Zayat Stables History


Ahmed Zayat

Businessman Ahmed Zayat first entered Thoroughbred racing in 2005, and in less than a decade, has amassed some of the most high-profile successes in the industry. In a seven year span, from 2005 to 2011, Zayat Stables ranked among the top five Owners in North America five times, led by the nation's #1 ranking in 2008. In addition, Zayat Stables has been Leading Owner at some of the nation's most prestigious race meets, including Saratoga, Hollywood, and Del Mar.

Long a passionate horse enthusiast and equestrian, the Egyptian born entrepreneur raced two Grade 1 winners within the first 12 months of forming Zayat Stables, and has added to that haul every season since.

Horses carrying Zayat’s distinctive blue and gold silks spattered with “Z’s” include 14 Breeders’ Cup contenders, nine Grade 1 winners (Point Ashley, Downthedustryroad, A Z Warrior, Eskendereya, Thorn Song, Zensational, Pioneerof the Nile, Jaycito, Rightly So), and four Eclipse Award finalists (Point Ashley, Zensational, Eskendereya, Rightly So). In addition, Zayat has campaigned two Kentucky Derby (G1) runners-up and the Kentucky Derby favorite in each of the past three years.

Best known runners to carry the Zayat Stables silks include: Grade 1 winner and 2010 Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite and Eclipse Finalist Eskenderaya; multiple Grade 1 winner and 2009 Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Pioneerof the Nile; triple Grade 1 winner and Eclipse Award Finalist Zensational; 2011 Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Nehro; 2010 Norfolk (G1) hero Jaycito; multiple Grade 1 winner Thorn Song; 2010 Frizette (G1) winner A Z Warrior; 2006 La Brea (G1) winner Downthedustryroad; 2006 Del Mar Debutante (G1) winner Point Ashley.

Many of the Zayat Stables runners are tabbed with a monicker “Z” or are named for members of Zayat’s family, including Point Ashley and Justin Phillip, named for two of his four children.


Zayat Stables Timeline


2012:

North America’s #6 Owner – 36 starts, 11 wins, $407,840
Raced: G2 SP & millionaire Prayer for Relief; G2 SP Jaycito (G1); SW Riley Tucker; G3 SP 3yo Z Dager.
Leading Owner of Triple Crown nominees - 13

2011:

North America’s #5 Owner – 238 starts, 49 wins, $3,886,648
2nd in Kentucky Derby (G1) with Nehro;
Raced: G2 SW Justin Phillip; G2 SW Prayer for Relief; G3 SW Joe Vann; SW Diva Ash; SW Mother Ruth; SW Z Humor
Prominent wins include: $750,000 West Virginia Derby (G2), $500,000 Super Derby (G2), $250,000 Iowa Derby (G2), $245,000 Woody Stephens S. (G2), $300,000 Illinois Derby (G3), $150,000 Maxxam Gold Cup, $113,800 Edgewood S.

2010:

North America’s #4 Owner – 397 starts, 83 wins, $4,076,241
3 Breeders’ Cup contenders
A Z Warrior, Jaycito, Riley Tucker
Raced: G1 SW and Eclipse Finalist Eskendereya; G1 SW & Eclipse Finalist Rightly So;
G1 SW A Z Warrior; G1 SW Jaycito; G3 SW Riley Tucker; SW Mother Ruth; SW Z Humor; SW Heart Ashley
Prominent wins include: $750,000 Wood Memorial (G1), $300,000 Frizette S. (G1), $250,000 Ballerina S. (G1), $250,000 Norfolk S. (G1), $250,000 Fountain of Youth S. (G2), $150,000 Bed o’ Roses H. (G3), $107,900 Aristides S. (G3), $125,000 Delta Mile

2009:

North America’s #3 Owner – 573 starts, 113 wins, $6,323,286
2 Breeders’ Cup contenders
Eskendereya, Zensational
2nd in Kentucky Derby (G1) with Pioneerof the Nile
Raced: G1 SW Pioneerof the Nile; G1 SW & Eclipse Finalist Zensational;
G1 SW Thorn Song; G2 SW Eaton’s Gift; G2 SW Soul Warrior; SW Z Humor; SW Rightly So; G3 SW Heart Ashley
Prominent wins include: $750,000 Santa Anita Derby (G1), $314,000 Shoemaker Mile (G1), $350,000 Smile Sprint (G2), $200,000 Robert B. Lewis S. (G2), $200,000 San Felipe S. (G2), $154,000 Pilgrim Breeders’ Cup S., $125,000 Iroquois S.

2008:

North America’s #1 Owner – 740 starts, 116 wins, $6,883,902
2 Breeders’ Cup contenders
Pioneerof the Nile, Thorn Song
Sold Mushka for $2.4 at KeeNov
Raced: G1 SW Thorn Song; G2 SW Eaton’s Gift; G2 SW J Be K; SW Zee Zee; SW Halo Najib
Prominent wins include: $750,000 CashCall Futurity (G1), $600,000 Shadwell Turf Mile (G1), $300,000 Bing Crosby H. (G1), $300,000 Pat O’Brien Breeders’ Cup (G1), $296,000 Triple Bend Breeders’ Cup (G1), $250,000 Woody Stephens Breeders’ Cup (G2), $150,000 Swale S. (G2), $213,000 Firecracker Breeders’ Cup (G3), $150,000 Bay Shore S. (G3), $148,500 Jersey Shore Breeders’ Cup (G3), $168,600 Edgewood S., $150,000 OBS Championship S., $108,000 Matt Winn S.

2007:

North America’s #2 Owner – 518 starts, 96 wins, $6,180,916
5 Breeders’ Cup contenders
Baroness Thatcher, Forefathers, Fri Guy, Z Humor, Zee Zee
Raced: G2 SW Mushka; G3 SW Thorn Song, G3 SW Z Humor; G3 SW Marcavelly;
SW E Z Warrior; SW Zee Zee
Prominent wins include: $200,000 Demoiselle (G2), $1,000,000 Delta Jackpot S. (G3), $227,400 River City H. (G3), $150,000 Transylvania S. (G3), $108,000 Santa Ysabel S. (G3), $105,700 Hill Prince S. (G3), $200,000 Happy Ticket S.

2006:

 Earnings of $2,341,653
2 Breeders’ Cup contenders
Got the Last Laugh, Malt Magic
Purchased Saratoga Select Sale Topper ($1.6 million Mushka)
Raced: G1 SW & Eclipse Finalist Point Ashley; G1 SW Downthedustyroad; G3 SW Got the Last Laugh; G3 SW E Z Warrior; SW Marcavelly; SW Chief Officer
Prominent wins include: $250,000 Del Mar Debutante (G1), $250,000 La Brea S. (G1), $200,000 Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3), $100,000 Hollywood Juvenile Championship (G3), $250,000 New York Breeders’ Futurity, $126,725 Lady Fingers S.

2005:

 Formed Zayat Stables;
Spent over $2 million at the 2YO Sales incl. FTM record-priced filly
Purchased $4.6 million KeeSep yearling (Maimonides)