Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Cooper Sawyer Talks Yearling Prep

Cozmic One in the yearling barn. Photo by Kyle Acebo
Cozmic One in the yearling barn. Photo by Kyle Acebo

Cooper Sawyer, Yearling Manager
Cooper Sawyer is the yearling manager at Lane’s End farm, and he is responsible for the daily care of all the yearlings. He came to Lane’s End in 2010 from Mill Ridge Farm, where he also served as yearling manager. Cooper has worked with yearlings since he graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2005. Prior to that he worked with mares and foals.

Keepers vs. Sale Horses
Lane’s End does things a little differently than most other farms. They identify the yearlings as either “keepers” or “sale” horses. Keepers are horses that the owners have decided not to sell but to keep and race, such as Cozmic One. The two groups are separated in May, about two weeks after the Derby. That’s when they start to get “coltish” and play rough.

Behind the scenes
Cooper being interviewed in June.

Turnout
The colts are turned out into individual paddocks, which keeps them from roughhousing. The sale colts are turned out at 7 pm to protect their coats from the sun so that they look their best in the sale ring. The keepers go out after their noon feed, about 2 pm.  This is also the main difference between the keepers and sale horses.  One of the things that separates Lane’s End from other farms is that they do give the keepers this experience and that they turn out our sale horses at all. Many farms like to keep their horses in all the time.

Prep
The prep process is the foundation and education that makes the transition from yearling to 2 year-old to racehorse a little easier, and it begins in May. The yearlings are broke to tack (surcingle and draw cords) and the walking machine. The walker helps get the horses fit. Putting them in a tight space gets them used to going in the starting gate. They are also broke to a hose, as they receive daily baths and rubdowns. For Coz, this whole process will help him when he goes to the Mayberry’s in Flordia. They will put a saddle on him, put him in the starting gate and will help him become a better mover.

Coz and others entering the walking machine.
Coz and others entering the walking machine.
Coz gets a bath.
Coz gets a bath.
Cozmic One, August 2013. Photo by Alys Emson
Cozmic One, August 2013. Photo by Alys Emson

Reader Interactions

970 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Terry, Sorry for your the loss of your friend. He sounds like a guy I would have loved to know.

    On another note. Claiborne Farm and War Front’s boy, Departing, is going in the Super Derby and you know who is not riding in the race!

  2. / Reply

    Wish every zster and horse good wishes; I hope that kicking epsisode did not hurt him. The power of the kick is demonstrated once in a while by Jo kicking against the stall wall dividing Frito. It is feeding time and this just happens. I say “stop” and “no”!!
    They are okay otherwise. hugs, Sally B

    love n kisses Zenyatta on your soft nose and to your two sons! Sweet dreams Z!!
    Auntie Sally B

  3. / Reply

    Dear Max No offence taken.I will always remember Z’ great “wins” in the Breeders Cup for I believe she won in 2010 as well !!!!I wish Frankel could have travelled and taken on more horsesbut that was Sir Henry’s plan and who are we to argue. Am sure there will be a large gathering at his memorial service on the 16th at Ely Cathedral. hugs Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Cecil carried out a very conservative strategy with Frankel to preserve his win record. His competition was basically Excelerbration, and we saw what Dan did to Excelerbration at Santa Anita. Contrast that approach of a carefully managed career to Z and Black Caviar who both laid it all on the line. BC’s win at Ascot was an amazing display of real grit and courage. Z beat top male racers in the BCC in 2009 and ran into immortality in 2010. She’s incredible. Still is.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max and Sheena:

        I agree. Z’s 2010 BCC performance was truly amazing. That was the most thrilling race I’ve ever seen. I still tear up every time I watch it.

        Her 2009 BCC win has the same effect on me. Combination of joy and excitement to see her come from behind running style in all of her races. Not so much that she won so many races; but Oh the way she won them. Love and Hugs, JB

        • For me, the greatest BC classic ever run was Zenyatta’s win in 2009. Probably directly led to the decision to have her race again in 2010, and that was a gift to all of us.

        • TC me too the BC 09 is the best race I have ever seen. It is my favorite with Sunday Silence coming in second.
          Sue

        • We love watching Zenny’s old races. We agree the 2009 BC will stand the test of time as being one of the best ever. We had the honor of seeing her run at Churchill in BC10. The electricity in the air was amazing and that race definitely catapulted our Queen into immortality. What a gift she is to all of us!

  5. / Reply

    Dear Bluegrass Girl

    Thank you so much for the info on my boy Orfevre. Ok, now nobody’s suppose to be kicking my boy. Sure hope he is OK. So looking forward to seeing him again.

    • / Reply

      Peggy. At first I thought that Blarney Stone was the filly by that name, but she’s only 2, and not likely to be training for the Arc. The kicker must be the horse born in 2007? He needs some etiquette lessons when he’s around the Big O.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max

        Yes he sure does need etiquette lessons. Praying so hard everything goes well. It’s getting close.

        • Peggy. I’m thinking that the Big O is going to unleash a great race and win the Arc. Blarney Stone needs to keep his hooves to himself in the meantime.

  6. / Reply

    Dear Terry Crow

    So sorry about your friend. It’s so hard losing people and beloved pets. I had a few tears just earlier about my Holly. Saw her brush out and here come the tears. Last night also someone on here posted a photo of a little filly and it so reminded me of my Flicka.

    I believe with all my being that we will see them again. It’s all about love.

  8. / Reply

    Dear Terry,

    Very sad on the loss of your good friend.
    There is always a part of us that that goes with them.
    It is good to know that you honor his request with the
    joke. I am sure he will be smiling up above ear to ear
    when he hears it.

  11. / Reply

    We really enjoyed the yearling sale at Woodbine, so many gorgeous colts and fillies who were, for the most part, very well behaved. One of them could only be persuaded to enter the sales floor backwards but we excused that on the grounds that he had obviously learned the “back up” command better than “walk on”. They are still babies after all!!!
    The hardest part of the day was convincing Vic that it was not a good idea to raise her arm to scratch her nose when bidding was in progress but we did manage to come home without buying a horse. Convincing her that the purchase is the easy bit, supporting the horse is the expensive part of owning a horse will be an ongoing task.
    A very enjoyable experience, I recommend it to all . Just leave your checks at home!!!!

  12. / Reply

    Sad News
    I just found an email from Marty R – her husband Pat “stepped into heaven” peacefully and pain free, early last evening. She has really appreciated everyone’s support, and I’m including the link to the candle site again:

    http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=Marty

    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Marty. Pat fought bravely to the end and was blessed to have your loving care and support.

    • / Reply

      This is very sad news about Marty’s husband Pat.
      It is such a profound loss when it is your partner who
      walked through life with you.

      Marty, we will all be sending our love and virtual hugs
      to you.

    • / Reply

      Deepest sympathy to you, Marty. Our hearts go out to you and to all of Pat’s family and loved ones at this most difficult time. Hugz.

    • / Reply

      Marty,
      So sorry for your loss, prayers for you and your family. At least he is at peace now! sending supporting hugs.

    • / Reply

      Dear Marty, please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of your husband. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

    • / Reply

      Seeing this news a while later but my thoughts are still sincere. I am so sorry for your loss, Marty. I am sorry also to read of your friend’s passing, too, Terry. Life is far too short and we all should appreciate each moment we have with those we love. My heart goes out to all who are experiencing sadness. I am grateful that we have Zenyatta and this webpage to lift our spirits.

  13. / Reply

    Jon White ‏@HRTVJon tweet
    Read how geldings Game On Dude & Wise Dan stack up at this point vs. greats
    Kelso, Forego & John Henry:

    The Dude and Dan
    September 4, 2013 | By Jon White It’s Post Time
    How truly wonderful it is that two outstanding geldings, Game On Dude and Wise Dan, are gracing the racing stage this year.
    The good news is Game On Dude and Wise Dan are a combined nine for nine so far this year. The bad news is The Dude and Dan have made a total of 51 career starts between them, yet they have never run against each other. Not only that, as it stands right now, Game On Dude and Wise Dan will not clash anytime during the remainder of the year.
    http://www.xpressbet.com/ReadPostTime?id=7363

  15. / Reply

    Racing Victoria ‏tweet
    HELSINGE named Champion Broodmare of the Year at #VOBA,
    received by Rick Jamieson
    Su-Ann Khaw tweet
    .Gilgai Farm wins vic breeders Champion Broodmare and Breeder of the Year with Helsinge – dam of Black Caviar & All Too Hard

  16. / Reply

    Irish Bloodstock tweet
    Eight left in Irish Champion Stakes
    Al Kazeem
    Declaration of War
    The Fugue
    Kingsbarns
    Euphrasia
    Parish Hall
    Princess Highway
    Trading Leather

  17. / Reply

    Champions Series ‏tweet
    TORONADO is set for his deciding match-up with Dawn Approach
    in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

  18. / Reply

    Brian Zipse ‏@Zipseatthetrack
    After watching the Del Mar Futurity, STRONG MANDATE remains the top 2yo colt
    I’ve seen in 2013. Next up, Iroquois Stakes Sat. at Churchill.

  21. / Reply

    Marty R. there are no words to express my thoughts of you and your dear ones at this time. Just know all our prayers are with you. Love.

  22. / Reply

    Good morning Zenny, “Redhead,” Coz & my Zen family.

    I’m writing to share a little piece of magic, in the form of a timely coincidence, that happened to me last night.

    I was feeling kind of “BLAH” and, as distractions seemed limited, I ended up trawling around on EBAY, looking @ racing and equine photos. As many of you know, I’m a lover of photography in general (I’m certain that in another life I actually WAS a photographer!) and I can spend hours & hours looking at photos.

    When it comes to horse racing, I must confess my complete adoration of photos from the pre-1950’s. I just love the world they depict, their charm and, in a way, their primitive elements. You can tell how absorbed the photographer was in so many of these shots because they basically had one chance to capture the image and no photoshop to correct it. I have some beauties in my collection from pre-1950 that I never tire of sinking into.

    Anyway….so here I am, trawling around and I notice some old track photos of winners. I always like looking at these. The horses are almost always those hard-working thoroughbreds who’ve been long-forgotten because they were never really famous beyond their own small circle of owner, trainer & etc.

    Lo & behold, I find a photo of a filly, taken at Beulah Park in 1949, a few months before I was born.

    And her name is MISS VAULT!!!!!

    The photo was in pretty awful shape. But the combination of her name & my birth year stopped me cold. So I bought it, for a paltry amount (I’m certain the seller is in complete shock that anyone would want it!) and then downloaded the image for THE VAULT. I had to change the page again to weave in MISS VAULT and finally got it done late last night. She’s the header, right under THE VAULT title. Here’s the link:
    http://thevaulthorseracing.wordpress.com

    I also looked up her pedigree. She was born in 1942, sired by VALTED (1934) ex. OUR QUEEN (1936). It turns out that VALTED is a son of the famed TEDDY (1913), although I couldn’t find any indication that he ever won anything. (His name is indeed VALTED, without the “u” making me wonder if MISS VAULT’s owners understood what valted means!) MISS VAULT’s dam, OUR QUEEN was a granddaughter of Sun Briar (1915) and MISS VAULT was her best progeny.

    The mare is 7 years old in the photo I bought: not surprising considering that she started 93 times in her on-track career, retiring with a record of 16-14-14 and earnings of over $16,000 USD. Not bad for the time. In 1959, she produced her only progeny, a TO MARKET(1928) filly named MISS MARKET, who started 21 times and won only once. MISS MARKET had only one offspring, WOMAN SCORNED (1965), a granddaughter of TOM FOOL. She started 50 times, winning once. And here the trail goes cold, as it looks like MARKET SCORNED had no offspring.

    So this is very magical: a kind of fated meeting that defied the odds of MISS VAULT & I ever hooking up at all, given the sheer number of horse photos on EBAY. And I thought it would be fun to share the magic with my Zen family.

    Love & hugs to all

    • / Reply

      Abigail,

      I’m glad you shared your magical “find” here with us. It was fun to hear about how it happened. I love the addition of the photo to The Vault as well.

    • / Reply

      Thanks for sharing this wonderful story, Abigail! High hoof to you and to your namesake “Miss Vault”!

    • / Reply

      Dear Abigail,
      I enjoy The Vault so very much. Funny how things just fall into place and love that you found that incredible photo. It was meant to be. Congrats!

  23. / Reply

    @Sandy–thanks for the update from Marty R. about Pat. My candle is still up, so I think I can’t sign in again.

    @Marty R.–all of your many Dumpling friends here on the blog are so terribly sorry you have both been such a terrible ordeal. Sending hugs and prayers in the hope that they will help you get through these most difficult days.

  24. / Reply

    MartyR I am very sorry to hear about your husband. I understand from Sandy that he was not in pain and at peace when he went to be with our Lord. I hope that you are with your family and other loved ones. When you are ready we are here for you too.
    We all love you and are here to help you.
    Love Sue

    • / Reply

      The Dash
      by Linda Ellis copyright 1996
      I read of a man who stood to speak
      at the funeral of a friend.
      He referred to the dates on his tombstone,
      from the beginning…to the end.
      He noted that first came the date of his birth
      and spoke of the following date with tears,
      but he said what mattered most of all
      was the dash between those years.
      For that dash represents all the time
      that he spent alive on earth.
      And now only those who loved him
      know what that little line is worth.
      For it matters not, how much we own,
      the cars…the house…the cash.
      What matters is how we live and love
      and how we spend our dash.
      So, think about this long and hard.
      Are there things you’d like to change?
      For you never know how much time is left
      that can still be rearranged.
      If we could just slow down enough
      to consider what’s true and real
      and always try to understand
      the way other people feel.
      And be less quick to anger
      and show appreciation more
      and love the people in our lives
      like we’ve never loved before.
      If we treat each other with respect
      and more often wear a smile,
      remembering that this special dash
      might only last a little while.
      So, when your eulogy is being read,
      with your life’s actions to rehash…
      would you be proud of the things they say
      about how you spent YOUR dash?

  26. / Reply

    Terry Crow, my condolences on the loss of your friend Ron. I know he will appreciate your telling his favorite joke at his service, and so will his family and friends. RIP Ron.

  27. / Reply

    I would like to thank, in no particular order, Sandy, BGG, Barbara Wood, Janet Newman. Peggy N, Kathy R, Sue F, Ann, Sally B, Eveline, Max, Judy B, Abigail, Sheena, Vicki Shirlee, and Trina for all good wishes and kind thoughts about the passing of my friend, Ron. I will be off the blog until Saturday so that I can attend all of the functions involved. This has taught me a lesson. Time lost can never be found and I intend to contact my old friends that I haven’t spoken to in quite some time.. It has been foolish of me not to do so before now.

  28. / Reply

    Please consider a reduced water pressure when washing the horses and a light
    hand and feel when handling and grooming them. As Ray Hunt always said: “A horse can feel a fly land on him”. Keep in mind the Golden Rule.

  29. / Reply

    Dear Max Joyeuse won a thrilling race at Salisbury today beating Dorothy B.It seems Sprinter Sacre’s winter campaign will be similar to last year, he’s not going to try 3 miles.Am waiting to see our Moosie take him on!!!!That day Black Caviar raced at Ascot was one of the most exciting I’ve seen there. Everyone just stood and stared when she came out of the stables to the pre-parade.I just held my breath when Luke Nolen eased up but the brave girl just stuck her head out and she kept our Queen waiting in the winner’s enclosure while she was paraded in front of her admiring fans.hugs Sheena

    • / Reply

      Sheena. Very happy for Joyeuse, a truly lovely looking horse like her father Brad. I read that she looked green in the race, but that’s natural because she’s still a baby. Hoping that she makes the 1000 next year.
      Moosie ran 2nd last year to SS, as you know. Anything can happen.
      I recall Black Caviar with Queen Elizabeth. That was a charming encounter. The Queen was really taken with Nelly as we all were. Nelly really pulled out that win. Very impressive.

  30. / Reply

    Steve Haskin has a wonderful blog on Bloodhorse.com regarding Rachel and her friend Brent. Sorry I don’t know how to post it on here but it is on their website under news. Well worth the read. As Steve titled it “A Love Story”

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