Zenyatta: Playing Matchmaker

With the official announcement that Zenyatta has been retired from racing, it's time for her to move on to a new role in her life, producing little Zens. Jerry and Ann Moss haven't announced which stallion she will be bred to, but it's a fun topic to discuss.

Is her perfect mate at Lane's End Farm, where the great race mare will be boarded or does she need to hop on van to find the ideal stud?

What stallion suits Zenyatta best genetically and which one suits her best conformationally? Since this blog is about the auction business, which stallion would provide her with the most commercially appealing foal, should the Mosses decide to sell one of her offspring.

One suggestion I've heard is Giant's Causway because that's the same cross that produced European champion and classic winner Sharmardal, who is out of a Machiavellian mare. Zenyatta's sire, Street Cry, is by Machiavellian.

Maybe she should be bred to her rival for 2010 Horse of the Year, Blame, but is that too much inbreeding for your taste? Zenyatta's dam is by Kris S. and Blame's sire, Arch, is by Kris S.

Heck, why not work out a three- to four-year breeding plan? Do you stick to the stallions that provide the similar desired nick or do you try a variety of genetic combinations?

Let us know what you think.

(A special thanks to Keeneland director of sales Geoffrey Russell, who suggested the idea for this blog.)