BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Weisbord Named COO of Team Valor

Bradley Weisbord has been hired by Barry Irwin as chief operating officer of Team Valor International. Weisbord spent the last two years as business/racing manager for leading owner Ahmed Zayat.

Nehro's Surgery Goes 'Extremely Well'

Surgery to repair a small chip in the right front ankle of Nehro, runner-up in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), went "extremely well."

Justin Phillip Scores in Woody Stephens

Zayat Stables' Justin Phillip scored a front-running victory in the seven-furlong Woody Stephens Stakes (gr. II) on the Belmont Stakes undercard.

Haskin's Belmont Report: Is It Nehro's Time?

If you can overlook the fact that Nehro has won only one race in his career in six starts, he has a much going for him in regard to being an ideal Belmont Stakes horse as anyone.

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Nehro Could Give Zayat His First Classic Win

Ahmed Zayat, who seems on the cusp of winning a classic race any time now, as been in the headlines for all the right and wrong reasons in his six years of Thoroughbred ownership.

Derby Runner-Up Nehro Breezes at Belmont

Zayat Stables' Nehro went to the Belmont Park track early Monday, June 6, and the son of Mineshaft breezed a half-mile in :50 4/5 in preparation for the June 11, $1 million Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Nehro Works in 1:12 1/5 at Churchill Downs

Zayat Stables' Nehro worked a sharp three-quarters of a mile at Churchill Downs May 30 in preparation for the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).

Nehro to Pass Preakness, Wait for Belmont

Nehro, second in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), will not run in the May 21 Preakness Stakes (gr. I).

Diva Ash Boosts Resume With Edgewood Score

Diva Ash didn't let a lack of experience stand in the way of victory in the May 6 Edgewood Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs.

Nehro Carries Zayat's Hopes in Derby 137

Owner Ahmed Zayat, whose Eskendereya was withdrawn as the favorite for last year's Kentucky Derby, is back with Nehro.

Z Fortune Up for Adoption Via New Vocations

Former Kentucky Derby contender and grade III winner Z Fortune is officially up for adoption the week of April 25 at the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program in Lexington.

Jaycito Withdrawn From Derby Consideration

After consulting with trainer Bob Baffert, owner Ahmed Zayat said April 24 that Zayat Stables' Jaycito will not run in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Thorn Song to Stand at Harris Farms

Thorn Song, who underwent stem cell therapy after developing laminitis, will enter stud at John C. Harris' Harris Farms near Coalinga, Calif.

Alaazo to Stand at Swifty Farms

Alaazo, a graded stakes-placed son A.P. Indy out of the grade II-winning Deputy Minister mare Atelier, has been retired from racing to stand at Swifty Farms near Seymour, Ind.

Lecomte First Stakes Test for Justin Phillip

Justin Phillip leads a short field in the $100,000 Lecomte (gr. III) Jan. 22 at Fair Grounds. Owner Ahmed Zayat is hoping the $400,000 yearling can make it to the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) in May.

Sale Yearlings By 1st-Year Sires Lose Appeal

Buyers at the Keeneland September yearling sale prefer the offspring of proven stallions.

September Sale a Smart Strike Extravaganza

Two of the stallion's progeny bring $550,000 apiece during the Keeneland auction's fifth session.

Heart Ashley Retired, to be Sold

Zayat Stables has retired grade III winner Heart Ashley, who will be offered as a broodmare prospect during the Keeneland November Breeding Stock sale.

Eskendereya to Stand at Taylor Made Stallions

Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Farm and Ahmed Zayat of Zayat Stables announced Aug. 2 that Eskendereya, will stand at Taylor Made Stallions beginning in 2011.

Case Closed: Zayat Reorganization Plan OK'd

Ahmed Zayat's Zayat Stables announced July 15 that the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey has approved its Chapter 11 plan of reorganization.

Zayat/Bank Settlement Receives Approval

New Jersey bankruptcy judge makes the ruling that clears the way for Zayat to operate his stable under the terms of a Chapter 11 reorganization plan.

Zayat, Fifth Third Reach Settlement

Prominent Thoroughbred owner Ahmed Zayat and Fifth Third Bank have reached a tentative agreement to settle their ongoing legal dispute.

Fifth Third Ok'd to Proceed With Zayat Case

A federal judge in Lexington has determined that Fifth Third Bank can go forward in attempting to recover debts from Zayat Stables and its Pioneer of the Nile subsidiary.

Fifth Third Seeks Zayat's Personal Records

In the latest round in the legal battle between Fifth Third Bank and Zayat Stables, the bank is seeking to subpoena the personal banking records of Ahmed Zayat to determine if he has used corporate assets for personal use.

Eskendereya Retired From Racing

Zayat Stables has sold an ownership interest in the Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I) winner to Jess Jackson.

Eskendereya Out of Derby

Eskendereya, favored for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), will not run in the May 1 classic due to a slight filling in his left front leg, according to Todd Pletcher.

Eskendereya to Work Sunday Morning

A sloppy surfaces causes Todd Pletcher to delay the final Derby work of likely favorite Eskendereya until Sunday; Interactif to drill April 25 as well

Eskendereya to Be Sold Under Zayat Plan

Zayat Stables has agreed to sell all of grade I winner and probable Kentucky Derby favorite Eskendereya this year under a bankruptcy reorganization plan that projects all creditors will be paid in full.

Zayat Refutes Claims by Fifth Third

Attorneys for Ahmed Zayat's Zayat Stables are refuting claims by Fifth Third Bank that the prominent stable violated terms of a cash collateral agreement by withdrawing four horses from a Keeneland sale.

Zayat Seeks Dismissal of Fifth Third Case

Attorneys for Ahmed Zayat have filed a motion requesting that allegations of default against Zayat Stables filed by Fifth Third Bank be dismissed and that the bank pay compensatory and punitive damages, plus other costs.

Prices Pass $300,000 as Keeneland Sale Opens

Birdstone colt brings $310,000; Indian Charlie filly sells for $325,000.

Zayat Cleared by Kentucky Commission

Prominent owner Ahmed Zayat has been cleared by the Kentucky Racing Commission after the regulatory body looked into his connection to two convicted gamblers and whether it violated terms of his ownership license.

Zayat Horses in Keeneland April Juvenile Sale

The five 2-year-olds had been purchased at 2009 Keeneland September yearling sale.

Eskendereya Passing Fla. Derby; Awaits Wood

Eskendereya will not run in the March 20 Florida Derby and will instead wait for the April 3 Wood Memorial

California Clears Zayat on Jelinsky Loans

The California Horse Racing Board has looked into ties between Ahmed Zayat and two convicted bookmakers and determined there is nothing to indicate the prominent horse owner has violated terms of his license in the state.

Zayat, Bank In Agreement on Use of Cash

Prominent horse owner Ahmed Zayat and Fifth Third Bank have reached an agreement allowing Zayat Stables to use cash on hand for racing operations in accordance with a budget submitted to a bankruptcy court in New Jersey.

Kentucky, New York Looking Into Zayat Loans

Officials with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and New York State Racing and Wagering Board said March 2 they are looking into loans made by Ahmed Zayat to two brothers convicted in connection with illegal bookmaking.

Zayat Made Loans to Jelinsky Brothers

Documents filed in connection with his Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition show that prominent horse owner Ahmed Zayat made loans to two brothers who have been convicted in connection with illegal bookmaking.

Equine Lending's Stormy Climate

The lingering economic recession has forced banks to become very conservative lenders. In this climate, Thoroughbred horsemen nationwide are struggling with credit lines drying up and loans being called in.

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Bank Opposes Zayat's Use of Cash Collateral

Fifth Third Bank has filed a motion asking a bankruptcy court not to permit Zayat Stables to use the bank's cash collateral for operating expenses until such time it can provide additional collateral or use other funds.

Kentucky Derby Trail: Pletcher on Parade

Todd Pletcher has no less that nine horses on the Derby trail, with Eskendereya shooting up to the #1 spot.

Zayat to Keep Control of Stable

Thoroughbred owner Ahmed Zayat will keep control of his stable for the time being as Fifth Third Bank has decided not to seek a trustee to run Zayat Stables.

Thorn Song Gets a Second Chance at Life

Thorn Song, who was severely injured in his final start at Del Mar last summer and had "an almost zero chance" at survival after developing laminitis, has made a remarkable recovery thanks to breakthrough stem cell therapy.

Zayat: Insurance Check Went to Stable

Horse owner Ahmed Zayat and trainer Mike Mitchell said Feb. 9 that the horse Thorn Song, for whom Zayat Stable received an insurance payment, is still alive in California.

What's Going On Here: Lending Influence

We need the help of banks. And we need people like Ahmed Zayat.

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Bank Pushes for Oversight of Zayat Stables

Even though Zayat Stables has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Fifth Third Bank will continue its push to have a trustee named to oversee the operation.

Zayat Creditors: Trainers, Farms, Keeneland

The Feb. 3 Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by Zayat Stables shows that Keeneland sales company, a handful of trainers across the country, and breeding farms are among the creditors of Ahmed Zayat's racing operation.

Zayat Stables Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Though he plans to remain in the Thoroughbred business, prominent horse owner Ahmed Zayat said Feb. 3 he has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for his Zayat Stables.

Bank Seeks Receiver; Zayat Files Counterclaim

While attorneys for Fifth Third Bank seek a receiver to manage horses owned by Zayat Stable, attorneys for Ahmed Zayat are claiming that the bank's equine lenders reneged on a pledge to restructure the owner's loan.

Owner Zayat Surprised by Bank's Lawsuit

Ahmed Zayat, who operates one of North America's leading racing stables and is a major buyer at equine auctions, said he is surprised that a major bank has filed suit seeking repayment of more than $34 million in loans.