Champion racehorse loses three-day-old foal
Former champion racehorse Zenyatta lost her days-old foal this week.
The three-day-old colt by War Front died at around 9am on Wednesday 13 April due to complications of meconium aspiration syndrome, a condition that affects the lungs of newborns.
This was the second time the Kentucky-based mare has lost a foal.
Her six-month-old filly, Z Princess, was put down following a field accident in 2014 (October 28).
“It is with heavy hearts that Team Zenyatta and Lane’s End Farm must announce the passing of Zenyatta’s 2016 foal by War Front,” read a statement on Zenyatta’s website this week (13 April).
“We express our deep gratitude to Dr Peter Morresey and the professionals at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital who worked tirelessly to support the mare and foal.
“Zenyatta is in good health and back home at Lane’s End Farm.”
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Later the team posted an update on the mare’s condition.
“Zenyatta has returned to the field that is her original home at Lane’s End,” the statment read. “She has been paired with the mare Vixana, who is also owned by Jerry and Ann Moss.
“Zenyatta and Vixana are the same age, and they trained together under John Shirreffs at Barn 55. The two are becoming reacquainted and have already shared a drink at the water bowl.”
The legendary 12-year-old race mare Zenyatta won 19 consecutive races in a 20-race career.
She is owned by Jerry and Ann Moss, trained by John Shirreffs and was under jockey Mike Smith for 17 of 20 starts.
The colt who passed away this week was Zenyatta’s fourth foal. She had two colts, Ziconic and Cozmic, who are both now racing.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.