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 Z’sters:

    Praying for all of you and anyone in the path of Issac. Hope everyone stays safe and sound. Hugs,JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Max:

      Thanks for this link on Brilliant Speed. The Dynaformer Dynasty continues. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Thanks Max,
      This is great news. Seems like a great horse to carry the torch.
      He is very handsome,like his daddy…hubba,hubba!
      Wonder if he has the Big D. personality? I will put him on my list of ” must see” and plan a trip to Blue Grass country!

      • / Reply

        Brilliant Speed is indeed a great personality and a must see on your trip to KY. I was fortunate to see him last year, feed him peppermints and just say WOW!

        • Thanks Jean,shall do!!!!!
          Lucky you.
          I usually cry when I see the greats. My family has to remind me…pick your jaw up,off of the ground honey!

  3. / Reply

    dear judy glad you found snow fairy she’s a lovely mare only cost a few thousand euros she won at deauville last week after280 days off!!goldie and galileo should produce something special he’ a superstud! frankel’s mum kind is in foal to him againwe were all delighted black caviar came over to ascot hope she can carry on racing God bless love and hugs sheenaXXX hi darlene thanks for your lovely message sad to say mum no longer with me she joined dad back in 2007 but still miss them very much happy memories! take care all you Z fansXXXX

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:
      Snow Fairy is beautiful. Very exciting a Goldi/Galileo foal.

      Yes, I read where Kind is in foal to Galileo again. Great! Hope Black Caviar continues to race too. It’s so nice to have you here in Z’s Fan Family. Hugs, JB

  4. / Reply

    @Louise Castello – I’m praying for you and everyone else that is in Isaac’s path.
    I’m also praying for Paynter. Poor thing. It doesn’t sound too good. Hopefully our prayers can help pull him through.
    @Rosemary McCauley – I love your redneck computer terms. I never heard if Terry announced a winner of the contest either. I think you and I are the only ones that submitted a joke. Maybe we can split the prize.

    • / Reply

      There you go – co-award recipients. But of course, the Grand Poobah will have to approve of this very unusual situation of a dead heat (as in the Travers last weekend?) Perhaps if there is another contest, we can drum up more contestants.

      Fingers crossed and praying for Paynter.

      • / Reply

        Dead heat sounds about right to me. I’m sure Terry will approve. I just saw on the Bloodhorse that Paynter is improving. Great news!

      • / Reply

        Three prrsons have submitted jokes for the golden outhouse award but none of you have accumulated 10 points as of yet.

    • / Reply

      Delrene
      Issac has come in to New Orleans and a levy has
      Broken, Mississippi is also affected.

    • / Reply

      Dear Ashton:

      Thank you so much for this great link on MMM. He has always been one of my favorites. Just love him. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Ashton,
      Thanks for this link to MMM! Enjoyed it very much — he is a favorite of mine, too.
      I also read an extremely good article by Past the Grandstand which was included in her comment on the MMM BloodHorse article.
      Hope you are well!
      Take care and hugs!

    • / Reply

      Dear Ashton:

      Trainesr like JS and Ms. Ritvo are what every horse deserves. Sadly, a lot of horses are not so lucky. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Ashton:

      Thanks for all the great links, especially “Thanks Pop”. One of the best ever. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Thank you, again, Ashton!
      This Steve Haskin piece is absolutely beautiful! Steve’s tribute to his father and Erika’s moving tribute to her father are wonderful. The tears are finally slowing down!
      All the best!

    • / Reply

      Thanks for sharing. It will take me all day to finish,just hits too close to home,but I will finish reading it.
      I love horses and how they change lives.

  10. / Reply

    @ Louise Castello-Hope and pray you and yours are riding out the Hurricane safely!! Watching CNN this morning before work was really frightening!! They were in Gulfport,taking about how long the storm was going to hover and how much rain you would be getting and it was horrific!! Will be looking forward to hearing good news from you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers today!!

    Shari Voltz–A belated Happy Birthday to you–from me –and from Barnaby!! Hope your day was the best!! Had to be good with one of Trina’s gems to help you celebrate!!

    @ Barbara Woods-Happy Anniversary to you two!! Wow–46 years–all of my marriages added together don’t come up to that!!! Hope your move is coming along!! I hope never to move again–I went to 13 schools before the 2nd half of 9th grade!! I’ve been searching for a “forever”home since I was 7 years old!! My little condo was purchased with that in mind several years ago –if I ever have to move,don’t know how I’d ever manage it—there is SOuch stuff in my little place!!! I may have mentioned before that I have always said that it is a good thing I’m on the first floor of our building (and-on a slab!),because,if I was on the third floor,the weight of all my books (8 bookcases full!) and all of my other stuff would have dropped me down to the bottom by now!!

    @ Pati–So sorry about your Sammi—such an adorable baby!! So glad you shared all of those sweet photos with us. Glad you were able to get the framed photo up with the rest of the family–I always call my animals the MOST important members of the family!!

    @ Sheena-in Wales–Great to have you posting!! I was actually in Wales in 1997!! I flew into Ireland,then took the ferry to Holyhead,then the train from there into Crewe,in England. Saw some really charming litte towns and met some really nice people! I loved reading all the signs in the different towns–love all the Welsh names!! Love it that Prince William and his lovely Catherine have been able to live a somewhat normal life in their cottage up north!!

    @ Paynter–Courage,sweet one!! May you feel better and better and surprise all the doctors and live and thrive!! Hope you and your team realize all of the good wishes and prayers that are coming your way!!

    @ Dawn C.–Glad you are enjoying the Barnaby stories too! I was telling him the other night,while he was eating his grain,about how many fans he has on the site and about how many love him and wish him well. I hope he really understands how loved he is–I surely tell him every day and try to do everything I can to SHOW him how special he is!

    The little town of Featherville,in the mountains between here and Boise was spared from the fire when the winds changed direction. However,the big fire itself is not expected to be out until at least mid-October,or,when the snows come to put it out! Scary!!

    For all who love to hear about Barnaby John–last night when they were coming for their grain,they were so funny!! Traveller went out of her way to use the bridge to get across the big “ditch”–she will double back from wherever she is to use the bridge! He will usually go out of his way NOT to use it!! They are just a “hoot” together. I call him “Piglet” these days when he is coming for treats!! He tries to chase Traveller away because he wants ALL of the treats!! I scold him gently and tell him it’s not nice to keep his girlfriend from getting her share,but I can almost hear him saying “yeah,yeah!!” This Saturday,I’m going to take his picture eating watermelon! He is so funny with all the pink juice dribbling out of his mouth!!

    • / Reply

      Hi Sue,
      Great to hear from you (wish I had a condo on a slab rather than a house with a basement – if I just didn’t have to do laundry, ha, ha). We need to figure out some way to make photos accessible on this site. Maybe we could hire Pati (who seems to have a Twitter account – I guess that’s what is needed) to accept photos from us and then upload them to Twitter and share the link? We’d love to see Baranby John with or without watermelon! :-)
      Sandy

    • / Reply

      Sue. Love that Barnaby. I bought some Fuji apples to see what he sees in them. Also going to try Honeycrisps. I have been eating Granny Smiths to the exclusion of all else. Time for variety. Horses know their apples.

      • / Reply

        Max,
        Fuji apples are great — they are my favorites. I am happy to know that my taste is in agreement with Barnaby! I always knew I had good taste and now it is confirmed!
        Cheers!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue Noel,
      Please DO keep the Barnaby stories coming (with Traveller, too)!!! I enjoy reading about your wonderful horse so much. Such characters!
      Glad the fire seems to have abated, and hope nothing blazes up again.
      Take care!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue:

      Would love to see that photo. Thanks for sharing another wonderful story about Barnaby. Hugs, JB

  13. / Reply

    Dear Paynter, I went to our Wednesday night meal at Church tonight. The Men of the Church fixed Spaghetti and it was delicious. Well after the meal I stayed for the class. Before it began our paster asked if there were anyone needing to be lifted up in prayer. I asked him if I could ask for a horse to be lifted up in prayer. I told him about you, and he included you in his prayer. He asked God to help you get better. And I am praying so hard for you and have asked Angels to help you too. I believe strongly in Angels as they have helped me. Please get well our beautiful boy, I agree with others we don’t need to lose another horse. My paster was very familiar with Colitis as his niece lost a horse to it. His prayer was very wonderful that included you in it. Love You Paynter. Pull with all your might to get well.

    • / Reply

      Peggy. Very thoughtful to help Paynter with this special prayer. I am so worried about him. Between all of these sick horses and the hurricane, life is stressful at present. Get well, Paynter. Issac, go away.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max, Peggy N and Z Fans:

        Hope beautiful Paynter can fight his way through this. Praying for him. Hugs, JB

        • Dear Peggy N:

          Found your post to me on the previous page about Papa Charlie. He’s a Great Grandson of Secretariat. His second Dam was a daughter of Big Red. He was born in March of 2006 on McMahon Thoroughbred Farm in Saratoga Springs, NY. He was named for his breeder whose grandchildren called him Papa Charlie.

          He raced 49 times; 8 wins, 6 seconds and 6 thirds. Earnings: $90,000.00 plus. Since August 7, 2012 he has been For Sale by Trainer on the Canter of New England web site. His price has dropped from $1800 to $1200. I heartsick and so wish I could do something to help him. I first knew of him through this article in the Times Union.

          http://albarchive.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=6410230

          This is the link to the For Sale Ad. He’s No. 24. He looks too thin to me.

          http://www.canterusa.org/index.php?option=com_alphacontent&section=19&category=54&Itemid=65

          There’s so many on the list and that’s just the New England Trainer Listings. Hugs, JB

        • Dear Judy, Thank you for telling me about him. He is a beauty and I see why you like him so much. Oh my Gosh he looks a lot like Secretariat. I know, what do you do. This is similar for both of us. He does look a little thin but still beautiful. We have to hope for something good to come about.

    • / Reply

      How very special Peggy N, the power of prayer is sooo very important in numbers. !!!

  15. / Reply

    Dear Peggy N,

    Sooo very happy that you have that connection with Gabbiano and all of the discussion around claiming, which is soooo very complicated. Wishing her the best with her race on friday. She is in my virtual stable.

    Every one who regularly comes to this blog contributes sooo much to all of our knowledge and information. We are such a lovely, open, honest unpretentous group that are very comfortable in being real with all issues and listening and responding to each other.

    Zenny’s diary had many defectors to facebook, a very superficial modality that lends it self to information with out basis and hear say. The folks who tout themselves on face book spout off and do not have any basis for what they say or what is really going on.

    THANKS TO EVERYONE ON THIS BLOG FOR MAKING IT ALL THAT WE CAN AND ARE BEING. YOU ARE ALL VERY WONDERFUL PEOPLE THAT REALLY MEAN A LOT TO ME !!!!!

    • / Reply

      Sign,
      Here, here! Maybe they’re getting a little bit too exclusive to come here.

      By the way I love your namesake, how lucky you are to have one, kinda makes you feel like a part-owner, huh. I read you might be going to Texas branch LE. Please let us know all about it. Hugs

  16. / Reply

    Thanks Judy B for the correction on Personal Ensign’s injury at two not in the Ladies Classic and great links to go with her.

    Rosemary soooo very much love your RN computer term, tooo funny

    TC great jokes

    Thoughts and prayers for all of those in the path of Issac, especially those people
    in New Orelans, Issac hit on the 7 year anniversary of Katrina.

    Wrong information by me on Payner – Colitis is a serious issue for horses, everything was kept so very secret.

    Ann,
    Thanks for your support on the “personality” of El Vino by Steve Willard. I would hardly challenge the description of a very credible horseman like Steve regarding the
    issues with El Vino. It is tooo bad they just did not retire him and let him find a new careeer as a hunter jumper or dressage horse, where he did not have to run and compete. I agree he may have changed as he got older, but he was sooo very well
    treated, his personality is probably the same. I have seen soooo many people who try to make a horse what he/she does not want or desire to be and that is sooo very sad.

    Love the story about your daughter and the Mustangs, they are such wonderful creatures of god and sooo very wonderful to train them and make them into a riding horse.

    Also, Ann love your comment about piled higher and deeper, it sure does happen at my barn tooo

    Sooo very true Ann, quantity not quality is the name of the game

    THANKS TO ALL WHO COME TO THIS SITE TO SHARE, BE HONEST AND LOVE ZENNY AND ALL OF HORSE RACING AND SHARE EVERYTHING WITH EACH OTHER
    WE ARE A VERY CLOSE GROUPS AND SOOO LUCKY THE MOSSES AND LANES END HAVE ALLOWED US IN THEIR LIVES. !!!!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sign:

      Thank you for your always insightful and interesting posts and all the wonderful links. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Sign,
      The devil is in the details and I was just making sure folks knew where that description originated from. You did give the proper credit after all, to the master!

      Thank you, Sign, for all you do. I have enjoyed all of your contributions.

    • / Reply

      Sign,
      You are an amazing source of horse knowledge and good common sense.
      What a blessing you are to us!
      Thank you for all your posts-you speak from your head & your heart.
      Hugs,
      Keta

      • / Reply

        Keta. Don’t forget that without our Sign we would not know about Big Ass Beer Tuesday. I now think of BABT every Tuesday without fail. LOL!

  17. / Reply

    KETA,

    Left you a comment on page 7
    And great update on Mikey on MMM in the Woodard !!!

  18. / Reply

    Thank you sign for your wonderful comments. You all mean so much to me too. I have gotten to where I can’t hardly talk about Gabby. I have hoped since I met her and she got bought. Well maybe she want be a good race horse,(Is that terrible to say) but I just wish she would maybe if she’s not going to be a race horse she might show up in a sale again one day, and cost less money. Do I sound like I’m out there in never never land??? Well, I’m hoping. She was bred by William Farish, so she might always be worth a lot of money. And not to mention War Pass’s Filly. I’m keeping track of her. Hoping for something good.

    • / Reply

      Thanks for the update on Paynter. He is a beauty with a great pedigree. Hope he continues to improve. We have lost too many already this year.

      Can’t wait to see that beautiful big boy, Mucho Macho Man run this weekend. Prayers are going up for him and all others to have a safe trip. I volunteer at a heart hospital and Kathy’s story is such an inspiration to the patients.

    • / Reply

      Sign. Cecil has said that he would not force Frankel to race on dirt. He’s a turf horse. The British Champions series also pays well so that staying home makes economic sense. If there are any US horses who think that they can beat him, they can always go to England and prove it. It works both ways.

    • / Reply

      That was a tongue and cheek comment to you.
      They won’t being him here as he is going to be a turf sure and I
      an sure don’t want to risk an injury running him OB
      Dirt for the first time and turning toe the left on tight
      SA turns.

      • / Reply

        Sign. It is little wonder that other British jockeys want Frankel to get out of Dodge. They cannot win against him. Probably no horse can win. It took his own jockey a half mile to get him stopped at York. If he goes to the US, he could head to one of Juddmonte’s Kentucky farms and invite Zenyatta over a visit. If he is lucky, she might agree.

        • Matchmaker, Matchmaker,
          Make me a match,
          Find me a find,
          catch me a catch
          Matchmaker, Matchmaker
          Look through your book,
          And make me a perfect match

        • Dear Max, Sign and Ann:

          Your posts are Too Cute. The QUEEN can always choose her Consort. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Ashton. This is really fantastic. I love it, especially the photo of the gray charge. What a sight! The Brits know how to put on a show. There are many other interesting grays whom we here know like Zazu, Giacomo, Awesome Maria and the incomparable Tasty Temptation.

  26. / Reply

    Home with an injured back. My mom thinks its because I have gained too much weight, and she is refusing to let me go ride Gus next week. I hate having to worry about what I eat.

  27. / Reply

    hi sue lovely to hear you visited wales and enjoyed yourself. i live in the south west town called carmarthen was born and bred here but cant speak much welsh!I do love to hear people trying to pronounce the welsh place names!love hearing about barnaby dont animals make the most wonderful friends! lovely feature on frankel in horse and hound this week sir henry looks so ill such a shame!do you all remember ouija board? same trainer as snow fairy must have a way with the ladies!sorry to hear about the horse thats so sick will pray for him too .hope the storm is passing looks bad on our news channels thinking of you all thanks for your welcome to Z’s family love and hugs XXX

    • / Reply

      Dear Pati:

      Thanks for the update on Gus. He looks great. Lucy’s story really upset me. So glad that she’s finally safe and cared. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Yes, it is sad when these things happen.

        You can’t blame the woman for losing her farm. She put Lucy in rescues she thought were safe for the old girl, only to be let down when Lucy got hurt, and the rescue didn’t want to pay for her bills.

        Lucy does have little quirks about her. For instance, she HAS to be first EVERYWHERE we go. That’s the thoroughbred in her. We could be walking through the mud five inches thick, and while other horses were careful and took their time, she would barrel through just to make sure she got to the other side first, and drag us all behind her in the process. She is very keen with voice commands like “whoa” and things like “easy” or “relax”. She has the big shoulder and large hind end. She’s fast, and sometimes tempermental. But, she’s a mare and a thoroughbred. We were expecting her to be do no less to be honest. Lol

        • Dear Pati:
          She sounds like she does really well with partial sight and she’s probably having the best time of her life right now. God Bless. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Pati. I am thrilled for Rescue Gus. Your work to get him in shape is just amazing. It is nice to see that things are improving for Lucy. The others look good too. Excellent work.

      I hope that you are feeling better. You need your strength for school and your rescue work. Take care of yourself, and listen to your mother. She has your best interests in mind always. You’re her baby.

    • / Reply

      Thanks Pati,
      Gus looks wonderful. I am so happy for him.
      With love,Lucy will make a turn around.
      Liddy has stolen my heart!
      You and the folks at SHERR are angels. Thanks for everything you do.

  29. / Reply

    John Henry Fans! Here is a tweet from Hello Race Fans
    Who is John Henry? Find out more in the charming documentary The Steel Driving Racehorse
    http://bit.ly/axfuNm
    The link takes you to a story & trailer clip of The Steel Driving Racehorse

    • / Reply

      Dear Max:

      Oh no. I was worried about him. Was so hoping the injury was minor and that he would race again. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        JudyB. These premature retirements are very disappointing. I am very worried about Paynter too. His illness is very serious. Get well, Paynter. We all want some good news.

        • Dear Max and Z Fans:

          I think we need some sound Euro genes for our horses. This is happening way too often. Maybe more trainers should be patient like John S. was with Z and don’t race them until their three years old. What do you think? Hugs, JB

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