Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #21

Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Q:

How will Zenyatta’s daily routine change as she gets closer to foaling?

A: Routine is one of the most important factors to keeping all horses, including Zenyatta, happy and settled. Other than moving Z to the foaling barn, her routine remains the same. She is out all day with her buddies and in the barn at night. She and the other mares in her barn are monitored 24 hours a day—with someone checking them in their respective fields during the day and with a full time night watchman keeping a close eye on them at night.

Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Q:

Is Zenyatta pastured with the same group of mares she was with last year at this time?

A: Z is currently with mares that have a similar foaling dates, that is how we “buddy” them up. This means that they will move into the foaling barn around the same time. Providing all goes well, they can go back out with each other post foaling and after the mares have had time to adjust to their new arrivals. One of the mares Zenyatta is with has been with her since last spring.

Q:

How will you know upon birth whether her foal will be dark bay like its dam or (will turn) gray like its sire?

A: Although some thoroughbred foals are born obviously gray, often it is difficult to tell whether a foal is going to turn gray until they are a little older. They can begin as chestnut or bay before changing color. Usually the first sign they are going to be gray is when gray hair starts presenting itself around the eyes and muzzle when they start shedding their first coat.

Questions from Roxanne Cook

Boulder Creek, CA

Our Expert

Donna Vowles

Assistant Broodmare Manager, Lane’s End

Originally from Birmingham, England, Donna joined the Lane’s End team in 2004. As Assistant Broodmare Manager, she devotes her time to ensuring the health and happiness of all the broodmares and their foals.

Reader Interactions

591 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Happy Birthday to Lisa B
    ….
    I am having a severe case of Cigar Withdrawal …I not successfully “stalked” him in days and today we are getting Pikeville…not his pasture….oh well…
    ….
    going to Oaklawn later….Calvin has a good chance in Race 5….but its cold…if they let him have the rail he could get it done….his horse is a deep closer like someone we all know and love…
    ….
    PURA….
    …..
    kisses to all soft noses…
    and hugs to all in Zennyland that need them and even to those that dont

  2. / Reply

    Thanks for the update on Our Queen. Today is March 1st! Let practice for our pacing begin!

    I, too, think this one is going to be a gray filly. Just a hunch but one that many others also seem to share LOL!

    Be safe Zenny and thanks to all at Lane’s End for taking such good care of Our Girl!

  3. / Reply

    @Lisa B.–Happy Birthday! Don’t blame yourself for not beeing on Z. You are a quick learner, and that’s what counts!

    @Trina–thank you yet again for bringing us “up close and Personal” to our fellow Dumplings!

  5. / Reply

    Andrew Bensley‏ tweet ALL TOO HARD has been scratched from the
    Australian Guineas with an elevated temperature.
    More to come.

  6. / Reply

    Eblouissante (4-Year-Old Filly) Workout
    Date: March 1, 2013
    Track: BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK
    Distance: Four Furlongs
    Time: 48:60 Handily
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: All Weather Track
    Rank: 11/24 –

  7. / Reply

    I had to look at this muddy pic again. How I LOVE the fact our glorious Zenny retired healthy, fit and very happy. She deserves every inch of that ole mud that is lucky to have landed on her awesome body. Zenny, I only wish I could be there to actually see you “get down and dirty”.

  8. / Reply

    Santa Anita Park‏ tweet
    1st time in the 76-yr history a showdown between 2 past winners will take place!
    Game On Dude vs Ron The Greek!
    Who will you wagering on?

  9. / Reply

    Market Quote (4-Year-Old Filly) Workout
    Date: March 1, 2013
    Track: BETFAIR HOLLYWOOD PARK
    Distance: Four Furlongs
    Time: 48:40 Handily
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: All Weather Track
    Rank: 6/24 –

  10. / Reply

    Daily Racing Form‏ tweet Ahmed Zayat was allowed to bet on credit through
    New Jersey’s account-wagering system, report claims
    Here is the story & link
    New Jersey extended Ahmed Zayat betting credit, report claims
    By Matt Hegarty Daily Racing Form 03/01/2013 2:42PM
    Ahmed Zayat, the prominent racehorse owner, was allowed to bet on credit through New Jersey’s state-run account-wagering system in violation of state laws, according to a report on a New Jersey website.
    Northjersey.com published Zayat’s name after receiving copies of exhibits in a lawsuit filed on Wednesday by the owners of Freehold Raceway against the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. One of the exhibits identifying Zayat as the bettor was later redacted by a judge, and a copy of the lawsuit obtained on Friday did not include the exhibits identifying Zayat by name.
    http://www.drf.com/news/new-jersey-extended-ahmed-zayat-betting-credit-report-claims
    Keta Note: Do Not know the full story until all the facts are in

    • / Reply

      Keta, As always thanks for the information. Personally, I don’t care if Mr. Zayat is involved or not. Kinda doubt it. With the love, care and concern he and his family showed for Paynter, I just don’t think he is that kind of person. What so many people did not realize was that with mortality insurance on Paynter, Mr. Zayat would have been financially ahead if the horse had not lived. It must have cost an untold amount of money to care for and treat him all those months. Seems as if the media always wants to find something they can exploit on the good guys.

  11. / Reply

    dear max a good Cheltenham preview on radio5 live last night and our boy kauto with laura very excited about tomorrow and his dressage debut also heard that the great one has covered 28 mares up to yesterday as professional in the breeding shed as on the racecourse and the 1st scans are due over the weekend someone tweeted does he wine and dine them not like that with horses !!!hopefully good news soon neigh sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. I just learned that Kauto has given up tweeting for awhile because Clifford Baker’s son was killed in a car accident. (Clifford Baker was Kauto’s exercise and training rider.) Hoping that Kauto does well on the weekend.

      You are right. Horses do not wine and dine. It’s mints and carrots with some oats thrown in. Apples and pears too. Neigh!

  13. / Reply

    dear max was trying to find out what had happened with Clifford baker so very sad he was a great friend to our boy he had a lovely daughter Danielle she made a tribute to kauto when he retired Clifford adored denman and kauto was so proud of them hope he does well tomorrow hugs sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. According to Kauto, it was Clifford’s son who was killed in a traffic accident. Very sad news for him and his family. Out of respect, Kauto has stopped tweeting for the time being. Kauto loved working with Clifford, who seems to be very nice and gentle with horses. I have always enjoyed hearing his views on Kauto and others, a true professional.

  15. / Reply

    OOPS—I missed Sharon Call’s birthday (Sharon in Atlanta). Here’s a belated poem, revised a little from last year’s poem.

    A Birthday Poem for Sharon Call
    (February 22, 2013)

    Our Sharon with us did share
    The story of her dear mare,
    A strawberry roan named Jess,
    A cross of Tennessee Walker and Saddlebred,
    One of the best
    To be found,
    Who, as Sharon said,
    Could rack a hole in the ground.
    For seven years
    In the show ring,
    Jess did as she was asked
    Midst the crowds’ cheers.
    Then Sharon desired
    For Jess to be free at last
    To do her own horsey thing,
    So she Jess retired
    And let her run free,
    Joyously,
    In a green pasture,
    Unrestrained by human master.
    Sharon’s heart was deeply stirred
    To see
    Jess running by day with her herd
    And at night enjoying her stall.
    But then in the course
    Of a bitter divorce,
    Sharon Call
    Lost her sweet horse.
    ’Twas truly sad,
    But she no longer had
    The where-with-all
    For the care
    Of her beloved mare.
    For Jess’s own welfare
    She was sold,
    But the new owner by Sharon was told
    He’d better always be good
    To dear Jess,
    And he understood
    That he surely would
    From Sharon face redress
    If ever she learned
    That he did fail
    To act as he should.
    I imagine he might even have turned
    A little pale
    Contemplating what him would befall
    If he ever earned
    The wrath of Sharon Call.
    It was fortunate for him, I’d suppose,
    That never a negative rumor arose,
    So there was no need
    To come to any blows
    Or a brawl–
    Reports via the grapevine
    Always were fine,
    And nothing untoward did ever befall
    That dear Jess,
    Who had Sharon Call
    So blessed.
    She continued a good life to lead—
    Two more years of shows,
    Then out to pasture on the new farm.
    Today Sharon, with her cohorts in Equi-army,
    Continues to be
    A guardian angel
    For horses in need.
    Sharon’s quick to raise an alarm
    For equines in danger of harm
    And does for them help wrangle
    Safe haven
    When they alas require savin’.
    Sharon Call,
    Horse advocate of repute,
    We you salute
    In all
    That you do
    As you horse welfare pursue.

    Happy belated birthday, Sharon, and many, many happy returns!

  18. / Reply

    Thank you all for the prayers and special messages for me and my family. I was just looking at the candle site and my Dad has almost 60. I showed my Mom today that Dad had 51 candles earlier this morning. Later when I showed one of my sisters he had 57. I think my Mom liked that he had the candles. My sister knows about the Zenyatta site and thought it was really nice that you all had done this for my Day.

    I hope they all stay up till Sunday but I guess some will go out.
    Again Thanks a bunch
    Love Sue

  21. / Reply

    Happy Birthday to Lisa B. It was nice to meet you at the BC among all of our Zenny friends. Still smile at the picture of all of us. Best wishes for a great year.

    Belated Happy Birthday Sharon from Atlanta – hope to meet you too some day.

    Great poems as always Trina. You are our historian as well as our poet laureate.

    Hugs to all,
    Sandy

    • / Reply

      Thank you very much for the birthday greeting Sandy. Hope all is fantastic with you. Will you making the trip back to SA for BC 2013. I will make plans to spend more time with all.
      Hugs
      Lisa B

  24. / Reply

    Dear Lisa B.,
    All the very best wishes to you for an absolutely grand day! HAPPY BIRTHDAY and many more! Cheers!

    Dear Sharon Call,
    A very sincere greeting: HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!! Hope your day is just what you like and that the year will be good to you. Blessings to you for many birthdays to come! Hugs

  25. / Reply

    Dear Trina,
    Yet again, you have created the ideal birthday gift with your well-chosen words which are just lovely!
    Thanks for the love! Hugs

  26. / Reply

    Hellooooo!
    Earth to TC — more accurately, Zennyland to Terry Crow!! Come in, please!
    We sure miss you, Mr. C.
    Drop us a line when you can; we worry about our friends, you know. Hope you are okay and that we will hear from you soon.
    Take care, dear friend! Over and out!

  27. / Reply

    Our deepest sympathies to Mr C. Baker and his family, may his son’s soul rest in perfect peace. How very tragic to loss one so young. He will remain in our prayers. Good luck to Kuato this weekend. May the racing spirits be with him,

    Good night Queen Z, Prince and little princess z, sweet dreams. Good night to all and may tomorrow bring us news of good tidings. It is well.

    Dear Lisa, Happy Birthday, hope you had lots of fun and was awesomely Blessed today by our Lord.

  28. / Reply

    I know that when owners pass away their horses are often sold in a dispersal sale. I was wondering what provisions have been made for Zenyatta’s future if the Moss’ are no longer with us. I’m currently preparing my will and making provisions for my two dogs in the event that they out live me. That is what got me thinking about this. We never know what the future holds for us and I want to make sure my two have a home together and plan to leave some funds for their care. I’m sure the Moss’ have addressed this issue as they are such wonderful people.

  29. / Reply

    Oh what a great picture of our happy, muddy, Zenny. Don’t worry girl, YOU LOOK GOOD IN ANYTHING!!! I’d be glad to come and brush that beautiful body anytime.

    Happy Birthdays sent to Sharon Call and Lisa G. March is a great month to be born in…..Spring is just around the corner.

    My sympathies go out to Sue FL and her family on their loss. I will check my candle and make sure it is still lit…….blessings to your family.

    As for the Big Cap today, I love RTG and GOD but I’m going with my heart on this one and rooting for StephanOatsee, my INDY kid, who is a brother to Shack. Go,baby,go.

    I’m getting nervous already for the big day, course I have a personal stake in the delivery being on March 24, but whenever your ready big girl.

    Love and kisses on noses Auntie Sue

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