Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ziconic

Meet Ziconic’s Trainer, Sarah Pollock

Sarah and Ziconic. Photo by Linda R. Moss

Dear Fans,

We are excited to introduce you to Sarah Pollock, Sarah Pollock Sporthorses, who trains at Templeton Farms – Ziconic’s new home. Sarah has been involved with horses her entire life and began competing at the age of 9. She now competes and trains at the upper levels in both Hunters and Jumpers on the AA circuit.

Sarah is the perfect collaborative partner to transition Ziconic because of her personal and professional experiences with Off The Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs), and her attitude and approach. According to Sarah’s philosophy, which we share – “Focus on the best interest of the horse first and the sport second. Let horses tell us what they are good at and like to do. It lets horses want to do their job. I want every one of my horses to want to work hard because they truly love what they are doing.”

When I met Ziconic 6 weeks ago, “I knew he was a special horse. He has a very strong sense of self and is extremely proud. He is smart, but practical. Like his Mom matured slowly, he’s a bit immature for his age so he is very playful. Our training has focused on exposing him to new things, keeping his mind occupied, and keeping it fresh and fun.”

“At first it was about getting a relationship built on the ground in the round pen and learning to trust each other. With this trust quickly built, he has been very willing to do what is asked and remembers everything he learned the days before. Now we have started poles and cavelleti work, introducing him to the flower boxes in the jumping court, mirrors so he can admire himself in the covered arena, and going out on the track which he really enjoys. No surprise there!”

“Ziconic shows a lot of expression when he jumps; I have started a lot of young jumper warmbloods who were bred to jump but few demonstrated their potential as quickly as Ziconic. He’s a natural in that area and we think he really enjoys it.”

“Templeton Farms is great for developing and training horses because of all the training options at the Farm. It also exposes the horses to other working Sporthorses, so they all learn great socialization skills. I’m so honored to have this opportunity with Ziconic, and very excited about working with Linda and George. We have a goal of setting an example for what OTTBs can do after their racing careers and having Ziconic become a great OTTB Ambassador in the West.”

We look forward to sharing his progress with you. Thank you for your continued interest and love for our special Boy, Ziconic!

Sarah and Ziconic, first time in the round pen. Photo by Linda R. Moss
Ziconic admiring himself. Photo by Emily McCarthy
Intro to mounting block. Photo by Linda R. Moss

Reader Interactions

162 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Dear Sheena,

    Thanks for the news. Congratulations to Frankie D. and to John G.!
    Well done.

    Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Yes that is good news. Fingers still crossed and continued prayers for smooth recovery go out to Roaring Lion. Gosh, he is so handsome and kind! Power Up RL, beautiful boy.

      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Thank you so much for keeping us updated on Lion. Continued prayers for this beautiful boy Love and Hugs, JB

  3. / Reply

    Dear Fans of Zenyatta,

    I just finished reading “The Eighty-Dollar Champion”. I am sure many of you have already read it, but I happened upon it long after it was a Best Seller. What a great story! I highly recommend it to all horse-lovers if you haven’t read it. I love this book! The author, Elizabeth Letts, did such a fine job. The bond between Snowman and Harry de Leyer was amazing — brilliant and touching. What a team! Predictably, rather sad at the end, but overall, extremely uplifting.

    Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      I remember the story of Snowman clear back when I was a child. I love stories where God simply will not let destiny be denied. Can you imagine how it must have been for Harry de Leyer as he worked this horse and could never get to the bottom of his heart and talent.

      Kind of like John Sheriff with Zenyatta.

      Kind of like Arthur Hancock and Sunday Silence. No matter how hard be tried, he simply could not get rid of the horse who would save the farm.

      Horses are the creatures of which dreams are made.

      • / Reply

        Dear Kathleen,

        So well said and beautifully expressed. Ah yes, the stuff of which dreams are made — we all need more of that! ?

        Hugs and Love

  4. / Reply

    I am so very happy for Ziconic. Glad he is finding his place in the Zenyatta family. Such a beauty and great boy. Was he gelded? Also beyond excited at the news that Our Queen Z is in foul to Candy Ride. My prayers and love are with this horse family and her wonderful connections. Diane

  5. / Reply

    So happy that Roaring Lion is doing better. Hope he can go home soon. He is such an unusual looking Kitten since most of them are chestnut. He is one handsome dude.

    Happy to hear that Zenyatta is going to be a mom again. Prayers for her and her baby. Both of her boys have landed in good loving homes. Ziconic was so cute doing his first jump. I think he is going to like it.

    Hope all on the Blog are doing well and enjoying this summer. After all the soaking rain of May and June, we are bone dry here in Indy. My yard looks terrible but the upside is I don’t have to mow.

    • / Reply

      Dear Shirlee:

      Hope you are well too.

      Now that’s positive thinking. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade; a little silver lining after all the rain; no mowing. ☺❤Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Thanks, Sheena, for the heads-up.

      Happy Birthday to two of our very favorites, Mike Smith and Dottie Shireffs! All the very Best to both of you, always and forever.

      ? ? ? ?

      Hugs and Love

  7. / Reply

    Unbelieveable! Three days a week there’s a section of the local library where you can get free books. Two days ago, (Thursday) I picked up a free copy of The Eighty Dollar Champion”. I’m old enough that not only did I recognize the name “Snowman” but I also remember seeing a news story of him jumping on what was called Movietone News” back in the day. I wanted to thank Marshall for the heads up. Its a wonderful uplifting story. Also, I saw today that Roaring Lion is back home now. YEA! I too would like to say Happy Birthday to Mike and Dottie.

    • / Reply

      Dear Martha,

      What a coincidence that you just picked up a copy of “The Eighty Dollar Champion”! I, too, am probably old enough, but I don’t remember hearing about this remarkable horse — we didn’t get much horse racing news in rural North Carolina except for the Triple Crown races back then. This is definitely one of my all-time favorite books. <3

      Hugs and Love

  8. / Reply

    Happy Birthday to Mike and Dottie!! Certainly two of Z’s favorites and ours too!!??❤️??❤️

    • / Reply

      Big Congrats to Hayley Turner on the Silver Saddle win!
      2 in a row, Wow!

      Thanks for the post, Sheena.
      Hugs and Love

  10. / Reply

    Dear Judy.Hope all is well with you.A very stormy day here 84mph gales in the Solent more like Autumn than Summer.Difficult day for our Dyfi family no signs of Telyn again but this is how the females behave before migration.Frankel sired a winner in China today!Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Holy moly, that’s hurricane force winds. Congrats to Frankel once again. Safe travels Osprey. Hope all is well with you. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

  11. / Reply

    Hello Z Friends!

    Got Stormy got the win in the Fourstardave Handicap today at Saratoga AND broke the track record, too! What a fine filly as well as a beautiful member of the Chestnut Club. Great job by jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. and trainer Mark Casse, too. Congrats to her and all connections.
    Gidu is one handsome horse, also. He was way ahead until after the far turn — finished ninth. Raging Bull got second and the favorite, Uni, managed third after a rather difficult trip. Well done!
    Hope someone will post a replay. ?

    Hugs and Love

  12. / Reply

    Dear Marshall:

    Here’s the replay of The Four Star Dave. Got Stormy is gorgeous; she beat the boys. I love Gidu; he’s a Frankel. Was rooting for him.

    https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/usa/sar/2019/8/10/9/fourstardave-h-g1t

    Below is the replay of Brick and Mortor’s win in the Arlington Million. Congrats to him and to Stormy. Love and Hugs, JB

    https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/usa/ap/2019/8/10/11/arlington-million-xxxvii-s-g1t

    • / Reply

      Thanks, for posting Stormy’s race….wow!
      Marshall, JB and fans, how exciting.
      What a girl. She was sitting back there saying, knock yourselves out boys and you will see me soon! Making Dad and Danny boy proud. Love those turf milers.
      Congrats to her and team.
      Loved the race call, too.

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy,

      Thanks for posting the replays! Got Stormy shows the guys what girl power is all about!

      Congrats to Bricks and Mortar on the Arlington Million win with jockey Irad O. and Chad Brown, trainer. This son of Giant’s Causeway is very handsome and talented.

      Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Dear Judy B.,

      Thanks for the chuckles! Too Cute! ?
      Who knew rubber chickens had such equine appeal?

      Hugs and Love

  15. / Reply

    I cannot remember if I posted that Tepin is in foal to Galileo she already has a Curlin filly born May 1st.Ebby’s filly has been named Sweetened.She has a colt Bluenote by Dubawi.It looks as if Peris has begun his long first migration.He was last seen on Friday.Telyn had a weekend break returned late afternoon yesterday and Bobby Bach did’nt even recognise his mum.Oh’ Bobby!

  16. / Reply

    Dear Judy.It has turned pretty chilly tonight and heavy rain promised later this week.Our summer has all but gone!Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

  18. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Thanks for sharing this gorgeous photo of our Queen. Prayers for safe foaling and healthy Mama and Baby for our Z and Tepin. Cute name for Ebby’s girl.

    Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

  20. / Reply

    Hello to Everyone!
    Thank you so much for the update on Ziconic. He is a very handsome horse and it sounds like he knows it. So happy to hear that he is willing and enjoys learning new things.

    I hope you will keep us posted on his continued progress.

    Thanks again.
    Linda in NJ

  21. / Reply

    Thanks for the update on Ziconic. He seems to enjoy his new”job” and the chance to learn something new. He is one beautiful horse.

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