Zenyatta in foal again after failed pregnancy
To have the finest of species, horses are bred according to strict standards so as to ensure perpetuation of blood lines.
Zenyatta, who was foaled to Bernardini earlier this year on February 23rd, 2011, is in foal again. The last attempt proved to be futile. She lost that baby after five weeks of pregnancy. She was mated again to the Darley stallion, Bernardini.
Veterinarians conducted ultrasound scans of Zenyatta and confirmed the news. These scans were performed 60 days after the breeding that took place on April2, 2011. Her pregnancy was confirmed by Ingordo Shirreffs, an advisor to Zenyatta’s owners.
Ingordo-Shirreffs announced this on May 31, 2011 on the mare’s eponymous website. He wrote “I have had what is technically called my '60-day check-up.' I am happily in foal”!
The website also said “As is the Moss' policy, we are not going to be fetal-sexing to determine if the foal is a colt or a filly. My owners never do this with any of their mares. Part of the fun, in their opinion, is the anticipation. We will wait and be
surprised”!
Zenyatta is owned by Jerome Moss and his wife.
Zenyatta herself was foaled in the early months of 2004 by Vertigineux, and she grew to a staggering height of 17.2 hands, as tall as many draught horses. The seven-year old daughter of Street Cry is the second female to foal this year for the first time.
The other was Rachel Alexandra. Rachel Alexandra was foaled to Curlin on March 7, 2011. Zenyatta is the only female to ever have won the Breeder’s Cup Classic. She is also known as the “The sensational 2010 Horse of the Year”.
Zenyatta is a broodmare currently boarded at the Lane’s End Farm in Versailles in Kentucky. She retired from racing with just one defeat in her twenty starts. She was defeated by Blame in a Classic race at Churchill Downs.
Her victories include wins at the Apple Blossom Handicap, Lady’s Secret Stakes, and, the Vanity Handicap.
The news was welcomed by all. It drew more than 265 responses. Racing enthusiasts are happy to see one horse of the year foal to another champion, Bernardini.
Bernardini received the 2006 U.S. Champion Three Year Old Colt award, as well as the 2006 Co-World Champion Three Year Old. He is owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, and trained by Thomas Albertani.
Bernardini has many wins to his claim, which include the Travers Stakes, Jim Dandy Stakes and the Withers Stakes.
Bernardini, winner of the 2006 Preakness Stakes was himself sired by A P Indy in 2003 at the Darley Stable. Bernardini is said to be the bearer of amazing racing genes including those of Quiet American, Spectacular Bird, Secretariat, and, Seattle Slew.
It is hoped that both bearers of amazing genes will be passed on to their progeny. Zenyatta is expected to deliver in early March 2012.
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