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.
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
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.
S00LIN
I may be dating myself but those out there who ever worked with a Round Table colt knows what studish really is! Lol!
Samuel WRIGHT
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF Z12?
Joe Mathis
How does the Bernadini yearling look?
dhoinmia
When will Cozmic One go to John Sherriffs for training? I know i may be early asking, but i am very interested in whether we can follow him in training too! Thanks
Sally B. (cherish Z- Wi.)
Coz I don’t think will go to John immediately if he is the one to train. There is usually a more of a “schooling” and working with them “BOTTOMS UP” getting them ready for racing training. I think Coz will be going to this training place first. I’d love to know where Coz is going. Sally B
andrej
Coz, if you can, when you are yearling breeze only in paddock yourself like in your video, when 2yo try don’t breeze half mile juvenile races, like groppy doll did, in 2yo age grows bones of legs are not enough stable and may be injured or broked, better wait for 3yo and have race training in age the same of your mom zenyatta had race training, care of your health
Heidi Kreizinger
Two comments. Does Z still have to wear shoes? I remember years (too many to tell!) but we lived in the country in California and we never had shoes, just had the guy trim their hoofs.
The other one is to find out if Z going to be bred this year? I hope she gets a rest.
Thank you and Z and your second one are absolutely gorgeous.
Susan
Slow my colt… grow, use your moms motivation… don’t rush., love you
Cloey
Can’t wait to see Coz out on the track! Im really looking forward to his career!!
debbie sutherland
Coz,we all think of you often and wish you the best.
Run free in your paddock for as long as you can,then when it is time may you be brought along slowly in a way that never breaks your spirit or your health.
I hope you will be a 3 year old,like Zenyatta ,before you race and have lots of time to mature and develop in a helathy way physically and mentally.
You are so aware and tuned in,may your people always tune into you.
Ann Mitchell Adam
What a very interesting lesson on breeding if you take the free 5 X Pedigrees on Equibase of Bernardini, Tapit and Zenyatta. If one can arrange it looking at the conformation pose photos of each, at the same time would be wonderful! What a lot to learn and to think about!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Team Z and Lane’s End:
Thank you for these wonderful photos of COZ. He’s just so gorgeous. Hugs, JB
Nancy Albin
Hi when will Cosmic One be 3 years old?