Zenyatta

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Ask The Experts: Round Four

Zenyatta, 13Z and paddock mates. Photo by Alys Emson.
Zenyatta, 13Z and paddock mates. Photo by Alys Emson.

Happy Friday!

You may have spotted an additional foal in Alys’ photo above. Zenyatta and 13Z were moved into a larger paddock this week, and they’re now turned out with two other mares.

Our Ask The Experts column has been on hiatus for a few months, and we’re happy to announce its return. The knowledgeable staff at Lane’s End will be answering questions from readers on a variety of topics. If you have been wondering anything about Zenyatta’s life as a broodmare or have a question related to foals, yearlings or Thoroughbred breeding, please send in your questions using the form below.

We have even more in store for you, as we’ll be kicking off the weekend with a Zenyatta Shop update. Look for a blog post tomorrow morning.

Enjoy!
-Team Z

Edit: Thank you to everyone who submitted a question. Look for answers in future blog posts!

Reader Interactions

355 Comments

    • / Reply

      All I can say is spectacular. I imagine all her fans are very anxious to see it. A most deserving honor.

    • / Reply

      KathyR. That photo of BC is really demonstrative of her grace and power. Looks like she’s totally in charge and Nolen is along for the ride. You rock, Nelly.

    • / Reply

      Love the picture. The one I found was when he was just foaled. He was cute then, he is even cuter now.

      • / Reply

        Dear Janet: I apologise, I forgot it was you who did the first post – did a quick search through past entries, but failed to find it: so sorry, should have acknowledged you earlier. Cheers, KathyR.

    • / Reply

      Thanks for the photo, Kathy! Beautiful mama and beautiful baby — congratulations to all the connections, especially So You Think! I really like Mama’s name: Soft Landing.
      Hugs

  3. / Reply

    Zenny…what a home you have created here. Although there may be many discussions that don’t involve you or your boyz directly, please always remember YOU are first in our minds and hearts. This community has become such an interesting and informative place and it’s all because of you and your wonderful team. Thank you for being the most unique and magnificient horse of my lifetime. Hugs…

    • / Reply

      Well said! Lots of interesting other topics, but Zenyatta is always the first, the best, the queen!!

    • / Reply

      I have been as guilty or guiltier than others for straying. I’ll repeat what I have posted in the past. When old horse players meet and talk about the great ones they have seen Zenyatta will be front and center in any such conversation.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max and Janet: This couldn’t happen at a worse time for the folk at Widden with the breeding season approaching. Must just be awful for the staff to have to deal with the loss of a loved stallion, and to then have to make other arrangements for owners. Guess St Francis just can’t be everywhere.

        • Kathy R, This is horrible news. Colic is truly a scary, scary thing. RIP Northern Meteor.

    • / Reply

      Dear Kathy R.,
      So very sorry about the loss of Northern Meteor. Colic is a nasty business, and this came on so suddenly — it did its cruel job quickly. Condolences to all concerned.
      RIP Northern Meteor

  5. / Reply

    So happy to see Ask the Experts return !!!!
    Looking forward to updates on CoZ and his
    Yearling training and of course Z and 13 Z

    Thanks so much

  6. / Reply

    Home from the Prince of Wales. A really good attendance and an enjoyable evening. I restrained myself and only bet a $1.00 triactor box which was ruined by River Seven coming in second so I had the first, third and fourth. There was an interesting scene as the horses for the fifth race were coming onto the track. One horse appeared, minus a jockey, and was acting up. He reared up, knocked the groom to the ground as he was coming back down and then took off like a bat out of hell and went straight back to the barn area. We were quite amused to see that horse was called Beyond My Control and was obviously in no mood to race. The groom did not appear to be hurt and left the track under his own steam.

    Terry, I noticed the earlier comments about breeding and would like to repeat Bull Hancock’s view – “You breed the best to the best and then hope for the best”. I think it applies to humans as well as horses.

    • / Reply

      Brenda-I would say that Mr. Hancock was a very astute man. Here’s hoping Fort Erie race track continues to make strides forward and remains a viable venue for racing. It would be a shame if it were to shut down.

  9. / Reply

    Sarbonne:
    Dearest Trina and Ann Maree,
    I realize you are trying to help, but neither one of you ask me if it was okay to speak “on my behalf” or use my full name on public sites. The reason it was even necessary tom burden Sharon with all the hassle, time and work as acting treasurer is my family has been stalked by a very unstable man for years, for reasons I won’t go into. Please I humbly beg of everyone please don’t ever do so again. Anyone who cares, knows the names Kari B. and Ashton. I know you were just trying to give credit and honor, but I’ve been begging it never happen again, and for you to please understand.
    Also, your facts above are not accurate.
    As of early yesterday Sarbonne was officially purchased by an amazing angel who, like me, wishes to keep a very low profile and her name off public sites. She did so for Sarbonne and to ensure I had a voice in this (where he goes) and could honor my deathbed promise with my mother. My mother was adamant he not be “rehomed” and Jim was on her list. So I committed to Jim and Jim committed to Sarbonne. I know some of you are not thrilled with the choice, but to come here and speak for me without asking,…….hurts me deeply.
    So please allow me, acting for the person who purchased him, and the very wonderful Saint, Sharon Peck to handle it from here.
    I am the only one who knows the facts as I’m acting for his new owner and with Sharon. Your hearts are in the right place ,but you are creating confusion by not checking with me about the facts.
    Please for updates and info on Sarbonne the facts will be posted to his page until he is safely delivered to Jim. It is the quickest way for me to inform all at one time as you can view a public page without a FB account.
    I greatly appreciate all donations to help with his transport. But he has already been purchased.
    To the people whose feathers are ruffled about having your name left out after your generous time spent helping me and your donations, my sincere apology.
    If you would like to be a part of Sarbonne’s future you are welcome to make donations to Sharon Peck P.O. Box 16213, Seattle, WA 98116. She was more than gracious in allowing us to post her name on this his very public page, after I ask her to, without stating why so I could keep my name off public sites. She is a true Saint, along with his very generous, secret angel who paid his full $1,500 sales price, I continue to be humbled by what she did, and by what all of you have been so willing to do to help Sarbonne have a wonderful future.
    All donations will go towards Sarbonne’s transport cost. I can’t thank all of you enough, I’m more grateful than words can say.

    • / Reply

      Ashton, that’s great news about Bon Bon!! I’m so happy for him and happy that you could fulfill you’re Mother’s wishes. Sending you a virtual hug.

    • / Reply

      Ashton, We are all so happy for what you are doing. I know that no one here meant to cause you any pain and, as you noted, only were trying to give praise to you and to help in any way possible. Thank you for what you are doing and, again, I wish I had known your mother who raised such a wonderful and caring daughter.

    • / Reply

      Dear Ashton
      It was an honor to be able to donate to the cost of transporting Sarbonne. I hope he will enjoy many, many years at “just being a horse”! God bless all the people (even those behind the scenes) who’ve helped in some way contributing to a Happy Ending for Bon Bon
      XO ♥ Judy

  10. / Reply

    What good news!
    Horse & Hound ‏
    Delighted Laura @Collett
    Eventing will be tweeting from H&H account
    while enjoying a day out at #GloriousGoodwood today
    #CollettGoesRacing

  11. / Reply

    WHITNEY POST POSITIONS
    David Grening ‏@DRFGrening tweet
    Whitney: 1 Successful Dan 2 Mucho Macho Man 3 Fort Larned 4 Cross Traffic
    5 Ron the Greek 6 Alpha 7 Csaba 8 Fast Falcon

    NYRA news tweet Defending #Whitney champion Fort Larned has been installed as
    the 7-5 morning line favorite. Cross Traffic 5-2 second choice.

    • / Reply

      Thanks for posting BGG. Don’t like that 2 hole for Muchie since he is such a big guy. And of course, that darn Johnny V is riding against him. Wish Johnny could get a nice mount at Del Mar that day. He seems to always beat my favs. Glad Muchie has Edgar up since we know he can win the big ones. Of course, there will never be another for him like Barbaro. Just wish him good luck.

  12. / Reply

    OK, a man and a dog walk into a bar and sit down. The bartender tells the man that they do not serve animals in there. The man said, “You don’t understand. This is a talking dog.” “I wish a had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that,” said the bartender. “If I prove to you that this is a talking dog,” the man said, “will you set us up with a round of drinks?” The bartender agreed. The man turned to the dog and asked “How does sandpaper feel?”Rough, said the dog. The man then asked the dog “What is on the outside of a tree?” Bark, went the dog. The man then asked “What covers a house?” Roof, said the dog. Finally, the man asked the dog “Who is the best baseball player of all time?” Ruth, said the dog. About this time the bartender was livid. “get out of here and take your phony talking dog with you!” He then gave both of them the bum’s rush out the door. As both of them were picking themselves up from the sidewalk, the dog turned to the man and said “Maybe I should have said DiMaggio.”

      • / Reply

        I have always thought that Ruth was the answer because he started as a pitcher and probably would have made the Hall of Fame as one if he had not become a position player. Held World Series records for the most shutout innings in the series for a long time. But, I have no argument with Mays.

    • / Reply

      Ok, I have a Maine Coon Cat and he talks all the time – no kidding. He has an opinion about everything.

      • / Reply

        …Riding a horse called Toronado?
        Great race, Toronado, in winning the Sussex Stakes.
        Cheers!

    • / Reply

      Thanks for the video Max – I read about the race (both Sheena’s post and on BloodHorse), but there wasn’t any video. What a come from behind ride this was. And did you notice who was in third? Declaration of War – one of our next baby daddy’s sons!!!

    • / Reply

      Max, How in the world did you remember the name of Zorro’s horse? I’m lucky to remember Silver, Trigger and Scout.

      • / Reply

        Anyone remember the two shows about horses in the 50s: Fury and My Friend Flicka (that one from a book). Fury was my favorite tv horse.

        • I actually got to RIDE Fury… I lived not far from the ranch that supplied numerous TV and movie horses. I was around 10.

          Dale Evans and others came to our elementary school to give talks… Montie Montana came often as his daughter went to my school.

          And my brother hung out with his best pal’s neighbor Pat Brady (drove Nelliebelle the Jeep and had a Jeep at home).

        • Dear DebraZ,
          Yes, I do remember those wonderful horses, Fury, Flicka, Topper, Champion, Trigger and Buttermilk, Silver and Scout, Diablo and Poncho’s horse(name escapes me now), Marshal Dillon’s Buck, and any others that contributed so much to my childhood. What a great time to grow up!
          Take care and hugs

        • Dear Patricia in far northern California,
          What a wonderful childhood you must have had — you rode Fury?!! How exciting!! Dale Evans spoke at your school, Pat Brady and Nellie-Belle — WOW!! Thanks for posting! Hugs

        • Are we a bunch of geezers or what? LOL. I also remember wondering if Roy Rogers’ dimples were real. Can’t believe you got to ride Fury, Patricia! How great! I had a bag of marbles and used to make believe they were a herd of wild horses with my favorite horse of the day as herd king. That was as close as I got to real horses until my grandpa took me to the local race track.

      • / Reply

        Shirlee. I’m with TC. Remember all horses, dogs and cats. Also like Komodo dragons. My favorite is Faust. He visited Chicago a few years ago, but he’s back in Houston, or so I last heard.

        • Poncho’s horse was Loco, name not temperment. I’ll throw in another one just for fun Annie Oakley’s horse was named Target. Patricia–Fury also appeared in Giant with Elizabeth Taylor and appeared as Black Beauty in the film of the same name in 1946.

        • Watched an old Johnny Carson Tonight show last week. His guest was Elizabeth Taylor. She said that the studio gave her the horse they used in Black Beauty after the movie was finished.

  14. / Reply

    2013 Qipco Sussex Stakes – Toronado (Race Replay Video)
    Published on Jul 31, 2013
    Another Hughes, Hannon combo with a win for Toronado this time in the 2013 Qipco Sussex Stakes on day two of Glorious Goodwood
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHcXhar4rKw

    Coolmore ‏@TomMagnier tweet
    Well worth watching #Toronado in the G1Sussex Stks

    • / Reply

      Thank you, Kennedys. Good to know about her tooth. Ebby, you and Lola Mae have been front and center as far as the dentist is concerned. Poor girls.
      Ebby, lady luck will be w/ you next time!

  16. / Reply

    Ok, for those interested, our Wedding Date had changed to the 28th of Sept. Saturday which would make it easier for friends and family to attend.

  18. / Reply

    DarleyStallions Thurs. August 1
    Wild Coco provides Shirocco with a Group-race double at Goodwood,
    cruising to victory in the G3 Lillie Langtry Stakes
    Su-Ann Khaw ‏tweet
    Back to back wins for Wild Coco (ex Wild Side) in the G3 Lillie Langtry Stks (2800m) Glorious Goodwood Stakes double today for sire Shirocco

    • / Reply

      Su-Ann Khaw ‏tweets
      2 stakes winners (Brown Panther & Wild Coco) and
      a 2yo winner on debut Rising Breeze today
      for GER sire Shirocco (Monsun ex So Sedulous)

  19. / Reply

    Brown Panther Wins Goodwood Cup!
    Tom Hall ‏tweet on Thurs. Aug. 1
    Brown Panther, 5yo son of Shirocco(Monsun) o/o Unfuwain mare Treble Heights, wins gr2 Goodwood Cup over Ahzeemah (Dubawi) & Altano (Galileo)
    Su-Ann Khaw ‏tweet Grandson of Monsun, Brown Panther (Shirocco ex Treble Heights) wins the G2 Goodwood Cup (3200m) in dominant fashion for @themichaelowen

    Andrew Bensley ‏tweet A lot of talk about Brown Panther coming for Melbourne Cup after Goodwood Cup win. Will be interesting what comes of Mount Athos now?
    Su-Ann Khaw ‏tweet
    via Racing UK interview w Michael Lowen – G2 Goodwood Cup winner Brown Panther to target IRE St Leger and Flemington VRC Melbourne Cup

  20. / Reply

    It’s Post Time Article A Race Steeped in History (Whitney)
    July 31, 2013 | By Jon White Xpressbet
    http://www.xpressbet.com/ReadPostTime?id=7168

    “No. 2 Secretariat did run in the Whitney. But he did not win it. That’s because 40 years ago, in one of the most famous upsets in the history of the sport, Onion won the Whitney, with Secretariat second as the 1-10 favorite.”
    “Whitney Day was hot and humid,” Capps wrote, “and the track was still drying out from the previous day’s heavy rain. Although labeled fast, the track was deep enough that jockeys in earlier races were avoiding the rail.
    “Secretariat banged his head on the starting-gate door just before the race, never a good omen, then broke more slowly than usual, dropping back to fourth as the field headed into the first turn. Turcotte decided to save ground and slipped him to the inside rail. As they headed into the backstretch, they started to pick up horses, though in a more workmanlike manner than usual.”

    Excellent article with lots of good info on Secretariat.

    • / Reply

      This is an excellent article. Supposedly, when Man O’War lost his only race to Upset it was because he was facing sideways when the judge dropped the rope for the start. No starting gates in those days. It just shows how many ways there are to lose a horse race.

  23. / Reply

    19 Horses Die in Louisiana Barn Fire
    By Blood-Horse Staff Updated: Friday, August 2, 2013 1:23 PM
    A fire at a small training center close to Harrah’s Louisiana Downs in Bossier City Aug. 1 has destroyed at least one barn and reportedly killed 19 horses.
    The Shreveport Times reported 19 horses were killed in the blaze at the barn at River Point Stables, also known as Wraparound. The newspaper said the facility is owned by Alan Fox.
    One adjacent barn which stables horses trained by Cecil Borel caught fire but the blaze was quickly extinguished, said trainer Dan White.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/79810/19-horses-die-in-louisiana-barn-fire#ixzz2apvqyN00

  24. / Reply

    I did check previous Blogs & didn’t find this. If it is a repost, I’m sorry-BGG
    Fire Destroys Dogwood Stable Barn in Aiken
    By Claire Novak, The Blood-Horse Updated: Tuesday, July 23, 2013 1:43 PM
    Horses belonging to Dogwood Stable and Legacy Stable survived a large fire at the Aiken Training Track in Aiken, S.C., Dogwood’s Jack Sadler confirmed July 20.
    The blaze destroyed a large part of the barn that housed 21 Thoroughbreds—a mixture of 2-year-olds and yearlings—along with a few Quarter Horses and a stable pony. None of the horses were injured and no people were injured by the flames, although worker Victor Sambrano was hospitalized for precautionary measures due to shortness of breath associated with asthma and possible smoke inhalation.
    Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/79542/fire-destroys-dogwood-stable-barn-in-aiken#ixzz2apzx5RQF
    Dogwood Stable is owned by Cot Campbell, owner of Palace Malice

  25. / Reply

    Article by Fire Department in UK
    Two Large Barn Fires in Less Than a Week Spark a Warning From Firefighters
    News Release Issued: 31 July 2013 For immediate release
    Firefighters have urged farmers to be vigilant during the hot weather after responding to two large barn fires in less than a week.
    Fire crews are carrying out periodic inspections in the aftermath of a large barn fire in Oaks in Charnwood during the early hours of Tuesday (30/7/13) morning. This follows a similar incident, only three days earlier on Saturday (27/7/13) morning, where firefighters tackled a blaze at a farm in Diseworth involving more than 25,000 tonnes of hay.
    http://www.leicestershire-fire.gov.uk/media/releases/2013-07-31.shtml

  26. / Reply

    Pro Equine Grooms is a great site with lots of good info
    http://www.proequinegrooms.com/

    The link below takes you to making a barn safer
    Question
    How I can make my barn safer in regards to fire?
    This is definitely a topic that all barn owners, boarders, and horse lovers should be aware of. Horse barn fires can have lot of sources – human and otherwise, and therefore the list of things to look out for is LONG… but let’s tackle it.
    http://www.proequinegrooms.com/index.php/tips/barn-management/how-you-can-prevent-horse-barn-fires/

  27. / Reply

    Bloodhorse.com reports that Rockport Harbor has been euthanized. It just keeps coming. It certainly has been a bad 2 weeks for injuries and deaths.

  28. / Reply

    Ray Paulick ‏@raypaulick 5m
    Departing easily wins G2 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer for Adele Dilschneider & @claibornefarm, where his sire War Front stands.

  29. / Reply

    NYRA ‏@NYRAnews
    Cross Traffic gets it done in the #Whitney! 7-2 for Goldmark Farm,
    Todd Pletcher, and John Velazquez.

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