here is the REAL question about zenyatta

[majxmom]

T o remember her anyother way such as broken down or put down, would be unberable.

I do agree with that. The reaction to Eight Belles would be nothing compared to what might happen if Zenyatta were to break down.

[geowarrior]

Well, they could breed her to Rock Hard Ten. The resulting colt to be called (of course) Rock Hard Zen will be the tallest thoroughbred ever and will have two heads and two tails due to the extreme inbreeding to Kris S.

Seriously, though, quite a few of the sires I like best (and all joking aside I do like Tiznow, A.P. Indy, Dynaformer) have quite a bit of size and also tend to throw a bit of size, and I'd think the owners will have to be careful of that in a choice of sire. It's to be hoped that the progeny would actually fit into a starting gate. Rahy would have been a nice choice but he's unfortunately been pensioned. Birdstone is obviously very promising and suitably teeny tiny (do they have a crane in the breeding shed?) but he's turning out to be a sire of predominantly dirt performers. I'd like to see a more versatile sire chosen. Of the unproven sires, I like Hard Spun best. Of the proven sires - I don't really know as all my favorites are too big. Maybe Smart Strike?

John Sherriffs wondered how the foal will keep up with Zenyatta. I thought that was hilarious.

[erins isle]

I love this topic. majxmom is so right, a lot of accidents happen in breeding. But Zenyatta said goodbye to racing on the highest level. That is how we will always remember her.
I think 2009 is a vintage year for racing with Sea the Stars for us in Europe and Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra in the USA. There is no better P.R. than these stars for thoroughbred racing and it is for free.
I love the TV story "Jockeys", and hope they make a further one with Zenyatta of course, great program!!

[Lucy]

If Zenyatta did go to Giacomo, then Sting would have to be the honorary godfather of the resulting colt, Zencomo.

Giacomo x Zenyatta? They'd HAVE to name it Tantric.

[reedhill]

That's good Lucy!

Were any horses hurt on the synthetic track during the BC races?
If not, maybe synthetic isn't as bad as it was thought to be, or the
horses that ran, had better bone were healthier?

Should Zenyatta be bred to a horse that is outstanding on just synthetic
or would she be bred to a dirt horse, or does it even matter? I guess the resulting foal could end up only wanting to run on grass?

[Dave C]

With an explicit US government policy of currency devaluation, producing horses that prefer turf or synthetics may be the way to maximize profits on the resulting foals.

[geowarrior]

Tantric? That is a good one.

Zenyatta has been equally talented on dirt and synthetic (IMO) so I see no reason why she wouldn't have been excellent on turf also. I'm not sure if surface is too important in a sire for her, I think quality of pedigree and racing record as well as conformation would be of greater importance.

[Crystal]

You all are jumping the gun.. What if she isnt even breeding sound???

[reedhill]

Surely they could find out by now and probably already know?

[Kari]

Can't find out for sure until they stop shooting her up with whatever they used to suppress her cycles. Some mares never bounce back from that- the hormones never go back to normal.

[reedhill]

Yes but she's Zenyatta, she's gonna do it all!

[wangkw]

So much confidence ? But she is only a young girl...14 years old to be exact..

[karenkarenn]

Wang thats in human years. Horses can get pregnant at about 2 or sometimes younger. Although some people dont like to do that. 5 is a good time.
Karen

[wangkw]

Thanks..you know better...karen.

[Playwithfire]

How about the best of both worlds, breed her and race her. Its not unprecedented, she should be able to race until early to mid summer at least, even with foal.