Zenyatta will be bred to Bernardini

VERSAILLES, Ky., Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Zenyatta, recently named 2010 Horse of the Year, will be bred to the young stallion Bernardini, her owners announced Wednesday.

Bernardini, a son of the highly successful sire A.P. Indy, was among last year's leading sires as his first foals reached racing age. Bernardini, who won six of eight races in his short career, stands at Sheik Mohammed bin Rasheed al-Maktoum's Darley Stud near Lexington, Ky. His published fee is $75,000.

Zenyatta, a daughter of Street Cry, won 19 of her 20 career starts, losing only in her final race, the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic, by a short head to Blame. She was a finalist for Horse of the Year honors three straight times, finally winning that honor last month -- ironically, over Blame.

The breeding decision was a bit surprising, given that Bernardini's record as a sire is in its early stages. Zenyatta's owner, Jerry Moss, announced his choice through Lane's End Farm, where Zenyatta is boarded.

Moss's announcement immediately began speculation about the name of a prospective colt or filly. Foals' names often reflect a combination of the names of their sire and dam. That could produce something like Zenardini or Bernyatta.

However, Moss, a founder of A&M Records, is fond of naming horses after musical groups or their work. Zenyatta was named for the record album "Zenyatta Mondatta," by The Police.