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Lane’s End Video Interviews: Part 1

Happy Friday!

While we were at Lane’s End at the beginning of the month, we spent time dreaming up ways to share the experience with all of you.

Zenyatta and her colt enjoy life on one of the most beautiful farms in the country, and they are cared for by the extremely knowledgeable and experienced Lane’s End staff.

We thought you would like to meet some of the people who are involved with Z on a daily basis, so we created a series of video interviews.

The first in our three part series is an interview with Alys Emson, who is in charge of Client Management at Lane’s End. Alys takes many of the photos that we use on this website. Thanks Alys!

Alys Emson: Client Management
“I was born and raised in the South of England, and my love affair with horses began at a very early age—I was able to ride almost before I could walk! My career began in Newmarket and continued in France before I settled in America. The early years were spent gaining valuable experience in every division of the farm including a couple of breeding seasons with the stallions and a stint on the racetrack. My duties now mostly involve evaluating the yearlings and foals and keeping our clients current on their progress and development. Zenyatta has been a welcome and special addition to the Lane’s End broodmare band and it has been both rewarding and memorable to watch her fulfill the next chapter in her life.”

Baby Z is enjoying the Spring weather. We hope you are too! Photo by Kyle Acebo

Enjoy!
-Team Z

Reader Interactions

1,012 Comments

    • / Reply

      The Kennedys,

      I remember reading this article previously, but thanks for the refresher. It was worth reading again.
      Marty R.

    • / Reply

      I really love this article. It may seem strange but I sometimes really miss Zenny the racehourse. Oh, I’m happy she has adjusted so well and is such a great mother but there simply is not another horse as exciting as our Queen on the track. I guess I’d better look at a few Kari videos to recapture those exquisite moments again.

    • / Reply

      Dear Kennedys in SD:

      Thank you for the great link to Z’s family. Have read this article before and as Marty said, enjoy it every time. Have you heard that one of your favorites, Blind Luck, has been confirmed in foal to Bernardini? Another beautiful baby. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Yes, Judy, I did hear from you I believe under “Legends…” on Zenny’s Tribe — thank you so very much. So happy to see you posting regularly.

    • / Reply

      The Kennedys,
      I enjoyed this article very, very much!
      Thanks a million for posting it — I had not seen it before.

  2. / Reply

    What a loss to the horseracing world to hear that Dynaformer has left us. I know that some have called him “ugly”, but both times I saw him ( in ’07 and ’09), I thought he was simply beautiful. I was allowed to provide a peppermint for him the first time, but he immediately began to spit it out, I think just to show us he could! He was “the man” and he knew it.
    The world aready has a different feel without him. Heartfelt condolences to all our friends at Three Chimneys. They are marvelous folks.
    I wonder who will eventually “graduate” to his paddock.

    • / Reply

      He didn’t like the peppermint. With a horse
      Like him you need to find what he likes and how
      He likes it presented to him. He was very very very
      Demanding and if you do not meet the demand
      You lose.

        • Barbara. It must have been great to see D perform with your peppermint. He might have retrieved it when you left. Good story. I also agree that he was a beautiful horse, very noble and imposing with such presence.

        • Or, it might have been the wrong “brand” of peppermint, more subtle, but like Zenny with her Guinness.

    • / Reply

      I agree Barbara. I thought he was beautiful, too, and getting better looking with age. He was just so special!

    • / Reply

      Barbara,
      Dynaformer was one of my all-time favorites. What a loss he is to the breed. He was something else. His progeny are among my all-time favorites as well: Barbara, Perfect Drift (I love that guy) and McDynamo. All amazing, tough individuals. Perfect Drift and McDynamo were able to maintain top form for long careers and you know Barbara would have done the same if he had not been injured. But instead he had to use that toughness he inherited from his sire to fight for his life. I truly believe it it weren’t for that injury to Barbaro, we would be talking about the loss of a Triple Crown sire today in Dynaformer. He was that good. RIP.
      Jeanie

  6. / Reply

    My Condolenses to all of the Three Chimney Staff in the loss of Dynaformer. I know how hard this has got to be. I hope he is running free with Rahy and Secretariat Seattle Slew and most of all his Son Barbaro. My condolenses also go out to Roy and Gretchen jackson as I know you so much wanted a Filly By Dynaformer. I know they said most of the mares they had checked this year were not in foal. But there were a few left to check. Could LaVille Rouge could have gone to Dynaformer? I know they had been breeding her back to him alot. Would love to know the answer to this question. Love you Dynaformer.

    • / Reply

      Hi Peggy, I heard La Ville Rouge was bred to Bernardini this year. She was bred to Dynaformer every other time and the Jacksons finally bought a Dynaformer filly since they couldn’t seem to get one with La Ville (she miscarried the only filly she carried by Dynaformer). Not sure how old the filly they bought is, still very young I believe. Love you Dynaformer!

      • / Reply

        They bought a Dynaformer filly out of Bank Audit at the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale. They paid $900K for her. She would be 3 now. The dam, Bank Audit, was a G2 winner. This filly is her second foal.

        • Thanks, LauraJ. With the knowledgeable people posting here, one can always get an answer.

  7. / Reply

    Congratulations to Utopian and to the amazing Black Caviar!

    The Rolex Equestrian Competition events were fabulous! I caught most of the cross-country, and the show-jumping. Wish I had known about this earlier so I could have seen the dressage portion of the competition, too. Such athleticism and poetry in motion! Beautiful communication between horse and rider.

    Another week begins! Goodnight to all!

  8. / Reply

    Sincere condolences to Three Chimneys on the death of Dynaformer. I can only imagine how bereft you all feel with the loss of this magnificent, personality-laden stallion. He is legendary — the epitome of toughness.
    All the Best, always.

    • / Reply

      Thanks, Judy. Hope someone picks up info on whether any of the mares he covered are in foal.

      • / Reply

        Dear Kennedys in SD:

        You’re so welcome. Yes, it would be wonderful if some of them are carrying Dynaformer foals. We’ll have to watch DRF and Bloodhorse for any news. Hugs, JB

  12. / Reply

    Zenny, here is my video from the Santa Anita Derby – winner, I’ll Have Another, in a photo over Creative Cause. Wouldn’t you know it girl? The conversation turns to you! YOU, girl, overshadowed the Kentucky Derby contenders! The conversation always turns to you at the race track – Lisa B., myself, and a very nice gentleman, discuss YOUR last race, BCC 2010. Enjoy a look at two Kentucky Derby candiates from California.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC2k-omI8jc

    • / Reply

      Karen
      Wow! Once again you have transported us to a magical place! I am always struck by the surroundings (mountains, trees, flowers, etc., etc.) as well as the race itself. Thanks for taking us with you!
      Sandy

    • / Reply

      Karen,

      What a great way to start the day! Super video!! The Great Race Place, indeed. Love that screen, you don’t miss a thing. Thanks for being our California race videographer. I’ll be watching this again. Marty R.

    • / Reply

      Great video, Karen. What a great day we had! Lovely to relive the experience. I’ll Have Another is well prepared for the raucous atmosphere of the Derby after his experience in the winner’s circle that day. I remember he handled it all so professionally.

    • / Reply

      Karen-Thanks for posting this. I felt like I was there. Hope you boxed I’ll Have Another and Creative Cause.

      • / Reply

        Yep! I had forgotten I placed the bet until I got home! LOL! I had bet upon arrival at the track and had a complete senior moment!! Later, I had three other races where I won, but had not bet – too busy shooting video! After that day, I learned my lesson – unless I want to see the horses before I bet – I place bets upon arrival! LOL!

  13. / Reply

    Oh, forgot to mention Lava Man in my video! Lava Man is seen leading I’ll Have Another #4 on the track. It is a quick shot, as it was so crowded that day – took longer than usual to get out front! He is between horses – IHA had two lead ponies, as Lava Man was quite raring to go last time out throwing his head up and down! What a KICK he is!

    http://blogs.courier-journal.com/racing/2012/04/26/lava-man-stealing-show-until-more-derby-horses-show-up/

    http://blogs.courier-journal.com/racing/2012/04/25/lava-man-slips-into-churchill-to-pony-derby-trial-stablemate/?odyssey=obinsite

    • / Reply

      Just love Lava Man. When we visited him at the O’Neill barn two weeks ago, he told us, “I taught the kid (I’ll Have Another) everything he knows.” He still wants to race. His handlers said he was pawing at the ground before the Santa Anita Derby hoping he would be loaded into the gate.

      • / Reply

        Dear Kennedys in SD:

        Love your post about Lava Man. Guess he would try to race even with his hoof problems. Glad he is at least still a part of racing as he seems happier than he would be retired. Another huge heart. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Lava Man WAS to be retired to Old Friends, but HE was not ready for that kind of retirement! LOL! After his stem cell treatment, he needed to be Lava Man and have a job to do! I don’t know the full story of how it came about, but I do know this – Doug O’Neill truly loves the MAN and would have HIS best interest at heart, and he seems happy at his barn teaching all the newbies a thing or two!

        • Sharon-Lava Man’s connections felt that the stem cell therapy would enable him to race again at a relatively high level. Unfortunately for all racing fans, it did not work out that way.

    • / Reply

      Thanks Carole! I know what Harrington says about the track conditions, BUT they are saying rain up until Friday! That could change the whole race, depending on the amount! Weather says all week – that’s a lot of water! Hope they are wrong about that.
      Everyone deserves a fair surface to race on.

    • / Reply

      Just a quick note.
      I follow several of the horse racing writers & analysts on Twitter.
      Be careful when reading some of the stories.
      There are a lot of special interest groups lobbying against racing.
      The State of NY & Govenor have taken a very active role in track safety & horse deaths and injuries.
      When I read an article, I always wonder–who benefits?
      Keta

    • / Reply

      Keta,

      I really enjoyed watching Hansen at play, I’m sure the children will love it. It sounds like maybe the horses should have cotton in their ears for trains. Nice video. Thanks for sharing. Marty R.

    • / Reply

      Thanks for the link, Keta. I just love Hansen. He’s so beautiful. It’s so heartwarming to see these magnificent racehorses acting like just plain horses! They’re so regal and beautiful it’s easy to forget sometimes that they like to play around and be silly too.

    • / Reply

      Keta. Another great video. Hansen really enjoys himself. And he has an audience. He is a wonderful looking horse. It will not be hard to follow him in the Derby as he is almost white.

    • / Reply

      Thank Keta.. Looks like Hansen wants to make a complete roll in that dirt, but can’t quite make it all around. ;);)

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta:
      What a wonderful video of Hansen. He looks so happy and joyful and so graceful. Thank you for sharing. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Keta,
      I just love that video; he looks like a huge white dog playing in the sand.
      XXXXOOO

  18. / Reply

    Terry,
    Been lovin’ your jokes
    Are you a redneck if your fav tv shows are: Duck Dynasty, Moonshiners, American Pickers, and that there fishin’ show?
    Know someone who’s top 10 list goes like that,
    Just saying

    • / Reply

      Keta-You definitely qualify, or should I say that the person who has that top ten list does. New members of the club are always actively recruited.

  19. / Reply

    TV Schedule News for KY Derby
    Stephen Panus‏ PR tweeted:
    KY Derby coverage, 8.5 hours on Derby Day on NBC Sports & NBCSN,
    includes: Derby Draw & 3 hours of “Derby Classics” on NBC Sports Network.

  20. / Reply

    Good morning!
    Finally caught up with all the posts.
    I’ve been like the Frito Bandito for a few days–running in & taking a quick look.
    Have had all the ones I so dearly love visiting for a few days.
    Here to celebrate my mid-summer birthday–will not come to PHX when it’s 105.
    We had a great time–lots of sharing & laughter.
    Now I have this funny song running through my head–a dead skunk in the middle of the road-stinkin’ to High Heaven! And, banjos?
    Hugs to all

    • / Reply

      Oh dear, Keta, I hope you don’t think of the dead skunk song as the Red Neck Happy Birthday song. How great to have your loved ones there for a visit. Marty R.

      • / Reply

        Happily, I did not watch the video & lyrics until this morning–
        after the family left.
        So, there is no Happy BIrthday confusion–just annoying
        repetitive-melody-syndrome. Similar to ringing in the ears with words.
        Hugs

        • Sorry about that, all. Luckily for me, I love the song., so it can just happily play itself out for a few days.

        • Vicki-I, too, love this song. I will have to burn a CD with it on it just so I can listen when I’m not on the blog.

    • / Reply

      Banjos and fiddles. We owe a debt of gratitude to Vicki B for that one. Like you, I can’t get it out of my head.

  21. / Reply

    More on TV Coverage – All Times ET
    May 5
    9:30 a.m. Kentucky Derby Day Coverage HRTV TV
    11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Kentucky Derby Undercard NBC Sports Network TV
    2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Kentucky Derby Undercard Stakes Coverage HRRN Radio
    4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Access at the Kentucky Derby/Red Carpet Special NBC Sports TV
    5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Kentucky Derby 138 NBC Sports TV
    May 6
    12:00 p.m. Kentucky Derby Wrap-Up HRTV TV

  22. / Reply

    Well, my ignorance is going to be showing here, but here goes. I wanted to reply to Judy Berube’s post about Storm Cat way up above, but there was no “reply”, only “permalink”. I don’t know about “permalink” and I’m too chicken to click on it because I don’t know where it will take me, especially when I was already where I wanted to be. If anybody could give a very easy to understand explanation of “permalink”…what it’s for, what it does, how to use it, I would so appreciate it. Thanks so much!!!

    • / Reply

      Marty-I asked about this some time ago. The way it was explained to me is that, after a determined number of answers (I don’t know the number), everything after that is permalink and cannot be responded to directly. I try to pick the entry right above permalink and use that to respond. I would certainly welcome a better explanation.

    • / Reply

      The permalink is just the permanent-link to that individual comment on the page. If you look at your internet “address line” (URL) near the top, it says http://www.zenyatta.com/news/... etc. Click on any Permalink, and that URL will change at the end of the line, to a different number for each Blog comment. No harm done. That would allow you to Bookmark (Save in your Favorites) the link to not just this Blog, but to a specific comment. Or you could copy and paste that URL into another comment, or different Blog page, or different site (like FaceBook), so that you could share the link (for example, to one of Trina’s poems) somewhere else.

      WordPress Blogs default to 3 levels of “Reply”, so that is why after the 3rd Level, you can’t reply below it, but have to click on “Reply” above it.

      • / Reply

        Thank you so much! Even after several explanations I still could not figure it out, but I’ve got it now, thanks to your explanation!

      • / Reply

        Thanks, Vicki B! Now I understand why there is no Reply tab on some comments, and how to reply anyway! High hoof!

      • / Reply

        Eveline, Terry, Marty & Trina — you are all welcome! And, you may or may not be interested to know that WordPress blogs can be changed, so Replies go 4, 5 or more levels, but the more levels, then the comments get lined-up further and further to the right side, and start to look like long columns of very short lines, with the pages getting uglier by the minute. I belive that’s why the default is only three levels. — Just more computer trivia for you.

  23. / Reply

    Dear Judy Berube,

    Thank you for posting that link for Storm Cat. I’ve seen his name a lot, but never knew anything about him. I agree with Louise, it will be good to learn more about him. I’m afraid it will have to wait a little while….it’s Derby Week!! So much to read about and ponder, you would think I was going to place a bet. LOL

    Just want to echo some other Zsters, it’s so wonderful to see you posting. And, the information you find to share is always to notch. Marty R.

      • / Reply

        Max, Thank you, thank you, he is magnificent!! I looked at some of the other videos around this one. Terlingua, Riva Ridge…I just wasn’t following racing back in their days. How much I missed. Thank goodness for these videos to learn from. What a great link!! Marty R.

      • / Reply

        Love the Stormy video and commentary — so interesting to hear the handler’s comments. A handful like his dam, cannot handle being in the stall during breeding season, has to be bred first, the radio playing to block out the breeding shed sounds — priceless.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        Thanks for that great video of Storm Cat. He looks very good. He really was staring the gentleman with the camera down. Very intimidating and intense. Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Oh Max, thanks for this video. I’m in love with him now!!! How about those stare downs!? Don’t think he liked the guy in the blue jacket very much. What a gorgeous horse. I just adore the old guys with the fire still burning so bright. Just stunning! Thanks so much.

  24. / Reply

    I would like once again to acknowledge Vicki B and thank her for providing the link to The Dead Skunk Song, which appears to be destined to be the theme song for the club. It will definitely have to be played extensively on January 27, our “sacred” day. Today’s horse joke–A talent scout is walking down the street and comes across a man leading a horse. The horse is singing. He has a great voice (imagine Placido Domingo) and the talent scout says “Come to my office. I want to sign you and the horse to a contract. This horse will make us rich.” The man brings the horse to the talent scout’s office. The horse is just about to finish singing La Donna E Mobile when another horse grabs his tail and backs him out of the office. The talent scout yells “Stop that horse. It’s taking away our fortune.” The man sadly replies “It’s no use. That other horse is his mother. She doesn’t want him to be ab entertainer. She wants him to be a doctor.”

    • / Reply

      When I am sitting at the computer & this racous laughter starts,
      my daughter walks in the room and says: “Terry?”
      I nod, still laughing–you Terry are getting a rep in our house.
      Enjoy the jokes!
      Enjoy the banjos!
      And, yes, even THAT song!

      • / Reply

        Thank you, Keta. Very kind of you. I am not joking when I say that song is in my head. Thinking seriously of going to see the artist. He is scheduled to be at the Grammy museum in LA on May 30.

    • / Reply

      Terry, catching up a bit now. I very much like the horse singing “La Donna E Mobile”, a song that was rehearsed under tight secrecy (before 1851), because it proved to be catchy and soon after its first public performance every gondolier in Venice was singing it — much like it has been recently with our own “Dead Skunk” song, even if we are not gondoliers, but only rednecks.

      • / Reply

        Vicki-Interesting trivia. I have ridden in the gondola at The Venetian in Las Vegas, even though I wasn’t “driving”. Next time I do that I will sing both songs, or at least as much of La Donna E Mobile as I know. I think I will work on combining the two.

        • LoL, Terry, LoL!! Imagining the “Dead Skunk Gondolier Song” assailing the air at The Venetian, is “priceless” redneckery.

  25. / Reply

    Continuing to take Sandy’s advice, the rednecks are being given separately. @Sally B and Sue F, co-presidents of the Wisconsin chapter, here is one slightly reworked in light of our new musical discovery. You might be a redneck if you stand outside of an occupied outhouse and sing the dead skunk song. Other golden oldies-You might be a redneck if you get predeclined credit card offers. You might be a redneck if barnyard animals live in your house, You might be a redneck if you have written a check for less than a dollar. You might be a redneck if your TV gets 512 channels but you go outside to use the bathroom. You might be a redneck if turning on the lights involves pulling a string. You might be a redneck if you stand at a stop sign and wait for it to turn green. You might be a redneck if your kids fight with the dogs for their dinner. You might be a redneck if you wonder how service stations keep their bathrooms so clean. You might be a redneck if you re-use toilet paper.

    • / Reply

      Oh, Terry, That last one was a face scruncher upper. But I have resembled one of the jokes. My husband came home one night with a rooster. He was a handsome rooster and I named him Banner because of his tail. Well, Banner was in the house a few times. He could really climb stairs, too. I would be right behind him, paper towel in hand. After awhile, though, Banner forgot how to cock-a-doodle-doo properly and we took him back to the farm from whence he came. We heard later that he turned into a real Romeo with the hens, too.

    • / Reply

      These are priceless, Terry! I must admit that I have to use a chain to turn on the lights in my laundry room. I guess I really am a true redneck!

    • / Reply

      Terry,
      I love it! I can picture it exactly, under a full moon, the beautiful words and melody drifting out of the outhouse, and the banjo, wow, what an indelible memory. Thanks for creating that picture. Hugs

    • / Reply

      Terry, I like a number of these — the outhouse singing, predeclined credit card, turning on lights with a string (I still have several of these, in the house, and the garage), and standing at a stop sign to wait for it to turn green (I have never been that drunk, or otherwise out-of-it). Thanks!

  28. / Reply

    There is a really good article about Dynaformer on the front page of today’s Lexington newspaper. I dont’ know how to post a link, but you can google Lexington Herald Leader and click on Sports and it’s about halfway down the page.

  29. / Reply

    so if my luck holds, I’ll be at the Kentucky Horse Park on Wednesday, May 9! I’m so excited to see Funny Cide (I have 2 FC buttons to wear) and Cigar! I’ll never forget Funny Cide – his was the first Kentucky Derby where I actually paid attention! And then the Belmont – in the rain – when FC was running his little heart out and had to settle for third. I was so sad!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sharon,
      How wonderful! Have a great trip and I’m sure you won’t be sad this time, seeing Funny Cide up close and personal. I think the Kentucky Horse Park would be a spectacular place to visit. Marty R.

    • / Reply

      forgot to say that Funny Cide had won the Derby AND the Preakness, which made that Belmont home stretch in the rain even sadder. The next year was Smarty Jones coming in 2nd in the Belmont : (

    • / Reply

      Have fun!

      Derby winner Go For Gin is there also, although I don’t think he is part of the Champions Show.

      The Horses of the World show is lots of fun, and you can pet the horses afterward.

      If you go to the Museum, allow a couple of hours at least.

      If you’re an art lover, checkout the sculptures placed throughout the park.

    • / Reply

      Sharon.

      Have a wonderful trip. The Ky Horse Park is amazing. You will love it. I cant wait until I can go back, hopefully sometime early summer.

      Safe travels to you.

  30. / Reply

    also, to Kennedys in San Diego, I really enjoyed reading the book Stud. So well written and very informative. A look at breeding from several prospectives.

    • / Reply

      Sounds like a great book, to get a great view of breeding.
      It does seem that long years of breeding take a toll on these stallions;
      spine and neck vertebra problems (Seattle Slew); Dynaformer with
      a ruputred Aorta from all the valsalva manuvers he was doing in the
      shed to breed; and I am sure many other injuries.

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