We’re pleased to share the news that Zenyatta was bred to Medaglia d’Oro this morning. She will be checked in fifteen days to determine if she is in foal.
Thank you to the staff at Darley and Lane’s End Farm. We look forward to a happy and healthy year to come.
Team Z
Dru
Wow! So quick but Zen does love her role as mom! Great choice with Rachel Alexander’s
Sire! Looking forward to future updates!!
Karen Davis
I was hoping for American Pharoah
Abigail1849
I am TOTALLY thrilled to hear this news! He’s a super sire and I’m sure this will be one very special foal!!!!!
Ronala
Do her babies always stay with her until they are weaned? Or do they go to a nurse mare so she can be bred again right away? I was very curious about that. I’m aware that her newest baby passed away but I just wondered if her babies stay with her for a normal time if they make it.
Jean Gladstone
Ronala- the only time a foal is removed from its mother is if the mare is unable to care for it. Mares go into ‘foal heat’ after giving birth and there is no reason to separate mother and baby (other than penning the foal away during the actual mating so it doesn’t get in the way & risk injury.)
sheena.davies(wales)
I think her foals are weaned at about 5-6 months.They would never go to a nurse mare unless Zenyatta became ill as was the case with Rachel.
LauraJ_Cincinnati
Normally, Thoroughbred mares raise their own foals. Lactation in mares does not prevent or inhibit conception, so a mare can have a foal at her side and still be bred successfully. If you look at any farm’s website or Facebook page, or if you take a drive through the Bluegrass, you’ll see what are obviously Thoroughbred mares with their Thoroughbred foals. Nurse mares are used in cases like Rachel’s where a medical issue makes it impossible for the mare to feed her baby, if the mare has died, or if the mare rejects her foal and can’t be brought around. It would not make any sense economically to use a nurse mare unless absolutely necessary–they take up stall space, eat, and require all the other care a horse needs. Plus, they aren’t free (unless the mare is one who lost her own foal); they have to be leased.
LauraJ_Cincinnati
Ooops, sorry Sheena, that was supposed to be a reply to the original poster.
Z13Rulz
If you look on this site, you’ll see pictures and videos of Zenyatta with her foals at her side through the first 6 months of their lives.
https://staging.zenyatta.com/photos – Pictures
https://staging.zenyatta.com/videos – Videos
https://staging.zenyatta.com/z-princess-memorial – Photo and Video memorial to Z Princess
I’m not sure how someone could come to this site and not been inundated with the beautiful pictures Team Z has shared with us through the years of Zenyatta with her babies. But there are the links, enjoy them.
Jen
Also, just to clarify, it is not normal for foals to be put on nurse mares so their mothers can be rebred. The normal procedure is for the foal to be left at the farm while mom pops out for her date, and they’re reunited when mom returns. From what I’ve read I understand that the whole breeding process is orchestrated so the mare is not gone long, maybe a half a hour. The Thoroughbred farms in Kentucky are not far apart, and time is sometimes of the essence in aiding conception.
The only time when a foal might be put on a nurse mare so their mother can be bred is if the mare is traveling a significant distance to the stallion–like overseas–and the travel is judged hazardous to a very young foal. Even in these cases, when, for instance, American mares are shipped to Europe to be bred, it’s more usual for either give the mare off (or take advantage of an unplanned year off), or ship her in the middle of her pregnancy to foal out there, so the issue of shipping a very young foal never arises. (This is also a pretty rare situation in the first place!)
Nurse mares are typically only used when a mare is unable to care for her foal herself (ill, injured, dead, or possibly incapable of nursing), or, sadly, unwilling to. No one wants to a foal to go through the trauma of having to adjust to a nurse mare unless it’s necessary. If you poke around the internet a bit, you can find tons of pictures of high-profile race mares (not just Z) enjoying their time with their foals.
Ann Mitchell Adam
I would appreciate an article in the “Ask the Experts” section regarding meconium aspiration syndrome and how common this is. From my reading on the internet, I gathered it happened with a difficult birth. Since the birth went so easily & quickly I’m wondering how the aspiration happened. He was certainly a beauty with the look of a great conformation, just as Z princess had. . . . . And those signature ears too. They are both running free now and we were privileged to have experienced them both. From the looks of both the filly and the colt, War Front looked to be a great choice. So very, very sad that both were lost to outside circumstances.
sheena.davies(wales)
It would have happened while the foal was still in the uterus.
Regina
So excited!
Sheila Foran
Whoa! No …. go!!! Great choice. Will be waiting for this little addition.
deana dameron
Z is such a sweet and beautiful girl. She only deserves the best. I pray that she and the foal have no complications and that it will make it to the races and do Team Z proud. I will say a prayer a day to protect and keep them from any harm. The foal has gorgeous parents for sure, with a lot of promise and talent to spare. Wish only the best for this pairing.
Chris Teschendorf
Will hold good thoughts for this coming year. Love and white light Ann!
Ann Mitchell Adam
My understanding to all the great fans that post here. You are all so very caring. I want you all to remember tho’ that that most animals live in the “here & now.” They accept natural occurrences with equanimity (Some species do have a sort of short mourning.) and react with panic to danger. Horses are herd animals and enjoy connections with other animals. We must not attribute human animal emotions to other animals. It only adds to our own distress. Yes, I personally am sad over the loss of Zenyatta’s last two foals. They both were beautiful and I SO HOPED they would add to her legacy!
Ann
Awesome! Great choice!
Alexandra Bowdoin
I LOVE Medaglia D’ Oro! Thank You Team Z. I hope the news is positive in a few weeks that this mating worked. I am so Pleased you picked Medaglia, trained by Bobby Frankel and owned by Edmund Gann who started his business in Gloucester, MA before moving to the West Coast. I loved Peace Rules whom he owned and Bobby F trained.
Sue in Indiana
Great news and great choice. Hoping for a safe outcome. Good explanations about nurse mares Laura. Meconium aspiration can also happen with long gestations. Z was a bit overdue. I love that the Mosses keep us all in the know about what is going on with our Queen. Thanks so much, it makes my days.
Vicki B. near Hollywood Park
Thanks for keeping us up-to-date on “our” Zenny Wonder-horse.
Sue Noel in Sun Valley,ID
Wonderful news—will be anxiously awaiting news that she is, indeed, in foal. I pray that ALL goes well for her and the wee one.
Hope the next time, she gets together with Chromie ! Can’t you just imagine how beautiful and powerful THAT baby would be—and probably the most wildly anticipated foal ever to be born ! Born with a fan base of millions !!
I dream of a foal from my two favorite horses of all time !! Wow !!
Kathy Deeds
Actually the nick on that breeding isn’t very strong… a C iirc. This breeding is an A+…a very good match for Queen!
Laurie
I would agree a Lady Z and Chrome baby would be a grand foal!!
Praying all goes well with this pregnancy and a healthy, happy baby next spring.
Bluegrass Girl
Know how much the updates mean to us, Team Z!
Thank you.
May all go well and we will have another countdown next spring.
Mary M
How interesting. Prayers for a healthy, happy and successful pregnancy and delivery. Can’t wait to hear who the gentleman is for Vixana. Next weekend Zenyatta the area will be filled with visitors and spectators. Enjoy!
T. Curry
Great news! Thank you so much for the news! Oh happy days!
Lynda King
Congratulations on selecting Medaglia d’Oro. He has an awesome pedigree that should nick beautifully with Zenyatta and he is stunning to look at in addition to his winning racing career. Should be an impressive foal! His fillies are among the best. Best wishes for a safe pregnancy and the delivery of a healthy foal. Zenyatta looks wonderful as always. Thank you so much for continuing to share her with us. She is dearly loved by so many.
Pam
I am overjoyed that there will be another baby in Zenyatta’s future! I will be sure to keep her in my prayers. Sure hope for good news in 15 days!
Thank you for letting us know the good news!
ronni
Very exciting to hear that she has been bred to the great Medaglia d’Oro!
Helen Leach
She just had afoal that died days after birth. How many time a year a horse can be with foal? I read once a year but not recommended. They usually get a year off between.
Fran
Oh, I am excited! Keeping my fingers crossed that there is a pregnancy. Like I said before, Zenyatta needs a job and that is to be a mom and watch her babies grow and win races. Good Luck!
Valerie Hodder
Medaglia d’Oro is a beautiful stallion. He is stunning with outstanding conformation. This cross excites me more than the others! I do wonder why she wasn’t rebred to War Front as I would expect them to honor a LFG return season given the situation that unfolded. I’m so excited to see the foal of this cross hit the ground! Go Z!
Darla Burton
This is so AWESOME!!! Medaglia d’ Oro! is the best! Now you’ll get your champion filly! Fingers crossed! Whoo Hoo!
Alene
OK…Sounds good. Ann and Jerry know best…I`m praying for a good pregnancy..God willing… She`s been through more then enough…xxxxoooo Love you My QUEEN
Brenda Springer
A perfect match. We will keep everything crossed hoping for a positive ultrasound and a very healthy, jpyous outcome. Love you Zenny.
Jan / S.
That is gonna be a stunning foal!
sheena.davies(wales)
Dear Judy.Exciting news about Zenyatta.I had completely forgotten Medaglia d’Oro was the sire of Rachel and Songbird.Ann & Jerry Moss have chosen well.
There was a Scottish female intruder at the nest today more women trouble for Monty!I think Dai Dots is up in Glaslyn.Goodnight God bless you LM PC HT CAP Hercules Frank Bentley and all the sweeties.Love and hugs SheenaX
Judy B from Rhode Island
Dear Sheena:
Yes, always loved MDO, RA and Songbird’s Dad.
Looks like Dai may not be joining Blue. That’s too bad. Love and Hugs, JB, LM, PC, HT, Cap, Herc, Frank, Bentley and all the Sweeties
Paula Higgins
Exciting news and hoping for the best possible outcome-a beautiful and healthy foal.
zfan
Wow, I’m so happy for all! Good things in the future!!