Road to winner’s circle tough on Zayats
WHILE MOST 23-year-olds fresh out of college are sharpening their resumes or practicing their job interviews, Justin Zayat has already been a working businessman for a decade, and this Saturday, he has a front row seat to possibly making history.
“It’s been insane,” says Justin, the second oldest child of American Pharoah owner, Ahmed Zayat. “My dream was to win the Kentucky Derby. We came close three times to winning it and anyone’s dream is to win the Kentucky Derby if you’re in horse racing. After that, I said it’s all candy, whatever happens from here.”
It will be quite a candy haul if American Pharoah wins the third leg of the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes Saturday, which would be the first time since 1978, when Affirmed won all three legs. And it would make for a whirlwind trip for the Zayat family, especially the business tandem of Ahmed and Justin, who have grown Zayat Stables into one of the premier stables in the industry.
Justin is the racing and stallion manager for Zayat Stables, and has been by his father’s side since 2006, the company’s first operational year. The Egyptianborn Ahmed Zayat made his fortune in the beverage business before turning to horse racing, but Justin admits that both father and son had to learn the trade on the fly.
“I kind of learned on the way. He gave me the bug. He didn’t really know much about racing either,” says Justin.
“We kind of learned together by trial and error. It’s a big learning curve coming into racing. You make some bad moves together, but at the same time, through the years we’ve been learning. Right now, yeah, I could say we’re very well-versed in the industry. We know it extremely well. We know the market, and we know the players.”
Not many 23-year-olds can boast of having Hall of Fame trainers Bob Baffert — trainer of American Pharoah — and Wayne Lukas on speed dial. But Justin says he has a strong relationship with both veteran trainers, and that he has texted Baffert every day since the Triple Crown odyssey began.
No one could have prepared Justin for the thrill of winning the Derby, however. The excitement and adrenaline caused him to nearly lose his lunch in Louisville — right on NBC cameras.
“When I watch the Triple Crown races, it takes something out
of you. I always feel sick to my stomach,” says Justin.
Next came the Preakness win, his older sister getting married and the wait for the Belmont. There have also been some legal issues that have arisen — Ahmed Zayat is being sued by exfelon Howard Rubinsky, who claims Ahmed owes him a $1.6 million gambling debt.
The lawyer for the ex-felon, Joe Bainton, also filed a $10 million libel suit against the elder Zayat.
“It’s been stressful. It’s hard to put it aside, it’s in your face every single time,” says Justin. “I guess when people are on top, someone tries to come and take you down. We’re trying not to let it get in the way. It’s kind of put a damper on the whole Triple Crown trail. I’ve seen my dad distressed. The guy’s lost like 7 pounds. He doesn’t deserve this. It’s supposed to be the best time
in our lives.”
Ahmed Zayat has denied the charges and he has filed for dismissal of both suits. Attorneys for Zayat have filed for summary judgment in the Rubinsky suit, arguing Rubinsky has produced no proof of his claims.
Justin said the best release is to come out to Barn 1 at Belmont, where he was Tuesday when American Pharoah arrived from Kentucky.
There is also the anticipation of Saturday, and Justin Zayat says he has been dreaming about this moment ever since he got his first taste of the business.
“The 23-year-old that I am, I think I'm pretty well-rounded in the industry. I've been here for 10 years. But it's also a tribute to my dad, really giving me the responsibility," says Justin.
"It’s been a dream ride for our family, and I guess for the whole industry,” Zayat said. “Everyone says racing needs a star. American Pharoah is the star and it’s time for the star to put on the show Saturday.”