Hello Everyone,
Wow…yesterday was certainly a great day at the Keeneland Sales for some families of my dear BARN 55 friends. The sales topper—this is the horse who sells for the most money on a particular day—was TOPLINER. She resided at Barn 55 during her time at the race track and then retired to become a broodmare. Her first foal is STAR BILLING!
STAR BILLING has been at BARN 55 since she first began her racing career. She is trained by MY JOHN and has a wonderful, caring groom, Jose Luis. As an inside note of interest, Topliner is currently in foal to Medaglia D’Oro. Jose was Medaglia’s groom throughout his racing career.
STAR BILLING has a very distinguished pedigree. She is by Dynaformer out of the mare TOPLINER (yesterday’s sales topper). Last year, as a 3 year old, she went from breaking her maiden (first win) to becoming a high level stakes performer winning a Grade 3 stakes race and then the Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes against older fillies and mares at Hollywood Park in November. During the months in between, she placed 2nd and 3rd in some very prestigious graded stakes always very close at the finish. She is currently nice and cozy at BARN 55…having a few weeks of RNR…and then she will get ready to begin her 4 year old campaign.
A HIGH HOOF to TOPLINER and her first foal STAR BILLING.
When people are looking to purchase a top broodmare or a broodmare prospect, pedigree, conformation, and race record are very important. As mentioned in earlier Diary entries, GRADE 1 racing is the BEST and most PRESTIGIOUS level of competition in our sport! When G1 appears in a horse’s past performances or that of the foals…it always has HIGH REGARD.
Once a mare is already acting in her role as a broodmare, the productivity of her foals on the race track takes on extreme importance. As a producer, TOPLINER is off to a wonderful beginning with her very first foal achieving at the level of STAR BILLING.
This is so much FUN to watch and see how the sale is progressing. Today, Day 2, should be very interesting. I can’t wait to get all of the updates.
Have a wonderful Tuesday!
With Love
Hugs to All~
Z
Yvonne and Maurice
Hi Zenyatta. I was busy reading everyone’s comments today. I too love St. Trinians and was going on line every few minutes to see who she was sold to. I looked up Sierra Farm, a beautiful farm in Lexington, KY. I am so grateful for that. Best wishes and loads of love to Topliner and Cozi Rosie which were sold to Japanese farms. We will miss them. I am so sorry to hear that O’Prado was injured and that Tiago is having colic surgery. I pray that we will find cures for laminitis and a way to make horses not suffer so much from colic. Has anyone noticed that there have been quite a few injuries/deaths while training at Gulfstream??? Zenyatta and Tasty, have a wonderful day, stay toasty, eat well and have loads of fun. Love you, Angels.
Peggy (N) South Georgia
I am just sad about Top Liner and Cozi, I just feel like when they go to Japan they don’t come back very often. I think that’s what Bill Farish said also in Indy’s wonderful video. Just didn’t want them to leave.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
I feel that way too. I hope the breeders/former owners are keeping an eye on all their “kids” like the Mosses would.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Star Billing is such a lovely girl. Wishing her well in all she does. Also for good homes for all those sold and that they are loved for what they give.
Prayers for Tiago’s full and rapid recovery. Ditto for Garrett Gomez.
Good night,dear Z. We’re counting down the days till foal watch time. Love you always.
Heidi Kruckenberg (vallejo, ca)
Hi Zenny and Dumplings. I started watching the sale yesterday and was a bit shocked at how lil they are going for! Today, I was hoping to see St. Trinians but, logged on to late. I did see Cozi though. I also saw Topliner (yesterday), she’s a beautiful mare! Too bad that they are both going to Japan! But, I guess that is the name of the game, right?! Best of luck to them both!
How long is the sale going on?
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Zenny said on #414 that it was a four-day sale, so that means there are two days to go, Wed and Thurs.
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
Sweet Dreams and hope you had a wonderful day.
XXXXOOO
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z,
Goodnight and Sweet Baby Dreams. Love you lots, Judy and Russ
Delrene in Carlsbad, Ca
We can all only hope and pray that there are clauses in the contracts that say when they are through with their breeding that they be pensioned and returned to the U. S. I know one time when I visited Michael Blowen’s retirement home for horses (rIdiculous that I cannot think of the name of it at the moment, it’s very famous) – I am tired- in Kentucky he spoke of the “Ferdinand Fund” and what happened to him once sold to Japan. I hope these horses are followed and of course the public is so much more aware now than in the past. We all certainly pay attention! Now news about Makoma. I had her in my Equibase Virtual Stable too. She is a beauty too.
Good Luck to all the horses.
And Cynthia- your assesment of St. Trinian’s brought tears to my eyes. I was there the day that she “almost” nipped Z’s win and yes, she was exhausted, she gave her all. A spectacular “place”. I cannot remember who was riding her/ only that she sure gave Z a run for her money.
Bless and keep all these spectacular horses in God’s care and hope that all of them are well taken care of for the remainder of their lives.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Delrene–I do know that Michael at Old Friends keeps an eye on the horses in Japan and has some relationship with the Japanese now. It would be a great project for someone (I’m too busy with horse welfare projects for EANDO) to keep a sort of virtual stable of our horses in Japan.
Cynthia H./Santa Anita Girl
Thank you, Delrene. Those of us who were so fortunate to have been there that day will never forget it! It was one of Zenyatta’s most thrilling finishes. Joel Rosario was the rider on St. Trinians.
Gloria Jeanne - In The "O.C." SO CAL
http://www.facebook.com/ZenyattaOfficial#!/ZenyattaOfficial?sk=wall&filter=1
http://www.facebook.com/ZenyattaOfficial#!/ZenyattaOfficial?sk=wall
I wonder who the Anne and Jerry Moss have chosen to take photos of Zenyatta and her Foal (Baby Z). Who ever it is – they sure will have one important job to do – and ALL eyes will be watching. I can’t wait to see the photos and HOPEFULLY VIDEO TOO PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ANNE, JERRY – DOTTIE and JOHN. I AM SO EXCITED – I just can’t wait.
HUGS
Gloria Jeanne - In The "O.C." SO CAL
I was at that race too St. Trinians sure gave Zenyatta a run for money… I was so scared that day… man that was some race… But I knew in my heart that Zenny would get there in time and win – WOW she always gave me chills to watch her run. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU ZENYATTA – ALWAYS!!!!
Delrene in Carlsbad, Ca
I would love to know the name of the lady that brings the horses out and walks them around while they are in the auction ring. She appears to really love and care about these horses. She has such a kind way about her. I would imagine it is very scary for the horses with the noise and activity. I’ve noticed her with them the last few sales. I wish there was a way to say thank you to her and tell her what I nice job she does with the horses. My recollection is she is the very same lady that handled Zenyatta when she sold for $60,000. I’ll bet she has some great stories…..
Night Zenyatta and TT. I’m sure you are fast asleep.
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
@Delrene, according to Keeneland’s Cordell Anderson, Lisa Douglas is her name: http://www.drf.com/news/qa-cordell-anderson
Darlene Daniels
Good morning everyone. I feel as though I have made new friendships with so many of you , and I am thankful for all of you. Zenyatta and Dottie there is so much emotion in this diary page, my emotions are all over the place, between talking about all the fantastic thoroughreds and some going to Japan, and etc. etc. All I can say is thank you Dottie and John, Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Moss and our beloved Zenyatta for all you do. The link to watch live the sales at Keeneland is a special treat. I really enjoyed all that I saw. And one more comment: @Terry Crow, WE NEED YOU. This highly emotional diary needs your wit and lightening up of your jokes! The cold weather is coming Zenyatta and Tasty. Take care my angels. Love to all. Darlene Daniels
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Good morning, Z.–YOU are so good to inform us of things we need to know. I have a questions for YOU. Maybe another Dumpling can answer this: I know there are all types of races, from claiming to Graded Stakes. I also know that Grade I is the best and attracts the best runners and high prize money. But what I don’t know is this: who decides, and on what basis, that a Grade II should become a Grade I or drop to a Grade III? Is it purse money or something else. And how can smaller tracks attract the higher profile races? Thanks.
ALSO–A HEADS UP FOR DUMPLINGS GOING TO BC2012– I learned last night that American will no longer fly to Burbank Airport after Feb.1. SO, having made all the reservations, rental car, etc., I had to get on the phone and chenge to Ontario. Please keep this in mind if you’re making plans to come. Hugs to all.
LauraJ (Cincinnati OH)
Here is everything you’d ever want to know about the graded stakes process in the U.S.:
http://www.toba.org/graded-stakes/
The rankings are determined by the American Graded Stakes Committee, mostly based on purse size, history, conformation to rules regarding drugs,etc., and quality of entrants.
Darlene Daniels
@LauraJ in Cincinnati, Thank you for all your valuable information. If you dont mind my asking, are you in the horse racing business. You are a wealth of information. PS. I was born and raised in Cincinnati. Have a great day. Love Darlene Daniels
LauraJ (Cincinnati OH)
Nope, I’m just someonewho enjoys looking things up. (I was part owner of a TB for a while, but he was sold. :-(
What part of town are you from? I’m not a native, but I’ve lived here for about 25 years. I live in Price Hill.
Barbara Wood (Texas)
Thanks, Laura J!
Barbara Wood (Texas)
An interesting interview with Jeannine Edwards:
http://www.paulickreport.com/features/the-breeders-cup-forum/the-breeders-cup-forum-espn-s-jeannine-edwards/
Delrene in Carlsbad, Ca
Vickie, thank you for your link to the interview . Quite a job to watch out for these beautiful horses in the ring. Barbara, Cynthia, Vickie and many others, you are all an absolute wealth of horse information and knowledge. Everyone here has so much to contribute.
Good morning Zenyatta and TT, hope you are enjoying another beautiful day of great weather in Ky.
Linda Edwards in NJ
Hi Zenny:
I saw Star Billing race on Gold Cup Day this past July. Beautiful girl she is.
M. Kern
I LOVE YOU QUEEN Z! Say Hi to Tasty for me.