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.
Kathy
June 11 Cherokee Devotional
There is an undercurrent that feeds us false impressions like a gentle trap that tells us we are doing right-because it feels right. Feelings are so easily manipulated they can’t be trusted as a measure in anything. We stay with bad habits because it feel right. The habit comforts our feelings and the familiar touch makes us believe we can’t give it up. But it is the path that winds back through the same experiences-almost like being lost in a jungle. We think we are on the right road out, until we find our own footprints going around and around. Whether it s a habit or a person, or a situation we are trying to escape, we have to know our feelings are not to be trusted. They keep us knocking on a door that seems like home but is simply the same stopping-off, na hna i, familiar place. Beware of feelings that deceive.
It has been said that there is no deceit in touching the pen to sign a treaty, but I have always found it full of deceit.
Standing Elk
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Kathy.Anxiously awaiting the arrival of the 2nd chick is taking it’s time!Poor Fubu isn’t at all well even refusing the dropper,am so worried for him!Am so glad he lived to see his birthday.We’ll have to see what happens today.I have been looking at Babinka’s funeral,her mummy was so courageous at the end and Bakinka looked very peaceful.May God bless them all.Marty enjoyed his visitors and can do bizness in Utah now,his map is filling up.Dolly’s mummy is going out today for the 1st time in 3 months maybe a bit dangerous!!Zoe and her mum looked so cute reading Norbert’s book together.Am off to visit the rest now!Have a great day.Hugs to you,Kisses for Holly,Nikko and Sugar.Sheena.
Sally B. (Auntie cherishes Z and her young)
Sheena, prayers for poor Fubu!!
hugs, Sally B
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
Fingers crossed that the 2nd chick hatches today. I’m afraid for Fubu. It surely isn’t a good sign when an animal doesn’t eat. His poor mom is just grasping at straws, it seems. So hard to know when to let them go. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an animal more loved or respected as was little Babinka. Her mom is indeed courageous. I’m so glad she still has Tiny Tina and Pepito to comfort her. Marty is so cute. The cousins went to see “that other mouse” but they like Marty the best. lol Utah bizness license…maybe he can do something with the Mormon Tabernacle! Stay safe, Dolly’s mama! I think they need to make Zoe’s pics reading the book into bookmarks for the library. Wouldn’t they be great? Have a wonderful day. Hugs from me, kisses from Holly, Nikko and Sugar. Kathy.
Kathy
Dear Sheena,
Babinka’s brother’s name is actually Peppino…I just checked.
Hugs, Kathy
Bluegrass Girl
Haskin: Time to Move On
Hangin’ With Haskin The Blood-Horse 09 June, 2014
http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2014/06/09/haskin-time-to-move-on.aspx
Steve Haskin is one of the best writers today on racing and horses.
His description of California Chrome after the race can bring you to tears.
Worth reading and also the Comments at the end of the article.
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Yes, it’s a great article. I’m so glad that I didn’t actually SEE the vision of Chromie walking through the tunnel that he described. This is a much more reasoned approach to the whole thing than the rant by EH on Blood-Horse.
KathyR
Agree – excellent article (and also glad the vision of Chromie described was not shown). Thanks for the post Bluegrass Girl! Hugs KathyR
Ingrid Arnone
Wow I think people are so ingrate, they forgot that CC got hurt, and I know he lost for the pain that he had in his hell.
I wish I can see Haskin running in a marathon with injure hell, I pretty sure he will never run!
Sad very sad….
Dear Blue thanks for the link.
Hugs Ingrid.
Bluegrass Girl
What Tradition? Triple Crown Schedule Has Always Been a Thing of Change
by Natalie Voss The Paulick Report 05.30.2014
As the world awaits the result of the Belmont Stakes on June 7, Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas is campaigning for a change to the schedule of the Triple Crown races. Although his initial suggestion was made public before California Chrome won the Preakness Stakes, Chuckas continued with his proposal even after a Triple Crown went on the line.
Chuckas’ plan to move the Preakness to the first Saturday in June and the Belmont to the first Saturday in July has been met with an overwhelming cry of outrage from racing’s traditionalists, but the move would not be the first time the schedule has been altered.
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/what-tradition-triple-crown-schedule-has-always-been-a-thing-of-change/
This was written before the Belmont Stakes!
Sally B. (Auntie cherishes Z and her young)
Bluegrass girl, Hasken sure wrote an excellent article and you are right, his description of Chrome after the race brought some tears!! I have always liked his articles.
Chrome is an amazing horse to have endured his injury and have such heart to give his all up to the end of the race. Wow, I love this horse.
Thanks for posting this.
hugs, Sally B
Sally B. (Auntie cherishes Z and her young)
oops, perhaps I should have said “to give his all past the finish line of the race”.
Sally B. (Auntie cherishes Z and her young)
Hi Zsters; This past Fri. I rode out with two others about an hour away to a beautiful equestrian center and visited Sir. As we approached I could tell who he was even with a fly mask on! He was with six other geldings all in the paddock at the time. Sir has lost weight, but I saw a bit more muscling, probably from the extra running he has done of late. Sir can not lose anymore weight though. He had a couple nicks on his neck. I am sure he is learning who are the alpha’s. We had to coax this grey away, taking turns, so that we could spent some time with Sir and give him his carrots he loves.
I think he found a horse friend there! He is black and Sir and he stood together resting. At one point the black put his head near Sir.
I do not know where Lilly the mare was. She had to be placed further away I imagine.
I got back home thinking this will be a good home for Sir being with the herd and I got an email from the gal I rode up with stating she was told by Becky (who took Sir in), she does not want him, he is stupid and we better find another home for Sir.
How can a person who apparently loves horses, who formerly owned him, say she will take him back, our head, Cedar Community pays expense to trailer and Coggins testing, and two weeks later she does not want him!! “Find another home for Sir ASAP” is what she has expressed just yesterday too.
I am just sick to my stomach over this. Sir should not be shuffled around. I’d like him back at our Sanctuary, but I don’t think Cedar Community would approve for the same reason we found a home for him; liability and the possible euthanization. Poor Sir has taken a bad rap. He can be such a sweet horse!! I love him, a few others do too. My heart breaks for Sir. Just another diliema.(?)
Thanks for listening to the “Days of my Life”
hugs, Sally B
I
Judy Berube From Rhode Island
My Dear Sally:
I am so sad for you and for Sir. Heartbreaking actions by this lady; agreeing to take Sir and now abandoning him. I know how deeply upsetting this is for you. Are there any stables or facilities nearby or in neighboring states that you could contact to see if they will offer Sir a forever home? Even if on a temporary basis, until you can find him something permanent. Will keep both of you in my prayers and ask St. Francis to assist you in finding a good home for Sir. Love and Hugs, JB
nancy Stamp
Dear Sally, I am so sorry about Sir. It really tests the heart to care for an animal, but not be able to make good decisions for them. I pray things get better for him. Nancy
Bluegrass Girl
Dear Sally
Just a thought-the former owner may have thought she was getting back the
Sir of yesterday-the Sir she remembered, the younger Sir.
She was not prepared for the Sir of today-older, battle worn.
It is surprising that after agreeing to take him, after all the effort to get him there,
she would renege.
A question I would ask her:
Having been with Sir, do you have a suggestion on where to send him?
This has been a tough journey for Sir and even tougher for you.
I am so sorry. BGG
KathyR
Dear Sally: This is indeed distressing – I thought Sir was safe. Think Judy has a point in finding temporary accommodation, but it will be unsettling to have to keep moving Sir and having him adjust to new surroundings and companions. Also agree with Bluegrass Girl – the former owner needs to answer some straight questions. Apart from seeking the urgent help of St Francis, I can only send you hugs. KathyR
Bluegrass Girl
horseracinghl @horseracinghl · Wed, June 11 2013
Belmont runner up Commissioner found to have small chip in his front left ankle Monday, scheduled this week for surgery.
vicki
I did not see the image of CC after the race. I am glad I didn’t. Steve Haskin is the best writer when it comes to capturing a moment be it joyful or haunting. Before the Belmont I read Bill Nacks poignant story of the day Secretariat had to be put down. I will never get his words out of my mind. Finding out by accident how sick Secretariat had become and knowing the end was near. The image of Mr. Nack sobbing at the passing of greatness. We are blessed to be able to share the beauty, spirit, speed and courage of these wonderful animals. CC will race another day and I will never forget the thrills he gave me this spring. Sir will find the kind of forever home he deserves. Shame on his former owner.
vicki
Just caught up on previous posts and didn’t know about Beholders injury or any of the others. Sounds more like roller derby or Nascar than horse racing. If it’s not rubbin its not racing? I told my brother Jesse he really should take up racing but he said he didn’t think his health could handle the strain what with all my hand wringing, go Chromie going, leaping up and down and collapsing from the excitement. He said if thats what I do when my horse loses what would have happened if he’d won. All of the above plus I would have cried buckets of joyful tears.
Barbara Ashby
Will Mario be his trainer?
Tiz Herself
I hope so too! If Keeneland gets the Breeders Cup next year, I am 100000% in and Spendthrift would definitely be on my list to go to!
Here’s to hoping!
Tiz Herself
That is hope that will get to see Goldencents in person.
Marshall (NC Broad)
Dear Sally B.,
I am so sorry that poor Sir is once again not wanted. I feel so bad for you and for him. I will keep positive thoughts and prayers coming to you and him. Please help him, St. Francis — Sir deserves a secure, loving home for the rest of his days. Love and Hugs