So, you want to know who owns the legendary racehorse American Pharoah? The one with the crazy misspelled name (yes, it’s spelled "Pharoah" on purpose, not "Pharaoh"). Let’s dive in. This story is weird, wonderful, and full of wild characters.
The Man Behind the Horse: Ahmed Zayat
The answer is Ahmed Zayat, an Egyptian-born businessman and former investment banker. He’s the founder of Zayat Stables. Yes, that’s his family name on the barn.
But here’s the quirky part: Zayat didn’t grow up dreaming of horses. He grew up in Egypt and later made his fortune in the United States. He got into horse racing almost by accident, after buying a horse for his wife as a gift. That gift turned into a billion-dollar empire of hooves.
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Zayat is not your typical horse owner. He’s intense. He once fired a trainer over a text message. He’s known for his fiery personality and late-night phone calls about race strategy. Total mad scientist vibes.
The "American Pharoah" Name Debacle
Why the weird spelling? It was a clerical error. Zayat’s son, Justin, typed the name wrong on the registration form. The Jockey Club said, "Oops, you can’t change it now." So they kept it.
Imagine owning a horse who wins the Triple Crown, and his name is a typo. Iconic. Zayat leaned into it. He joked that the horse’s name was actually a "Pharoah" because he was a king. Smooth recovery, Ahmed.
Welcome Home, American Pharoah! | Thoroughbred Owners of California
Fun fact: The horse was originally named "American Pharoah" to honor American Pharoah the racehorse from Zayat’s past? No—it’s actually a reference to a different horse his family loved. Confusing, right? That’s the charm.
The Big Sale: Who Owns Him Now?
Here’s the twist. American Pharoah retired in 2015 after winning the Triple Crown. But he didn’t stay with Zayat. Zayat sold the horse’s breeding rights to a syndicate called The American Pharoah Syndicate.
What does that mean? Zayat still technically owns the horse as a physical animal, but the syndicate owns the rights to his stud fees. It’s like selling the copyright to a song but keeping the guitar. Messy and very business-like.
The syndicate includes big names like Coolmore (the Irish super-stable) and WinStar Farm. So today, American Pharoah lives at Ashford Stud in Kentucky. He’s a very busy, very expensive stallion.
American Pharoah (KY) | National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
The Price Tag of a Legend
Get this: His stud fee was $200,000 per mare in his first season. That’s the price of a small house for one date. He reportedly earned over $30 million in breeding fees in his first three years. Cha-ching.
Zayat himself reportedly made a fortune from the sale. But he still gets to visit his horse. Imagine owning a horse that makes more money in a year than you will in a lifetime. That’s the dream.
And no, Zayat doesn’t ride him. He watches from the rail, probably sipping espresso and muttering about fractions. Pure drama.
Why This Topic Is Ridiculously Fun
Because horse ownership is weird. It’s a mix of gambling, genetics, and pure ego. Zayat once named a horse after his son, Justin, and then lost it in a claim race. Ouch.
American Pharoah gives Zayat the biggest prize in racing | The Times of
American Pharoah himself is a quirky animal. He loves to eat peppermints. He gets scared of butterflies. He’s a big, goofy puppy wrapped in championship muscle.
And the ownership story has drama. Zayat and his son Justin had a public feud. Justin accused his father of financial mismanagement. They went to court. But now? They’re on good terms. Family, am I right?
The Real Secret: It’s a Team
Let’s be real: The horse’s trainer, Bob Baffert, was the face of the operation. Bob Baffert is a rockstar in white hair and cowboy boots. He got the glory. But Ahmed Zayat paid the bills.
Zayat made the call to run in the Triple Crown races. He took the risk. He spent millions on vet bills, feed, and transport. The horse is his property, but the win belongs to everyone. Ownership is complicated.
American Pharoah's Historic Triple Crown Win - Your Daily Dish
So, who owns American Pharoah? Ahmed Zayat owns the horse. The syndicate owns his baby-making rights. The fans own his legacy. And we all own a piece of that miraculous Triple Crown moment.
Final Weirdness: The Horse’s Gravestone?
Here’s a funny, morbid detail: Zayat already has a bronze statue of American Pharoah at the Kentucky Horse Park. The horse is still alive. He’s only 12 years old. Talk about pressure.
Zayat is also known for throwing wild parties after big wins. He once danced on a table at the Kentucky Derby. That’s your owner. A man who dances on tables and owns a typo-named horse worth millions.
So next time you see American Pharoah’s name, remember: It’s not a spelling mistake. It’s a brand. And behind that brand is a very rich, very eccentric Egyptian guy who bought a horse for his wife and accidentally changed racing history. That’s pure gold.