Zenyatta, newborn War Front colt sent to clinic as precaution

Photo courtesy of Kyle Acebo/Team Zenyatta via Twitter.

Hall of Fame finalist Zenyatta gave birth to a War Front colt Sunday night at Lane’s End near Versailles, Kentucky. The only damper on the otherwise happy announcement from Team Zenyatta was that the 2010 Horse of the Year and her newborn were transported to a veterinary clinic.

Team Zenyatta explained as follows on their website, Zenyatta.com:

For the most part Zenyatta’s foaling was uneventful and by the book, however the foal was born meconium stained. Meconium staining is an occasional event at foaling in which aspiration can occur, irritating the lungs. As a precaution and on the recommendation of the attending veterinarians, both mare and foal were taken to the clinic for close observation and treatment.

Zenyatta is bright and alert and is in excellent health following the foaling. She and her foal are in good spirits and developing a strong bond. As always, she is a great mother. Currently the foal can stand and move around the stall with minimal assistance. The pair will stay at the clinic where they will get the best possible care and attention. The foal will be watched closely for 48 hours for any changes. If he continues to do well, both Zenyatta and her foal will be able to return to the farm shortly.

Zenyatta’s previous foal, a filly also by War Front, tragically died as a weanling in a paddock accident in October 2014. Her first two foals have yet to win from a pair of starts apiece – Cozmic One, a now 4-year-old son of Bernardini, and current sophomore Ziconic, by Tapit. Like their famous dam, both John Shirreffs trainees sport the silks of Jerry and Ann Moss.

Hopefully Team Z will have a great update later this week.