It's A Boy! Zenyatta's Fourth Foal | Retama Ruffian

After waiting over two weeks, Zenyatta (Street Cry-Vertiqineux, by Kris S.) has finally foaled. The foal is a colt by War Front. This colt is the fourth for Zenyatta. According to Zenyatta.com, the official website for all things Queen Z, the foal was born meconium stained. Meconium staining is an event that may occasionally occur during foaling. Meconium is the foal's first stool. Under certain circumstances, it can mix into the fluid surrounding a fetus and it may be inhaled, which may cause lung irritation. "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," An post on the official Zenyatta website state. "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 foaled on Monday, April 11th.]

This is the fourth foal for Queen Z. Cozmic One (Bernardini) was delivered in 2012, Ziconic (Tapit) in 2013 and a War Front filly in 2014. Cozmic One finished off the board in his two starts last year. Ziconic finished third in his first start and was unplaced in his second start. The War Front filly died as a weanling after a paddock incident. Both Ziconic and Cozmic One are trained by John Shirreffs, who also conditioned Zenyatta.