Zenyatta

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Zenyatta will be bred to Tapit

Zenyatta with her Bernardini sired colt. Photo courtesy of Lane's End.

ZENYATTA WILL BE BRED TO TAPIT

Owners Jerry and Ann Moss announced today that ZENYATTA, the 2010 Horse of the Year, will be sent to Tapit to be bred in 2012. “ZENYATTA’s pedigree is a great match to the A.P. Indy sire line, and in choosing Tapit, we think this will be a dynamic mating. Her first mating was to Bernardini, a son of A.P. Indy, and we are thrilled with her colt.”

A grandson of Lane’s End’s two-time leading sire A.P. Indy, Tapit is by Pulpit and out of the stakes winner Tap Your Heels. Tapit, a Grade 1 winner, was third on the General Sire list last year and is currently ranked second on that list. He is the sire of three Breeders’ Cup winners in his first four crops, including last year’s champion juvenile colt Hansen. Tapit stands at Gainesway.

ZENYATTA is boarded at Mr. and Mrs. William S. Farish’s Lane’s End Farm near Versailles, Kentucky. She foaled a colt by Bernardini on March 8 and the Mosses were at Lane’s End for the birth.

Reader Interactions

629 Comments

  1. / Reply

    GIVE ZENYATTA SOME TIME TO ENJOY LIFE AND HER COLT —– THATS JUST WRONG TO BRED HER SO SOON !!!! AFTER ALL ZEN HAS DONE FOR US !!!

    • / Reply

      No, it’s not wrong. It is usual practice to re-breed mares soon after foaling. It won’t interfere with her being a mom to her colt. She can continue to feed him until he is weaned in 5 or 6 months. It won’t endanger her health or well being either. In case you hadn’t noticed, she loves motherhood. For her, having a foal is part of enjoying life. Everyone should know by now that the Mosses love her and would never do anything to harm her. Anyone who thinks they would has not been paying attention.

      • / Reply

        I think it is very hard for some posters to understand that it is perfectly natural to breed Z again so soon after this foaling. All the intelligent and logical arguments that have been presented simply will not be accepted by certain people, and that is ok and understandable. Tapit is a splendid choice! Thank You to the Mosses, Lane’s End, and all of the connections for keeping us in the loop! I raise a glass to you all and to the fabulous choice! Here’s to an amazing future of foals for us all to love and enjoy!

        • Andrea,
          Refreshing to see a ‘measured’ response to those who don’t understand the breeding process. I’d like to see more of that on here when someone says something we disagree with. I too always try to remember that Z means something different to all fans…

          Have a good weekend all. :)

        • Andrea,
          Here, here! (or is it hear, hear?) I join you in raising a glass to the Mosses,
          Lane’s End and all connections, too!

    • / Reply

      Please don’t worry about Zennie being bred back so soon. I work with an equine vet and I asked him about which is healthier for a mare, to skip a year between foals or to be kept in foal. He said it is better for them and safer to be kept in foal because it keeps the system from “dropping eggs”. With proper nutrition and care, a broodmare can produce healthy foals and stay healthy by being kept in foal for 10-15 years. It is OBVIOUS that Zenyatta has had, and will continue to have, only the best of care. The Lane’s End staff are pro’s at their jobs, and the Moss’ love this mare- she is a part of their family.

  2. / Reply

    A $50, 000 stud fee to breed to Tapit!? I wonder what proud pop Bernie’s fee was. They should be paying you Zenny!

    • / Reply

      Dear Karen,

      I thought Tapit’s fee was $125,000. Bernardini’s fee last year was $75,000 and this year it’s $150,000. They’re all numbers I just don’t relate to. LOL

      Zenyatta’s price at the sale ended up being $60,000 and it’s costing more than that just to get her babies born. Wow!!

      Marty R.

      • / Reply

        Marty, Don’t forget that when Zenyatta retired she had earned over $7 Million dollars, So, I’d have to say that she’s made more than what they paid for her and what her stallion fees are.

        • Luv’n Zenny & Zunior,

          What you say is true, but I’m thinking her maintenance is up there, too.

          Anyway, I was just commenting about “acquisition” costs. They’ve definitely been on the rise.

          Thanks, Marty R.

      • / Reply

        Got info off Gainesway Farms page on Tapit. Maybe they have not updated info??

  3. / Reply

    Hi Zenny. This photo is stunningly gorgeous!!! He`s growing so quickly. I heard he now weighs 190lbs. Gained 60 lbs in 2 wks…He sure loves his mom and vice versa. Tapit,wow nice mix. Maybe we`ll see a gray next. I love you Zenny and miss your diary`s but at this point I`ll take any news I can get. Stay well and happy!!! Hope Tasty is doing well and progressing. Lots of Big hugs and kisses, Alene

  4. / Reply

    So glad to see a new picture – little prince is growing so fast – hope we get a little video footage soon. Thanks Team Z for all you do to keep us informed and provide a place for informative posts. I always learn so much!

  5. / Reply

    I look forward to Zenyatta’s next foal too.. SOMEDAY….but can’t we let Zenyatta enjoy life and her 3 week old colt??? No baby factory PLEASE!!!

  6. / Reply

    This is just another precious picture. Thank you SO MUCH for providing all these so we can watch 12Z grow. And, boy is he….191 lb already. Zenyatta is doing a great job keeping him nourished.

    At Santa Anita today, Sister Moon won the second race. She’s owned by Mr. and Mrs. Moss and trained by the other John, John Sadler and is ridden by Joel Rosario. Congratulations to all connections.

    A question. How many mares comprise a full book for a stallion? I would guess that has to be some precise scheduling.

    Another question. When horses breeze and say their result is 20 out of 32, is that 32 all the horses going at that distance that day no matter gender or age? If so, I’m not sure that could be a fair rating. How much importance is put on these results?

    Last comment for this time, since the weekend is here, Lanes End doesn’t update the foal list until Monday. If Tasty foals, the announcement will have to be from some other source.

      • / Reply

        Dear Judy,

        Thank you for your response. Some of those stallions were very busy boys last year. Tapit hosted 157 ladies last year, but I’ll bet with the success his “kids” have had, he’ll be visited by more this year. Since his book is full, someone must have set a limit.

        I’m sure you’re right about a Twitter message if Tasty foals over the weekend. I keep a candle lit for her on Zenny’s candle site. Certainly hope everything is fine with her.

        With the way 12Z has grown since birth, I understand better when people say it wouldn’t be safe for Tasty’s foal for them to be together now. That still makes me a little sad, but I have to realize they are horses and I can’t keep applying human feelings to them. I know the moms will make new friends.

        Marty R.

        • Dear Marty:

          Yes, it would have been great if Z and Z12 could have stayed together with TT and her foal, but I guess that can’t happen now. Sure hope TT foals soon.

          Did you see the link with photo that Max posted of Tapit. Great article (its posted a little past Trina’s wonderful poem to Sue Fredricks). Hugs, JB

  8. / Reply

    First, I love this photo of Baby Z and Zenny at the top of the page! Oh my gosh TOO CUTE!!!! Secondly, I am thrilled she is going to Tapit! A great choice. Tapit has speed and with Zenny’s stamina, a great little Baby Z Number Two might win the Derby, Preakness AND the Belmont. But I am still so excited about Baby Z Number 1. He has amazing presence, like his Mom. Those ears make me smile, they are so much like Zenny’s.

  9. / Reply

    Came up with a cute name for Zen’s baby boy Yattayattayatta. Everyone who I mentioned it to loved it,what do you think?

  10. / Reply

    Thanks for the information on Zenyatta’s next breeding. Zenyatta and baby Z look so beautiful, thanks for sharing. I am still wondering about Tasty. It seems amazing that she has not had her Foal by now. Please keep us informed. We miss you dear Zenny and I know your Birthday is April 1st and we wish you a Happy Birthday. You and your baby Colt look so beautiful and I’m sure you are very happy. Love and kisses go out to you both, miss you.

    • / Reply

      Dear Cheryl:

      I would have liked to see Z bred to Bernie again too. Maybe a little filly. Hugs, JB

    • / Reply

      Judy. Saturday morning, and still waiting for T. Maybe today? She just might be waiting for April 1, which would be the same birthday as Zenyatta and Dynaformer.

      • / Reply

        Dear Max:

        Just left TT this message on the Forum:

        Pleassssssse. As Auntie Karen said, we’re pulling our hair out. Hugs, Auntie JB

  13. / Reply

    Zenyatta, Baby Z (12Z), and all the Team Z members:
    Thanks for the great photo! Love the grazing lesson!
    Take care everyone — have a wonderful weekend!
    Marshall

  14. / Reply

    To Leiana in Santa Barbara, CA,

    Thanks for identifying your gorgeous Mitch. He is very striking! Your friend’s website is wonderful, and I could spend hours reading it. I have enough trouble keeping track of all the Saluki color genetics, but the colors/patterns for horses are much more complicated–but fascinating! One of my Saluki fancier friends is also a racing fan and horse owner and suggested this site. Please give your compliments to your friend. :-)

    • / Reply

      @Elizabeth—
      Think I saw your young pup on a Facebook page with a friend (I’m not on FB) — is he a grizzle? My pup is a black-and-tan, co-owned with Margaret, we got her from Jazirat in England.

      The Saluki has more colors “available” than pretty much any other dog breed. Definitely a challenge at times.

      Patricia

  15. / Reply

    Happy birthday today to Omaha and to our dear Sue Fredrick!

    A Birthday Poem for Sue Fredrick
    (March 24, 2012)

    Our Sue Fredrick in Wisconsin
    Did dearly love her cocker Opie,
    Who was as sweet as could be
    Though he had known abuse previously
    Before Sue had taken him in.
    Opie was the epitome
    Of loyalty
    And showed Sue
    His enduring gratitude
    With amplitude.
    When Opie at the last
    Necessarily passed
    From temporality
    To eternity,
    Our dear Sue Fredrick
    Felt heartsick,
    Nay—
    Dare I say,
    Distraught?
    Their days
    Of loving companionship
    Seemed so cruelly brief…
    But Opie in so many ways
    Had Sue taught
    Even in grief
    To open one’s heart
    For others to care,
    So Sue Fredrick
    Did start
    On the Petfinder page
    With her mouse to click,
    And saw there
    A darling photo
    Of a rescue cocker,
    And that did the trick,
    Lickety-split!
    Though that little cocker
    Was nowhere near her bailiwick,
    Our dear Sue Fredrick
    Did then and there know
    She had to go
    And adopt her!
    Sue
    Double-quick
    Her application did submit
    And her heart commit
    To this new rescue.
    Sue waited
    With breath bated
    Till the group did agree
    That this adopter and that adoptee
    A good fit
    For each other would be.
    ’Twould require a nine-hour trip,
    But that long drive
    Would not Sue thwart—
    Sue was totally up for it!
    And that’s how Amazing Grace
    (Gracie for short)
    Came to Sue’s place
    Where she her new northern digs
    Does embrace
    And every day does face
    Joyful to be alive.
    Thank you, Sue,
    For all you do
    To give canines
    And equines, too,
    In need of rescue
    The benefits
    Each is due.
    And speaking of horses who race,
    I predict
    Our Sue Fredrick
    Will thrill
    To hear that Tapit’s
    Been chosen to be
    The next mate of Z—
    Sue will say he sure fits the bill!
    After all, he’s
    A grandson of that stallion
    To whom Sue would personally
    Give the gold medallion–
    The great A P Indy,
    So handsome and sweet,
    Who, Sue does maintain,
    As a stud, at his peak
    Was not to be beat!
    When Sue Fredrick
    Indy at Lane’s End did meet,
    Her joy she could not contain,
    Nor did she refrain
    From hugging his dear neck
    (He did not in the least mind!)
    And Sue also was quick
    Him to kiss
    On his soft nose,
    Leaving behind
    A smudge of rose
    From her lipstick.
    ’Twas for her a delight not to be missed!

    Happy Birthday, Sue, and many, many more!

    • / Reply

      Happy Birthday Sue! It’s great to “see you” on the forum :-) Best wishes for a good year!
      Sandy

      @Trina – I’m going to have to find some new superlatives! As someone else said, you really HAVE outdone yourself, and it means so much to have these opportunities to learn about our fellow Zensters!

    • / Reply

      Great poem, Trina! Really outstanding!

      HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sue Fredrick! Blessings for many more birthdays with sweet Gracie, also! So glad you found each other. Hugs!

    • / Reply

      Trina, Oh my God I’ve been gone all weekend and came back to this FABULOUS POEM!!! You have me in tears after reading this I’m going to copy the whole thing down and put it in my thoroughbred book for ETERNITY. You have truly captured the real me, my god woman, you must have notebooks all over of everyones quirks. Nobody has ever written a poem for me before, it is such an honor, I shall treasure it forever.
      Thank you all for the birthday wishes, this is my last one and won’t be I celebrating anymore, I’m as old as dirt now (65).

      Will post on the bottom later. Luv & Hugs Sue

  16. / Reply

    Oh, I am over the moon. Getting up this morning and first thing I see is an adorable picture of mom and son and learn that she will go to Tapit. So excited, will be hard to wait to see what color the foal will be and if Z will stamp it like this one. Know that is way ahead of itself so first things first: pray for a successful mating and and pregnancy and continued excellent health of mom and all. Ann and Jerry, you made my weekend. Doing a happy dance.

      • / Reply

        Judy. You are most welcome. Saturday afternoon and still no news of Tasty. Life in that foal barn at Lane’s End must be so good that TT won’t give up her stall. I guess that she will foal only on her own terms and agenda. Still pacing for Tasty to get to the finish line. The long pace for Tasty Temptation.

  19. / Reply

    Evening Attire was my favorite grey and he had a glorious n very long career . What an exciting idea to breed our gorgeous n graceful Zenny with Tapit. Now we have one more thing to look forward to in TB racing. Thank you to Zenny n Team Z for putting the thrills back in racing .Baby Z is looking ever more handsome with each days passing . HUGs n love to ALL :)

  20. / Reply

    Today is a milestone in Thoroughbred history. Eighty years ago on March 24, the great American Triple Crown winner Omaha was foaled from royal breeding. His sire was Gallant Fox, the second Triple Crown winner. His dam was Flambino, also a Grade I winner who ran third in the 1927 Belmont Stakes. His performances in the 1935 Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes were so dazzling that they together led to the formalized usage of the term “Triple Crown” as he became its third winner. He went on to become the only Triple Crown winner to race in England, winning the Queen’s Plate and running second in the Prince of Wales Stakes and the Ascot Gold Cup. The latter performance must have been akin to Zenyatta’s heroic second to Blame in the 2011 Breeder’s Cup Classic, because it was what endeared him most to the Brits. At stud, Omaha was said to have been a failure, yet he was the third generation dam sire to Nijinsky II and three other Kentucky Derby winners. As a young man, Morton Porter accompanied Omaha when he traveled by train from New York to Omaha, Nebraska, his namesake city. From that point, Mr. Porter made it his life’s work to care for Omaha until the great warrior died in his stall at Porter’s farm in 1959. Mr. Porter remains behind, still reminiscing about his old friend, and it is to him we also pay tribute for caring so much for one of the 11. Unlike the other 10, the location of Omaha’s remains is not known. Originally buried at Aksarben race track in Omaha, efforts to find his remains years later, as development encroached, were unsuccessful. Regardless, he still ranks among the greats of the American turf and in our memories as we honor him today.

    • / Reply

      I’ve posted this before, but it bears repeating. I would love to spend some time with Mr. Porter talking about the old days.

  21. / Reply

    Like everyone else, I miss Zenyatta’s diary, and her take on things. It would be “Too Cute” to know her thoughts about Tapit.

    I have been looking at Baby Z to see if he has her dapples? I hope so! Anyone know if they are obvious this early?

    A lovely dark dappled grey would be a real eye catcher and a hit with me. I had a stunning Morab (Morgan Arabian cross) that was one. Bon Ericka was always a real
    head turner and looked fantastic with Kelly green halter, sheet, lead, and leg wraps!
    Could we genetically see a dappled grey from Zenyatta?

    • / Reply

      Dear Cheryl K. and Z Fans:

      One of the Z’sters wrote this and posted it on the Forum under a Discussion titled “Dear Bernie”. Think you will like it. Too Cute. Hugs, JB

      If Zenyatta was the heroine of a Jane Austen novel, she might write a letter such as this:

      Dear Bernie,

      It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter, my dearest Bernie. I truly enjoyed our tryst last spring, and I could not wish for a handsomer colt than the one that resulted from our union, but I must regretfully decline your invitation to visit your bower again this year. Trust me, I pled your case to my beloved human Mama and Papa but they were most adamant that I should entertain the attentions of a certain gentleman residing at Gainesway Farm this year. I hear that he is quite good looking and of a very good family (in fact, he descends from the same bloodline as you, my dear). Mama and Papa have one of his daughters at Mr. Sadler’s barn in California and they are quite taken with the young lady. And so, as a dutiful mare, I must acquiesce to their wishes and bid you adieu, dear Bernie, as least for the moment. You will always be in my heart, as you are the father of my dearest first born foal, and I hope that Mama and Papa may relent in future.

      I remain,
      Devotedly yours,
      Zenyatta

    • / Reply

      Dear Cheryl K.:

      Your Bon Erika sounds stunningly beautiful. Hope Z does have a gray filly next year. Hugs, JB

  22. / Reply

    There used to be a folklore for pregnant women in the Cincinnati area that were over due, if they went to a certain “chili” joint and ate they would go into labor that night. Maybe Tasty needs some of this chili. @Laura J, are you familiar with this? It has been awhile since I have heard it but everyone “overdue” swore by it. I know Tasty is not “technically” overdue, as she could still go awhile, but she must be “getting ready already”.

    • / Reply

      Nope, sorry, I haven’t heard that one. I wonder which chili? Skyline? Gold Star? Camp Washington? Empress? One of the others? if I knew, I’d send a case to poor Tasty.

  23. / Reply

    If they want to breed to the AP Indy line perhaps they should take a look at Malibu Moon who is a son of AP Indy and either 4th or 5th on the list of winners. Since I don’t know that much about it I do know that Moon has some pretty nice horses that he has sired,

  25. / Reply

    Z’sters of Omaha;

    Today, 80 years ago, Omaha was foaled at Claiborne Farm. His sire were was the 1930 TC winner Gallant Fox and his Dam was Marguerite. He too, won the Triple Crown in 1935 and was then promply forgotten as the great horses of the 1930’s came onto the track. He slipped into obscurity but is always briefly mentioned during the Triple Crown Campaigns each May and June.

    Last summer at Saratoga, Omaha “haunted” me at the racing hall of fame. You all know the story and the birth of the Omaha Project. I can now say with uncompromised joy that Omaha may have lived in obsurity but he lived in a world full of love and devotion in America’s heartland for the last nine years of his life. The last six months of my life have been filled with amazing discoveries about the life and times of Omaha in both America and England. The English racing fans LOVED him for his determination, heart and competitive spirit.

    The Grove Porter famiy farm became his home where he became a member of a loving, welcoming, industrious and hard working farm family. His days were happy ones. Each year he became more and more beloved by the Porters. His life was full and peaceful. The Porters were his happy ending.

    Happy birthday “my boy”, you are still loved and remembered in Joy’s heart.

  27. / Reply

    I, too, am very concerned about Tasty. Is there such a thing as inducing delivery in horses? I am not a horsewoman, so I am just asking because I would like to know.

    I, too, am a bit sad that the great Zenyatta is now referred to as a brood mare. I still can’t get my lips around that one, even though all of you have explained that all is ok and this is normal. To me, it’s like taking the beautiful actress Catherine Deneuve and yanking her off the screen to become a mother repeatedly. Everyone is talking about how her offspring or another horse’s offspring will help breeding. Honestly, I feel there is too much breeding of TBs–all trying to own one of the horses in the Derby. Look at all the ads in Bloodhorse. This stallion was bred to 112 mares, another one to 78, another to 107, and on and on–all in ONE year! And there are at least 1000 breeding stallions in the USA, much less outside the USA. Doesn’t anyone here think of the other end of the equation? What happens to all the horses who aren’t born Tapits or Dynaformers? They wind up in the downward spiral of races until they can race no more. You know what then happens to them…and if you don’t, you should.

    Zenyatta, in my eyes, is perfection. So yes, it would be lovely to have several of her, but after reading all your posts, I understand what you say, as you know the industry and horses–I do not, and admit it. I work on the opposite end of racing–the emergency end. So while I am thrilled with Zenny and her prince, and would love to see her have two more foals–do you think it is possible that the Mosses will breed her 3, maybe 4, times, and then retire her to California, her original home? I wince when I hear that Vertigineau is still being bred at 17…but, I guess, I don’t know the industry.

    I know Zenny receives the best of care–never any doubt about that. But again, our magnificent Zenyatta is now in her second career, which could be her longest career. If she will be bred until she’s 17, i think i’ll start going back to church

    • / Reply

      Dear Barb G, your post brought tears to my eyes. You are so right about this, it is so sad to know that our adorable Zenyatta is going to become a money making machine having babies one a year, I only hope that her owners retired her after the second baby. I think that will be a perfect thing to do. Doing this, they will show the fans and the world that they a great human beings. Ingrid.

      • / Reply

        Oh come on now. You’re making it sound like she’s one hoof in the grave if has more than two foals in her life. She won’t be a money making machine by having a single foal per year. The Mosses breed to race for the most part, and they will surely hold on to all of Zenyatta’s offspring. There’s no need to retire her from her second career after having her Tapit foal, being a mother is what mares do. She’s taken very well to motherhood with Z12, seems very natural and talented at it already. It wouldn’t be fair or right to Zenyatta to allow our human emotions to dictate our human perceptions on her. What kind of a life can she expect if she retired so quickly from the breeding shed? If she’s healthy and in the best of shape, there’s no reason to pack it up yet. Not every mare needs to be bred, and most shouldn’t due to the lack of proper care that the foals and mother need, I wouldn’t breed my Quarter Horse/.Morgan mare just because she can have a foal, I’m simply not in the position to do so. But the Mosses have the money to provide top quality care, and I would very much like to see the BEST mares like Zenyatta be bred at a high end facility like Lane’s End rather than average or inferior quality mares in a backyard breeding operation that get bred just because their owner wants to make a buck. If the owners of top quality mares like Zenyatta don’t breed these mares, that won’t stop inferior mares who shouldn’t be bred from being bred. It simply removes the best quality stock from the breeding pool, leaving us with a glut of foals who were bred simply because Bubba Joe had some stallion (who himself shouldn’t be a stallion) from down the road cover his mares.

        The Mosses, in sharing their star mare so generously with the fans, have already shown that they are great human beings. Breeding her or not won’t change that, but everyone involved in her day-to-day care and well being are the best in the business and they make sound and rational decisions based off her overall comfort and happiness. Nobody cares more about her than the Z Team, and there’s no reason for any of the fans to have any kind of negative reaction. A lot of research and thought and planning has gone into the future breeding plans for Zenyatta. This isn’t a case of an average person with a Freisian/Quarter Horse/Appaloosa breeding to the Tennessee Walker down the road to get a Fresiaquarterwalkaloosa. ;)

        • Leiana, every one is entitle for there own opinion. Zenny is out of the ordinary, she is not like any other mare, she is the queen of racing, and because her title, she is not to be used as a broodmare, she is ROYALTY.
          This is the moment to the Moss’s to prove, that they are, also, out of the ordinary. Ingrid.

        • Ingrid, your choice of words about the Mosses handling of Zenyatta is at least unfoundedly judgemental, if not insulting. You claim “our adorable Zenyatta is going to become a money making machine” — with no basis in fact for that statement. And you also say, “This is the moment to the Moss’s to prove, that they are… out of the ordinary.” That makes me doubt whether you have actually read the posts and comments, or any of the educational links, because I don’t get the impression you want to learn anything by coming here — you seem only to want to convince others that your already-fixed beliefs are “the correct ones”.

          It may be only “my opinion”, that the Mosses have already, many times over, shown that they are out of the ordinary, but we have seen their “classiness”, and “caring” and “love” for Zenyatta, for her entire life, from her entire Team. We saw it in the amazing video they made, shortly after her colt’s birth. Do you imagine that horses in the wild do not continue to mate, each time they are in season? I have read that their bodies will not allow them to get pregnant, if they are not ready. Your words make it sound like you would almost really rather bronze Zenyatta herself, and place her on a pedestal for people to “adore” for the rest of her life, rather than allow her to do what seems to come very naturally to her, as evidenced by the wonderful way she is with her colt. It’s clear Zenny loves being a mom. You don’t seem to want to see that fact.

      • / Reply

        I am genuinely confused about something.

        People keep throwing around “money making machine” when it has been repeatedly stated that Mosses have no intention of putting Zenyatta’s baby through the sales ring and that if they never set foot on the track, no big deal.

        The Mosses are owners who have never been in racing for the ‘money’ you do not make money as an owner of race horses, they do this because they love their horses. All of their horses. They are breeding Zenyatta because her accomplishments on the track, her soundness, her will to win it is everything you want to see in the TB gene pool.

        They are not counting $$$ thinking what Z12 is going to sell for, there is no ‘money making’ being had here, it is for the love of the horse, the breed and the sport.

        All these people wanting Zenyatta at the KHP so she can be visited strike me as singularly selfish. You want her on display like a circus horse? Remember what Ann Moss said, “normally she’d be over here at the fence but now her entire world is her colt”.

        Zenyatta loves being a mother, took to it like a duck to water. Be glad she has her foals to love and dote upon and stop being so upset that she’s not around to pose for pictures with strangers anymore.

        • Exactly, Zenyen. Everything about Zenyatta — the way she’s put together, the exemplary career she had on the track and her temperament and desire to win are what makes her a prime candidate for breeding and for producing high quality foals that we can look forward to their future accomplishments on the track.

          To say that because she’s not like other mares (if it hadn’t been for “other mares”, we wouldn’t have Zenyatta or any great horses) and that she shouldn’t be a broodmare is like saying that because Secretariat was so amazing for winning the Triple Crown after 25 years, he shouldn’t have retired to stud (although I really would have liked him to run at 4, he was before my time) and that he should have just lived out the rest of his life in a pasture somewhere.

          I for one am glad that good horses are bred, if the best of the best aren’t bred, it diminishes the breed as a whole.

        • Hi,
          First time I’ve seen “KHP”. Maybe it’s not so much putting her on display but wishing that she would continue to learn things and be able to develop herself and stay fit even if she will be pregnant most of the time. To me, she’s much more than a fertile body. She doesn’t have to be ridden per se–there are lots of other options for her.

      • / Reply

        Well, I guess that’s why the Mosses own Zenyatta and the fans don’t. I admire Zenyatta greatly, I admire her for her accomplishments on the track and for what she’s done for the sport and I’ve cherished the opportunities I’ve had to visit with her and touch her. It’s meant a lot to me. And I’ve been grateful to the generosity of her team in sharing so much about her. But to put her on a pedestal and say that she’s royalty and not like any other mare and shouldn’t carry on her legacy through her foals is kind of naive. You have your own opinion, of course, but nobody’s opinions ever carry much weight. Personally, I want Zenyatta to achieve a vaunted status as a legendary producing mare like La Troienne as well as being known for being a great race mare.

        Who are we to decide she’s not to be used as a broodmare. None of us own her.

        • Leiana.
          ……. and to make you happy, I hope Zenyatta will foal 15 or 20, in that way you and her will fulfil YOUR destiny.
          Hernan.

        • Hernan,

          I’m guessing you don’t know very much about horses, muchless racehorses to understand the impact that La Troienne had on the American breeding industry in the 20th century.

          I hardly consider it my destiny, and highly doubt that Zenyatta will foal 15 or 20 times. Her dam is 17 and has had 8 foals since 2002. She was bred late herself, and did not have a foal in 2005 or 2008 or 2012. That’s an average of foaling several times in a row and then getting a year off. The same pattern will probably hold true for Zenyatta.

      • / Reply

        Wish all owners and breeders were as responsible and loyal to their horses as are Mr. an Mrs. Moss, but sadly that is not the case. Hugs, JB

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        Thanks for that, Judy. In terms of sheer numbers, it does look pretty bleak. And it does not make good sense.

        • Vicki B, I do not doubt that the Moss’s are a very good people, yes, they had show us how wonderful they are with there horses and with us the fans, I only want that our adorable Zenyatta be treated in a different way than other mares. Ingrid.

        • Ingrid, she ALREADY IS being treated differently. She has the VERY BEST of care and housing and nutrition and companionship at all times; her owners are able to make sure that this will continue as long as she lives. WHAT MORE COULD THEY GIVE HER??

          Take the time to read ALL the posts just on this one blog date and you’ll learn —should you care to— so much more than just “how many horses there are” (and it is NOT just in the TB breed either), and “how many need homes,” etc.— and instead of criticizing the Mosses (who do SO much for equine and other charities) you could perhaps support one of those charities, or one of your choosing. Even five dollars is welcome.

          If you truly love horses and truly are concerned for their welfare, DO SOMETHING to PROVE IT. And that goes for everyone else on here who hasn’t already beggared themselves for the noble beasts….. one way or another. Put your money, or your energy, where your mouth is (or typing fingers are).

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        Judy, you are so right about the breeding statistics, if only horse people would be open to knowing about them and hopefully realizing what happens to the tens of thousands who wind up on the lowest tracks in the country and from there, to Mexico or Canada. It is my sincerest belief that horse breeding is out of control, resulting in terror and tragedy for so many of these innocent animals who don’t make it. One wonders why breeders spend millions for two-year olds and not a dime on their commitment to horses they bring into the world and then discard. I don’t see many big breeders contributing to horse rescues, unless they are doing it anonymously. The sheik alone is responsible for breeding thousands of horses a year in all of his farms across the world. And for what–to win the Kentucky Derby. I wonder if he tracks where all of his horses go if they are not Derby material. I wonder about the other big farms doing that as well. I’m sure backyard breeders don’t keep their commitments either. Are we in it for the horses or what? We love Zenny and Rachel and all the top TBs…but do we ever think of the horses racing in bad tracks at the bottom of the racing cycle, running with injuries, living in broken-down stalls…I never thought of them either. I just went to the track to pick the winners and have a great time. Now, I cannot get them out of my mind…

  28. / Reply

    Barb G,

    Beautifully and thoughtfully said. I think a very hard look at the number of TB’s being produced each year is long overdue. Too simply say “that’s the way its alway been done” is not an answer…

  29. / Reply

    Barb G. you wrote a very thoughtful post. The one constant that keeps us happy with Zenny’s new life is she is owned by the Mosses who love her as if she was their child. They have a wonderful reputation for caring for their horses and Z is so special to them, everything concerning her will be done with great thought and care.
    We also recall her Steve saying she was ready to retire…and he surely knew her better than most. This magnificient horse is so gentle and nurturing, she must be so happy to have a little one to care for. She will surely add much to TB racing by producing offspring, even if none of them attains her unique level of success. There will always be only one Zenyatta but it’s nice to see her line is being carried on in such a loving manner.

  30. / Reply

    I guess it is time to realize that Zenyatta is not human and will not follow the path I would like her to take. Raise her baby and live in green pastures free of responsibility to the racing world. I am aware that her owners have raised the bar on treating animals well during and after racing but the fact remains she is a high value animal and will be bred to find that “perfect racing machine”. It was nice for a while and I will always be thank full for that…but I will leave the chatter to the racing folks and depart with memories. I know that Zen will not be able to be with her foal forever…after all they are not like that in the wild…I will depart knowing that she will be getting the BEST OF THE BEST in care…I am not even sure the Moses will name her prince or if the person who buys him will…I am not sure I want to know the answer to that…but thank you dear QUEEN for being all you are . I will love you and pray you the best forever, Be a happy girl. Thank You again for the time I had with this creation Team Z thanks from the depth of my soul.

    • / Reply

      I can absolutely guarantee the Mosses will not be selling The Prince. I would not be surprised if they kept all of Zenyatta’s foals. They are business people, but I get the feeling that the horses are a labor of love for them, a hobby if you will. An uber expensive hobby! I would love to be a part of it! The next best thing is this opportunity to follow Z and their plans for her!

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