The Trakehner stallion Zarr (Hennessy–Zierdre), a noted sire of multiple winners on the line and in the hunter ring, has found a new home. His longtime owner Joni Werthan of Warioto Farm (Tenn.) has sold the stallion to Jill and Sam Manno, of Temple Pa. “It was time to pass the torch,” said Werthan.
Zarr’s offspring cleaned up at International Hunter Futurity finals in Lexington, Ky., in September, with wins in the 4-year-old sweepstakes, 3-year-old performance, and best young horse honors. Spanish Spear, by Zarr, claimed the Best Young Horse title at the Devon Horse Show (Pa.) in 2005 and ’06, and won the Sallie. B. Wheeler National Hunter Breeding Championships in September.
Zarr was denied a show career himself due to the loss of his eyesight in one eye at an early age. Instead, he went to the breeding shed, and his babies started catching the judge’s eye as soon as they showed up on the line. The Mannos bred to Zarr his first year at stud, and have always been strong supporters of the stallion.
“When the opportunity to buy him presented itself, we jumped at the chance,” said Jill Manno. “It’s an amazing feeling to produce a winning performance horse, such as Imperial Crown [the IHF 3-year-old performance grand champion]. Zarr stamps his foals. He’s an unbelievable animal and this in the opportunity of a lifetime, to have him on our farm.”
“Jill and Sam are amazing horse people. They are true professionals,” said Werthan. “They helped make my stallion, and they deserve to have him.”
The sale was discussed before the IHF eastern regional finals at Warrenton, Va., Sept. 2, but it wasn’t finalized until a few weeks later.
“He shipped during the IHF finals. I was in Lexington, listening to the announcer declare one baby of his after another as champion, knowing he was on the way to my farm. I’m still in shock,” said Manno.
Manno said the phone has been ringing off the hook ever since the news of the sale was made public.
“The Pennsylvania breeders are certainly excited to have him up here,” she said with a laugh. “We’ll open his book in mid-February, and go from there.”
