Good Morning,
Well, I am feeling fabulous this morning! After I came back from Darley yesterday, I relaxed and enjoyed the rest of the day in my regular routine with my friends. We had a great time ‘visiting’ and “just doing girl talk!” It was also a day when one reflects on one’s family. I have this great photo of Mario I wanted to share with YOU. When he came to visit me last time, Mario also spent some fun time visiting other farms. He really wanted to meet MY MOM, VERTIGINEUX. We were able to make this happen for him.
During his visit with Vertigineux, he spent a great deal of time just laughing and smiling! I guess it is because she is “MY MOM”! Mario commented that we have some very similar physical qualities. She is also a good-sized MARE with a PRETTY FACE and GREAT eyes! And look at those adorable EARS! I really believe all of my friends at BARN 55 would know them ANYWHERE! (I think my whole family has a ‘thing’ for fabulous EARS!) Very, very cute!
As for my personal ‘baby’ status, many of you asked several questions about what happens next. Well, with horses, the vets will scan me at approximately 16 days to see if “I look to be in foal”. This is considered to be the ‘early pregnancy scan’. If all looks to be in good order…they will rescan me about 12-14 days later. The primary goal of these early check-ups/scans is always to monitor the “IN FOAL STATUS.” The third pregnancy scan is done 42-45 days from the breeding date. This one is especially important. At this stage, it is really a good sign when all is A-OK with the pregnancy. So, I’ll update you as we go along…but the 42-45 day report is very, very important!
Like I said yesterday…HOOVES CROSSED.
All of my CA FRIENDS and BARN 55 are very excited! Dottie was teasing them….THINK “BLUE” or THINK “PINK.” The anticipation is so much fun! Also, I did want to tell you that I so appreciate ALL of the KIND WORDS, CONCERN, and THOUGHTS you shared with ME on my Web-site and Facebook Page. You are all such loving and caring friends! I hope the next year is a GREAT EXPERIENCE for all of us! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING!
I will keep you posted!
With love,
HUGS TO ALL~
Z
Lisa g
Ms Zenyatta, I was going to visit you in Ca this summer, and they rushed you off to Ky. I was going to change and see you in Ky this summer…but now, I will wait another year…after the bouncing, baby is born…You are worth the wait…but I will meet you before I am gone…I will…I just love you so much..Lisa g.
Kathie
I toasted a best wishes for a healthy pregnancy to you with a Guiness yesterday sweet Zenyatta. I know you will pass your family’s good looks and good disposition on to your baby.
Luv ya!
Valeria P. Cannon
Lady Z, ‘The fire of a mare and the strength of a stud’! May your foals (male/female) always be blessed with the greatness of it’s legacy!!! Do we get to be honorary aunts and uncles?
Love you much,
Valeria
Mary
Hooves crossed (fingers for us), Zenyatta. Love the photo of Mario and your Mom!
Zenyatta, Looks like maybe next summer Lane’s End might allow visitors? We want you safe during your pregnancy though, so maybe your fans should wait till Baby Z is born next winter if that is best for you. Hugs and Prayers
Nicholas c.
all apologies for yesterdays comment as I didn’t realize twinning to be undesirable in the equine world… color me enlightened, and please Z, just 1 healthy strapping baby please.
Katie Clawson
Zenny, you look like your momma so much. It is very very cute. I am so looking forward to seeing you this spring/summer! Do you have any idea when fans will be allowed to see you? I miss you honey. I hope and PRAY that all go well with your check-ups :) .
Love, Katie(future jockey)
teresa
Your mom is beautiful, just like you. Thinking good thoughts for the first scan. No doubt about it, not matter what you are doing…..you’re a winner! :)
Barbara Wood
Kathryn Cogswell–I do remember the comment about the wallpaper. I was looking for a health update. Thanks, though.
LauraJ–thanks for the heads up about OF Facebook page. I had not thought of that. Duh!
Robbie P. Kahn–great idea! I could mamage $5.
L
Everybody who wants to see her, did anyone look into the silent auction being done by the YMCA of Central Kentucky that is offering a chance for a private visit with up to 4 friends in June/July?
judy berube
Dear Z,
Beauty certainly runs in the family and fabulous ears. Just imagine how gorgeous this baby will be. Thank you so much Z and Dottie for these wonderful posts. Love to all of you.
PS: Mikey won on Mr. and Mrs. Moss’s Cozi Rosie yesterday at Santa Anita. She closed like you used to Z (well, there isn’t anyone like you). Brought back great memories of your races.
Toi
Hi Zenny.
Your mom is a beauty, just like you! Now time to take it easy and rest. We all hope you the most healthy and happy 11 months! This is going to be exciting!
ENSIGN
Someone questioned color for Zenyatta’s possible foal. While we won’t know for sure until next year, there’s about a 90% chance of a dark bay/brown foal with little white.
Genetically, Bernardini has all but proven to be a ‘pure breeding bay’, or homozygous black. There’s a strong possibility of that for Zenyatta as well as there’s not a chestnut horse until 3 generations back. Many of Bernardini’s get have also had minimal white markings so he seems to be a bit of a white supressor. Will be nice to see if Zenyatta’s genes are strong enough to carry through perhaps atleast a white star.
Adele Williams
Mario is so happy he was with your mom. She is as beautiful as you are Zen.
Your dad is also very handsome.
Christine
Zen,
Your mom looks like a sweet loving mom. I know you will be also. Some day Mario will visit you as the mom the the up a rising star your baby. WOW…how proud you will be.
I am so glad you are back with the girls. I know you had a lot to tell them. Good thoughts my DEAR QUEEN.
Deborah Lawson
Zen, now I know where you got your looks, your mother is beautiful! Keeping fingers and toes crossed for you.
Kitei
@Robbie ~ I think that’s a wonderful idea — horses and their grooms become so close to each other, and it’s obvious this is the case with Mario and Z. She, too, might feel he is her real boyfriend and her mom all rolled into one!
@Randy — Zenyatta is very aware of everything and has a great memory, and I’m sure her mom is also like this. If they had a chance to be together for any length of time when Z was a foal, they would probably recognize each other and pick right up where they left off…
http://www.horseforum.com/horse-talk/do-horses-know-their-family-members-58181/
Zenyatta’s world is, first and foremost, all about LOVE! ❤
Nancy
Any special cravings yet? Only organic for Zenyatta! Your Mother will be a Grand-Mare. Cheers to you et al.
mars
For those of you who have not read this article it is really really great.
http://racingvault.blogspot.com/2011/02/secretariats-heart-story-of-istabraq.html
Enjoy!
Karen Mitchell
I am so happy to read all the comments today, filled with love and positive thoughts — a tribute to Z and her teams and a beautiful reminder to what is positive in our world. I would implore those few people who commented recently with personal attacks and insults to work out their issues elsewhere. I felt sick yesterday reading these comments and do not wish to take sides or add to the negativity, but rather to remind everyone to honor Z by continuing to make this site such a positive, uplifting, inspiring, tolerant, and loving place to go. Thanks very much to all who are doing this. Karen
Jan
Zenyatta,
Your Mama is a beauty and your Daddy is so handsome. Your baby will be a knock out… Take care big mama.
Karey R
@Robbie PK: Great idea. Not because Mario couldn’t afford it himself, but because the fans appreciate him so much.
It would be fun to show him how we feel. Count me in!
@jackie: Per LauraJ on how to pronounce the name of Z’s mom: “Ver-tĭ-zhĭ-new, or pretty close. Accent on the second syllable.” According to what I remember from studying French for a number of years, what Laura has written is close, but not exact.
If we were speaking French in a very French way, the first syllable would rhyme with ‘fair’, and the last syllable would rhyme closely with the oo sound in book.
Laura has the middle syllables looking good.
Of course who knows how her name is pronounced by her American team? Hope this helps!
Nancy L
In my experience, after weaning, mares and off-spring do not know their family members; or if they do, they just don’t care. We wean and raise about 8 to 10 a year and have done so for over 20 years. Haven’t seen the lasting family bond yet. I was adopted and don’t think I would feel any majical connection to my birth mother.
Leslie R.
Hi Zenny, that is a very cute pic of Mario and your mom. You sure look like her. Very cute! Thanks for sharing the pic with us!
I’m keeping good thoughts for your first scan.
Have a good night, sweet girl.
Love to all,
Leslie
vivian
Queen Z , you look just like your lovely mom. We love you very much and pray only the best for you and your foal. Love from Hollywood park.
Pamela J Hebert
Hello to you sweet girl. You DO resemble your mom. You are a big girl, like your mom & from that great picture of Mario & your mom I can see the same turn of your head & the same intense stare. No wonder Mario had such a great visit- so many inherited traits!! Are you going to tell us about your dad? What was your mom’s race history? Enjoyed your post today. What about your pasture pals? Are they all soon to be moms? Hugs back to you my beautiful friend.
Christine
@ Nancy L
Not being a horse person you might be right. We never know at what level creations are connected and sense that connection. I imagine the temperament of a stallion does not lend itself to family pictures. lol. They are more territorial right? I have watched some of the specials on TV about wild horses and they seem to be as a group of mares protective of the young.Not sure how long they single out their own colt …I need to watch that again. As ever Love to you Queen Zen
Sharon Call
@RobbiePK. Count me in. I think that’s a great idea to create a fund to send Mario to see Z. @HappyHarriet. You are right on about Dottie. I really admire and respect this woman for what she has done, is doing now and probably will do in the future. @Ensign. Refresh my memory, doesn’t Z’s half sister out of Vertigineux by Bernardini have a white star? I’ve only seen her picture a couple of times and this is the way I remember her. I think her name is Eblouissant and she would probably be a good model for what Z’s foal might look like. Of course, you have to factor in Street Cry, Z’s sire, but that’s the closest thing we have to go by. I believe she’s going to John for training this year. Is that right?
audreyc
You do look quite like your Mom, who looks a lot like her sire, and your maternal grandsire – Kris S (also noted for kind & friendly temperament). As they say, “Blessed are the broodmares.”.. Whatever genes comes from the sire, it is only able to come to fruition, through the broodmare, her nutrition, vitality, etc., during gestation. The broodmare teaches the foal from birth, and aptitiude for leadership (alpha) is learned from her. The X factor comes through the X chromosome, through the mare….on & on. Girl power – you BET! Anyway, lovely posts. Thank you, Dottie, for them. Stated on another post – but what the heck – will state again – I hope this mating resulted in conception, and I hope no nurse mare will be needed…Love ya, Zenyatta.
Steph
Hey Zen, cute pic of your mom, she looks like you :)
I hope everything goes well with the foal, and I hope everything goes as planned
Hooves Crossed
Love You Zen
-Steph
Sandy
Hi Zenny,
What a great GREAT of Mario and your Mom. I can’t believe how much you look like her. Mario looks so happy. Someone else mentioned that wonderful picture of you and Mario where you are hugging him. I saw it, but now I can’t remember where, and I would love to see it again. Can you (or one of your wonderful fans) tell me where I can find it?
I was so glad to hear that everything went well on your “date” and will be anxiously waiting (with hundreds of others) to know that you are actually “in foal.” It is SO great that Dottie helps you keep us all “in the loop.” We’re expecting more bad weather here in northern Ohio, and I think the system will also affect Kentucky so stay safe and warm beautiful horse! Love from your Ohio friend Sandy
@Robbie PK: Great idea – I’d be glad to contribute.