Happy Tuesday,
This is too cute! Last night, Dottie, John, Ann and Jerry all met for dinner. They were discussing my ‘future exciting dating plans’ and the ZENYATTA SCULPTURE that was done by Nina Kaiser. The prototype of the piece is photographed above with Stella and Violet. It looks like Stella is commenting to Violet how much she loves it. I DO TOO!
Nina Kaiser is a very talented sculptor. She does beautiful work! Recently, she did the JOHN HENRY life-size statue that is at Santa Anita Park. While I was at BARN 55, Nina would set up appointments with John and Dottie to come out and STUDY ME! She spent hours upon hours at the barn just observing me while I was training and out grazing. Nina actually measured every single part of my body and then took detailed photos of ALL of me! She wanted to be sure she could reproduce MY IMAGE in PERFECT SCALE! We spent a great deal of time together. This way, Nina felt she really KNEW ME and had a feel for how my body parts all flowed together when I moved. I also found it very interesting to note the keen observations of ‘an artist at work’ while she was with me!
It looks like she GOT IT RIGHT! My TEAM absolutely loved her image of me…and I’M DANCING!! How fabulous is this! YEAH, NINA!
As for my dating plans, I think this news will be released very soon. My TEAM reviewed all of the details with me this morning…and I’M SO EXCITED! I will keep you posted!
With love,
HUGS to ALL~
Z
Pattie from Pickens, SC
Congratulations, Bernardini :) Be Good to our Queen……or she won’t come back next year !! I pray for a strong & healty foal and for God to take good care of Zenyatta.
sue w
Zenny…just heard the news about your BF. Since the Mosses selected him he has to be good. They have NEVER done anything but the BEST for you. Just wanted you to know I got your “thank you” today. Hubby and I are so proud to be your fans and the picture will have a special place in our home. Can’t wait to read your next post…it’s gonna be good. ;-)
Barbara Wood
Wow! Great news. I know he’s a friendly type because when we visited Darley, he came over to see us. I have some great video of him. Can’t wait to hear the details of when, etc.
Kathryn Cogswell
Good.
jim
darley is where street cry stands. maybe z can see her father. i am very pleased with this choice. my hats off to the mosses. bernardini has blood lines with 3 or 4 of the greatest horses who ever raced. hes a beauty
Linda / NJ
Hi Zenny: Oh my goodness. I just received the news! Bernardini, what a lucky young man he is!! Will write more later.
Tricia Clemmensen
I, too, am very pleased with the choice of Bernardini. Congratulations Zenyatta, he is one good looking younger stallion and you should make beautiful music together. So glad it’s not an “Older Man”.
Kathryn Cogswell
The only thing I ever noticed [& this only from photos] is a little drop and toe-inward from the knee down [cannon straight] on the off-front leg; she toes in a bit, as my mare did. Quite a charming little turn, if you ask me.
Linda B
You go girl a younger man you cougar you lol. Just the spirit we would expect from you..I will say excellent blood line
Bobbie Graser
Great News! I was hoping it would be one of AP Indy’s sons. I just realized that the year Bernardini won the Preakness was the year that Barbaro broke down in the race and all the focus was on that tragedy. Well, Bernandini will get lots of attendion now!
Susan from VA
I disapprove of the choice of Bernadini. Sure, Bernadini’s stud fee is half of A.P. Indy’s, but I would have used the old man for the first breeding. He may not be around or be an active stud much longer. The Mossses could have afforded to pay A.P. Indy’s stud fee. Both were A++ on True Nicks.
Allen
Congratulation Z, Bernardini is one lucky stallion. Since Team Z selected him I am sure he is the best, because they have always looked out for you.
roko
Congrats on your upcoming date with Bernardini! Praying for a safe and successful mating, and can’t wait to see pics of your first baby!
Sharon
way to go Team Zenyatta. the choice of Bernardini makes a lot of sense, even if I don’t know anything about breeding!! : )
I like “Zendini” colt or filly! sort of like Houdini – a lot of MAGIC!!
mj
Great choice-he’s a handsome young man with great genes! I hope you don’t think you’re headed to the races when you get on the van Z!
Valeria P. Cannon
Lady Z, hope you get to see your dad and your brothers while visiting Darley. What a bonus!!!! I kind of feel bad for Bernadini, tho. Cause if he doesn’t treat you right, there’s four big hunks plus dad to deal with:)
Leslie R.
Hi Zenyatta, Bernardini is a great choice. He was a good race horse, he’s by A.P. Indy and he was the leading freshman sire last year. You can’t ask for much more in a stallion! Oh, and he’s beautiful!
I hope everything goes well for you.
Love to all,
Leslie
Robbie Pfeufer Kahn
To L: Thank you for demystifying link about the breeding of Thoroughbreds. After watching the video (I, too, wish the narrator would have simply asked questions in a quiet voice!), I think of what awaits Zenyatta as an “impregnation procedure” rather than a mating.
I noticed another video that shows an impregnation. In this one, the stallion seems to “court” the mare. He touches noses, nibbles on her ear, touches her underbelly with his face. Once or twice he even backs off, b/c he sees that she’s not willing.
I’m not sure that the mare ever did become willing. She was tied by the head close up to a wall. She pulled back vigorously in order to get free, an activity that seemed to occupy all her attention. It may be that the stallion couldn’t wait any longer and mounted her.
I am not a horse breeder so what I imagine is simply speculative. Perhaps, an unfettered mare would set the pace for the stallion. He would approach her, demonstrate some tenderness, and wait until she was ready to accept him.
I realize that Zenyatta and Bernadini can’t have that kind of mating. They are valuable Thoroughbreds, and the aim is to conceive a foal without injury to stallion or mare.
To ZENYATTA: Congratulations, Zenyatta on the choice of a sire for your foal! I hope that the “impregnation procedure” will go quickly, with a minimum of discomfort and with no fear.
Much love–Robbie
Here is the link for the video if anyone is interested to see the stallion’s behavior. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIw3xOh0Wk0&feature=related
Georgia Harper
Wow what a handsome guy but he is definately the lucky one!!! I am sure your baby will be absolutely gorgeous and will run like the wind just like his/her mom and dad. Much love to you and your team and know they will be watching every move and all will take great care of you.
Carol C.
Well I knew the blood of Seattle Slew and Secretariat would be in there someplace!! Way to go!!
The Kennedys in San Diego
@Susan from VA –I do not think the stud fee was a factor although Sheik Mohammed was promoting him for Zenyatta when we visited Darley in November and I am sure would make the terms attractive. However, the Mosses want only the best for her.
I think the choice came down to the fertility tests on AP Indy. Bernardini is considered by many to be AP’s best son and he is one of the 2010 Leading First-Crop Sires.
Ashley
Suprised its not AP Indy. Congrats on your date with Bernardini!
Get a peek of your daddy Street Cry and tell him a hello!
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Lucky Bernardini. I was rooting for Mineshaft but a relative is O.K. too. He is one of the best young sires and very beautiful. Could anyone give a correct pronunciation of Z’s Mom, Vertigineaux and what the name means. Are the amazing statues going to be mass produced at a more affordable price? Love the dance pose!
Diana S
Dear Zen and Team Zen,
Bernardini is a handsome and accomplished fellow. And we still get a little (or lot) of A.P.Indy. I think he is a fine choice! Zen, you’ll do fine in the breeding shed. I’m quite sure LE will handle you and your date very carefully. You are a big healthy girl and I know you’ve already been “handled” some during vet inspections, and I’ll bet you were your usual level-headed self. Without too much graphics, I’m hoping Dottie will let us all know how things go come your February date. I’m excited for you and can’t wait to see your baby next year!
Criminal Type
There are stallions all over the world today wishing they were Bernardini. Good choice, rather him then his fat old man. After all the Queen should have young handsome guys, with lots of stamina ! lol
Criminal Type
vertigneaux is vertiginous in french. It describes the feeling of vertigo.
Judy Gadwood Loves Zenny/California
Oh, sweet Zenny! I hope he talks sweet to you! He has no clue how lucky he really is!! God bless you and Bernardini and your future foal(s)
XOXO
http://www.darleyamerica.com/stallions/our-stallions/bernardini/pedigree
Kathryn Cogswell
‘Sting’ [Gordon Sumner, formerly a teacher] has stated that names are totemic. The soundtrack for a very small, excellent film called ‘The Mighty’ [wonderful, wonderful movie] was his work and the first indication he would move to Renaissance cadences, using a wealth of instruments from medieval sources . .. it would be thrilling for the Mosses to revive their ‘string of hits'[Giacomo, Zenyatta & somebody else??] by working with Sting to name this baby . .. someone bringing a Renaissance to the world of race courses, and the confluence made by this union.
Donna
Zenyatta I came up with Bernadini this morning, i guessed right.
I am so pleased, he is the best looking stallion in the stud book.
I won a lot of money on him when he won the Preakness.
AWESOME, WHAT A WINNING PICK
Kathryn Cogswell
‘Vertigineaux’ can also mean dazzling & brilliant in French.