Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts: Mike Cline, Part 2

Q:

A question for Lanes End: Your pastures appear so lush and Zenyatta obviously loves to graze. Would you explain pasture upkeep and the type of grasses that grow in your pastures?

Gayle Haushahn

Bismarck, AR

Lane’s End. Photo by Tyler Matson

A:We started putting Lane’s End together in 1980, and it has grown to 2,000 acres. The farm is divided between stallions, broodmares, and yearlings. Each barn has it’s own pasture around it, of approximately 250 acres. Most fields are 30-50 acres in size, and the fences are laid so that they follow the contour of the land.

We’re fortunate because we have a great ratio of horses to pastures; we can rotate pastures and maintain with weed control, fertilize, and move the horses off to rest each pasture.

We maintain a mixture of bluegrass and orchard grass. There’s no irrigation, but we have two growing seasons. We are able to sow grass in the spring and fall, and we do sow about half the farm every year. Grass gets damaged by drought and hot weather, and we have to constantly replace it.

Watch the video above for Mike’s complete response.

Q:

LE grounds are impeccable! Stables look like you could eat off floor! Question, what is involved (manpower) to maintain such a beautiful facility?

Cathy Black

Ashburn, VA

A:We have 150 employees, and we’re very fortunate to have a support staff that is next to none. That’s probably the most important thing about the farm—aside from the facility—the people who work here. I can’t say enough about their loyalty and concern for horses.

We have a good mixture of experienced people, plus we’re constantly trying to lure young people here that can work their way up through the system. That’s been important. Most of our advances in staff, assistant managers and managers, are people who put in their time before they got promoted to their positions. That’s one of the things that we try to do here—our top level people are all home grown.

This keeps young people coming to the farm. We try to create an environment where they have input in what’s going on. They get a lot of responsibility, they all know how we do things, but they get to mix in their own thoughts and actually have a say in what goes on.

Watch the video above for Mike’s complete response.

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

604 Comments

    • / Reply

      Thank you Max,
      Enjoyed seeing him and w/ clicking to the home page…WOW, the magnificent, Ortensia.
      Great link,I will go back often.
      Good luck, Ortensia. I enjoyed reading of his training.

        • Ann. I found that link by chance. He’s a nice looking horse.

          For the Woodward, I want Thirsty to win. It is about time for the racing gods to throw some luck to Uncle Mike. Go Thirsty! Win it for Bernie. Bernie is so proud of his foals. Go Thirsty!

    • / Reply

      Dear Max, this is ironic I was going to leave you a message last night and ask you if you had heard any news on Orfevre. It was late so I went to sleep.
      Thank you so much for posting this. I knew they had said that he was to leave Japan at the end of this month. Just love him. Sounds like they do have to wake him up a bit. Sounds like he enjoyed his time off. Can’t wait to see him. Good luck wishes sent to Orfevre.
      Get well Paynter. Its going to be hard today if we don’t hear any news.
      Thanks so much again, Max.

      • / Reply

        Peggy. You are welcome. O is a fine horse. This will be an interesting race. Frankel is not going, but Danedream is returning to defend her title. O has a very good chance.

        I know how you feel about Paynter. I am also worried, but in this case we have to think that no news is good news. That’s what I keep telling myself. Not fun.

        • Yes, no news, good news.
          So sorry we did lose another horse over night.
          Remembering Theatrical this day. REST IN PEACE, beautiful boy.
          So proud you did live a long wonderful life. 30 years old. Affirmities of Old Age. RIP

        • Sad to hear that Theatrical has passed, but age 30 was a full life and he was loved and pampered by the folks at Hill n’ Dale Farm.
          He was called to post for the last time. RIP

  2. / Reply

    hi max am not sure if you know denman is enjoying his retirement in the cotswoldscant say if master minded will ever run again after he sustained that serious injury in the king george v1 chase(which kauto won) such a shame a lovely young horse hugs sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Yes, I had heard that Denman had retired from racing. Paul Nicholls left him in the stable for months to keep Kauto company. Did they not then spend the summer together before Denman went off to his new job? I heard that Master Minded is still recovering from his injury. Although he will not race again, I also read that they are looking for another job for him to do. It is great that these great jumpers are given second careers. They are incredible athletes. Kauto is such a character. I hope that he wants to race again.

  3. / Reply

    dear judy happy labor day weekend we’ve just had a bank holiday weekend over here i enjoyed reading marshalls comments about red rum did you know ginger mccain passed away last september.he would always visit the grave and talk to” the old boy” all his GN wins were special but the 3rd was out of this world and he was 12 by then!sad story from heidi! glad to hear paynter still improving brave horse! hugs sheenaXXX

  5. / Reply

    Thank you Lane’s End for another interesting article. It sounds and looks so beautiful and peaceful there. All of the interviews are so informative. Please give Zenny extra treats from us and some for her Prince. Thanks for everything you all do. Many blessings to everyone there.

  6. / Reply

    Dear Judy Berube, Ann NC, Elizabeth in NM and Peggy (N),

    Thank you all for your kind birthday wishes. It was a “takin’ it easy” kind of day. My son’s birthday is tomorrow so his family is having cake and ice cream for us both today.

    Peggy (N), it sounds like your anniversary celebration was a lot of fun. How nice to have the retirees come to celebrate with you. Somebody planned carefully to have it be a big event for you.

    Safe racing for all and an enjoyable Labor Day weekend, as well.

  7. / Reply

    Ann in NC
    If you didn’t see my response on the previous post, thank you SO much for the link to “helloracefans.com” It is an absolute GOLDMINE!!!
    Sandy

    • / Reply

      Thanks to Keta, for leading us to that site, w/ the story of John Henry. One thing leads to another.

      Glad you like it….gotta take care of ” The Cappers “!!!!!
      Watch out BC….Sandy is coming to town and she be ready for CAPPIN!

    • / Reply

      Sandy, that’s so exciting that you’re going to the BC! I wish I was going. I’m glad that someone from our part of the country is going to make it. You go, girl!

  8. / Reply

    hi max yes kauto and denman had a lovely summer together kauto must find it strange not to have his old friend next door I have’nt heard anymore about masterminded will let you know when i do. we are all waiting to hear paul’s decision about kauto hugs sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Read in an English paper that both Kauto and Denman were glad to get back to work and out of their summer pastures. They like the attention and the amenities of their jobs, such as visitors and a nice warm stall against all of that British rain. Real characters those two.

  10. / Reply

    Shackleford scratched from Forego
    Romans said he had minor cough last week but he got over it. Didn’t like how he ate up overnight and how he looked this morning.
    I hope he feels better.

        • Shackleford to Miss Forego (Keta Note: Headed for Kelso Stakes)
          By Claire Novak, @BH_CNovak
          Updated: Saturday, September 1, 2012 2:31 PM
          Multiple grade I winner Shackleford will not run in the $500,000 Forego Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course Sept. 1, trainer Dale Romans said the morning of the race.
          “He’s fine, he’s just got a little cough,” said Romans, adding the 4-year-old son of Forestry failed to clean up his feed tub that morning and had been coughing last week as well.
          “We’re going to play it safe,” he said.
          Shackleford, 2-1 favorite on the morning line for the seven-furlong Forego, will instead return to Romans’ home base at Churchill Downs. The chestnut colt will train there in preparation for the Sept. 29 Kelso Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park.
          “I’l get him ready and bring him back for that,” Romans said
          Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/72508/shackleford-to-miss-forego#ixzz25FFjyQR6

        • Agree Keta two written sources. Thanks for this
          Post. Hope Shack gets well !!!!!

  11. / Reply

    According to Bloodhorse.com, Lentenor, Barbaro’s brother, will be running in the Cliff Hanger today. Safe trip to him and all the others racing today.

    A very special good wish to that beautiful boy, Mucho Macho Man! I would probably need the EMTs if I ever got to meet our wonderful Queen Zenyatta, but after her, he would be the one I want to see in person.

  12. / Reply

    Don’t know if I’m remembering right, didn’t one of Theatrical’s offspring win the arc? Love this family.

    • / Reply

      Theatrical “Run” Today with your Sire and Grand Sire. What a picture…………………….Love You.

  14. / Reply

    My wife and I raced claimers in california Northern tracks and fairs nothing like the big boy’s,we moved to Kentucky where i retired due to copd, we have followed Zenyatta through her carreer, do you ever think there will ever be a time two seniors could visit her and take a few pics. Thanks

    • / Reply

      The only visitors Zenny gets are selected by large
      Donations to her charities. As she is a broodmare she
      Does lots of charity work for humans and her equine friends.

      Maybe when she is 30 !!!!

      • / Reply

        Sign. Maybe in an off year from mom duties, she might be more accessible? Have to see how it all unfolds. Z is not your average broodmare.

        • NOT SURE Lanes End could/would desire to handle the disruption in their breeding operations to handle a crowd of 100,000 well wishers.

          We all need to be realistic about the visiting issue and abide by
          Lanes End policy, let Zenny do her Charity work and make babies.

          Should she come up barren sometime may be a year out to pasture
          would be a good thing for her !!!!

          We all need to think about Zenny’s welfare and what she is contributing to the TB gene pool, which is hopefully going to be A LOT.

  17. / Reply

    Emcee wins the Forego! Congratulations!

    Sure hope Jackson’s Bend is okay — he didn’t fire today and finished last in the Forego.

    RIP Theatrical — you had a good long run here and now you can run forever, whenever you want! Glad that you were loved and cared for at Hill and Dale. I like what you said, Janet Newman: “He was called to post for the last time”. Very nicely put.

    I, too, am sorry that Shackleford was scratched. Sounds as though they were erring on the side of caution. North Carolina is proud of our coastal namesake!!! Cheers for Shackleford and hopes that you are 100% soon!

      • / Reply

        Sign,
        So do I! That was quite a collision he had recently — totally knocked out!
        Maybe he just had an off day. I hope so.

        • Marshall. He might not be fully recovered from his accident to race at his optimum. That was quite a blow that he took. Not his day. Hope he bounces back next time.

      • / Reply

        Jackson Bend to go on long rest
        Mark Singelais‏ tweet
        3-2 favorite Emcee wins the Grade I Forego at Saratoga. Jackson Bend finished last, coming off his collision on the Oklahoma last month
        Mike MacAdam‏ tweet
        Nick Zito said Jackson Bend was flat, may not be mentally recovered from collision. May get long rest on farm.
        Thoroughbred Times‏ tweet
        Zito on Jackson Bend, 7th in Forego: “I think we’ll give him a long rest now. The jock said he was flat. All the tests came back fine

  19. / Reply

    Jeff Seigel saying MMM works are not as fast and
    He is not galloping out well recently.

  20. / Reply

    Wow, what a race and a dog fight!!! Woohoooo to To Honor and Serve and Mucho Macho Man!!! MMM has grown into one fine hunk of a Colt!!

  21. / Reply

    Wow, every horse that I have mentioned on my article lately has run well! And now the top two finishers were mentioned in my article!Yay! Pay out for me!!

  22. / Reply

    No money for me !!!
    Cease to place and he came in third.
    My exacta would have been: MMM and Cease .
    No money their either!!!

    How did everyone do capping. ?????

  23. / Reply

    No money for me either. I had MMM and ST exacta. I said earlier over there that if we had a tri available, I’d play THAS too. Oh well… Happy for him and what happened to Stay Thirsty?? Bernie must be proud!!

    btw… Mike was riding MMM. JV was on THAS

  24. / Reply

    Congratulations, To Honor and Serve, JV, and Bill Mott (and their connections) for winning the Woodward!
    Great race! Mucho Macho Man with Mike aboard put up a good fight, too! I think MMM got hemmed in along the rail a bit — delayed his move. Not taking anything away from the winner, though! THAS ran his race!!
    To Honor and Serve surely proved that he can fight to win! Bernardini is a proud pappy again today!

  25. / Reply

    To Honor and Serve wins Woodward Stakes. Mucho Macho Man placed.
    The Blood-Horse@BloodHorse WATCH REPLAY: RaceResults: To Honor and Serve (Bernardini – Pilfer) wins the Woodward Stakes
    http://www.bloodhorse.com/​horse-racing/race/USA/SAR/2012/​9/1/10/woodward-s?
    BklynBckstretch tweet
    Presenting trophy for the Woodward was Townsend Woodward, great grandson of William Woodward, which is incredibly cool
    BklynBckstretch tweet
    In winner’s circle. Charlotte Weber of Live Oak, owner of To Honor & Serve, says she “just signed” stud deal with Gainesway.

  27. / Reply

    So sorry I have been missing in action the past few days and I’m a day late with my poem for Marty R. Here you are belatedly, Marty!

    A Birthday Poem for Marty R
    (August 31, 2012)

    For those who may not yet know,
    Marty R is not a man,
    But a lovely señora,
    Now resident
    In charming Aurora
    In the state of Colorado,
    But born and raised in Ohio,
    Where as a teen
    She turned the “drive-in” movie scene
    Into a “ride-in”
    When she would (land sakes alive!)
    Bareback bestride
    Her horse arrive,
    Nor would the manager her chide
    For once inside
    They in the back did bide,
    And he quite magnanimously
    Gave them literally
    “Free ride”
    To watch the big screen!
    Now Marty’s a great aficionado
    Of Zenyatta and her Diary.
    Today marks the one-year anniversary
    Of when we first started to see
    Marty herself post,
    ’Twas coincident
    With her own birthday!
    Hoof, hoof, hoof-ray!
    Now she’s a mainstay
    Here on Z’s site
    Where we all take delight
    In reading what Marty does write.
    Here she’s become a loyal fan
    Of the Redneck Club that Terry Crow does host
    And in which she’s risen to the lofty post
    Of state chapter president!
    So let’s again drink a toast
    To our dear Marty,
    And, Marty, we hope you have a most marvelous party!

    Happy birthday, Marty, and many, many happy returns!

  28. / Reply

    @Shari Voltz, Dawn Conrad and all Z’sters wanting to visit Zenyatta – I think I’ve found a way for us to get into Lane’s End to see Zenyatta. I was reading the Keeneland magazine on my lunch break today and I saw where Stonewall Farm, which is directly next door to Lane’s End, is for sale. I figure if we all put our money together we can buy it and we’ll have easy access to Lane’s End. It’s only $9,250,000. If we can’t pull that off, the farm across the street, Chanteclair Farm, is also for sale for only $4,750,000. Time to start saving those pennies!

    • / Reply

      I’m In. We’ll have to start saving our money. If we can’t get enough money maybe we could talk Sheik Mohamed into buying it and we could rent it from him….Anything to get in……………………………

      • / Reply

        OOps I forgot I promised Sue and a few others I’ld start saving so we could buy Havre De Grace. She goes for sale this fall. Maybe we could do both.

        • Great idea, Peggy. Havre de Grace would fit right in. I’m sure the Sheik could spare a few million dollars for us.

        • @Debbie, You know he won today with Emcee. So that’s just extra money he’s won. And we all know Bernardini’s his boy.. And yeah To Honor and Serve won today. Listen I think he could help us.

        • I think he’d be happy to help us. I’m sure he’s in a good mood right now after his big win. We need to strike while the iron is hot! Who wants to call him?

    • / Reply

      Debbie, Peggy, and Pati – Hey, cool “plan”! I’m in, too. I wouldn’t wonder if that’s how Lane’s End got so big in the first place, since 1980 — picking up other farms to add acreage, as the land became available.

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