Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #23

12Z. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
12Z. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Q:

I have a question about the colts. When is the decision typically made whether to geld or leave them intact, and what factors go into that decision?

Nancy Schaffer

Tucson, AZ

A:Typically we will never geld a colt before it leaves the farm, either for the sales or to be broken in, unless there is a medical issue involved. We often have a good idea that they may become geldings fairly soon into their training careers though! Some colts are definitely more “studdish” than others.

Buyers usually don’t want to purchase a yearling gelding, as this will often indicate they have a difficult temperament. On top of that, this is a dreamers game—when someone buys a colt they like to think they have a shot at owning a horse that will have a stellar racing career and go on to leave his legacy as a stud.

Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End
Some of the colts that are headstrong and studdish as yearlings improve once they are in training and they have a job to do. With the horses that don’t settle down, it becomes a question of whether you can get the horse to train and race to his full ability if his mind is not on the game and he’s fractious and difficult to handle. If the answer is no, then often he will be gelded at this point.

The other reason to geld a colt is if they are clearly not going to compete at the levels that would then lead to a career at stud. A gelding is usually easier to handle and deal with on a daily basis. I know a lot of people will say they have had difficult geldings or easy colts, and of course that can be the case but generally it’s easier to have a gelding in the shed row, especially when there are fillies in the barn.

Our Expert

Cooper Sawyer

Yearling Manager, Lane’s End

Cooper was born in Lexington, KY and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Agriculture. He started working with horses in 1997 in the training barn of Al Stall Jr. Before coming to Lane’s End as the Yearling Manager in 2010, he worked at Wimbledon and Mill Ridge Farm.

Reader Interactions

965 Comments

  2. / Reply

    While everyone is pacing fast and burning holes through their floors (I hope you’re on ground level) I thought I would share a quick picture of Cindy from today. She’s a Figi water girl too Zenny. You two would get along well.

    http://t.co/F5CM7ymDNB

  3. / Reply

    I believe it’s going to be a Filly Too……………………………Can’t Wait…………………………………

    • / Reply

      Dear Barb W.:

      You have me laughing out loud. None of us will get to sleep until this baby and Z are safely delivered. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Keta:

      Thank you. Congratulations beautiful Mama Z and your new little girl. God Bless you both. Here come the tears (happy ones). Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Oh My so happy. Oh a filly……………………………So Wonderful…………………………………………I’ speechless. Tears Tears Tears.

      • / Reply

        Hello, Sis Peggy, can’t believe we were typing at almost the same time. So special to be sharing this with you and all my fantastic dumpling friends!! My heart is filled with love!!!

        • Dear Sis Dawn,

          So glad to hear from you. Typing at the same time. Well you know that’s Sisters for you. This is such joy. So So happy and so nice to be sharing this with you and everyone.

    • / Reply

      Dearest Zenyatta and Friends,
      I have been thinking about you all week my sweet Zenny and now the moment is at hand. Your little one is in the world. Welcome my beauty, I had been so hoping for a filly. You have a wonderful mother and a very special family, including all of us here who will love you forever. May you and our beloved Zenyatta remain happy, healthy and forever blessed. How I love you Zenny, words cannot express and what joy to have your little ones in our lives as well. Thank you to Team Z! Jerry and Ann, you are two amazing individuals, whose kindness is beyond measure. Hugs and kisses to you all!!! Dawn

      Judy, I too have some very happy tears flowing!

      • / Reply

        Dear Dawn:

        So good to see a post from you. Just love Z so much, as all of us do. Love and Hugs, JB

  7. / Reply

    Inside Tips‏ tweet
    THE FOAL IS OUT AND HEALTHY. ZEN IS DOING GOOD AS OF NOW
    AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE MONITORED.

  10. / Reply

    You can tell by a gray ring around the eyes, or muzzle also bay foals that gray out have black legs instead of the fawn-tawny color

  17. / Reply

    Inside Tips‏ tweet
    Zenyatta did have her baby.
    I’m awaiting a text back from vet who has been keeping me up to date on the sex.
    I won’t guess until I know 100%
    Keta Note: Reply to question FILLY OR COLT?

  18. / Reply

    Inside Tips‏ tweet
    I will NOT speculate or guess.
    I’m just passing information along to everyone when I get it.

    • / Reply

      Keta. No worries as the Aussies say. You are doing your best to get information to us as quickly as possible. If the baby turns out to be a colt, high hoof to him. We will love whatever baby comes.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        Absolutely. Colt or Filly, doesn’t matter. Just good health for baby and Mama. Hugs, JB

        • JudyB. Liked your post about the Schnauzers. They are great dogs, from miniature to giant. Love their mustaches most of all.

        • Dear Max:

          Yes. One of my neighbors next door to my home had a mini. She was a little doll; name was Gracie. Hugs, JB

        • Dear Max, Pati and Trina:

          Wow! Besides being beautiful, they’re smarties too. Hugs, JB

        • Trina. My neighbor, Susan, told me that her schnauzer, Heidi, just stopped on the street one day during her walk, sat down and stared at my ring on the ground. Susan picked it up and later put up a sign about finding a ring. I was completely amazed when I saw that sign because I had written it off as gone forever. This all happened within the space of 24 hours. Schnauzers are as good as bloodhounds.

        • Dear Peggy:

          Just waiting to hear they’re both OK and healthy. Love and Hugs, JB

      • / Reply

        Great story, Max! Thanks for sharing. Did Heidi the schnauzer maybe get a doggie treat as a reward?

  20. / Reply

    Zenny: I have to say goodnight. Tomorrow morning rolls around real quick. 3 hour commute every day. I will check back later. Anxious to hear what other news we may get.

  21. / Reply

    Hope that all is well with Zenyatta and her baby. Know everyone is working hard to
    care for them in the barn tonight. Will use my imagination but have a lovely image
    of this event. Blessings to all.

  22. / Reply

    Backside 55‏ tweet
    No news is… no news :( I won’t hold out on you, don’t worry.
    As soon as I know, you’ll know as fast as I can type!

  24. / Reply

    Dear Zenyatta,

    In all seriousness, Just I’m praying so hard that all will be fine with you and the baby. May the Good Lord take care of both of you. May many angels be with you now also.
    God Bless You Zenny and Baby Z
    Love, Peggy

  27. / Reply

    Dumplings and Zsters: If you scroll up from here – on the right hand side of the page is “Team Zenyatta” with Instagrams from LE. The most recent one is from Prince about being an only child. Click on the link and you’ll see his cute photo. Next one down is a bit older and shows Ann with Zenny. Next one down is their arrival at LE message with photo of sunset. I’m not on Twitter, but I can see and open these. Waiting for the next one!

    diastu in tempe

    • / Reply

      Dear Diana:

      I posted the link to the photo just a couple of posts above yours. The Prince looks absolutely stunning in that photo. I think it was posted about 3 and a half hours ago. Love and Hugs, JB

  28. / Reply

    Off topic tonight:
    http://www.racingnetwork.com.au/black-caviar-on-royal-ascot-menu-again/tabid/83/newsid/12359/default.aspx

    “The great Black Caviar will be going back to Royal Ascot this year to run in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes over 1000 metres.
    The two provisos are she can be mated with Frankel, which has been ticked off by Juddmonte Farms in the UK overnight, and that trainer Peter Moody is happy with her condition and fitness.”

    • / Reply

      Galloping across the finish line first and into the “arms” of the handsome Frankel! Now there’s a story book ending for an incredible career!
      diastu in tempe

  29. / Reply

    I love reading all the comments (except for the troll). I hope we get news tonight. The suspense will keep me up tonight. Prayers all is going well for Zenyatta and her new foal. Much love to all.
    Judy, I’m glad you enjoyed the video.

    • / Reply

      Dearest Ashton, Your Moma has got to be grinning from ear to ear tonight! And she gets to find out first! Love and hugs from Arizona.
      diastu in tempe

    • / Reply

      Dear Ashton:

      I really love all the Animalsrock4love videos and that one was especially beautiful. Thank you again.

      Waiting anxiously, like you, to hear that Z and the new baby are safe and sound. Wonderful to hear from you. Love and Hugs, JB

  30. / Reply

    Hi Diane, Yes she is smiling. It may sound crazy, but I can feel her. Thank you for providing me with info about another horse I adore. He means the world to me. You set my mind at ease as much as a update about the Zenyatta and her foal would now.

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