Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts: Mike Cline, Part 1

Q:

What is it like to have Zenyatta at Lane’s End? How is she different than other horses at the farm?

Cassandra Gregory

Manitou Springs, CO

 

A:I started hearing rumblings that the Mosses were sending Zenyatta to Lane’s End shortly before the Breeders’ Cup 2010, and we had some staff meetings here at the farm about it. I’d been told that she had a huge following, and obviously i had admired her through the years in racing, but I don’t think anything that I knew about her then would have prepared me for where we are now, a couple years later, my experience with her, and what she means to so many people.

Zenyatta, 2009. Photo by Ann Moss

I remember she flew in on a plane to Bluegrass Field and was vanned over to Keenland on December 5th. I guess I should have gotten an idea about how it was going to be that day, because there were about four or five hundred people standing out in the freezing cold and rain and snow to watch her arrival. She didn’t disappoint; John Shirreffs came in with her and walked her around the walking ring at Keenland, and she was admired and photographed by everyone that was there. Everyone was genuinely enthralled by how magnificent she looked.

Again, I should have thought then, should have prepared myself… You always want to say that when we get her here, we’ve got to treat her just like every other mare. That works pretty well when you’re doing repro work on her, you have the blacksmith here trimming her, or you’re vaccinating her—you do treat her like every other mare. We have lots of nice mares here, and over the years we’ve had champions and terrific mares, but I must say that we’ve never had a thoroughbred stallion or mare that has the following of Zenyatta. Everybody told me that, but I had to learn it for myself.

Just being around her every day and being able to drive by her paddock, and listen to all the people that call in here and ask questions about her and follow her on the website… she’s definitely a rock star, no doubt about that.

The Mosses have been kind enough to let us do so many charitable things with her, be it selling halters or auctioning off visits, raising money for all kinds of different things. The last of which was some storm relief work that she did. It was their idea to have her here and to share with the horse community, and we have to sort out how we balance that. I know everybody doesn’t get what they want, but we try to be fair about it, understanding that she comes first. There are times of the year where you can come see her, and there are times of the year where you can’t come see her.

We see her every day and she never ceases to amaze us with the stuff she does, and she’s just different from other horses in a lot of different ways. Her feel for humans is totally different. We have lots of kind, quiet mares, but she’s thoughtful. I don’t think there’s any chance she’d ever bite anybody or kick anybody, and I think it was like that on the racetrack as well, from what I’ve heard.

Certainly, she keeps us on our toes here. We feel privileged to be some small part of her development, and we look forward to seeing her live out a long healthy life here and produce, hopefully, somebody that can keep up with her.

Note about visiting Zenyatta:
We understand the desire of many to visit Zenyatta at Lane’s End Farm. Currently, visits with Zenyatta are not available to the public. If the policy changes, the fans will be the first to know.

Our Expert

Michael H. Cline

Farm Manager, Lane’s End

Michael H Cline is the Manager of Mr. and Mrs. William S. Farish’s Lane’s End Farm near Versailles, Kentucky. He has held that position for 33 years and he played a key role in the design and development of the farm from the time Mr. Farish first purchased the land in the late 1970’s.

Mike is a local having graduated from Woodford County High School and attended the University of Kentucky. He is the proud father to two sons, John and Chad and one grandson, Charlie.

Mike’s family has been involved in the Thoroughbred industry beginning with his father John Cline, who managed Haven Hill Farm for Herb Stevens and his brother, Pete is the Manager of Shawnee Farm in Kentucky. Prior to his employment at Lane’s End, Mike was Manager at Big Sink Farm in Versailles.

Reader Interactions

879 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Dear Lane’s End and Z Team:

    Thank you so very much for this wonderful interview video and insight into just how loved Z is. Hugs, JB

  2. / Reply

    I am so extatic about the way Big Z looks and is very obviously treated. There will never be another race mare that has touched me the way she has and always will. At first I was a little upset that there were no visitations aloud by fans, but at this point that is totally understandable. Whatever is best for Big Z makes me HAPPY. I’ll tell you what though, that boy of hers is the spitting image. His neck, head and ears are hers. He is STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to follow hopefully a very fruitful career of his.

  3. / Reply

    Dear LE–we just love interviews like this one. It tickles me to think that we knew what you didn’t at the time–that if we didn’t have a diary or some way of keeping in touch with her, that about 100,000 fans would be looking for a cliff to leap from. She is just too magical to be swept under a rug, and she has such power for good. Thank you for recognizing that, honoring her, and honoring our love for her.

    @TC, GP– Well, I packed 3 boxes of GOBLETS today and also cooked a TURKEY breast–so what does that make me? Never mind. I don’t even want to know. My redneck status must be soaring. LOL.

    • / Reply

      Barbara – I couldn’t have said it any better. It is really wonderful that LE and the Mosses continue to let us be a part of the Queen’s life, giving us windows into her life, whether momentous or mundane. Also, letting us keep track of the Prince! How he’s grown, and how much he looks and acts like his mom. There’s no mistaking those ears! And he always knows where the camera is!

      And her detractors said this wouldn’t last. HAH!!!!

    • / Reply

      Very well said Barbara. She has touched people is so many ways big and small. I am sure her handsome boy will too. Might I say Barbara you are a hoot and I love reading your comments. :)

    • / Reply

      You got that right, Barbara! I had to laugh at “she keeps us on our toes here”. And I love, “she never ceases to amaze us with the stuff she does, and she’s just different from other horses in a lot of different ways. Her feel for humans is totally different. We have lots of kind, quiet mares, but she’s thoughtful.” — Just what we always saw or felt in her, but I love hearing a professional say it.

      Happy Redneck packing/cooking, too.

        • Sign, I am getting there, thanks for asking. From the end of July, for 2 weeks I had vertigo & nausea — the vertigo has been all but gone, since. Then I fell (took a bad step on a drop in an uneven floor, at a shop). Bruises & scrapes are mostly gone, but I couldn’t walk well or drive, so I’ve been working from home by computer for two weeks. I did a test-drive to the grocery store a couple days ago, but was very sore on the way home, and exhausted the next day. I’m still using ice, and careful exercise. Monday I go back to the Dr. to see if and when I can return to work. As I get a little better each day, my spirits pick up, and I felt like joining in again here, the past few days, and have caught up on reading some posts.

          Yesterday, for the first time, I went out in my backyard, and picked some grapes! It’s been so hot here, I knew they were ripening, but hadn’t been able to find out how close they were to being ready. The grapes are good, but not at their peak, and since the ants aren’t having a total feast yet, I know I’ve got more time.

          Thanks, again.

        • I hope you are feeling better Vicki B. Yes, we miss you. The son of L Wainwright is playing in our area soon. May go and hear him.

          Behave and take care

  4. / Reply

    Thank you for sharing such a delightful, informative interview with Mr. Cline. It impresses me a great deal to know that all of those at Lane’s End who have come to care for Zenyatta realize what a treasure she is, even though she is just another mare. Zenyatta is the Queen and while most of her needs as a broodmare are routine in the standard care of mares and foals, she is – as Mr. Cline said – a rock star and has that something extra that sets her apart from all others. Thank you, Lane’s End, Team Z for taking such good care of her and providing these opportunities for us to keep up with her.

  7. / Reply

    Really enjoyed the interview-Mr Cline is very sincere and kind toward Zenyatta. She really has a wonderful life. But, it is all who have been in her life since Day 1— A bit of everyone makes up Z— especially the kind-heart of Mrs Moss– Z’s got alot of that quality!! What a great “family team” Zenny has………and coming up now will be the little prince. Love ya,Janet C/WI

    • / Reply

      The true core of Zenny’s temperment is her breeder Eric Kronfeld and the broodmare
      family he has build, which include Zenny’s mom, “V” and “V”‘s mom.

      Temperment is BRED into a horse, environment helps it develop.

  8. / Reply

    Great. Thank you so much. It truelly makes my day to read/watch a new posting.
    Does Zenyatta still dance? Can we see it? Please, preety please ! I’ve never seen her in person but I wish I could. God bless you all. Would you consider Zenyatta’s running style as a closer? She certainly kept you on the edge of your seats until the last second.
    When baby Z does start his training, Will we be able to keep in touch with him then.
    How are we ever going to be able to wait years to see that ? Well I guess ,look at how fast time as gone since We saw Zenyatta race last. Where does time go ?

  9. / Reply

    What a delightful interview to start the weekend with – thank you so much to Mr Cline, and to all the wonderful folk at Lanes End for continuing to keep up informed on the Queen. Blessings to you all!!

    • / Reply

      Peggy N, I hope you had a wonderful time at your anniversary celebration. Also anxious to hear about your trip to Ocala.

      @ Trina– Thank you for the reminder. You are always so thoughtful.

  12. / Reply

    Everyone that is in the trail of “Isaac,” please stay safe!! Keep us in touch too!!

  13. / Reply

    LauraJ, I saw that Better Step Aside won today in a $5,000 claiming race. I follow him since you were formerly a co-owner.

  14. / Reply

    Thank you Mr. Cline for this interview. Lane’s End Farm has made so many accommodations for all of us and has educated several of us who were new to the whole process of taking a maiden mare through breeding, gestation, foaling, being a mom and then the weaning. That is way above and beyond what a farm needs to do, Now we have even more friends through these interviews. I so appreciate what you all do for us, but especially for the outstanding care Zenyatta and 12 Z and all the equines receive.

    To All- Just above the bio for Mr. Cline is a note about visiting Zenyatta. Essentially, no visits are allowed by the public, but if the policy changes, the fans will be the first to know.

  15. / Reply

    I also want to say a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Cline. Loved the interview. Zenyatta means so much to me. I talk to her when I am happy or sad. She has helped me get through some things in my life that were really hard. Oh how I love her and always will. She has also brought all kinds of wonderful people into my life. Dawn and Debbie. Trina and my Z Family. Zenyatta is way more than just a horse. I love you Zenny FOREVER, Shari XXXOOO

  16. / Reply

    Thank you so much for this wonderful interview Mr Cline.It gratifying to know that those who see her and care for her every day at Lanes End feel the same as we do about her.She is just SPECIAL and ever so SMART ….and her KINDNESS to ALL man or beast …she is just Zenyatta there is no horse like her as Mike Smith reminded us :) It is an extraordinary day for all of us when you post a picture or an article about her or Z12 .Hoping someday soon you will give us an evaluation of Z12…. she has been the best trainer in the world from what I can see …but I’m no expert ! He sure seems to look and act like his mom … looking forward to that evaluation :) HUGs n love to all of you

  17. / Reply

    I have not posted anything since the last of the Zenyatta diaries, but I have followed her on facebook and the Lanes End blogs. It is a wonderful thing that Lanes End has kept us well informed of our Queen and her young Prince. I am very happy that Jerry and Ann Moss let Lanes End keep her loving fans updated. She is so very special and always will be. 12Z looks and acts like his momma and I hope that Z’s caring and special relationship with people has rubbed off on him.

  18. / Reply

    Maybe when she retires from breeding, somehow she can be visited by the people who love her, whether it’s at her home at Lane’s End or somewhere like Old Friends.

    • / Reply

      Probably when she is 30 years old, she will be available for public viewing !!
      She may stay at LE forever, like AP Indy !!!

  19. / Reply

    Is Mike Cline any relations to the late country singer Patsy Cline?
    That was very interesting. She is a beautiful mare!! And beautiful inside, too. Z12 is just too funny, still has his” crazy ” ears. Love all that fur sticking out. Those colts don’t play too rough now, in last diaries’ video, it looked like he was getting hit in the neck by the other colt!? Thanks for all the up-dates.

    • / Reply

      Colts love to play rough.

      For the record, it was 12Z who struck out at the gray colt’s neck. The gray colt basically said “I … don’t want to play this rough!” and ran off.

      • / Reply

        That 12 Z is going to be a force to “reckon” with as he gets older. !!!

  21. / Reply

    Lane’s End, you’re tops! And the Mosses continue to demonstrate what exceptional people they are. Policy change regarding public visits with Zenyatta in the future? At the top of my bucket list!

  23. / Reply

    Thanks for letting us know how she is just as admired by the LE staff as by her multitude of fans. I think she has her pleasant personality because everyone she has come into contact with has treated her kindly and with love. Thanks to Jerry and Ann Moss, all of Barn 55, and Lane’s End for that. I hope we will be able to follow Prince and future Princes and Princesses as well, as it keeps us “in touch” with Queen Z.

  25. / Reply

    I had to smile when Mr. Cline called our Queen a “Rock Star” – that’s an understatement ;-) Of course those of us who were around her knew she’s truly a ♥ Gentle Giant ♥!

    Thank you Lane’s End for sharing information on how Zen has adapted. I, too, would love to pay her a visit one day… but I guess only in my dreams ♥

    I love you Zenny! Auntie JAG ♥

  26. / Reply

    Thank you Mr. Cline, Lanes End and the wonderful Mosses!! Still brings a tear when I hear people talk about how special she is. She gave me chills every time I saw her up close or on TV. She is even more beautiful now!! What a gift she has been to all of us.

  27. / Reply

    It’s true, Zenyatta is thoughtful and kind. We were privileged to be able to visit her at her barn several times and it’s something we will never forget. To be around her is something you can’t describe…it’s an experience! ! ♥ ❇ ★ ♡♥ ☆ *•.¸ ♥❄♥
    Thanks for the updates!
    Jane
    S. California

  30. / Reply

    Thanks Mr. Cline. I enjoyed your insights about Zenny, the ” Rock Star “.
    It has been very special getting to meet you fine folks at Lanes End. I appreciate you opening up your world to us. You folks can now write the book on PR matters with famous horses. Great job!

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