Q:
Does Coz have Zenyatta’s personality?
Jan Graff
Hull, GA
A: Yes, he’s similar to his mother. He’s so confident, and he’s confident like she is. Being a baby, that’s kind of rare. He’s very confident in himself and that’s encouraging.
Q:
At what point in a young horse’s training is he or she galloped fast enough to determine whether that horse looks promising?
Donna Richardson
California, MD
A: We don’t really ask for speed here. It’s more about their way of going. You get an idea, maybe three months from the start—this one has ability, this one not so much—but we don’t flat out go here. That’s for the trainer. We teach them how to run.
A farm environment is so different from the race track. There will be horses for whom the lightbulb just doesn’t go on yet. It has to do with their age too. They can take longer to mature—as they get to the racetrack that bulb is getting brighter. If it’s a mature horse and you get the idea that they know what they’re doing, you may be able to tell if they have promise, but there are a bunch of question marks in between.
Think of them as kids; we’re the elementary school.
Q:
What does Mayberry Farm’s do differently than other farms that break yearlings?
Elizabeth Ames
Palo Alto, CA
A: I think we have more of a hands on approach than other people in our position. My mom, my sister, my cousin, myself, we’re all hands on (note: April answered this question). There’s no training from the car or calling assistants or taking weekends off. It’s all day and all night. When there’s a sick horse, we get up at midnight and come out. We get to know our horses, we spend so much time with them.
We’ve also been on the racetrack, and we know where the horses are going. We came from there. Most people start at the farm and go to the race track; we did the opposite. We know what trainers want and what they’re looking for, so it gives us a little bit of an advantage in that regard.
Our Experts
Mayberry Farm
Jeanne Mayberry runs her farm in Ocala, FL with her daughters, April and Summer, and their cousin Jacki. Both Zenyatta and Cozmic One received their early training at Mayberry Farm. Jeanne’s assistant, Margarita, is pictured on the left.
lindal
Great questions with great answers! Thank you ladies for taking very good care of our Coz. You all sound wonderful. Go Calif Chrome! All safe rides. God bless them all.
Kim
Thank all of you for taking such good care of our boy!
timothy mcmullen
Cozmic one sure looks a lot like his momma. Handsome guy keep him safe with his training.
Gloriajeanneoccali
Cool….good to know!
Karen Kania-Forehand
I’m curious to see if Coz is going to be a late bloomer like his mom. Hoping he’s right on schedule with the other 2yr prospects. Really looking forward to see if he makes it to the 2015 Derby trail.
Sue MacPhee-Gray
Interesting, thanks for the info. Coz does indeed look wonderful :) If he’s similar to his mom, we should see him on the track eventually.
Helen Springer
Thanks for being all-in with your horses. They deserve it.
sue and tony
Great questions and insightful answers. We would think that confidence is a huge factor and knowing our Coz has it must give him an advantage. All of Team Z, and that includes the Mayberrys, have the instinct and intelligence to get the best out of their charges. We love knowing how Coz compares to the Queen in the personality dept.
She surely put her stamp on him.
suew/Va
I love hearing these answers from the Mayberry’s who know Zenny and now Coz as well as anyone. We all have such high hopes for him and know by know he’ll have every chance to reach his full potential. Team Z, you always go above and beyond and it’s very much appreciated.
Kathy
I’m back! What a great post to come home to! Thank you Mayberry Farm and Team Z!!!
Gloria
Thanks for the update. Interesting to learn about the young ‘uns and how they’re trained.
Rachel C.
Is Coz going to be in any races soon??
Wendy Treadaway
Thank you, ladies!
Patti
Great information. It’s so nice to be able to follow Coz. Thanks for sharing your good deeds for Zenyatta’s boy.
Maryp NY
Thanks to the Mayberry’s and their staff for teaching our Cozmic One the fundamentals for his racing career. Good questions and answers.
I know that if the teachers saw something extra special in any “students” they most likely would make it known to the owners only.
When the “student” becomes a talented race horse then it can be said that he/she was something “special”.
That said, it’s wonderful to know that Coz is a confident youngster. That will serve him well and we all will be watching him as he develops. Destiny awaits.
Just love that Coz.
Cheryl T.
I am glad to see him being taken slow like his Mom. She is amazing because you all “TOOK THE TIME” . thanks for these updates .. Cheryl T.
Linda Slatinsky
I am a huge fan of Zenyatta and Bernardini….and it looks like Coz has been blessed with the confidence that both of his parents have. Many have said that Bernardini also loved to pose for the fans and you were in awe when you saw him. So excited to be able to follow Coz and his racing career…wherever that may lead.
Kathryn Dube
I hope all the horses stay safe, Coz and Zenny included, but it sure would be a great story if California Chrome wins the illusive Triple Crown. But most of all, I sure hope the Belmont is a safely run race!
Vicky
Thank you for keeping us in the loop. appreciated!
sandi
on my face book I tried to explain about going from the farm to training at the track…i said he was going from jr. high to high school…and that was even before I
read this…pretty ironic using the same comparison!!
Mary
I was visiting a horse rescue w/friends and passed your farm in our travels. I wanted so bad to stop and see Cosmic One but I did not want to just stop. But it was nice just to be that “close” to him and where Zenyatta trained. I got goosebumps just driving by:) Thank you for taking such good care of Z and her young man! Looking forward to Cosmic One’s next steps.
Cathy
Thanks so much for the updates. We appreciate all of you sooooooooo much!!♥
Bluegrass Girl
Great information!
Thank you all at Mayberry Farm for taking the time to share this with us.
You gave Coz the foundation that will take him through his racing career.
Special Mom-special son!
Zenmaster
Can’t wait to see Coz and California Chrome race!
Mary Darden McLeod
Thank you for taking on CoZ, our first-born!! We all know how special he is…am glad to learn he knows it too. He must have shown promise if he has been graduated to John at Belmont. Hope when California Chrome is gazing into the distance, he is telepathically sending knowledge to our CoZ. Perhaps CoZ will hear the thousands of cheers and decide he wants that for himself!!!
Thank you for giving CoZ a GREAT beginning!!
Love to All,
Mary in Boone
vicki
I wondered about the Art Sherman interview but I had to go out and pick some blueberries. Dearest Coz has the most gorgeous face. Be safe California Chrome. I look forward to seeing you race all year and hopefully next year, too. Hope all have a safe trip at Belmont. So many gorgeous thoroughbreds this year. Looking forward to seeing Palace Malice run and Princess of Sylmar. Prayers for all.
Perky Green
I’am so excited for all. My wish for you Coz stay healthy and sound. With much success. I can’t get over how STUNNING he looks He has gorgeous parents, and I too can see the fire in his eyes, I know he will do his parents proud. Thank-You Team Z and all of the connections for your patience and efforts to keep us updated and informed as to what is going on with the 1st family of Racing.
Sue Fredrick Happy as a lark
Judy B,
Thought I’d post it here to make sure you see it…….Yes I did get the DVD and hubby and i will hopefully watch it tonight, then I’ll know what you guys are always talking about, ha, ha,. Thanks again, I’ll return it as soon as I’m done.
Aren’t you just stunned by these pics of our hunky boy?? I know you and I have always loved Bernie, and I see the best of him and our beloved Zenny in this colt. He looks like he has such wisdom in those beautiful eyes. Love and hugs
Donna H
Well now it’s really up to John how fast he goes but we know it will be what is best for Coz. The Mosses are so good in their decision making about these very special horses.
Our very best to Coz!!! We love him!!!
Sure hope Chrome brings home the trophy!
Faithful Z supporter
This wonderful site is respectful as well as educational for us. It therefore continues to encourage more people to join and learn about Zenny’s family as well as the horse racing industry and training process. This relationship we have Team Z is so so appreciated. Thank you for your trust and maintaining the highest standards. Let’s also welcome new visitors and their contributions. Very important. Like so many others, finding this place to share a few years ago came at a much needed time for me and has added such depth to my life. Zenny is all around me…her mug, new key tag and her Breyer Horse. On another topic, anyone else as nervous as I am about The Belmont and CC? Geez. Reminds me of Z’s Breeders Cup races.