Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ziconic

Meet Ziconic’s Trainer, Sarah Pollock

Sarah and Ziconic. Photo by Linda R. Moss

Dear Fans,

We are excited to introduce you to Sarah Pollock, Sarah Pollock Sporthorses, who trains at Templeton Farms – Ziconic’s new home. Sarah has been involved with horses her entire life and began competing at the age of 9. She now competes and trains at the upper levels in both Hunters and Jumpers on the AA circuit.

Sarah is the perfect collaborative partner to transition Ziconic because of her personal and professional experiences with Off The Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs), and her attitude and approach. According to Sarah’s philosophy, which we share – “Focus on the best interest of the horse first and the sport second. Let horses tell us what they are good at and like to do. It lets horses want to do their job. I want every one of my horses to want to work hard because they truly love what they are doing.”

When I met Ziconic 6 weeks ago, “I knew he was a special horse. He has a very strong sense of self and is extremely proud. He is smart, but practical. Like his Mom matured slowly, he’s a bit immature for his age so he is very playful. Our training has focused on exposing him to new things, keeping his mind occupied, and keeping it fresh and fun.”

“At first it was about getting a relationship built on the ground in the round pen and learning to trust each other. With this trust quickly built, he has been very willing to do what is asked and remembers everything he learned the days before. Now we have started poles and cavelleti work, introducing him to the flower boxes in the jumping court, mirrors so he can admire himself in the covered arena, and going out on the track which he really enjoys. No surprise there!”

“Ziconic shows a lot of expression when he jumps; I have started a lot of young jumper warmbloods who were bred to jump but few demonstrated their potential as quickly as Ziconic. He’s a natural in that area and we think he really enjoys it.”

“Templeton Farms is great for developing and training horses because of all the training options at the Farm. It also exposes the horses to other working Sporthorses, so they all learn great socialization skills. I’m so honored to have this opportunity with Ziconic, and very excited about working with Linda and George. We have a goal of setting an example for what OTTBs can do after their racing careers and having Ziconic become a great OTTB Ambassador in the West.”

We look forward to sharing his progress with you. Thank you for your continued interest and love for our special Boy, Ziconic!

Sarah and Ziconic, first time in the round pen. Photo by Linda R. Moss
Ziconic admiring himself. Photo by Emily McCarthy
Intro to mounting block. Photo by Linda R. Moss

Reader Interactions

162 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Thank you Team Z for the wonderful news about Ziconic. So thrilled to hear he is enjoying his new career.

    I love the pictures. He looks happy and gorgeous as ever.

    Thank you Sarah for all your incite and input. Ziconic is so lucky to have you as his trainer.

    Good Luck Ziconic!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      I saw your Twitter update on Lion after I posted above. Wow, keep powering up beautiful boy. Love and Hugs, JB

  6. / Reply

    Dear Judy.No news today about the Lion.Hope his recovery continues.Wishing Zenyatta a safe and healthy pregnancy.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

  7. / Reply

    Oh wow, he looks great and he looks darker now, but beautiful like always!
    Good luck, I love you for ever! Big hugs Ingrid.

  11. / Reply

    Trainer Richard Hazelton, aka King Richard, has passed away. A great trainer and a great man. Condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

  12. / Reply

    Dear Sheena:

    Godspeed Enable and Frankie D. Congrats to King’s Advice and daddy Frankel.

    Wow, two brave warriors; Subbie and Lion. Power Up Beauties. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

  14. / Reply

    Dear Judy.There will be a decision about Enable’s future after the Arc.Who knows she may run as a 6 yr old?Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

  15. / Reply

    Congratulations to my favorite jockey, Mike Smith and Mckinzie on your Whitney Stakes win! Win and you’re in for the Breeders’ Cup Classic! I really like Mckinzie, too; he and Catholic Boy are my two favorites racing this year.

    Bob Baffert was so emotional over this win that he could barely get through the interviews because he was in tears of happiness. He had really wanted to meet Marylou as well as win the race.

    Thunder Snow was scratched from the Whitney due to a fever. I wonder if this was due to traveling across the pond since he only arrived earlier in the week. I hope he recovers quickly.

    Unfortunately, I did not make it to the track today; hopefully, I can be there on Travers Day in three weeks.

    I suspected that Zenyatta was in foal again when I saw the round charm on her halter in some recent photos. I am praying for an uneventful pregnancy and delivery this time.

    Thank you to Linda Moss for doing such s good job keeping us updated by posting on Ziconic’s Facebook page. He looks wonderful and happy. Now we’ll be able to keep up with him as well as Coz.

    I wonder if Zellda has been sent to John yet. Hopefully, we’ll be hearing more about her soon. Maybe Dottie could keep us informed about her once John starts working with her like she did with Zenyatta.

    A couple of NY lawmakers are pushing hard to have a group formed to oversee horse racing in the U. S. They want to have a regulating body formed so that there will be uniform rules and regulations for tracks throughout our whole country. Among other things, this body would create regulations and monitor for drug usage as well as preventing unsound horses from racing. Let’s hope they succeed soon.

        • Donna Z, Sheena and Judy,

          Adding my hearty Congratulations to McKinzie, Mike, BB and all connections on winning the Whitney Stakes! That was quite a nice race and another outstanding ride by Mike Smith. Great team!

          Hugs and Love

    • / Reply

      Dear Donna Z:

      Thanks for the info on the call for a National Regulatory Body for Drug Use in Thoroughbred Racing. Maybe other issues would be included as well in regulating the welfare of our beloved TBS. Would sure be a step in the right direction. Love and Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Praying hard for Lion; such a brave, beautiful boy.

      Congrats to Frankie D (once again) and Advertise. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

  19. / Reply

    Oh wow, I have not been to Z’s blog in a while.! I love Zenyatta forever and to read about Ziconic is awesome. I am proud of your son Ziconic. He is stunning!
    Love n kisses to you and all your foals
    Auntie Sally B

  20. / Reply

    Dear Z, COZ, ZI, ZEL and DC:

    Have a pleasant evening and Happy Dreams. Love all of you so much. Hugs, JB

  21. / Reply

    I have followed Zenyatta for a long time, and am so glad to read that she is in foal to Candy Ride. It is an excellent move since he comes from a distant gene pool in Argentina, and these kinds of matings from distant gene pools can result in the first generation being physically superior individuals. let’s hope Zenyatta’s baby is one of them, and if so, we are in for some great racing.

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Best wishes for quick and complete healing to Too Darn Hot. Hope he will enjoy his new career in retirement — may his life be filled with love and happiness.

      Hugs and Love

  23. / Reply

    Dear Judy.Sad to see Too Darn Hot’s career end now he had returned to winning ways but he will have a great life at Dalham Hall.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Yes, sad TDH has career ending injury. But it’s good that he will have a safe home at Dalham Hall. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

  24. / Reply

    Oh you are so lucky to be training one of THE QUEEN’S boys!! He looks very comfortable with you!!! Thank you for the update!!!!

    • / Reply

      Thanks for the great photos, Sheena.
      The Lion looks gorgeous. Sending more healing thoughts and prayers to him for continued progress. Power Up, brave boy!

      Hugs and Love

      • / Reply

        Dear Marshall and Sheena:

        Ditto your healing prayers for Lion. Keep roaring beautiful boy. Love and Hugs, JB

  27. / Reply

    Sheena,
    Thanks for the reports and pics of Roaring Lion. Healing prayers are going his way from a lot of us. Isn’t he a Kitten’s Joy?

    Happy retirement to Too Darn Hot. Thank goodness she will be able to heal.

    Congrats to McKinzie, Mike and all the team. He did it with ease and style and as was pointed out on the TV broadcast, Mike never touched him with the whip.

  28. / Reply

    Dear Judy.We are hoping Mei-Xiang will produce a cub later this month.She is showing all the signs but of course it could turn out to be a pseudo-pregnancy.Telyn is preparing to leave the Dyfi changes in her behaviour.The thought of winter…..Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      A new Panda cub; hope so. Safe travels to Telyn and all the Osprey. Goodnight. Love and Hugs, JB, LM and all the Sweeties

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