Good Morning,
It was so much fun having BRUNCH with all of you yesterday! We should do it again one day soon! I DO LOVE TO EAT!
I wanted to share a photo of my ’2 year old sister’ with you! EBLOUISSANTE is now at the training center in South Carolina. Here she is a few days ago…getting ready to go out and practice her lessons. Hmmm! I see some definite family similarities. I think I’d know those ears and hind quarters anywhere! I’ve lived with them myself for years. I guess we get these qualities from our MOM….VERTIGINEUX.
In the thoroughbred industry, very simply speaking, your family line as far as being a sister/brother (1/2, 3/4 relative etc.) is primarily recorded in detail through your mother. A MARE only has one foal a year as the gestation period is approximately 11 months. A healthy STALLION, on the other hand, may be bred to 60-100 or so mares each year….depending upon his popularity.
So when you are looking at a PEDIGREE PAGE for a foal (a history of the family)…it is basically traced through the MARE and HER OFFSPRING. In my direct family, my MOM has had several foals while owned by my breeder, MAVERICK PRODUCTIONS. In each of these cases, my MOM was bred to a different stallion….but what ties us together is the fact that we are all foaled (born) from the same MARE. Speaking on behalf of myself, in pedigree terms, ZENYATTA is BY STREET CRY out of VERTIGINEUX. When referenced in this manner….BY…means SIRE (Father of the foal/horse) and OUT OF refers to the MARE (Mother of the foal/horse).
Thus, on MY PEDIGREE PAGE, you would see the following in relation to my MOM. Listed right below her name, VERTIGINEUX, would be the following foals she gave birth to through 2009:
2002…WHERE’S BAILEY, b f, by Aljabr. (Year of birth, foal’s name, b…meaning color bay, f for filly and then by…and the stallion’s name)
2003…BALANCE, b f, by Thunder Gulch
2004…ZENYATTA, dkb/br f, by Street Cry ( dkb/br…means dark bay/brown in color)
2006…TREASURE TRAIL, b f, by Pulpit
2007…SOUPER SPECTACULAR, ch c, by Giant’s Causeway (ch for chestnut and c for colt)
2009…EBLOUISSANTE, dkb/br f, by Bernardini.
In 2005 and 2008, the mare did not have a foal. She has had some since…I just did not list them here.
A full brother/sister….would have the same MOTHER and FATHER.
Thus, when it is not a FULL…it can be a 3/4 or 1/2 brother/sister depending on the various pedigrees influences of the stallion. Thus, as you can see from this, I am not a FULL to any of these siblings….as my MOM was not bred back to Street Cry.
It never ceases to amaze me what a small world we actually live in. My breeder is listed as MAVERICK PRODUCTIONS and when I was purchased this is all my Team knew. All of the paperwork, pedigree pages, and my Jockey Club papers (birth certificate) all list my breeder this way. It was not until months later that any of us on my TEAM found out this was Mr. Kronfeld…a man Mr. Moss knew from the music business. They had not spoken in years…..so I was the one who reacquainted them through all of my racing accomplishments. This is so special!
Additionally, MR. COMMONS and MAKOMA, 2 of my friends from Barn 55…..who both WON this weekend at Santa Anita…..have an interesting ‘small world’ story. Mr. Commons learned his early lessons in South Carolina with Mickey Preggar….just like Eblouissante is doing now. Makoma was with Jeanne and April Mayberry in Ocala, Florida, during her training center days…just like I WAS! There are a number of training centers in our industry….but here we are…..sharing so many wonderful experiences with these two! This is such a small world! We are so fortunate!
Dottie said she’d check the files to see if John has photos of ME at 2…..at the training center….taken at the same stage as ‘E’ is now. Let’s hope! It would be so much fun to compare us at this stage of our lives. YEAH, MOM! This FAMILY THING is so much FUN!
Enjoy your day!
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
sue w
Wow! What a wonderful education you are giving us, Zenny! Thanks for the info. on your half sister and your beautiful mother. Dottie…you never fail to amaze me with all the news and good cheer.
Jenna
Two pretty girls :> But Z is more beautiful :>
Kathleen
I’ve wondered for a long time why Zenyattas Dam was not bred back to Street Cry. Obviously that cross was a huge success!
Annie
Wondering why they did not have Street Cry sire another one of Vertigineux’s foals, since you turned out so well, Zeny.? Zenyatta, I had to laugh after hearing Mike Smith liken you to a Ferrari. Then, I listened to Steve Willard’s accounts of your early days on the track. I bet you miss them.
Wendy Bratten
Zenyatta, we are so fortunate to be able to follow along with your life, and to learn much from you!
Victoria Hammond
Dear Zenyatta, and team,
Talk to the folks that are working with Z’s sister. Ask them if they might wait a year to put her on the track. It is my feeling that as magificent a horse as Z is, (and Z, I believe that you are one of the most magnificent horses that ever lived), I truly think it helped you so much that your owners did not hurry you, and there you were still running last November, still winning…(yes you won against what, 11 other horses, just a nose separated you and Blame). When a horse is given a chance to grow up, although they are strong and fast as early as two, their bones get to finish developing, and it is so much better to take your time getting a star athlete like you started. If they wait awhile with your sister, more likely for her to repeat or at least come close to your stellar career, and stay sound. Please mention this to your sister’s team, she will be glad you did.
Wonderful that you have a chance to be a mom. I know your people will take good care of you, while that foal is getting ready to be born. My mare, an Arab/Mustang/Quarter horse, Deva Donnalea, never expressed interest in other mare’s foals. But when, at age 16, the fellow got in with her, I hoped for her good health, and a healthy baby, and she loved that baby, was such a great mom.
Thanks for being you Zenyatta. And congratulations on being the Eclipse winner, times two. Without a doubt, you deserved it.
Your friend,
Victoria (and Deva Donnalea)
L
@Kathleen and Annie,
If you look up to LauraJ’s response to this question. A big reason V won’t go back to Street Cry because she is owned by Coolmore and Street Cry is owned by Darley.
These two juggernauts do not support each other in the breeding sheds.
Tara
I find it very interesting that your little sister “E” is by Bernardini. Should be a great cross for the both of you, just look at how Bernardini three year olds are doing! Good luck to you and your sister.
Pamela J Hebert
Thank you Z for the information. Your sister sure is pretty. You both do have the same ears & hind quarters. Is she as tall as you? She doesn’t look it. Enjoyed you munching on pears from your post yesterday. Thanks again, always enjoy reading these everyday.
Nancy L
Great article and cute picture. I cannot wait to see Eblouissante run but I guess we will have to. I heard they do not plan to run her until she is 3 (like you).
Jan
Zenyatta,
Thanks for sharing the picture of Eblouissante.She is gorgeous. A beauty in her own right. Dottie, can’t thank you enough for taking time out of your busy schedule to keep us involved in Zenyatta’s life, and for the education on the life cycle of a Thoroughbred. Stay warm and dry big Mama.
NorCalFan#1
I’m so glad that Mr. Kronfeld kept your lil’ sister and that she’s going to John and everyone at Barn 55 when the time comes. I’m sorry your Mom couldn’t stay with him, but I understand it’s a business, too. There’s no doubt the “Queen Mother” receives the royal treatment wherever she is. Thank you for the information–not sure when I’ll ever clean my house with all these interesting things to search online! And thank you, Zenny, Dottie, and Mr. Kronfeld for sharing Eblouissante’s pix with all of us. The love keeps growin’…stay warm, sweet girl!
Ann Maree
Hey, Zen,
I have been talking about Eblouissante and your mom quite a lot lately. I have posted Ebby’s picture all around, and I can’t wait when she gets to John’s barn later this year. She is beautiful, not as beautiful as you, of course! Hugs, Your friend, Ann Maree
NorCalFan#1
On Zenny’s Facebook page:
RERUN ANNOUNCES AUCTION OF ZENYATTA MONEIGH FEB. 27
by ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption on Monday, February 28, 2011 at 1:53pm
Robin A.B.
Team Z – Just heard there were a couple of tornadoes in KY today. Please let us know that the Queen is safe and well. We figure no news is good news, but Eminence, KY was way too close for our taste!!
Ingrid in MA
It’s probably been mentioned before, but why do they “shave” a horse,like Eblouissante is?? Just my opinion,but I think it looks silly. She has a beautiful coloring (just like yours,Zen!) why mess it up by shaving it? And just curious, but from whom did your mom,Vertigineux,get her fabulous ears from? It was your beautiful,alert ears that first drew me to you, Zenny. You looked so professional and like you were totally tuned into Mike and what he was telling you – that all said “Smart Horse!” to me.
Love you, Sweet Zen!
ENSIGN
@ Ingrid in MA,
.
The shaved pattern you see on ‘E’ above is refered to as a ‘clip’ There are varying levels of clips, each with different names. E’s would be roughly a medium ‘TRACE’ clip. It’s done during the winter for horses who still have to exercise but have a bit of a coat on them. Horses sweat and the clip allows them to stay cooler and dry faster : )
.
Some diagrams on types of clips here:
http://www.peasridge.co.uk/clipper-advice/clippers-clipping-advice-horses-types-of-horse-clips.shtml
E’s coat will all eventually grow out even again.
Librarian
Dear Zenyatta, This is my first post and I have enjoyed reading your messages everyday, I just have never written. Thought it was time to add my voice to the many who love you and wish you all the best in your new career as a mom. I work as a librarian in a high school, and asked my friend, the French teacher, how to pronounce your mom’s name, as well as your half-sister’s, since they both look French to me. So I thought I would share what she said with all of your fans who have asked. She said that Vertigineaux is said Ver-ti-zhen-O, with the accent on the O, and Eblouissante is Eb-lu-SAN-tay, with the accent on the SAN. Now I wonder, is the French teacher correct ? I hope so. Hugs to you. Stay warm and dry in this crazy winter weather.
Janine
I have a few questions about the whole breeding cycle, but I’m not sure if you would know. I know mares are typically bred back every year, which means that they become pregnant again while still nursing the foal. In this case, if a mare is pregnant wouldn’t she stop producing milk? So would the foal have to be nursed by a surrogate, or how does this work? I’m just curious :)
I agree with those who said better to let “E” wait until she’s 3 to start racing, but it’s still too early to tell! She is adorable though, looks a lot like her sister.
If you could do more updates about the timeline a mare goes through, how many months, the development, that sort of thing, that would be awesome. I know horses are different from people and it would be very educational to many, I’m sure.
Thanks for these updates, you are too kind. I’m glad to hear Z is doing so well
Fontella
@ Sharon Call…. Race entries and results can also be found at http://www.equibase.com
Linda Moss
Happy Monday Zenyatta! Please know we took some time to have Brunch with you yesterday – while watching you eat your pears, my husband George and I were enjoying a some coffee and croissants!
Families and people in our lives are very important. However, I know for me, also having a sister, they are so special. Nothing compares – always there to cheer you on, provide an honest point of view and even provide great career tips!
How great that E has you for her older Sister! You have seen it all in your very successful career so now you can coach and mentor her. So important give back and now you can do that by providng a great example for her! I am sure she is thrilled!
ENSIGN
@ Janine,.
Yes, it’s common for race bred mares to be bred back each year shortly after foaling. Being bred back doesn’t stop them from lactating and they’ll continue to nurse their current foal for anywhere from 4-6+ months. Most are typically weaned around the 5-6 month mark. By that point they’re usually eating well on their own and can be a bit of a drag nutritionally on the dam whose now gestating the next foal.
Franci Nelson
Interesting that your sister’s daddy is going to be your ‘babies’ daddy too.
Fontella
@ Janie – In most cases mares produce milk for their standing foal until it is weaned whether the mare is rebread or not.
When the foal is weaned the mare stops lactating not too long after.
Mary M. Meek
I love pedigree stuff! I started studying pedigrees as a kid, using a Kentucky Derby winners book and an old Keeneland sale catalog I bought at a yard sale. Now you can look up pedigrees online at equineline.com and pedigreequery.com (among other places.) Here’s a fun tidbit… Zenyatta has a half sister named Balance. Seabiscuit’s second dam (the mother of his mother, Swing On) was also named Balance. This older Balance was born in 1919 and ran 9 times in her life, unfortunately without a win but 4 places (seconds) and 2 shows (thirds.) Zenyatta’s half sister Balance (by Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch), however, was a very accomplished race filly who won many stakes races, including Grade I’s. Zenyatta’s half sister had a beautiful colt by A.P. Indy (the sire of Bernardini — small world!) named Mr. Besilu, who was sold for $4.2 million. He’s two years old now — watch for him to appear on the track later this year or the next.
Margaret
So much fun to be reminded of how relationships are recognized through the TB industry. I learned this years ago but the way you tell it is–WOW! So thoughtful. And so easy to understand.
Z I think you and Dottie should do a book together. That is if you have enough time later this spring and summer to talk to us…that baby thing is awfully important too.
I think E is absolutely stunning! How do you say her name? I think she looks a lot like her older 1/2 sister and momma.
Marilu V
Hello Zeny! Thank you Dottie for helping Zeny explain her family history. Indeed it is a small world. Your sister is beautiful. Congratulations to your Barn 55 friends who won this weekend. I better check when they will race again so I can watch and cheer for them. Hugs, MV
Dottie, how is Life is Sweet?
Karen
Gorgeous Zenyatta,
No wonder you are so grand. You come from such a fabulous family line. I would love to see you at two years. Blessings to you always Z and all your family and friends.
Linda from Vermont
I think a movie should be made about “Z”. What do you think??
Kathleen Burnham
What a great and informative post!!! Thank you for letting us get to know your 4 legged family members!!!