Good Morning,
I sincerely hope each of you had a lovely INDEPENDENCE DAY! Not only is it
a wonderful day to spend with family and friends…it is also so significant to remember
the true meaning of July 4th. It is important to reflect upon the history of our country
and appreciate the fact that we are so fortunate in so many ways!
I wanted to share this photo of MYSELF…even though it is not my “best” view….as
you can get an idea of how “I’m filling out a bit”. When I was racing, this is the side
I wanted everyone to see…as I ran past them to the finish line. Now it is interesting
to see from another point of view…my IN FOAL STATUS!
Dottie has requested that each month the farm keep her posted on my ‘weight’.
She wants to keep track of this with all of the other notes she maintains on my records.
Since I was bred on April 3rd, she feels the beginning of every month is the perfect time
to record this number. As soon as she hears the information from the farm, I know she will
share it with all of you.
The racing over the weekend was great fun. I know MY TEAM was very pleased with
Harmonious’ first race back. She finished beautifully in a very fast time yesterday…and
looked terrific. She really ran a wonderful race. My congratulations to all of the
winners over this holiday weekend.
I heard that it was really warm in California over the holiday, great swimming weather, and
it appeared to be a bit warm and rainy on the East Coast from all reports. It was rather
pleasant here in Kentucky. I truly enjoyed my time outdoors with my pals.
Enjoy your week and the ‘summer weather’.
With love,
Hugs to ALL~
Z
mary bobolis
LEXINGTON, Ky. − As the Thoroughbred world speculates about what a Bernardini-Zenyatta foal might look like, there are a handful of people in the sport who already have an inkling.
This possible hint of things to come is named Eblouissante, and she is Zenyatta’s 2-year-old half-sister by Bernardini – the closest thing available to the mating cross Ann and Jerry Moss are planning for their reigning Horse of the Year.
The man behind Eblouissante’s pedigree is her breeder and owner, Eric Kronfeld, who also bred Zenyatta. The Mosses have not given many details about why they selected Bernardini for Zenyatta’s first mating, but Kronfeld’s logic for pairing Bernardini with Zenyatta’s dam, Vertigineux, might shed some light on the cross’s appeal.
By A.P. Indy, Bernardini was an unproven sire, but like Zenyatta’s sire, Street Cry (another Darley stallion), he had impressed Kronfeld with his size and racing ability.
“I said, ‘Bernardini is one of the best horses I’ve seen recently, and his Travers at Saratoga was one of the best races I’ve seen,’ ” Kronfeld said. “And I think Quiet American broodmares are just the best things that ever were, ever, on the planet. So what Bernardini is, you have an A.P. Indy out of a Quiet American mare, and that nick fits perfectly.”
Winter Quarter Farm owner Don Robinson, who has managed Kronfeld’s mares for about 25 years, said he likes what he has seen of the Bernardini-Vertigineux cross so far.
“After Zenyatta, I don’t second-guess any of his matings,” Robinson said of Kronfeld.
Eblouissante, foaled on Jan. 27, 2009, was a dark bay or brown filly whom Robinson describes as “an absolute queen, just elegant.” And, for the record, no, she doesn’t do that dance, and she has no white markings. But there are some similarities between Zenyatta and Eblouissante.
“She has as much presence as any young horse I’ve ever been around,” Robinson said. “It scares me. She’s completely herself, very independent, but in a good way. She’s sweet, but not sugary. Very businesslike. She was definitely the dominant one, but in a kind way, with the other yearlings. I watched Zenyatta at Lane’s End several weeks ago when they first introduced her to the other maidens, and it’s the same thing. It’s not a kick-your-ass kind of dominance, but it’s like they just knew who the boss was. Eblouissante is very much that way.”
Eblouissante – which means “dazzling” in French – is in training with Mickey Preger Jr. at the Camden Training Center in South Carolina, where she is up to galloping 1 1/4 miles. She is already about 16.2 hands, and no one expects her to start until age 3, Kronfeld said. When she does head for the racetrack, it will be to Zenyatta’s trainer, John Shirreffs, in California.
“We’ll send her to John sometime, maybe Del Mar-ish or when they come back to Hollywood, whenever Mickey and John think the time is right, knowing she’s going to race next year,” Kronfeld said.
Robinson broke Eblouissante at Winter Quarter in Lexington, Ky., and sent her to Preger in Camden in early December. Preger also gave Vertigineux her early prerace training.
“Mentally, she’s a different type of horse,” Preger said of Eblouissante, the first Bernardini whom Preger has had in his barn. “Extremely intelligent, almost out-of-the-ordinary intelligent.”
Getting Zenyatta’s half-sister initially was nerve-wracking, Preger acknowledged, but Eblouissante has given her Camden caretakers no cause for concern. Preger’s five exercise riders take turns getting on her and report she is easy to handle.
“She’s a baby, but she has more the disposition of an older horse,” he said. “She takes in everything about her and has a real cool attitude. She’s just a really good-natured filly. Even if she wasn’t who she is, she’s just a different type of horse. She’s neat.”
Kronfeld, an investment banker who also owns the film, record, and television company Maverick Productions, has known the Mosses for 45 years. But he says they never discussed whether Bernardini might be the right sire for Zenyatta’s first foal. But the Mosses and their advisers visited Winter Quarter Farm several times, and they were impressed with Eblouissante, Robinson and Kronfeld said.
“Having seen the physical specimen, he knows what the cross can produce,” Kronfeld said of Jerry Moss. “And now, in the last six months, Bernardini has hopped up and, wow, what a first year. He’s now certainly a top-class sire. Whatever Zenyatta has will be a three-quarter brother or sister to Eblouissante. The nick is right, the physical specimen is right. If luck is on his side, sure, why not go with a sire that looks that good?”
Kronfeld decided to sell Vertigineux two years ago but let it be known he would agree to a sale only if the buyer let him keep her in utero Bernardini foal. Fetal gender testing had indicated the foal would be a filly.
“I don’t think I’d have felt so strongly if it had been a colt,” he said.
Coolmore Stud owner John Magnier agreed to the terms, and Kronfeld sold Vertigineux privately for a price he felt was “absolutely spot-on when the market was good.”
Kronfeld and Robinson said they hope Eblouissante eventually will carry on where Vertigineux left off in Kronfeld’s broodmare band.
“Every professional who has seen Eblouissante has said that she is the closest physical specimen to Zenyatta they have ever seen,” Kronfeld said. “They look like twins.
“There’s never going to be another Zenyatta,” he said. “So the best we can hope for is a good, stakes-winning horse. And let’s treat her that way.”
Barbara Wood
Deareat Z– we love ANY view of you! It is impossible to get a bad picture of you. If I were up close and personal, I bet even I could get great pictures. We are so grateful for the baby updates. They help us pass these months of waiting.
Happy grazing!
Trina Nagele
DEADLINE JULY 6 !!! URGENT REPOST TO EVERYONE WHO LOVES ZENYATTA”S DIARY: FOR DOTTIE’S BIRTHDAY. WE ARE PLANNING A VERY SPECIAL WAY OF SHOWING HER OUR APPRECIATION. We don’t want to disclose what the plans are on this site because we want it to be as much of a surprise for Dottie as we can make it, so please e-mail Karen Gogue to get the details on how you can participate. It will involve no cost or travel on your part, but it is urgent that you contact Karen as soon as possible because she wants to have the initial stage completed by July 6. YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS OUT! KAREN’S E-MAIL: karenlg06@yahoo.com THANK YOU ALL!
Judy (Maass) Gadwood ~ CA
Zenny that is one of your BEST FEATURES!! You have always had the best looking butt, girlfriend! And yes, many, many, many horses saw that hawl pass them as you dug deep down the stretch!! :-D Of course, the “guys” loved every minute of it LOL ;-)
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Congrats to HARMONIOUS!!! Woo Hoo she did very well… almost got it done! :-)
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LOTS OF HUGS & KISSES, MOMMY Z AND BABY Z XOXOXO
judy berube
Dear Z,
We don’t agree. We think you look fabulous from any angle. Your coat is so shiny and dappled. You are beautiful. Love you and love to all of you, Judy and Russ
Cheryl Smith
Any view of you is a good view! We are all so HAPPY for you! You will be THE BEST MOM in the world I am sure!
Take care sweet one!
We Love you!
Hailey
I love you Z !!! I know you’ll be a great mom
Allen
Wonderful picture, there is no way to take a bad picture of you. Just keep doing what you have been doing, because it sure is working. Z you and TT have a great day grazing. Lots of Love from Tn my Queen.
Lynn Martin
Yes, it was hot here in California this weekend, over 100 degrees up here in the Sacramento area, even hotter today. I am glad your weather is a bit more moderate back in Kentucky!
Mary Bobolis, thank you for the interesting information on Eblouissante and the reasons for Bernardini being used on Zenyatta. Very good reading. Thanks for sharing.
Several months ago, when Zenyatta was first in foal, someone posted a very interesting site that described the development of the foal. Approximate sizes at certain months. Not being familiar with horses in foal (I breed dogs, not horses!) I found it very interesting. If someone remembers that site, please post it again.
Thanks all.
judy berube
To Susan in Tn., Kathryn Cogswell, Terry Crow and D.J.:
Left all of you posts on Diary #288. Hugs, J.B.
judy berube
Dear Laura J. an Alexandra Bowdoin:
Here’s a video of Fuego. Oh, he is gorgeous! Hugs, J.B. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jadcjvNvkro
Patricia Emery
Just love that you are happy and healthy!
Hope you had a great July 4th at LE…
with love again and again…
Patricia and Ella Emery
judy berube
Dear Lynn Martin:
Hope this is the link you meant. Hugs, J.B.
http://www.shenandoahmini.com/fetaldevelopment.html
Janie
Zenyatta, you look beautiful from any angle and I look forward to the updates from Dottie about your in foal status. In the meantime, enjoy munching that Kentucky blue grass, pretty girl.
The Kennedys in San Diego
You look gorgeous, Zenyatta! Your coat looks sleek like a seal. And that gorgeous engine. So happy to hear you will be sharing your weight with us.
Susan
Front, back, rear or side-you are one great looking mare-We love you Z
LT
You look great my dear, glowing I might add, so glad everything is going well and can’t wait to see that foal.
LauraJ
@Zenyatta, we will be glad to hear about your weight gain. Just don’t expect any of us to reciprocate, though. :-)
Fran
Hi Z! Yes, it is hot here in CA. It was 107 yesterday. Lots of swimming and BBQ. Dozey gets time off in the hot weather. Early morning walks and no hard work. i think you look wonderful. Have a great day Z. Hugs and xxoo!
Stephanie
Z that is and always will be your BEST view , I love you best xoxo
judy berube
Dear Z Fans:
Good article by Steve Haskin on Aiden O’Brien and Breeder’s Cup potential contenders. Hugs, J.B. http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/horse-racing-steve-haskin/archive/2011/07/05/o-brien-has-lots-of-thinking-to-do.aspx
Ann Maree
Love you, sweet girl! Love your baby bump! Thanks so much for keeping us informed and up to date on your status. This is without a doubt the most watched equine gestation ever!!! Big hugs! Ann Maree
Sami
Happy 4th of July Zenny! Give us updates. Also, is it the 8 month mark where you can do an ultrasound, because we have to start thinking of names! Hope you two are doing well (you and the foal!) and stay healthy! Enjoy, have fun, and most of all, be safe and stay healthy!!
We love you Queen Z!
-Sami XOXOXO
sherry drish
THANK YOU DOTTIE FOR GIVING US WEIGHT UP DATES ON ZENYATTAS IN FOAL CONDITION. ZENNIE YOU LOOK SO VERY WONDERFUL. THIS REAR VIEW IS YOUR POWER AREA. WE SO MUCH ENJOY EVERY LITTLE BIT OF INFO ON YOU. WHEN OUR FIRST FOAL WAS DUE THE VET SAID CALL ME….I WILL TRANQUIZE YOU AND THE MARE WILL BE FINE. SHE WAS TOO. I ON THE OTHER HAND, WAS A BASKET CASE.. SHE WAS TWO WEEKS LATE. ALL WENT WELL. I STILL HAVE THAT COLT. HE IS 23YEARS OLD NOW AND STILL MY DEAREST ONE. LOVE TO ALL, SHERRY D. WV.
Gloria
Hey Big Mama Z., You look gorgeous! Thanks to Dottie for keeping us fans on top of your monthly weight! Dottie rocks! Harmonious ran a fantastic race. She’s ready for next time. Keep cool, Zenny. XOX!
Sue Ann Wilson
Too cute!
Jenna
You still have a bit of a girlish figure!
Hello, pretty girl!
Linda
You really look great!!!
LauraJ
@Judy B, thanks for the link. I’ll look at it this evening. Fuego is a beauty, isn’t he? Juan Manuel is pretty easy on the eyes, also.
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@Alexandra Bowdoin, you will enjoy your DVD! I was volunteering at the horse park the evening of the dressage freestyle, helping to load buses as the spectators came back. Everybody was talking about Fuego’s performance and how thrilling it was.
Stella Bagwell
Dearest Zenyatta,
You’re such a girly girl–worrying about presenting your best side to the camera! :) You should know by now that you don’t have a bad angle.
Your old pal Harmonius ran a fabulous race. We were cheering her own and I was impressed at how fast she was coming down the stretch–clearing faster than any of the other mares. I’m sure you’re very proud of her. The racing was great over the holiday weekend. I hope your picks came home winners! :)
Enjoy your Tuesday and try not to get overheated in this hot and humid weather.
Love and kisses,
Stel