Zenyatta to get "tapped" by Tapit - Page 2

Merlinsky · #21 03-27-2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parsixfarms

On paper, I like the AP Indy line over Street Cry (and AP Indy - Balance colt sold for big bucks), but I wonder if they match physically. I recall speaking to someone at Gainesway a few years ago, when we considered sending a mare to Tapit (when he was standing for $10K), and the one thing that I recall from the conversation is that he would be best with an average-sized, more refined mare. I don't think Zenyatta fits that description.

I seem to recall a study that said breeders matching mares and stallions of similar size, whatever that is, tended to find success over people that had average sized mares going to large stallions with the idea that the taller the suitor, the better (I think the idea was to get a bigger yearling for sale, but not sure). Does anybody remember that?

Riot · #22 03-27-2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

I seem to recall a study that said breeders matching mares and stallions of similar size, whatever that is, tended to find success over people that had average sized mares going to large stallions with the idea that the taller the suitor, the better (I think the idea was to get a bigger yearling for sale, but not sure). Does anybody remember that?

Breeding really big to really small doesn't give you "average" - it will give you big or small, or more frequently a weird awkward physical combination of both.

Physical matches in phenotype tend to carry genetics that reinforce and give you predictable offspring that look like their parents, rather than come out weirdly as surprise recessives in the offspring.

Mares tend to control the physical size of foal at birth, but a stallion that throws big birthweight babies can contribute to dystocia, and as mares birth so very quickly, any trouble in the birthing process can spell death and disaster (it's hard to get a mare and foal through a c-section alive, unless they are in the hospital when the problem happens)

Growthy, big babies - be it genetic or due to excessive feeding - tend to sell well at sales as they are physically impressive, but fast-growers also tend to have more growth-associated issues radiographically at sale (OCD's, crooked, etc.)

So attempts at getting physically big babies for sales success can be fraught with complication.

Pick good genetics, and just help them reach their genetic potential.

In the choice of Zenyatta and Tapit, I'd not worry about a big mare with a smaller stallion, as I would the other way around. More refinement, keeping the size down in the foal, predicability in what he throws looks-wise (he's good), trying to prevent big and clumsy offspring would be a good thing, regarding those physicals, I'd guess (rather than breeding her to a big, rangy stallion)

richard burch · #23 03-27-2012, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merlinsky

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...-tapit-in-2012

Same cross as Zazu and Headache. C True Nicks rating.

Zenyatta to get "tapped" by Tapit

nice one.

Arletta · #24 05-08-2012, 02:08 PM

Done tapping.

http://www.drf.com/news/zenyatta-foa...r-tapit-mating

my miss storm cat · #25 03-27-2013, 10:58 PM

The rumor is it's a girl...

MaTH716 · #26 03-28-2013, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

The rumor is it's a girl...

Pink smoke from the barn?

my miss storm cat · #27 03-28-2013, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Pink smoke from the barn?

No, a big shiny star in the sky.

(I have not yet checked... was the rumor true? I believe the part about her going into labor last night but as I am not yet awake do not know if she did indeed have a girl.)

edit - Not yet.

trackrat59 · #28 03-28-2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaTH716

Pink smoke from the barn?

Merlinsky · #29 03-28-2013, 03:16 PM

No foal yet. http://www.zenyatta.com/news/zenyatta-update I knew the Mosses had just gotten in to be there for her foaling and thought it a little odd that they'd cut it that close. I bet someone just assumed her owners are in town, she must be in labor. I got the impression they didn't fetal sex their mares, so they wouldn't know it was a filly or not to have even leaked that much to someone.