Good Morning, Everyone!
The BIG DAY has arrived!
Yesterday, I had my ‘mane pulled’ (groomed and thinned out) and hooves polished so I would look perfect for this ‘moment’! I rather suspected that it was getting close due to all of the attention I was getting. The vets were here during the morning checking me…to be sure my system was ready. Charles, Mike and Matt were at the barn helping me to learn some proper MAIDEN MARE Etiquette…so I would be totally prepared for this experience. MAIDEN MARE is the term used for a MARE who has never been bred before. That’s ME! All day…I had so much ATTENTION!
Then this morning at about 7:30, MY LIMO ARRIVED. A lovely SALLEE VAN was waiting outside the barn ready to take me to Darley. It is approximately a 10 minute ride to that farm from Lane’s End. Matt went with me on the van…and Charles and Michael Cline also went along. I guess it was decided that Bernie and I would be the last couple in the Darley breeding shed for this morning’s session.
Well, WE GOT RAVE REVIEWS! It all went very well. In horse terms, it was ‘one jump…and a very good cover’…meaning that everything went perfectly in our first meeting. Per the guys from my crew…”it was TEXTBOOK. ZENYATTA was unbelievably professional…especially for a maiden mare. It was all nice and easy and went PERFECTLY.” Oh, my guys…Mike, Charles, and Matt are TOO CUTE! They really love me! Blush-Blush!
I must say…Bernie was also extremely professional and very focused on his job! WE MAKE A GREAT COUPLE!
By 8:30…I was back in my LIMO with Matt going home to LANE’S END!
What a morning! Life has so many different kinds of experiences for one to explore and appreciate when the time is right for them to happen! Hooves crossed…..that this day, February 23rd, becomes VERY SPECIAL for me and my new role as a MOM!
I’ll keep you posted as we go along! I am so excited!
With Love,
Hugs to ALL~(including Bernie!)
Z
Stephanie
So happy for you Zenyatta! Just relax and enjoy your special time. The best is yet to come. God bless you.
Gloria
Good luck, sweet Zenyatta! I have a feeling you’re going to be an awesome mama.
Pam
Oh happy day!! We are all so thrilled to hear the news and we thank you for sharing it with us, and in such a ladylike manner too. You are amazing, Queen Z, everything you touch seems to go really well! Hope you get fat and sassy, enjoy a long, lazy summer, and produce a foal that will be the pride of you, Bernie, and all of us fans! (P.S. I have a feeling it’ll be a colt.)
Pattie
Anita, In Thoroughbreds, only a live cover is allowed. Many farms also video record the mating so there is no doubt which Stallion covered the mare.
Patti
Oh Mama….you are adorable. So happy all went well. Thank you so much for your diary.
ENSIGN
@ ANITA,
.
Artificial insemination, embryo transfers etc are NOT allowed per the Jockey Club rules if you wish to register your TB horse. Antiquated, yes, but those are the rules.
Missy
Oh Zenyatta what a blessing! Hooves are crossed!! We are thinking of you and thinking that you’ll be the best mommy around! So proud of you sweet girl….so very proud! Love you the most!
Sheri
OMG OMG (not to sound girly bc I am not in any way girly! haha!) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait fot you to have your first baby Zenny! And guess what! Today is my mom’s birthday to! What a special day! I can’t wait for you to have your foal (if the breeding was successful. Fingers crossed!)!! It will be as amazing as you and you will make a fantastic mother!!! LOVE YOU ZENYATTA!!!!! :D :D :D :D
Mike Sekulic
I’ve always said that ZENYATTA is the perfect Thoroughbred. Her personality is dazzling. Her presence is astounding. Her ability to win races is second to none. Her desire to win races was as strong as it could possibly be. She is gorgeous, just absolutely stunning. She’s as gentle as a lamb. She’s intelligent and inquisitive and interested in life and all the things around her. And she passed today’s hurdle with grace and professionalism. I would not have expected anything less from a horse so great!
Hey You
Anita that is the rules with Thoroughbreds. No artificial insemination is allowed.
Amanda Gilliland
My Sweet Lady Zenyatta, I am so thrilled beyond words! My prayers have been answered that evrething would go perfect & safely! You are such an amazing mare that everything you set your heart to do you accomplish it with such grace. I am also proud of Bernadini for his Stallion professionalism. @ LauraJ thanks for telling about the tag on her halter. You are going to be a super Mom. Now my prayers are for a healthy & safe pregnancy & a beautiful healthful foal! Dottie, THANKS for this wonderful post that was so wonderfully writen and we will always remember this day. I send Hugs & Kisses to you, Zenyatta, From Alabama With Love, Amanda G.
@Hooves, This is a Fan Family page and we truly LOVE Zenyatta, not for people with your attitude with negative comments!
Denise
To KEALY: Thank you so much…hugs right back at ya…my daughter gives an exceptionally great hug. :-)
Lauren
One more post before I forget. I am sure all of your family in California is so happy about today’s news. God Bless you Zenyatta – here is to a safe and healthy pregnancy.
L
@Anita,
Unfortunately for the Jockey Club to register the foal it must be the product of a live cover and foaled by the registered mare. Sometimes with valuable mares, if there is an issue raising the foal, the foal will be put on a nurse mare after it is born. This happened with the full brother to Curlin.
Truly the hope is there is no need to use a nurse mare for Zenyatta’s foal and she will be allowed to raise the youngster from birth until weaning age.
Leeann
OMG such exciting news!!! so happy it all went well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
JenB
Oh my I can’t wait to see if that foal dances too. Have you picked out names yet? I know, too early..LOL…BUT, I would pick a dancing theme! Or will they mix the names together and make a Zenyadini? :D
Good job you two!!! Can’t wait to see the foal!
Denise
to MIKE: Great post and so eloquently captures Z and thoroughbreds in general..thanks!
Ginger
Congratulations Zenny! So happy it went well for both of you! Have a relaxing afternoon and I am sure you have lots to talk about with your BFFs:)
Lois Gillespie
Zenny and Dottie, thanks for the news we have all been waiting for – so glad it went well!
@BNijinsky: I love the name “Zendaya”-
Sarah Powell
@Kealy – well said to Hooves
@Denise – as a retired special education teacher, I was just as offended as you but I’m sure you’ve learned over the years that ignorance abounds!
@Carolyn – I bet every piece of that mane disappeared with one or another!
Thought this day was near – so exciting – thanks Dottie for keeping us informed. Now we wait!
Gloria
I got all sappy in my first post and forgot to say a huge THANK YOU for getting this information up so quickly! Team Z, az alwayz, ROCKZ!
pamela Zacek
wow, now nothing, could be fininer then to be with Z in the morning, Mr, B, and I bet he is singing, all day long, hope he is man enough for out Queen, cant wait to find, out, What great news for this morning, it all so great, but Lets see, I would say, two great horses, will do just find, and nothing, finer, then in the morning, sun, wish you all the happiness Mommy hood will bring, you, and Love the terms, so cute, us humans, should use them LOL
Ella
I’m so sorry you probably suffered the pain & indignity of a twitch. Many days I wish you had been a gelding. ♥
Kristoffer Nielsen
@Ensign–many thanks for the excellent information–and to QH Breeder for the interesting link. And to all for the heartfelt comments regarding this “make my day” moment. Now–something nice to look forward to–as is the potential foal from RA and Curlin–another great match!
Kay
i’m so very very happy all went well….but how ’bout that LIMO ride?? sounds very first class (the only way YOU should travel). i’m gonna check them out. maybe you and the gals might want to go for a spin when the weather gets better.
Diana Hanson
Wow the world will be watching for the new addition late January 2012. So exciting. I know you will be such a great mom. Also, we will be watching for Racheal’s baby at the same time. Good job, Queen Z.
Linda
i have been on pins and needles Zenyatta,
The Mosses, Dottie and John, Victor and Carmen, et al.
You are truly loved Zenyatta and such a lucky horse. You have done everything right all of your life. You are such a special lady. And soon to be mother. It is very touching and i am glad your visit with Bernardini went well.
We are all ladies in waiting for you not just Pirate Queen your gal pal in the paddock!
And thank you Dottie. You are such a delightful person to moderate Zenyatta’s
daily doings.
Susan
I cannot believe that I am so interested in the mating of 2 horses…my gosh, I am actually texting my husband to tell him that Z and B hooked up today! OMG…I have totally lost it! But I don’t care…I hope it’s a boy!!!!
QH Breeder
Regarding the comments on embryo transfer, I’ve always wondered why the Mosses didn’t consider breeding Zenyatta to an AQHA stallion by artificial insemination just for fun IN ADDITION TO Bernardini. It would have taken nothing away from her single foal allowed by the Jockey Club. The rules of AQHA allow for multiple foals by embryo transfer, they could have brought some phenomenal blood into the AQHA racing registry, and maybe even set the AQHA racing world on fire. Obviously this is not possible now, as they would have had to harvest the embryos prior to breeding her today.
Robin Barnhill
Yu lo lovey! I won’t tell SiverCharm,i is going tobra his hart LOL. Can’t wait – this is oooo excting!