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

    Just saw on Bloodhorse.com that My Happy Face a filly in contention for the Oaks and stabled at Gulfstream has a virus and has been sent to Lexington for treatment. My boy Muchie contracted a virus there just the other day. Is something going around at that track?

      • / Reply

        Yikes! Was just reading about some show horses being hit w/ a virus and some quarantine on some of their barns.
        Hope all goes well for them.

  3. / Reply

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/hoosiershadow/8001842416/in/set-72157631545464250/

    Look at this beauty! Wow! I love her color. I could look at her all day.

    Z Familia,

    I fell in love with a recently retired thoroughbred. He is a former Baffert trainee too. If only I had the means, I would adopt him in a heartbeat.

    Red and the SHERR horses say hi. Thank you to everyone who donated to SHERR for Christmas. Your donation was well spent for good food, and blankets for everyone.

  9. / Reply

    Dear Z, Prince and Baby Z:

    Won’t be too much longer, Z. Sweet Dreams. Love you. Hugs, JB

  11. / Reply

    dear max thanks for the link it really was wonderful to see this great horse doing so well in his dressage debut if he can learn so much in just 8 weeks the sky’s the limit found a piece about Clifford’s son seems he crashed into a tree on his way home so sad for the family Clifford a real gentleman was reading that frankel’s stable name at banstead is bobby neigh sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Very sad about Dominic Baker, left us far too young.
      Kauto is doing incredibly well. Yogi was even impressed. Kauto was a little distracted at the beginning by the cheers, but who can blame him? He has to acknowledge his fans. Queen Z was always very well aware of her army of fans, and would even bow in a charming way. Z set the standard.

      Yes, I know that Frankel is called Bobby around his barn just like his namesake. I also heard that they call Oasis Dreams, Brad Pitt, because he is very good looking.

        • JudyB. Yes, he is gorgeous, and what a pedigree. Danzig is there. I have always loved Danzig.

        • Dear Max:

          Yes, me too. I always wonder what Danzig could have accomplished if he was able to keep racing. But he lives on in all the beautiful ones like Oasis Dream and through the progeny of Danehill and so many others. Hugs, JB

        • JudyB. Frankel for example. Danzig was intense. He may have had issues himself, but his progeny were remarkably sound and like him very tough minded horses. Danehill was an especially handsome horse.

        • OMG!!
          How handsome can we be?
          Thanks,Judy B.
          Love the nicknames we give these horses.

  12. / Reply

    Wow, Wow, WOW!!!! Congrats to Game on Dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a performance Mike Smith and Game on Dude gave!!!

    That was AWESOME!!!!!

  13. / Reply

    VYJACK WINS GOTHAM
    BEHOLDER WINS LAS VIRGENES
    Frances J Karon‏ tweets
    Big day for Into Mischief, too, with son Vyjack winning the G3 Gotham and
    champion half-sister Beholder winning the G1 Las Virgenes.

    Sat SWs: Harlan’s Holiday g’son Vyjack o/o mare by Stravinsky (by Nureyev); H’s Holiday son Gen Election o/o mare by Nureyev g’son Kingmambo

    Marcus Hersh‏ DRF tweet Vyjack has plenty of stamina on the dam’s side of his pedigree. Already seems his Gotham & overall body of work going to be underrated.

    Tim Wilkin‏ tweet Vyjack is trained by former jockey Rudy Rodriguez, who once exercised horses for Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel and the vanquished Rick Dutrow

  14. / Reply

    horseracinghl‏ tweets
    How good is it to be @spendthriftfarm the past couple weeks?
    Beholder, Vyjack (by Into Mischief) and Orb (by Malibu Moon

    Bodes well for Goldencents – another Into Mischief – if this keeps up.

  15. / Reply

    MIRACLES OF LIFE aka BARBIE TO GET A REST
    Andrew Bensley‏ tweet
    Trainer Daniel Clarken has confirmed to me that Blue Diamond winner,
    Miracles of Life will head to paddock for good spell.
    Return August.

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta and Z Fans:

      Thanks for the results on Beholder, Vyjack and Game on Dude (great ride by Mikey, G. Gomez and J. Rosario. Congrats to all. Hugs, JB

  17. / Reply

    Goodnight to all!
    Wishes for a pleasant slumber and sweet dreams of Zenny and friends.
    Have a nice Sunday. Hugs

  18. / Reply

    A Birthday Poem for Jeanie E.
    (March 3, 2013)

    Her childhood plushie horse toy
    Was made of brown corduroy
    With tan yarn for mane and tail.
    Back then, Jeanie without fail
    Would cuddle Twinkle as she slept.
    To the present, Jeanie still Twinkle has kept–
    From that little fact
    We can see perhaps
    How, from early on, she had the emotion
    Of lasting devotion
    To fine equines,
    A deep-rooted notion
    Which in her never did switch
    Nor ever lapse,
    And in accordance with which
    She still does act.
    In the halcyon days of the Diary of Z,
    Our dear Jeanie E
    Addressed the Queen
    As “Great One”
    And signed her comments to Z
    “Your humble J”
    As a way
    To pay her due respect.
    Nor would Jeanie ever forget
    Horses in need of rescue–
    For such, she much has done,
    Including the “Seabiscuit Thirteen,”
    Great-great grand-daughters and -sons
    Up in Oregon
    Of that famed steed
    Who found themselves in need
    Of peeps who for them would provide
    When their former owner died.
    Jeanie, we want to thank you
    For ALL that you do
    To give equines a second chance.
    Methinks
    It great
    That you also post links
    To the site
    Of the rescue ranch
    Known as Valley View
    So that Marlene Dodge might
    Rescue
    A precious few
    From their plight
    In the Fallon feed lot,
    For they face
    An unspeakable fate
    When they ship from that spot.
    Another cause which you embrace
    Brings us again to the Biscuit,
    For you yourself do commit
    To see to it
    That his final resting place
    Should him befit,
    And to his memory not be a disgrace.
    Though the book by Laura Hillenbrand
    In many ways was grand
    And the Biscuit’s greatness did transmit,
    It does, I fear, appear
    That what she did there write
    Of his gravesite
    Was in error
    As to just where
    The Biscuit’s bones are to be found—
    Sadly, his burial plot
    Seems not to be
    Up in the hills ’neath a tree,
    But in ground
    Now paved as a parking lot.
    It would seem
    The church group
    Which now the former Ridgewood home
    Of the Biscuit owns
    Prefers to deem
    The location of his bones
    A mystery.
    They choose to ignore
    Documented history
    Of what went before
    As they to comments stoop
    Which could merit whoops
    Of “Pants on fire!”
    You took your concern to Bill Dwyer
    And the story him did so inspire
    That in the LA Times we saw it writ.
    In your heart a fire
    Has been lit,
    And you display the same grit
    As the Biscuit charging to the wire.
    I submit
    That you’ll not quit
    Till you justice for Seabiscuit achieve
    And he a proper reburial receive—
    This I believe!

    Happy birthday, Jeanie, and many, many happy returns!

    PS:
    The horse rescue site referred to above is http://www.valleyviewranchequinerescue.webs.com/
    The Bill Dwyer article “Where is Seabiscuit buried?” is at http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dwyre-seabiscuit-20121101,0,1548749.column
    Please also visit the fb page “Justice for Seabiscuit.”

    • / Reply

      Dear Jeanie:

      Happy Birthday. Hugs, JB

      Dear Trina:

      Love the poem for Jeanie. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Happy Birthday Jeanie! I was glad to have had a chance to meet you at the BC although I was somewhat clueless about all of these great accomplishments (other than your support for Marlene Dodge’s efforts). Hope you have a great year.

      Trina – another !!!!! :-)

    • / Reply

      Happy Birthday, Jeanie! Without Trina’s poem, I would have no idea how vocal you’ve been on Seabiscuit’s behalf, or the rescue horses, either. I hope your birthday is a grand one.

      Trina, another good poem! I had to laugh out loud at the “Pants on fire!” I had felt that way when I originally read an article about them.

  21. / Reply

    Good morning Queen Z, hoping today will bring you great joy. Say hi to all your rainbow crowd including Prince and little princess z.

    Blessings of the Lord to all Z nation fans,may today be the best day yet.

    Thank you all for all the wonderful articles posted.

    Smart strike is stunningly handsome and I do agree Pati, he looks like someone I love dearly, perhaps Queen Z?, If he had the white markings on his hind feet I would be hard pressed to believe it wasn’t our very own Queen Z. Thanks Pati.

    Kauto looks so handsome, sometimes it saddens me when I see geldings, but am happy he is doing well in his new found career. Only 2 weeks at this and he is doing this well, I think he should go to Rio in 2016, if it is God’s will..

    Keta, thank you for the link to watch the replay of the Big Cap, I am so happy for three players at the race; Game on Dude the winner, Mikky the rider and Baffert, the trainer, congratulations to all. Love Awesome again, proud of him too. Happy everyone came home safe.

    Trina thank you for your poem and pray the Buiscuit get his fair shake in death.

    LOL to all.

  22. / Reply

    URGENT! I’m calling on all of my ZEN-friends to get involved in protesting the plan of the Alberta gov’t (Canada) to “cull” its wild horse herd by sending these animals to slaughter. They have already done this once before — and most of you will know how these horses will suffer. The Alberta mustangs are a very, very old strain of wild horse. They need your help! Please sign & send this petition! Website below: http://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/end-the-slaughter-of-alberta-s-wild-horses

    • / Reply

      Dear Abigail:

      Our Wild Ones here in the US are constantly being chased, rounded up, penned up, sent to auction or given medications to prevent fertility. They are truly on the brink of extinction, so I know how you feel. Signed the petition for your Canadian Wild Ones gladly. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Abigail, this is horrible news. I’m so sorry and disappointed too since I always think of Canada as being more civilized and clear-sighted than us here in the US. I’ve signed the petition!

  23. / Reply

    Good morning to all Zsters doing the waiting game. Today started off early…watered my front flowerbed at 6:30am and enjoyed all the beautiful colors provided by my pansies. Then on to the backyard to witness a mockingbird battle (two pairs apparently battling for territory), then while refilling my water fountain so the finches could take their beauty bath, along comes a hummingbird, he perches himself on the edge of the fountain, within touching distance, and starts to take his own little bath. Oh what a wonderful gift from God this morning, to see His creation on display so close and personal! Now on to church and the Missions Conference.

    • / Reply

      Dear EspeciallyHorses,

      What a lovely post. Life is always sweeter when we stop and appreciate all of God’s beautiful creations and blessings. Sunday blessing to you.

      I cant wait until spring. It has been a long cold winter in Indiana. Hearing about your pansys has really made me have spring fever. Hugs to you.

  24. / Reply

    Brown Almighty (3-Year-Old Colt) Workout
    Date: March 3, 2013
    Track: OAKLAWN PARK
    Distance: Five Furlongs
    Time: 1.00:60 Breezing
    Track Condition: Fast
    Surface: Dirt
    Rank: 1/29

  25. / Reply

    2013 Breeders’ Cup contender – Game On Dude romps to 2nd Big ‘Cap
    by Marc Doche·
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3KgkKPWNxA
    Keta Note: Beginning of video is shaky.
    Good post-race footage with great interview with Bob Baffert

    Becky Witzman‏ tweet Bob Baffert tells Zoe Cadman that Game on Dude
    lost his right front shoe during the Big Cap

  26. / Reply

    Bloodstock Research‏@Brisnet tweet
    Saturday BRIS Speed Ratings:
    Game On Dude 110, Vyjack 99,
    Clearly Now 98, Beholder 95

    • / Reply

      Jon White‏ HRTV tweet
      Game On Dude’s 116 Big ‘Cap Beyer Sat biggest in race
      since Milwaukee Brew’s 116 in 2003.
      Biggest in race since 1990: Best Pal, 123 in 1992

  27. / Reply

    Santa Anita: Eblouissante eyes Santa Margarita Stakes
    By Steve Andersen Daily Racing Form 03/01/2013 3:47PM
    Eblouissante, the unbeaten half-sister to 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta, worked a half-mile in 48.60 seconds at Betfair Hollywood Park on Friday and remains a possibility for the $300,000 Santa Margarita Stakes on March 16, trainer John Shirreffs said.
    The Grade 1 Santa Margarita is run over 1 1/8 miles for fillies and mares.
    “It’s still possible,” Shirreffs said. “We won’t know until she goes five-eighths [in a workout] and we see how she gallops out.”
    http://www.drf.com/news/santa-anita-eblouissante-eyes-santa-margarita-stakes

  28. / Reply

    Gotham Winner Vyjack Headed to Wood Memorial
    By Blood-Horse Staff Updated: Sunday, March 3, 2013 2:01 PM
    Undefeated Vyjack remains on track for the $1 million Wood Memorial (gr. I) following his terrific victory in the Gotham Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct Racetrack March 2.The 1 1/8-mile Wood Memorial will be contested over Aqueduct’s main track April 6.”He was training before on the main track, and he ran very good (in a pair of starts last December),” said trainer Rudy Rodriguez on the morning after Vyjack’s 2 1/4-length triumph over the inner track in the Gotham. “So far, he’s been very good, so, hopefully he’ll keep going that way, and, hopefully we’ll keep him sound.”
    http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/76614/gotham-winner-vyjack-headed-to-wood-memorial

  29. / Reply

    It was a very nice day at Santa Anita yesterday. Visited with Judy Gadwood and Karen Gogue for a few minutes in the paddock area. Excellent racing and had thought initially all horses came back safe and sound. Sadly reading the San Diego Sports section this morning, Mike Mitchell’s Truisim ( 8th race) fell in the stretch ( I did see a horse far back) but could not see what happened and no mention was made. Apparently died of a heart attack. Jockey ok. Rest in peace Truisim. I did see you in the paddock and you looked magnificent as all the horses did yesterday.
    He was only 5. Abigail I definitely will sign your Petition in Zenny’s Tribe.
    We have to win this for all of the American and Canadian horses that are threatened.

  30. / Reply

    Dear Abigail: Have signed the petition and pray that you get the numbers to halt this proposal. Thanks for posting this piece of information – excuse my ignorance, but had no idea you had wild herds in Canada but I guess it’s all part of the development of nations – horses being used as a vital part of the process and then discarded as “civilisation” moves on. We have the same issue here in Australia with the brumby herds but to our shame there is a lack of interest in protecting them – they probably form the bulk of the pet food industry, aside from kangaroo.

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