Good Morning, Everyone!
The BIG DAY has arrived!
Yesterday, I had my ‘mane pulled’ (groomed and thinned out) and hooves polished so I would look perfect for this ‘moment’! I rather suspected that it was getting close due to all of the attention I was getting. The vets were here during the morning checking me…to be sure my system was ready. Charles, Mike and Matt were at the barn helping me to learn some proper MAIDEN MARE Etiquette…so I would be totally prepared for this experience. MAIDEN MARE is the term used for a MARE who has never been bred before. That’s ME! All day…I had so much ATTENTION!
Then this morning at about 7:30, MY LIMO ARRIVED. A lovely SALLEE VAN was waiting outside the barn ready to take me to Darley. It is approximately a 10 minute ride to that farm from Lane’s End. Matt went with me on the van…and Charles and Michael Cline also went along. I guess it was decided that Bernie and I would be the last couple in the Darley breeding shed for this morning’s session.
Well, WE GOT RAVE REVIEWS! It all went very well. In horse terms, it was ‘one jump…and a very good cover’…meaning that everything went perfectly in our first meeting. Per the guys from my crew…”it was TEXTBOOK. ZENYATTA was unbelievably professional…especially for a maiden mare. It was all nice and easy and went PERFECTLY.” Oh, my guys…Mike, Charles, and Matt are TOO CUTE! They really love me! Blush-Blush!
I must say…Bernie was also extremely professional and very focused on his job! WE MAKE A GREAT COUPLE!
By 8:30…I was back in my LIMO with Matt going home to LANE’S END!
What a morning! Life has so many different kinds of experiences for one to explore and appreciate when the time is right for them to happen! Hooves crossed…..that this day, February 23rd, becomes VERY SPECIAL for me and my new role as a MOM!
I’ll keep you posted as we go along! I am so excited!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~(including Bernie!)
Z
Jani
Lady Z, I want to see you at Lanes End. I’m not sure how to go about it. Maybe Dottie can publish some sort of instructions for how many of us can do this. We just want a glimpse of her as we have never seen her race, except on TV and Youtube. After battling cancer for 6 years, my husband passed. I just could not get my life in gear again, UNTIl I saw Zenyatta. Thank you so much for your inspiring races and cuteness. Love ya.
nancy
O Z what a thrill this is, you go girl we are all happy for you and you becoming a mom. I’m so glad every thing went well and that Mr. B was a true gentleman, we all knew you would be the perfect lady you are. We love you very much Z.
nancyalis
Pretty soon Zenyatta’s “kid” will have a “playdate” with Rachel’s “kid”. No fighting in the sandbox, kids !! I’m so happy. @ Anita-In order for the foal to be a true descendant, the mating must be witnessed “live” and documented. There are a lot of legal rules involved in this
Swanzygirl
Congratulations Z. Looking forward to these diary posts. Thanks for keeping me informed. Healthy months ahead. Enjoy becoming a mom- you are such Lady!
harold
great stuff, now we can hope and wait. nice day in the history books again,the very best to all.
sherry drish
CONGRATS, WELL DONE. I AM SO HAPPY YOU LIKE MR. B. I PRAY ALL WILL GO WELL IN YOUR LIFE. PRETTY FOALS AND HEALTHY ONES. I KNOW THE MOSS FAMILY AND JOHN AND DOTTIE ARE BESIDE THEMSELVES WITH HAPPINESS I KNOW YOUR FANS ARE SO HAPPY. LOVE YOU ALL SHERRY D.
LauraJ
@Anita, all thoroughbreds must be conceived by live cover in order to be registered as TBs by the Jockey Club. This is true the world over. Neither artificial insemination nor surrogacy is allowed.
Fran
Fantastic Z. I am sure Mr. B fell in love just like your fans and your family! So proud of you Z. Now, have fun the rest of the day. Eat well, play, and relax until the end of January next year! Yippee!
Jan
Zenyatta,
The tears are flowing. Good going Big Mama. I’m glad to hear everything went perfect for you and Bernardini. Looks like we’ll be seeing a prince or princess next year. I bet everyone is so proud of you. I know we are here in Houston. Lots of hugs and kisses.
Vicky
Sweetheart, I can tell you right now that you didn’t have to go to all that trouble with your mane and hooves, and otherwise getting you all gussied up for your date. Bernie would have seen right through the mud and been thrilled to meet you, no matter how you looked! Nice of you, though. Glad it was a good first experience.
We love you, Z!
Vicky
Kim
Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I knew you would do just wonderful. Did Ann & Jerry attend? Now in 11 months we will be graced with a little bernie/zenny. Talk about an anticipated foaling!!
dunie oneil
SO glad it went well. Best to both of you and the new foal to be!
Sue
Congrats, Zenny! Now we wait for 12 days to see if it happened. You will notice changes in your body in a few months. I hope you don’t get morning sickness like many among our species.
Dottie, thanks for your rapid post!
Love ya, Zenny :)
Lexie
Dear Z,
You will be the best MOM EVER,we are all with u on this wonderful time for you. Please keep us posted and sending u hugs and kisses
Kristen
I thought all the crying was over. But here I am at work tearing up. Congrats! Can’t wait for the baby Zendini to arrive!
Robyn Mullhausen
Ahhhh, love in the morning! Zenny, thanks for the update. I am so happy to hear everything went well and that your experience was with a Gentleman…we already know you are quite the Lady. I am relieved to hear your guys all treated you well and you are back home.
ENSIGN
Nice post by L regarding the use of nurse mares.
Belmont winner Rags to Riches 1st foal was raised on a nurse mare. I honestly don’t know if she’s managed to nurse and raise her succeeding foals.
.
@ QH Breeder,
While it would certainly be an option, with Z’s lack of early speed and late maturity I can’t see that she’d have been too desirable to a QH race breeding program. I know they run further than 440 yards but that’s the classic distance & where the money is at. A late maturing, long running mare is really the opposite of what’s called for, but you’re still most definitely right that she could ‘legally’ produce an AQHA offspring.
Lino
Primed and prepped for a some horse-playing and a romp in the hay. Bravo!
Anne
Okay Queen Z…time to start knitting those hoofiebooties. I am so glad all went well. I have been worried about this since you retired from racing. Whew…
Now go out and enjoy the day. Your work is done.
I am sure Dottie as well as the Moss’s are glad this is over as well. And Miss Sophie too. Time for all to relax.
Joey S
@Hooves- not cool at all. I work with special needs people and have been accused of being one many times.
Im really excited about this. Hopefully next seasson they line up a date for Zenyatta with Giants Causeway.
Annie
Zenyatta, you didn’t tell us if you want a colt or a filly.
Kathryn Cogswell
“Zendaya” ~ The gift of a heartbeat. Thank You to BNijinski & Mike Sekulic for indelible, unforgetable images.
Peyton
Tears again! Our girl is all grown up and hopefully expecting her first baby! What an amazing mommy you will be. Thank you for letting us continue on this amazing journey with our Queen.
horseluver
Dear Zenny,
YIPEE !!!! Glad to hear the “jump and cover
went well”; Bernie is very competent at
his job both on and off the track and OH!!
so stunning. Glad to hear you were your
usual well-prepared self!!! Hopefully in a
few days we will hear about the embryo/fetus Bernyatta. Have a wonderful day in the paddock with your BBF; Hope you can go out or is your conditon a “little
delicate?”
How fun!!! Thanks so much Dottie; what a
beautiful picture of Z Sarah;
Just gorgeous!! Her eye tells the story.
Sweet Dreams Z !!!!
Shanda Hooton
So excited and very proud of you Z: )
joanne
I am cracking up with laughter! This diary is such a hoot! Been waiting for this entry like most folks and am pleased to hear all went well. Seriously, it’s so nice of Dottie to make sure Z’s thoughts, activities, daily life, etc, are shared with her many fans. This window into the post-racing life of a thoroughbred is really the first of its kind and it — in a fun way — is exposing fans to topics and lifestyles that many don’t know much about. It’s great to know that Z’s TEAM cares about keeping her legacy alive by providing this insight into her new life. Bravo to all connected with this wonderful animal and best of luck in the months ahead. Will continue to read her Diary which never fails to put a smile on my face!
Mary
Zenyatta, Praying for you to have a safe pregnancy and delivery as we all await the Heavenly event of welcoming Baby Zenyatta. I guess the Heavenly Stars aligned for today’s happening. Hugs and Prayers
Patricia
So HAPPY that YOU & BERNIE are safe and everything went as expected. My daughter Ella is at riding lessons as we speak and will be so delighted to hear of your wonderful and exciting news. It is a beautiful and sunny day here in New England. I hope the sun is shining as brightly on you and your crew. We will say prayers tonight for you, Bernie and your potential new foal!
BRAVO!!! The Mosses, John, Dottie, Mike, Mario and all of the CA team must be thrilled!
Thanks for the sharing your news so quickly with all of yoru fans who love you so, so much
HUGS and KISSES to ALL
Kathryn Cogswell
.. . dropped a `t, there; so, ‘memorable.’
kathyb
I am so happy and excited for our Queen! But this sentence confused me: Charles, Mike and Matt were at the barn helping me to learn some proper MAIDEN MARE Etiquette…so I would be totally prepared for this experience.
What is the proper etiquette and how would they have prepared her?
Thanks.