Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #15

Q:

I always hear that the large Kentucky farms (and others, too) have their horses in the barn during the day and turn them out into paddocks/pastures at night. What is the reasoning behind that schedule?

Debra Medlock

Fall River Mills, CA

Zenyatta in her stall. Photo by Kyle Acebo.

A:We bring them up to the barns in the daytime for a number of reasons. We like to monitor their feed intake, so feeding them inside ensures that each horse is getting their fair share of feed and the right amount depending on the individual. We also like to check temperatures and make sure each horse is healthy and free of any kicks, bumps and bruises.

Handling the youngsters is an essential part of their education and makes them much more manageable for the farrier and vet. It also allows them to relax and rest for a while and have a break from the weather. We put fans on them in the summer whilst in the barn so they can cool off. We also have automatic fly spray systems installed in the barns so they are all quite happy to come in during the heat of the day. In the winter they enjoy bedding down in the straw for a few hours and warming up.

Our Expert

Charles Campbell

Broodmare Manager, Lane’s End

Originally from England, Charles has traveled the world working with horses. He has been the Broomare Manager at Lane’s End for four years, and he was with Zenyatta the night she foaled.

Reader Interactions

693 Comments

  2. / Reply

    Really good question, Debra. Thank you, Charles for your thoughtful answer. Sounds like Lanes’ End thinks of everything…automatic fly sprays, my my. From my horse days, I remember the old manual “armstrong” plunger type sprayers. Not fun. But, of course, only the best for the best….as it should be. Thanks once again to Lanes’ End for all you do for all the horses and for being so kind to all of us, too.

    • / Reply

      I also meant to say that this picture of Zenyatta brings back memories of her days ay barn 55 looking out of her stall to see what all was going on. Such a curious soul she is.

  3. / Reply

    When is this gal going to make her first start?

    Eblouissante (3-Year-Old Filly)

    Date: November 5, 2012
    Track: BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK
    Distance: Six Furlongs
    Time: 1.15:20 Handily
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: All Weather Track
    Rank: 11/24 – See the day’s workouts

  6. / Reply

    Please tell me what the fly spray is? We have dogs and the flies are a constant struggle inside.
    Also, doesn’t it get too cold in the winter to be out at night? No blankets? Or do they just go out for a few hours. How many can be together without incident?

    • / Reply

      Dear Debbie,

      Horses grow winter coats so they do not need blankets at night. For a TB to wear
      a blanket at night, they can get caught up in it and spook and hurt themselves.

      Horse fly spray is available at any tack store, it is especially for horses no other animals.

    • / Reply

      Dear Debbie,

      Some of the Equine supplies can cross over to Dogs, but they are labeled as
      such and fly spray is NOT one of them. So don’t use equine fly spray on
      your dogs. It is often formulated for the size of the animal. Strength of
      product is in proportion to a 1200 lb animal not a 50 lb dog or smaller dog.

    • / Reply

      Dear Debbie,

      They go out from early to late evening to the following morning at least 12 hours
      like normal day time turnout. A big thing for the horses out during the day is
      their coats get bleached out. The weanlings and yearlings, expecially those going
      to the sales need to have beautiful true to color coats.

        • Dear Sunny,

          It can also be very hot during the day, they can dehydrate and get
          sun stroke or heat exhaustion as well. Night turn out in the heat
          to the summer is a great idea. Jethro always loved to go out at
          night with his buddies.

    • / Reply

      Thank you SO much Keta! It was beyond fantastic to be there and meet so many of our Dumpling friends (I think my last count was up to 25 or so) and to experience the “ambience” of Santa Anita, but it sure was NOT good for knowing how the races turned out. Many of us were in Sections N, O, or P (and the finish line was somewhere around C) so we would see the horses streak by in a herd, but it was very hard to see or process the finish. Of course they would put the first four up on the tote board (which you needed binoculars to see), but as to what happened to the others? . . . . . who knew?
      Barbara Wood was brilliant to think of programming her DVR to record NBCSports (here I went to all of the trouble of getting satellite and never thought to do that before I left) so I am very glad to know of this website where I can catch up a bit. More later on the whole experience – got back at 6:30 today on the “red-eye” and am not hitting on too many cylinders yet!

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta,

      Thanks for the repost. I posted it the day after the race.
      Loved all of these press conferences and posted most of them
      on Sunday. Everyone needs to know about them because they
      give great information and wonderful fun and jokes, too.

  9. / Reply

    Musical Romance and Tapitsfly were sold to Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farms in Japan.
    Bodemeister’s dam Untouched Talent was sold for 5,000,000 to M.V. Magnier.

  11. / Reply

    Melbourne Cup 2012: first Green Moon (b h 6y Montjeu (IR) -Green Noon (FR)) (by Green Tune (US)), ridden by Brett Prebble, second Fiorente (br h 5y Monsun (GE) – Desert Bloom (IR) (by Pilsudski (IR)), JB McDonald jockey, third Jakkalberry (b h 7y Storming Home (GB) – Claba Di San Jore (IR) (by Barathea (IR), Colm O’Donoghue the jockey.
    Americain and Dunaden and Mount Athos never came into the race.

    • / Reply

      Dear Kathy R,

      Amazing, one of my favorites, Jakkelberry came in third and Dunaden and
      Americain not compétitive. Wonder what happened ????

      • / Reply

        Dear Sign: Thanks for giving me the heads up on Jakkalberry – have really impressed my family and friends with that one! Dunaden had the big weight, which always goes against a horse, and Americain seemed to be stuck by the fence, and late to go – excuse my cynical nature, but maybe Oliver thought it best not to win with all the scandal surrounding his betting. Even heard callers on radio asking what Oliver was placing his bet on for the race, which is all very unpleasant. Glencadam Gold and Fiorente are new arrivals for Gai Waterhouse, our top female trainer, and I’m wondering if she used Glencadam Gold as the pacemaker for Fiorente. The jockeys comments should come out soon. Cheers.

        • Dear Kathy R,

          Glad you were able to impress your family and friend, did you
          bet on Jakkalberry, that would have been a really great tip.
          He ran a great race on Arlington Million day.

          So very interesting about that jockey, making bets.

    • / Reply

      Thanks, Kathy R. for keeping us in touch w/ the races. I have enjoyed your links very much.
      Bad about the scandal……I’d like to stick ole Oliver on the fence, minus horse! I see a book coming out soon?
      OK, it is really chilling off here,the Uggs are taking over here in the USA! HA!
      Have a good one.

      • / Reply

        Ann NC: We’re raining over here in Canberra – needed it though – sorry about your descent into colder weather – some of us here like to think snow is romantic, but I bet the romance fades really fast at times! Agree about Oliver – think he should have been dumped from the Cup – Darley had dumped him from their mounts, and ironically, Lloyd Williams, owner of the Cup winner Green Moon, had dumped him from that ride – so maybe he’s getting what he deserves. Hugs to you and scratches on the nose for Moose and Goose!

        • Dear Kathy R,

          Not sure if you have this issue with snow, but here it can linger for days,
          become grey, slushy and the days are often dreary and cold.

          Something we get 6 feet, at least in Cleveland, Ohio we did, sometimes,
          lost heat, in the worst of a big snow storm. Then needless to say
          scraping off your car in the morning is a real hassle, have to get out
          there an hour before traveling to work, then of course slipping and sliding
          on the ice getting to work and of course that lovely spin work when you hit a patch of ice and put on the brakes, which you are not supposed to do.

        • Max,
          You are kind to ask. The bovine beauties are getting fat and staying happy out in the HUGE University field. They do get many visits and are always happy to see the other beauties,their handlers roll in!

        • Ann. I cannot forget those two. They have such great names. I am hoping for victory for them next year. Very glad to hear that they are doing well. Keep eating up, Moose and Goose.

  15. / Reply

    But the night steadily delivered fireworks. The dam of Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) runner-up Bodemeister,
    Untouched Talent by Storm Cat, drew the second-highest price of the sale when she went for $5-million. M. V. Magnier, son of John Magnier, signed the ticket. The Coolmore-associated buyer said the 8-year-old mare, who is in foal to Unbridled’s Song , would next be sent to Galileo.
    “There was a lot involved … she’s a very good-looking mare,” said Aisling Duignan, director of bloodstock for Coolmore. “Her (Smart Strike) yearling was very good-looking at the sales in September. She’ll go home to be bred to Galileo in Ireland. A young mare like that … she produced a horse like Bodemeister and then to also produce a very nice yearling like that … she’s young, she’s well achieved, she’s a great looker, so she suits the program.”
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/74258/amazing-grace-at-fasig-tipton-november#ixzz2BS6LDujd

  16. / Reply

    The third-highest priced horse was Switch, a grade I-winning daughter of Quiet American who was consigned by Lane’s End and purchased for $4.3-million by Moyglare Stud Farm.
    “It’s a very selective market but when you have one like her, she’s a beautiful filly and they love Quiet American as a broodmare sire,” said Bill Farish of Lane’s End.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/74258/amazing-grace-at-fasig-tipton-november#ixzz2BS6eonAP

  17. / Reply

    A grade I winner at age 2, Cry and Catch Me drew the fourth-highest purchase price at the sale, going to Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation for $3.5 million. Consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, agent, the 7-year-old Street Cry mare won the Oak Leaf Stakes (gr. I) in her 2-year-old season. Believed to be in foal to Bernardini, Cry and Catch Me is out of the stakes-winning Doc’s Leader mare Please Sign In and from the family of Habitat, a champion miler in England and successful sire; and European champion Suave Dancer.
    Cry and Catch Me has produced one foal, a weanling filly by Medaglia d’Oro purchased earlier in the sale by Waratah Thoroughbreds for $620,000. Waratah is owned by Australian mining entrepreneur Paul Fudge.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/74258/amazing-grace-at-fasig-tipton-november#ixzz2BS6tfR81

  18. / Reply

    Also surpassing last year’s $2.3 million sale-topping price was Grace Hall, a grade I winner at 2 years old. Consigned by Lane’s End, agent, the 3-year-old daughter of Empire Maker sold for $3.2-million. Reynolds Bell signed the ticket for an undisclosed New York buyer.
    “Well we watched her run last year and we watched her run this year and she’s just a class act,” Bell said. Bell said his New York-based buyer plans to continue racing Grace Hall and possibly will return the 2011 Spinaway Stakes (gr. I) winner to trainer Tony Dutrow, who saddled her for a fourth-place finish in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I) for owners Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables, and the Elkstone Group.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/74258/amazing-grace-at-fasig-tipton-november#ixzz2BS7Bmn4u

    • / Reply

      Yeah,
      Grace, I will visit you again and bring you some more salt water taffy,to fix those holes in your stall! That was a redneck tip from our TC GP!!!

      Tony, I hope you get her back,asap!

        • Big D. owned the market on that, Max!!! He put an entirely different spin on it.AHHH, Big D.
          Grace just had a few little night friends ( mice ) visiting.

  19. / Reply

    Teruya Yoshida’s Shadai Farm, with Dr. Mitsuru Ikeda signing the tickets, was very active at the high end of the sale.
    First Shadai purchased Contested, a 3-year-old Ghostzapper filly who posted grade I wins this season in the Test Stakes and TVG Acorn Stakes, for $2.3 million.
    Minutes later, Shadai went to $1.45-million to land grade I winner C. S. Silk, in foal to Distorted Humor . Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, C. S. Silk, is a 6-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/74258/amazing-grace-at-fasig-tipton-november#ixzz2BS7TRaIx

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta,
      May be Japanese decided not to bid on
      HDG after all of the hoop la surrounding their
      Purchase of IHA ?

      • / Reply

        I’d bet that neither farm was willing to go to $10M. Both Shadai and Northern Farm (Yoshida) picked up top-quality mares for considerably less.

        • Also the Japanese tend to go to high dollars for proven mares, like Better than Honor.

          They have picked up good race fillies as broodmare prospects but as Laura said, usually for considerably less.

          HdG is still a risk. I’m sure every reproductive vet check possible has been done but until she puts a living foal on the ground, she’s an unknown factor.

        • To clarify I know the Japanese did not buy Better than Honor, I just used her as an example of the type of proven producer you see them go big bucks for.

        • That is true, a stallion can be a different story, but they do come up infertile
          as well and with IHA trainer with questionable use of medications, that is the
          number one reason why stallions are infertile.

          Never know to the reporductive capability of any horse, like Cigar, Lure
          and many others.

        • Dear Keta,

          Makes sense they cut cost on the mares and pay more for the stallions.
          Guess the Mosses make a bundle on her.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,
      We are soooo glad, she is such a gorgeous
      Mare with great poise and demeanor and
      Also a sweetheart. Her trainer Larry Jones
      And his wife really spoiled her. Do some of
      Your stock also get purchased by other countries?

    • / Reply

      Hey Sheena, Yes I am just beyond words happy. Sounds like Mandy Pope is going to be a very good owner. I am just so glad that someone from herepurchased her. So we can know she is nearby and maybe we will have some little ones by her to cheer on in the future. So exciting. Mandy I think maybe just a Godsend. So glad too that she and Plum Pretty will be close together. One of the articles said that Frank Stronich and Ben Leon, Jr were underbidders. I kinda thought that he might get into the mix. Even if by phone. I remember when my dad said he wasn’t going to buy any more horses. Well, I knew not to believe him.
      Wasn’t Gracie just beautiful at the sale. She is just gorgeous. Thank You Mandy for buying her.

  22. / Reply

    hi Zsters

    i didnt realize that farms turn their horses out overnite & kept them in during the day.
    but it nakes sense tho.

    i pray every1 is doing well & staying healthy.
    god bless, vamp

  23. / Reply

    Pope Spends $4.2 Million on Plum Pretty
    By Esther Marr, @BH_EMarr Updated: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 1:23 PM
    After spending $10 million on 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace at the Nov. 5 Fasig-Tipton November sale, Mandy Pope of Whisper Hill Farm still wasn’t done shopping. The following day, the Florida-based veteran breeder went to $4.2 million for another stellar broodmare prospect in Plum Pretty during the first session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
    The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro , winner of the 2011 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) and Cotillion (gr. II), plus the April 13 Apple Blossom Handicap (gr. I), was consigned as Hip No. 96 by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/74264/pope-spends-42-million-on-plum-pretty#ixzz2BTU1AmJD

  24. / Reply

    Keta Note: Havre de Grace and Plum Pretty Headed for Kentucky
    We are trying to upgrade our broodmare band and make some big adjustments in the quality,” said Pope after signing the ticket for Plum Pretty, who will be boarded at Wayne Sweezy’s Timber Town Stable near Lexington along with Havre de Grace. “Plum Pretty is another fantastic racemare and also a very kind mare.

    “She and Havre de Grace are going to have a very loving home (at Timber Town) and I may just move into the stall in between the two of them,” she added with a laugh.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/74264/pope-spends-42-million-on-plum-pretty#ixzz2BTUN2bpX

    • / Reply

      Really like that Mandy Pope said, “…I may just move into the stall in between the two of them”. That’s a feeling I can understand.

      • / Reply

        Vicky B, i just loved that statement by Mandy. Growing up our Barn was my very favorite place to be. It was just heaven to me. With my beloved pony’s and horses. Remember the movie The Thornbirds, I believe was the name. That meggie love to go to the barn. That one shot where the sunwas shining into it was just beautiful. Makes me think of such happy memories from my childhood.

        • The barn is always a place of solace and peace. Just another world
          away for the stresses and crazy humans we have to deal with every
          day. Such a very soothing place to get on your horse and just ride
          out is a field or a ring and join up together into a peaceful union.

        • Thanks Peggy N.

          Horses are just such wonderful creatures, Bill Casner says that horses
          do something for the soul of a man, they do for a woman, too.

  25. / Reply

    Zazu (Tapit) 2008 $2,100,000
    hip 149 Not mated
    Breeder: Summerhill Equine (KY)
    Consignor: Lane’s End, agent
    Buyer: Katsumi Yoshida

  26. / Reply

    Keta, Esther Marr just made a statement on Bloodhorse.com that the Mosses have Zenyatta back at home. She was talking about them selling Zazu and what made them decide to sell her. Is Zenyatta back in CA?

    • / Reply

      The Mosses are cleaning out their stock to make room for Zenny’s family.
      Zenny will be in KY where all the “blue blood” stallion are available for her
      to breed to.

  27. / Reply

    GI Winner Zazu Fetches $2.1M at Keeneland
    By Esther Marr, @BH_EMarr Updated: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 2:49 PM
    Dual grade I winner Zazu fetched $2.1 million from Katsumi Yoshida’s Japan-based Northern Farm during the first session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale Nov. 6. Consigned by William S. Farish’s Lane’s End, agent, as hip No. 149, she was sold as a broodmare prospect.
    “We have her half sister, (stakes-placed) Art Princess (purchased by Katsumi Yoshida for $400,000 at the 2012 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale),” said Shunsuke Yoshida, who signed the ticket for Zazu on his father’s behalf.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/74265/gi-winner-zazu-fetches-21m-at-keeneland#ixzz2BTpmnMmt

    • / Reply

      Great summary of the jockey’s analysis.

      Always like to hear from them as you always know what is actually going
      on with the horse.

  29. / Reply

    “It’s hard to see her go because she’s a great broodmare prospect,” said Bill Farish of Lane’s End about Zazu, who was trained throughout her career by John Sadler for Jerry and Ann Moss. “I don’t know exactly what made (the Mosses) make the decision (to sell her). It’s a numbers thing I think…they’ve got Zenyatta back at home so maybe it’s a little easier to part with Zazu, but it’s still tough to see her go.”
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/74265/gi-winner-zazu-fetches-21m-at-keeneland#ixzz2BTq6uA1k

    • / Reply

      I don’t understand Bill Farish’s comment, ” they’ve got Zenyatta back at home”. Does he mean his home, Lane’s End, or somewhere in California? Surely, she’s still at Lane’s End. It’s a confusing comment.

        • Yes, back at home at Lanes End and creating her family.

          The Mosses don’t need as many broodmares now with the
          hopeful quality of horses Zenny with create.

      • / Reply

        Actually Marty R.

        KY is Zenyatta’s home she was breed and foaled there and Winter Quarter Farms,
        even though her fans and The Mosses live in California and she raced there.

        That is what Bill Farrish means, KY is Zenny’s home. In a couple of diary entries
        she gets nostalgic about the same farrier at Lanes End that trimmed her feet
        when she was a weanling.

  30. / Reply

    As of 2:20 p.m. Nov. 6, there have been five racing or broodmare prospects to bring $1.2 million or more at the Keeneland November sale.
    “This kind of fervor (for buying broodmares), I don’t think anyone expected it to be like this,” said Farish of the breeding stock market. “The hard-to-find-broodmares…there just aren’t that many that have the pedigree and the race record. Maybe it was more of a perfect storm this year to have this many quality mares, but it’s really amazing. I don’t think it’s finished.”
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/74265/gi-winner-zazu-fetches-21m-at-keeneland#ixzz2BTqJT0Sg

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