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
NorCalFan#1
So very glad it went well! God bless you! Congratulations everyone! And thank you, Dottie, for the news!
ENSIGN
Great post L!
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@ Nancy L,
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See my post just a few up regarding Zenyatta’s ‘maiden etiquette’ training.
Jeanenne Cliffman in Kentucky
Zenny, OF COURSE – we new it would be perfect and I am sure all will be just great for the next 48-50 weeks. Can’t wait to see the Baby ZB!! Love you
ENSIGN
Yes, to continue L’s and my post, the dry run yesterday would have given them an indication of just what type of and how much restraint Zen may have required in the shed this morning.
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If she were upset over the initial jumping, I’m sure they repeated it for her. They may have tried her with a front leg hobble, they may have had to use a little Ace or another drug for her if she was fractious. Chances are she didn’t need too much of any of that.
Jane Olney
Dearest Zenyatta,
Did Bernie like your tan from the heat lamps? ;-)
judy berube
Dear Z,
We’re so glad the mating was successful and you were your usual sweet self. Can’t wait for the next news. Wishing you a happy, healthy pregnancy and foal. Love to all of you. Judy and Russ
PS: Thanks again Dottie and Team for sharing with the fans.
Jena Hobert
Ok Zenny so you will go back one or two more times then after 18 days maybe they will do an ultrasound??? I know the guys are taking great care of you. Rachel was bred to Curlin this week too. I bet it will all be easy for you. I know you will be a great mom and who knows maybe your baby will be close to what you were on the track. Thinking of you always. Oh quick note…..Ball Four a former stakes winner 10 years old now running cheap claiming. Old Friends is trying to get 5000.00 (his claim tag basically) and retire him to their farm. This guy ran against Rail Trip and Lava Man. He made over 700,000.00 for people. If you know anyone that wants to help contact Michael at Old Friends Home in Kentucky. Tell Dottie and everybody “Hello” for us. Secsea Dance, Salawgi, Simon and Picasso.
Lib
Congratulations, Zenyatta. You and Bernie seem to be the perfect couple. You will be a fantastic Mom.
LauraJ
@QH Breeder, I assumed you meant for racing. Yes, I agree Z could produce outstanding sport-horse babies.
Delrene
I am so happy, but I don’t know why the tears are flowing!!!!! glad it went well for the both of them. Now you get to go back to your friends and relax and wait for a beautiful baby. We love you all at Team Zenyatta. Keep us posted. We love hearing about all of you.
Janie
I’m so happy for you Zenyatta. This is a whole new chapter of your life and I wish you all the best, darlin’ girl. I hope you can feel all our love for you and we’ll wait patiently to hear if a baby is on the way. Hugs and kisses.
Nancy K B
Oh God, I was crying like a baby when I read the news! It’s SO wonderful. Hopefully, a new life will be on its way. Bernie & Zenyatta – congratulations on your newest endeavor!
Karey R
Hey Everybody: Have you been to Bernardini’s Facebook page? He has sent Zenyatta a lovely care package with all her favorite things. He must be completely smitten. And very thoughtful!
Bev Pettersen
Yay, Zenyatta! Glad it went well. Best wishes to you and will wait to hear the good news. Love the posts about your new life!
ZenyattaReigns
Hope it took, so excited I am pregnant in the same year as the Queen. Special to a super fan like myself! I’m due on KY Derby day!
Trina Nagele
Dearest Zennie, I am crying tears of joy for you!
@ Emilyy
Special thanks for pointing us to Samantha L. Clark’s outstanding interview with David Ingordo, FINDING ZENYATTA, on eventingnation.com.
@Dottie and all the other wonderful posters:
Thanks so much for making this page MUST READ material every day. Thanks for sharing the joy of a world with Zenyatta in it!
The Indomitable DrugS
I always think back to when I saw Golden Missile at Milfer farm last November. It was a week after he arrived from Kentucky. He was shown to me in his round pen. There he stood with a huge erection as he was distracted by all the fillies nearby. He was even ejaculating just standing there. Then he bounced out of the pen to his stall. What a virile stallion he is. He is full of energy and has much desire for the fillies.
Linda M
Will she still be allowed to have her Guinness once she’s pregnant? We don’t want any birth defects! ;-)
Melinda
Wow!!! This is great news!!! Glad everything went well…and thanks so much for sharing the details. looking forward to more updates!! Enjoy your afternoon big girl!!
DJ
Dearest Sweet “Z”,
Thank you for sharing your special news. Hopefully soon, you will have a little ‘Zenny’ or ‘Benny’ to love and dance with…
Gerrie P.
It is great news the cover went well, although in a way, bittersweet. Z is moving on with her life.
There will always be and has always been just one Queen and that is Zenyatta. Z’s new foal will be unto his/her own legacy from regal bloodlines. Congrats to the Mosses and the entire Team Zenyatta. I know all will go well because Zenyatta is well, Zenyatta.
Especially Horses
QH Breeder:
Ensign and LauraJ beat me to the punch with comments about Z, being a router, and not bringing speed to a QH breeding. But a show horse, that’s a fun thought. Your comment also made me recall that Secretariat was first tested with a gentle Appaloosa mare and the resultant foal was a blanketed Appaloosa with a red coat like his daddy. His name was First Secretary and while he didn’t race, he was used at stud and sired some racing Appaloosas.
Gwen
Perfect like everything else you have ever done.
Kathy Kimber
Dear Dottie,
Thank you so much for making all of us feel like we are part of this, it is all so exciting.
Dear Zenny,
Congradulations I’m glad it went well. I shall pray that it takes and you will indeed be a Mommy. You, I know, will be wonderful at this job. You and Bernie make a wonderful couple. Rest and relax. Hugs and kisses
Stella Bagwell
Dearest Queen Z,
Your lovely post has brought tears to my eyes. You becoming a mother—what a special, special day this is for you and all your fans!
You and Bernie–it’s got to be a match made in heaven!
Love and kisses,
Stel
Ollie
What a glorious day is is today!
I’m so so happy everything went just fine.
Lots of love,carrots,mints to you and Bernie.
L
@Jena Hobert
No. Hopefully when they scan her at around 16 days she will come up as in foal. If she is still open then the whole process of vet work/Capone flirting to pinpoint the best day for a cover will repeat itself when she’s next in season.
Bernardini is a busy, busy boy, the hope is they only have to visit once!
Barbara Wood
@Jena Hobert–thanks for the heads up about Ball Four. We’ll pray someone has the money to help him through Michael.
I may be mistaken here, and if I am, someone may correct me, but I dimly remember an article concerning the breeding by artificial insemination of quarter horses by an illustrious Thoroughbred. If I’m not mistaken, it was Storm Cat, and it was done at Texas A&M. He was pensioned in 2008, I believe.
renee morris
yeah the perfect couple , now comes the perfect foul…:)
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, I just did not know what to write. I am sad…I am happy, you are no longer a maiden mare….but your experience today…(professional) I prefer elegance..to really start your new life as a MOM, and I know you will be the very best. I wish I could stop crying so I could see what I am writing. I have read all the posts, sweet, educational and cute. Why is a part of my heart sad..just like when you left the race track at first, I guess…another stepping stone that you have allowed all of us to witness. I dreamed you had a boy, I wished that you had a girl…but now, I hope you have the most healthy, beautiful, and athletic baby ever. I love you, I will write more when I am less emotional. Lisa g.