Ahmed Zayat & American Pharoah Spelling Mistake

Ahmed Zayat has a long controversial history – and a long history of blaming others for his mis-deeds.

As today’s New York Times recounts, his inability to tell the truth extends even to the name of the horse, American Pharoah.

American Pharoah has a “misspelled name.” The correct spelling is pharaoh. And, as the NY Times notes, “As American Pharoah gained prominence, his owners — Zayat Stables, led by Ahmed Zayat — were asked about the seemingly mistaken rendering of pharaoh. At first, Zayat’s son Justin, the racing and stallion manager for the stable, said the mistake was made by the Jockey Club, the organization that registers thoroughbreds in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and approves their names. The Jockey Club’s president and chief operating officer, James L. Gagliano, said “Since the name met all of the criteria for naming and was available, it was granted exactly as it was spelled.”

It is reported that Zayat claimed to have a Harvard University degree – but he did not, and blamed an “outside contractor.”

It is also alleged that Zayat lost money gambling in the State of New Jersey, bounced checks – and blamed the State for bad record-keeping.

In 2010, Ahmed Zayat declared bankruptcy - And he had extensive legal and financial issues.  Rather than paying his bills, he blamed his bank, saying they employed “misleading, deceptive, and predatory practices.” 

So, on one side, there is the Jockey Club, the State of New Jersey, Harvard University, banks – and in the latest case, offshore gamblers all saying they are in the right.  Each and every time, Ahmed Zayat universally has blamed someone else in these cases.  Which one is it?

A site has sprung up over night that focuses on information about Ahmed. www.ahmedzayat.com