Mahmoud Fustok Killed in Florida Accident

Breeder/owner Mahmoud Fustok, owner of Buckram Oak Farm, was killed in an auto accident Wednesday afternoon in Pompano Beach, Fla.

Fustok was struck by a vehicle on the 200 block of North Pompano Beach Blvd.

According to nbc6.net in South Florida, two people were hit by a sport utility vehicle driven by a man who was having a medical emergency. Elliot Cohen, director of media relations at the Broward County Sherriff's Office, added that Fustok and the other victim, named Antoine Mardini were both jogging along the road.

According to authorities, the driver of the SUV, identified as 55-year-old Albert Brooks, did not stop at the scene, but drove a block before smashing into a fire station.

"He was a diabetic and he was not responding properly to our questions," said Sandra King of Pompano Beach Fire/Rescue, of the driver of the SUV." He was not coherent."

According to the report, all three involved were taken to North Broward Medical Center. Cohen said the conditions of the crash, including Brooks' medical state were still being investigated. Mardini remains hospitalized.

Born in Lebanon in 1936, Fustok came to the United States in the late 1950s to attend the University of Oklahoma. He was the owner of several businesses primarily in Saudi Arabia including an auto dealership, real estate, construction, and oil-related businesses.

He had residences in Saudi Arabia and Pompano Beach.

Fustok got involved in the Thoroughbred industry in a big way, becoming one of the first men of Arab decent to purchase sizable acreage in Central Kentucky in 1978, buying a 500-acre farm on Old Frankfort Pike and naming it Buckram Oak Farm. The farm was sold to Jess Jackson last February.

He still owned a 200-acre farm near Ocala, Fla. which was used for breaking and training.

As an owner, Fustok just recently had his biggest success with Silver Train, winner of the TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) in October at Belmont Park. The then 3-year-old colt was trained by Richard Dutrow Jr. He had about 60 horses in training.

Other Fustok runners of note include world-record equaler Najran, Anifa, homebred Eurosilver, Last Song, Mint, Noble Fighter, Natural Selection, Star Gallant, and Silver Wagon. In Europe, Fustok campaigned French champion Green Forest, classic winner In Fijar, and the group I-winning Crystal Glitters.

He raced Silver Hawk, who was a group winner who ran second in the Irish Sweeps Derby (Ire-I) and third in the Epsom Derby (Eng-I). Pensioned last year, Silver Hawk is the sire of 70 stakes winners.

As a breeder, Fustock's Buckram Oak Farm was also represented by grade I winner Siberian Summer and multiple graded winner Allied Forces.

His survivors include a brother, Mustapha Foustok, who is also involved in the horse business.