.
    He also told how he memorizes the horses for a race–most of that memorization takes place two minutes prior to the race, when he says, “The horses are approaching the starting gate.”
    Hope I have not repeated anything someone else may have said, but I scanned the Donut
    crowd that morning and did not see any Dumplings.

    Time to hit the snooze button… nice chatting with y’all! :-)

    Judy B.: meant to say hello to you earlier! :-)

    • / Reply

      Always good to hear from Anne, one of our California rednecks. The business about the Cal breds is interesting. If Reddam buys some mares from Japan already in foal and brings them here to drop their colts or fillies the resulting horse would beconsidered a Cal bred and would be eligible for all of the bonus money that is being offered for a Cal bred winning a maiden frace at a California track. I think most people forget that Mine That Bird was a champion in Canada but I honestly feel that the track conditions at Churchill Downs that day decided it.

    • / Reply

      Dear Anne from Paramount:

      Another interesting, witty and informative post from you. Love it. When I listen to Trevor D. call that 2010 BCC, he is trying to push Z over the finish line with his voice. She and his call give me chills every time.

      Glad to hear DN and Mr. R. will be visiting IHA in Japan and glad you survived your little “skirmish” with Lava Man. He is really something. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        Left you a post on Page 4 regarding Frankel not being alone at Greenwood. Hugs, JB

        • JudyB. Agree with your comments on page 4. It looks like there will only be 4 horses in the race, and one of them will be Bullet Train. The rest of the horses decided not to bother to race. Aidan O’Brien pulled all of the Ballydoyle entries. Excelerbation has had enough of chasing Frankel.

          Isn’t it interesting that these three brothers (Bullet Train, Frankel and Noble Mission) are staying and training together? There must be another 2 year old on the way, but I am not certain if Kind had a colt or filly after Noble Mission.

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    Boyd & Otis are out!
    July 31—London, England
    The Olympic eventing field has narrowed by six after the final horse inspection this morning, and both the U.S. and Canadian squads suffered losses.
    Boyd Martin, the lead-off rider of the event, presented Otis Barbotiere, but after being sent to the holding box, he withdrew. Michele Mueller (58th place) did not present Amistad, who was one of only two remaining horses from Canada after cross-country. She posted a statement that Amistad had torn a tendon on cross-country and would be retired.
    Polish individual rider Pawel Spisak’s horse Wag (41st) was sent to the holding box and also then withdrawn. The only other horse held, Swedish rider Ludvig Svennerstal’s Shamwari (seventh place) passed upon re-inspection.
    Belgium will now not complete a team, as two of their four remaining riders withdrew before the jog: Mark Rigouts (Dunkas A; tied for 51st) and Joris van Springel (Lully Des Aulnes; 34th). Donatien Schauly of France also did not present Ocarina du Chanois (tied for 18th).
    Many horses looked visibly tired this morning after yesterday’s grueling cross-country outing. Most teams, including the United States, jogged their horses more slowly and more in-hand than on Thursday.
    A few riders, however, clearly had their hands full with very fit mounts. Belgian rider Karen Donckers lost a shoe while sprinting alongside Gazelle de la Brasserie, and Britain’s Nicola Wilson (Opposition Buzz) and Mary King (Imperial Cavalier) had to race their horses down the jog lane. New Zealand rider Caroline Powell’s 20-year-old veteran, Lenamore, was one of the most electric and energetic mounts presented today.
    Martin had been in 26th place on 54.3 penalties, and the loss of his score is a blow to the U.S. team. They’ll now head into show jumping using Tiana Coudray’s mark of 77.6 with Ringwood Magister.
    Jessica Phoenix and Exponential will now be Canada’s only pair in the show jumping.
    The jumping round for team medals begins at 10:30 a.m. BST, followed by the individual medal round.
    Check back later today for a photo gallery from the final horse inspection, and for full results, visit the London 2012 website.
    https://www.chronofhorse.com/article/martin-withdraws-final-olympic-eventing-inspection

    • / Reply

      Keta. Disappointed about Otis and Boyd, especially after getting up at 5:00 am to see them compete. Maybe they should have picked Neville Bardos after all? Get well, Otis. Next time, Boyd.

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        Sorry Boyd and Otis.
        Neville is one gutsy horse for sure, Max. Get well Otis.

        I really liked that half moon jump yesterday. The horse jumped over the moon w/ the city in the background. Wow.
        That down hill jump,good to be in the first group, it took out many horses and riders.

        Thanks Keta for posting this.

        • Ann. I also liked that half moon jump. The course was very tough. I thought that the horses were really great to be able to navigate it so well, especially the hills. I have been there and it is steep.

        • Max,did you see the Japanese horse jump down hill,only to slip and slide and then came down? So sad, he was having a good run of it.
          I do believe the older Japanese rider made it all the way? Do you know?
          Anyway, I hope all riders and horses came out OK and will be OK if injured.

          That is neat you have been on that course, bet you really could relate to their fine efforts even more. The designers of those jumps did a tremendous job,very nice job.

        • Ann. The equestrian course was built especially for the Olympics. I have been to Greenwich Park where the course is but I have not seen the course itself except on tv. They will dismantle the whole thing after the Games.

          I heard that the Japanese rider actually came first in the dressage part. He was thrilled. I think that he finished the competition without incident. The team came in 12th.

          Some of the horses other than Otis had to withdraw from competition with some injuries, but they are not serious. One of the Canadian horses will however have to be retired with a tendon injury. The Canadian rider with the concussion is apparently on the mend.

      • / Reply

        Max,
        i was up with jumping on at 2:30
        Had to give up at 4. But, watched some good rounds.
        That’s when I was posting–info not horses.
        Keta

        • Keta. It was tough to be up at 5 am. I admire you for getting up at 2:30 am. It is however well worth it to see these horses. There is more to come this week with the other equestrian events. Very exciting for horse lovers to see these beautiful athletes doing their best.

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    @Anne from Paramount–thank you for letting us live your track experiences through you. I, too, am curious as to why Mike would have said that about MTB. I still adore him.And I know he still has a lot of fans. We stood on the backside and saw the place where he started to make his move, and it was phenomenal.

    @Keta–sorry to be so dumb, but my Olympic watching has been pretty sporadic. Is Neville Bardos not in any event?

    • / Reply

      Barbara. The US team selected Otis Barbotiere over Neville to compete with Boyd in the Olympics. Unfortunately Otis did not pass his medical exam this morning and had to retire from the contest. I do not know what is the extent of the problem. They may announce it later.

      • / Reply

        Max,
        This is all being shown on a channel I don’t get so it is somewhat confusing. Keta posted the following above:

        “Boyd Martin, the lead-off rider of the event, presented Otis Barbotiere, but after being sent to the holding box, he withdrew.”

        What is the “holding box” and does this relate to what you are saying about he didn’t pass his medical exam (and may have sprained his ankle)?

        • Sally. All eventing horses have to be presented before an event begins to determine if they are fit to compete. It looks like Otis was exhibiting some symptoms on his presentation so that he was sent to the box (checked by the vets) and retired from the competition. The cross country course on Monday was very tough. Otis probably got his sprained ankle from that and it only showed up much later. Hopefully, he will recover and compete again at other events later in the season.

        • Thanks Max. I also wondered if he couldn’t use another horse, but I see your answer to Judy B below.
          Sandy

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        Dear Max and Z Fans:

        Oh, bad luck. Max, I don’t know how this works, but is it too late to have Neville as a replacement? Hugs, JB

  10. / Reply

    Here are today’s redneck jokes. You might be a redneck if your high school dances were held at a nursing home. You might be a redneck if getting a haircut means shaving your legs. You might be a redneck if Bambi makes you hungry for rabbit. You might be a redneck if you still drink Billy Beer. You might be a redneck if you think it’s not over until you hear the banjos. You might be a redneck if your way of tinting the windlows in your vehicle is to add duct tape. Redneck wisdom–Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative at the same time.

    • / Reply

      TerryC. Great duct tape advice. It works on home windows too and with these new color choices coordination is always possible, if style is a consideration.

      • / Reply

        The possibilities are endless now w/ this tape, Max. Have you seen the dresses the kids are making?

        TC, your wisdom has me in tears!!!!! The kids are looking at me like I am a mad woman! Thanks.

        • Ann. Seen them. Great! Duct tape can be turned into almost everything. Facebook has 5 million and climbing, which tells you a lot about its popularity.

    • / Reply

      Great jokes, Terry! The one about Billy Beer brought back memories. I remember when I was in high school my cousin Sandi, who was quite a bit older than me, and her husband Ron went to a liquor store here in Lexington when it was announced that they would no longer be making Billy Beer. They bought about 30 cases of it! I’m sure they’re all gone now, but it seemed like every time I saw them for several months they had a Billy Beer in their hand! (Ah, the 70’s.)
      I’ve got another joke for everyone. This one won’t be counted toward the Golden Outhouse Award contest since I’ve already submitted one. I originally heard this as a blonde joke, but I changed it up a little bit.
      Three rednecks walk into a bar. The first one walks up to the bartender and says, “I’d like a JD”. The bartender says, “What’s a JD”? The redneck says, “Duh, a Jack Daniels”. The second redneck says to the bartender, “I’d like a WT”. The bartender says, “What’s a WT”? The redneck says, “Duh, a Wild Turkey”. The third redneck walks up to the bartender and says, “I’d like a 15”. The bartender says, “What in the world is a 15”? The redneck says, “Duh, a 7 and 7”.

      • / Reply

        Good one, Debbie. Remember, you have to accumulate 10 points for a Golden Outhouse award so you need to submit multiple jokes. However, you already indicated that this one is not an entry. BIlly Carter has always been my favorite person associated with a political family. I could really relate to that guy.

      • / Reply

        Ann. Noble Mission was doing a Zenyatta in that race. He lingered at the back for a long time and then decided to make a run for it and won. He may not be as elegant as his brother or Zenyatta when he runs, but he got the job done. His hood is also funny. He needs to have his ears covered. Z used only cotton balls in her ears for concentration, but Noble Mission needs a custom made head gear. Apparently he wears it at home too.

        • Max, we will have to dub him the Zoro of horse racing.
          I have never seen such a custom made head gear as his. Seems to work.
          All of these little quirks for our racers, glad they figured him out.

        • Ann. Another horse from Henry Cecil’s training group won at Goodwood, Chachamaidee. She’s a filly and she also wears one of those hoods. They must be comfortable if Noble Mission likes to wear his at home. Maybe this is an English variation of Uncle Mo’s disguises? If Noble Mission dons a mustache like Mo, we will know for sure.

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      Dear Max:

      Thanks so much for this link to Nobel Mission. What a talented family they are. Hugs, JB

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    I need help! Tried to join the Zentastic Team, but it keeps telling me to Drag or drop upload Avitar? What the heck is that? I tried putting a fancy name like to all did and click the purple button, but then something comes up in the left corner documents etc. What am I doing wrong? I picked join a league, used the password, and the tried to pick a handicap name? Do I have to post a pic? Anyone who can or will help me, I would appreciate it, because I would love to play with all you great Zentastic peeps!

    GirlSaratoga having trouble!

    • / Reply

      I am glad you are joining GS.
      The avatar would be a photo you would like to use. You do not have to use one. I just got one, from one I had in one of my photo documents(Ebby!).
      So you can also read directions Judy left on previous page. Let us know if you need more help.
      I put in my wrong name at first and just changed that. So, i was confused w/ the set up.

      Now on to our capping!

      • / Reply

        Ann:

        I tried everything! I went back to Judy B’s instructions! I put Zentastic in then jelly123 then I picked a Handicap name and that stupid Avitar thing came up! I can’t get around it! maybe I need a certain program to get into the capping! I am so bumbed I can’t play! I went to “join a team” did the same thing put Zentastic in and our jelly123 password and then a Handicap name, again I got that stupid drag a picture,and this dumb box in the left with a bunch of my files and stuff, it keeps telling me to open a file or pick a file? I don’t know? been trying for hours!

        Very disappointed! GirlSaratoga

        • Have you any luck? Wish I could help in person. Try starting all fresh?
          I hope it will work out. Let us know.OK?

  16. / Reply

    Hi Everyone I was just checking in to read some of the Blog. I am going tp see Hansen run in the WV Derby. Still no call from Dr. H He is a very busy man. I love that Hansen will have a part blue tail. The children and I talked about that during school and they loved the idea. Hope everyone is well. Love you ALL. FLY HANSEN FLY !!!!
    I LOVE YOU Queen Z and Baby Z XXXOOO

  17. / Reply

    Shari,

    I’m so glad you are still able to go. You will have a double treat seeing Hansen and Mike Smith together. I’ll be shouting with you, only from home….”Fly Hansen Fly”.

  18. / Reply

    Ok, the “announcement” will be made tomorrow. Ugh, now I’m really anticipating this! Name, Party?? Hmmm, what else could it be?
    I joined the Capping Zenastic crew. Do we start this weekend with the one race that’s mentioned? I’m sure we’ll get a hang of it after a time or two, I guess.
    The new short video is cute. Prince and the chestnut colt are buddies. Who is he anyways. He’s not Spooky’s colt.

    Can’t wait to see Hansen with his blue tail this weekend. How much fun is that going to be?? Fly Hansen, Fly!!
    Shari, are you actually going to be there? If so, wave at the camera and give us an idea of who and where you are so, we can look for you.

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      Heidi:

      Tried to join! It keeps telling me to download something? Do you need a special program in order to register? I put Zentastic and the jelly123 password, and a handicap name but when I chick the purple button it brings up stored doc of mine? Do I need a certain download? I read the instructions on the website but it didn’t say!

      Help! Help! Help!

      • / Reply

        Dear GirlSaratoga:

        Try starting all over. Click on My League. Then click on Join a League. Answer the questions and then type in Zentastic and the jelly123 password when prompted to do so. Select your user name and see if you get access. Hope you do. Hugs, JB

        • Dear GirlSaratoga:

          I forgot to add Click on Private league (not Public), then enter Zentastic and the jelly123 password. I hope this works for you. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        I was having the same trouble. I sent an email to the contest people and received a reply which walked me through it. However, I couldn’t tell you what I did. Good luck.

  19. / Reply

    Tonight my hair app’t was cancelled so I have some “unscheduled” time! (And no Terry Crow, it wasn’t for my legs!) First, or second, thanks to all for the comments on my Del Mar report. (You know who you are–I don’t want to omit any names, even though we all enjoy seeing our name “in print.” So thanks, all!) :-)
    And quite interesting about Shack–had to read that twice to make sure it was correct. Sorry about Gemologist—that race got away from us, so did not know all of who did what. Does anyone know how Gun Boat did? (different race I know.)
    And go Hansen–and Shari Voltz!

    I had what may be a REAL redneck experience yesterday morning. I’ll let Terry Crow be the judge here.

    (Sorry–I just heard a joke that Romney has chosen Rafalka as his running mate—do not mean to offend or even be political, it just hit my funny bone.)

    Back to our regular programming: there I was very close to work when I must have gone over a small speed bump–one that I do every day–when WHOMP, loud noise—even more startling than with Lava Man. At first I thought : muffler. Then as I looked around, there was my inside rear view car mirror dangling from –well, just dangling. What a sight!!! Thanks heavens I was very close to work and in a quiet area. While driving the short distance I even tried to hold it–how dumb was that!–it was still dangling, not off completely! Once safely parked I called Rod and told him he needed to come get my car–I was NOT driving it, and BTW when leaving the house that morning it took four times for the motor to turn over. Anyway, long story short, Rod took my car (left his in my place) , to the shop and asked them to also check the battery. WELL, rear view mirror is fixed, and I now have a new battery–that was dead! Two biggies at one time, geez! I look at it as good thing (kinda) that the mirror came unglued- then we found out about dead battery rather painlessly— did not have to deal with AAA and/or having car towed (toad?). ( I am–being serious now momentarily– very much aware how fortunate it was that I had Rod to come to the rescue. I could concentrate on my work all day.) And to think, we almost took my car to Del Mar Sunday…whew! We might have had to sleep in a stall. A word of advice: always have car problems close to home. LOL.

    But to resume…Terry Crow, does the dangling rear view mirror come close to the duct tape scenario?
    Your decision will be final, Sir Redneck.

    As this has been interrupted with some phone calls, time has gone by and I’ll say goodnight. Happy Tomorrow and a high hoof to everyone!

    • / Reply

      Anne-Another wonderful post. I heard that Romney was going to pick Harry Reid. But, I digress. You actually had a perfect chance to further embellish your redneck resume. You should have used duct tape on the mirroir.

      • / Reply

        Dear TC GP:

        You did it again; got me laughing out loud. Harry Reid??? Ha, ha. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Another great story Anne (and I enjoyed the Del Mar one as well). Hope other peeps will get to see it given the new post.

  20. / Reply

    I just posted “A Birthday Poem for Diana Stuart (August 1, 2012)” on “Announcing the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Zenyatta Celebration,” and “A Poem for Dottie as Frankel Goes for Win Number Twelve” in the Forum discussion “Frankel.”

    • / Reply

      Dear Max and Z Fans:

      Thanks for this link of The Mighty Frankel. He’s just magnificent. Hope Bullet Train gets his day to shine soon. Don’t want to see his spirit broken. Hugs, JB

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        JudyB. Thank you for the link to Kind and her foals. I checked and Morpheus is now in training with Henry Cecil, so that the whole family with the exception of the yearling filly are together. That is great. I also see that the latest breeding of Kind to Galileo did not take, which is, as we know, nature’s way of giving Kind a break.

        • Dear Max:

          I saw that too, so there will not be a foal in 2013 for Kind. It’s great that all the brothers are together in training. Hugs, JB

        • JudyB. Not certain. If Kind has a yearling filly, that may mean that the breeding with Galileo that did not take for the 2012 season. She may be having another foal in 2013. We will have to keep track of this. Most interesting will be if the filly races with her brothers. Oasis Dreams is only 15.3. I think that the full (Frankel and Noble Mission) and three part brothers (Bullet Train) by Galileo are at least 16.1.

        • Dear Max:

          That’s true. Kind may have been bred to another Stallion and there could be a foal in 2013.

          Wouldn’t it be something if the sister ended up racing with her brothers. I think you are right. Frankel and his brothers are all at least 16.1 hands. Didn’t realize Oasis Dream was under 16, but then, so was his Great Grandsire, Norther Dancer. Hugs, JB

        • JudyB. They may have sent her back to Galileo? I am looking forward to seeing Morpheus, and how he gets along with training. Bullet Train, Frankel and Noble Mission are very quirky horses, especially NM and his hood. It is almost like Linus and his blanket because he wears it at home. As I recall, Z had an extensive collection of colorful horse blankets. Also liked her blue training socks. Z has real style.

        • Dear Max:

          Maybe, as they did with Bernie and Z.

          No horse more magnificent looking than Z in her blue socks. I think she knew it too.

          Noble Mission must feel comfy and safe in his hood. Aren’t these beauties so amazing in their individual personalities and quirkiness. Just love them. Hugs, JB

        • JudyB. Yes, Z was superb in those socks. She also never takes a bad photo. Perfectly presented always, and with a wise disposition.

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    CALLING ALL Z’ISTERS: MARLENE DODGE HAS URGENT RESCUE IN PROGRESS

    Our dear Marlene Dodge needs help rescuing 8 lovely horses from the feed lot in Fallon, NV. Six of these horses are wonderful, solid broke horses that any of us could just get on and enjoy; two are young ones at the beginning of their lives and could be someone’s great work-mate or special trail horse with training. Marlene needs to raise $5,000 by August 11 to keep these horses from going to slaughter in Canada. Please do what you can to help! Go to valleyviewranchequinerescue.ebs.com to see photos of the horses and donate to help Marlene rescue these dear souls.

    Thank you Z’isters one and all!

    Jeanie

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    What I love about this video is Frankel’s celebration of his victory by doing dressage!
    Maybe he knows the Olympics are underway.
    Also, silks remind me of the Mosses. Pink jocky cap is easy to follow in race.
    Tom Queally rides Frankel to his twelth consecutive victory and his second successive Sussex Stakes victory at the 2012 Glorious Goodwood Festival
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmywloNuYyU&feature=youtu.be

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      Keta. How about the Olympics for dressage? The dressage horses are superior athletes and very smart. All of those moves have to be memorized by the horses. I think that these horses are just brilliant. It is awesome to see them working it. What a great sport.

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        Max,
        I totally agree! These horses ARE absolutely brilliant! A truly beautiful vision to watch — poetry in motion without a doubt.
        Cheers!

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        I give a Yes vote to that.
        Trade it for “pole dancing” which supposedly is scheduled for next Olympics.
        Who knew what hobbies/activities could become medal events?
        Keta

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    Shackelford Running in Vanderbilt
    NYRA says Shackleford, if he wins Vanderbilt, would be 1st horse since 1989 to win Grade I’s at six furlongs and at longer than 1 1/8 miles.
    Thoroughbred Times‏ tweetd
    Shackleford fired a bullet Saturday morning at Churchill; his next start will come in a G1 sprint at Saratoga
    Alex Brown‏ tweeted
    Romans on Shackleford “He only has three or four more races left in his career …” sigh, breeding trumps the sport of racing again.

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      Keta. It is sad that there are so few races left. Shack is very exciting to watch, a great horse with lots of courage and will to win. I guess that we have to enjoy his talent while we can.

        • Keta. Yes, I understand. I love it when horses like Musketier are allowed to race. He’s 10 and still has it going for him on the track.

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      Dear Keta, Max and Z Fans:

      Yes, another one to retire too soon. Hope Shack wins easily in the Vanderbuilt. Love watching him run. Hugs, JB

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    Adelaide HorseRacing‏ tweeted
    Frankel is reported to have come out of his Sussex Stakes romp with flying colours and is firmly on course for the Juddmonte International

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    Add another Big Brown “Brownie” to the winner list: Archer Hill
    Three Chimneys Farm‏ tweet
    This guy, born in 2010, went on to be a $150K yrlg and is now Big Brown’s 4th winner! Congrats to the connections
    From The Blood-Horse
    Archer Hill (Big Brown – La Femme Galante by Grand Slam) is scheduled to make his first start, facing fellow New Yorkers in this 1 1/16 mile turf race at Saratoga. He has been working at Woodbine, both on the dirt and the Polytrack. Most recently, he went 5 furlongs in :59.20 on July 25. It was the fastest of 30 works at the distance. Archer Hill was purchased for $150,000 as a yearling, and is out of stakes-placed La Femme Galante. La Femme Galante did not run at 2, but was a debut winner at 3. La Femme Galante has produced 3 winners from 3 to run. She is a half sister to 3 winners, including stakes winner Dina, a winner on the turf, who earned $195,336. Big Brown’s 8 runners have made 10 total starts, recording 3 wins, 1 second, 1 third, and earnings of $67,789.

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    Monarchos ‘up and stable’ after colic surgery
    By Glenye Cain Oakford Daily Racing Form 08/02/2012 12:02 PM
    LEXINGTON, Ky. – Monarchos, the 2001 Kentucky Derby winner, is “up and stable” after undergoing colic surgery Tuesday night at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Lexington.
    The surgery, first reported by Paulick Report, is the 14-year-old stallion’s second colic surgery in 16 months. In April 2011, he underwent surgery to correct a twisted bowel and recovered to return to the breeding shed at Nuckols Farm in Midway, Ky.
    Nuckols Farm employee Chestene McDaniel said Thursday morning that Hagyard had transferred Monarchos from its surgical facility to its medicine facility and that the horse was on his feet and doing well.

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    THUNDER Update: http://www.fundforthunder.webs.com/

    Dear Barbara, Katherine & Trina:

    Thank you for helping Thunder. He is very touch by your help. He is doing fine and hoping to have the surgery soon. Above is the link shared by Kathy under Experts 6 that brought our attention to Thunder. Here it is again for those who did not get a chance to see it. Thunder still needs our help. Thanks for sharing. Marilu

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