Justin Zayat was also the beneficiary of nearly $1 million in transfers at a time when the financial condition of the Debtor and Zayat Stables were deeply troubled. Notably, in 2015, press reports show that Misr Glass was acquired by a third party for $93 million, Biase wrote. A judge can also deny the discharge of a particular debt. [20] Zayat typically retains a 25% interest in the stallions he sends to stud, though in the case of Pioneerof the Nile, he kept a 75% interest. Such purported failure to notify MGG of the disposition of collateral is allegedly a breach of the loan documents," the memorandum filed on behalf of Ahmed Zayat states. Due to its perfected security interest in American Cleopatra, MGG also holds a security interest in the American Cleopatra/Tapit foal, the complaint alleges. ", Photo: Skip DicksteinAhmed Zayat (blue suit) hoists the Belmont Stakes trophy surrounded by family and other connections after American Pharoahs 2015 Triple Crown victory. This is a BETA experience. He also filed bankruptcy proceedings in 2010 when a bank called a note due and tried to foreclose on his horses. If you dont get clear title when you buy at public auction we have no horse business.. I got to go to the Harvard of horse racing, Zayat said. Suite 100 [32] The plaintiffs alleged that Zayat was allowed to bet on credit, which was a violation of state law. gary morris wife; al udeid lodging; bryan steil wife. "Here, Kentucky has, at absolute best, only a tangential relationship to this action," the memorandum filed on behalf of Ahmed Zayat states. I wanted it to be pro-peace, and about loving your neighbor." The couple have four children: Ashley, Justin, Benjamin and Emma. I love my job, which is the best thing ever.. [33] The bank alleged that Zayat had lost $52 million between 2006 and 2008, that he had not reported a previous Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy he had filed under the name Ephraim David Zayat,[3] and the bank attempted to foreclose on his horses. [8], The business base for the horse racing operation is Hackensack, New Jersey, but Zayat's horses live in different locations across the US. Im walking in the streets of New York and people are calling me horse boy'!. He was breathing fire. Zayat's wife, Joanne Zayat, and his children, Justin Zayat, Ashley Zayat, Benjamin Zayat, and Emma Zayat, also signed the Zayat AP Breeding Rights Transfer Document. Receive daily headlines, breaking news alerts, promotions, and much more! Really! Copyright 2023 Blenheim Publishing, LLC. [45] Zayat claimed that he had no knowledge of the Jelinskys' illegal acts. [10] Upon leaving Al-Ahram, he declared that he was "retiring", but as his wife explained, "he can't be retired for more than 15 seconds," and he soon expanded his horse operation to include both breeding and racing stock. In many cases, the lawsuit is asking the court for the return of the horses; in others, the suit asks for a constructive trust for shares in potential offspring. The July appraisal valued the mare at $6.5 million. He cited statements from Zayat that he had sold Egypt-based Misr Glass company in 2010 or 2011 for approximately $2 million and no longer had any interest in the company. . Ahmed Zayat was born in Egypt in 1962 to an affluent family and grew up in an ethnically diverse neighborhood in the Cairo suburb of Maadi. [32], In an unrelated case, Zayat was mentioned in a 2013 lawsuit between Freehold Raceway and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. . The emotion of the milestone victory physically overwhelmed Justin Zayat,. The July appraisal estimated the horses value at $375,000. "[3] Under Zayat's leadership, additional brands of beer were introduced, and he developed a non-alcoholic beer, Fayrouz,[b] designed specifically for the Muslim market. Ahmed Zayat and family celebrating American Pharoahs big night at the Eclipse Awards in 2016. Furthermore, documents produced by Cedarview Capital Management LP indicated that the debtor's affiliation and/or ownership of Misr Glass continued well past 2011. I want people to look at me and say, He has class. Model wife of XFL QB celebrates 'meaningful' win after NFL exile This story has been shared 22,274 times . Stating that Fifth Third was "reneging on its promises,"[35] Zayat filed a countersuit in April 2010, alleging the bank engaged in deceptive and predatory lending practices. On Mar. And hes a clean-cut, good, smart individual., The suit feels great! It was a historic event Zayat and his family had been waiting for since 2005. Justin, a 2015 graduate of New York University, works closely with his father in the Zayat Stables business. Janet Patton covers restaurants, bars, food and bourbon for the Herald-Leader. That was the longest three-week lead-up ever. Elizabeth Woodward of the Dean Dorton Allen Ford accounting firm was appointed receiver by a Fayette County Circuit Court judge in January after MGG Investment Group claimed it learned Zayat sold a number of horses without informing the investment group before defaulting on his loan. "Because each of the allegations underpinning MGG's fraud claim necessarily relies upon, and would not exist without, the loan documents, and there is no distinction provided whatsoever between the fraud and breach of contract claims, the fraud cause of action must be dismissed as duplicative," the memorandum continued. Joe Drape of The New York Times described Zayat as "controversial" and "one of the most successful and flamboyant owners in thoroughbred racing.". Justin Zayat, racing manager of American Pharoah, will be keeping a periodic diary leading up to the Belmont Stakes on Saturday. The amended complaint also names Zayat Stables owner Ahmed Zayat's children Justin, Ashley, Benjamin and Emma, and his wife Joanne. With only three days until the race, Zayat is trying Justin Zayat, racing manager of American Pharoah, will be keeping a periodic diary leading up to the Belmont Stakes on Saturday. Justin, a 2015 graduate of New York University, works closely with his father in the Zayat Stables business. "The only link with the Commonwealth was the presence of American Pharoah being stabled in Kentucky. The trustee's investigation reveals that the debtor (Zayat) and his family members have engaged in a pattern of intermingling of assets and ongoing financial transactions among themselves, Zayat Stables, LLC, and the creditors of the debtor, the memorandum from Biase states. Back on June 4, the trustee issued a Rule 2004 subpoena to Zayat's wife, Joanne Zayat, and three of their four children, Emma, Benjamin and Justin Zayat. The Trustee's investigation also has revealed a substantial number of misstatements and omissions in the Debtor's bankruptcy schedules that were only uncovered through the issuance of Rule 2004 subpoenas to third parties, including overstatements of outstanding debt totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Zayat later got into the beer distribution business and owned the Al-Ahram . A 74-page list of assets and creditors was obtained by the New York Times. I did not want you to panic knowing that I still have a chance to save the day. With having a decade of . Regarding the allegations of fraud in addition to breach of contract, the Zayats' attorney argues that all of MGG's allegations of fraud are actually purported misconduct related to the loan agreements. The Lexington Herald-Leader reported Wednesday that in 2009, "Fifth Third Bank sued Zayat for $34 million, alleging he had defaulted on loans, [and a] deal was reached in 2010 in federal. Zayat Stables is doing everything it can to ensure that all of its debts are repaid, but MGG has placed itself above all others and has made it nearly impossible for other creditors to be treated fairly.. Now, one week later, MGG Investment Group, LP, the lender who is separately suing Zayat and his family members for allegedly obtaining a $24 million loan by fraud and then not repaying it, told the same court that the trustee's probe must be allowed to go forward because Zayat's attempt to put an end to the discovery process does nothing more than establish that Ahmed Zayat is a perpetual liar determined to hinder and obstruct the Trustee, the Court and creditors at every turn.. It kills me and tore me part, not being transparent with you, Zayat allegedly wrote at the time, apparently in an effort to stave off the impending legal action. racing came on June 22nd, when Justin Zayat, resplendent in top hat and a morning suit, joined his wife, Michelle, to watch their USbased three-year-old colt Gidu finish sixth in the 500,000. Zayat Stables has argued a receiver is unnecessary. Ashford Stud and Coolmore on Wednesday declined to comment on the filing. They have watched from the Churchill Downs stands as their horse opened a lead 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, American Pharoah is now permanently hitched to the '21' Club, American Pharoah's run in the Haskell is all about the people, Justin Zayat's amazing ride carries on beyond Belmont glory, For relaxed Bob Baffert, this Triple Crown shot is much different, How American Pharoah will spend the biggest day of his life, Justin Zayat: One tip is helping me enjoy this Triple Crown ride, American Pharoah acting like his powerful self in final workout, Justin Zayat: American Pharoah's Preakness has me on 'Cloud 99', American Pharoah feeling like 'a billion bucks' before Preakness, Justin Zayat: American Pharoah will 'earn' Preakness from rail, American Pharoah has given Justin Zayat a 'surreal' week, This racing family has big shot to finally capture elusive Ky. Derby, King Charles evicting Harry, Meghan from Frogmore Cottage, giving to Andrew, Hoda Kotbs lengthy Today show absence caused by family health matter, Ed Sheerans wife, Cherry Seaborn, was diagnosed with tumor during pregnancy, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry have first night out since bombshell Spare released, Savannah Guthrie Rushed Out Of Today After Testing Positive For COVID-19 During Live Broadcast. On a 94-degree day this July, a heist appeared to happen in broad daylight on West 52nd Street. Ahmed Zayat's attempt to get out from under $19 million in debt has reached yet anotherand purportedly intentionallegal bottleneck. As part of the loan package, the bank had a security interest in Zayat Stables' horses, prize money, stallion shares and stallion income. The Zayat family and Zayat Stables released a statement on the amended complaint on Thursday afternoon: We are disappointed but not surprised at MGG and Kevin Griffins aggressive attack on the horse industry. While generally successful with his race horses, Zayat's goal of winning the Kentucky Derby eluded him several times, including three second-place finishes, until his win with American Pharoah. [7], As a young man, Ahmed Zayat learned to ride horses at the local country club. [19] Zayat Stables keeps about 30 broodmares and their foals in Kentucky along with roughly 20 yearlings. In receiver Elizabeth Woodwards initial report, filed Feb. 5, she and bloodstock consultant Gatewood Bell noted that through checking on horses listed on Zayat Stables collateral list, she had found several horses were previously sold, apparently without notice to MGG. Other horses apparently have been traded in exchange for a write-off of board bills, which the filing said apparently was a common practice of Zayat Stables. Especially me, as a younger individual in a sport where its mostly older people, I dont want to look as if Im dressed like a kid. [9] Although The New York Times has stated that Zayat has publicly identified as both Jewish and Muslim at times, Zayat stated, "Why is it relevant, and why does it matter? The Zayats' attorney argues that all nine breeding rights had been transferred from individual family members to the ownership of Zayat Stables, so any claims regarding these transactions can no longer be extended to the individuals. [5][10] Zayat described Wolfson as "the toughest guy I ever worked for such a perfectionist. McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, which the complaint alleges bought Solomini in a private sale for $250,000 from Zayat Stables and Orpendale, even though both parties knew that Zayat Stables only owned 50 percent of the horse and that MGG had a security interest on that share. None of the new defendants has had an opportunity to file their responses to the allegations. MGG's filing contained excerpts from email exchanges between Ahmed Zayat and MGG that date to Jan. 12, 2020, which was 10 days before MGG filed its bombshell lawsuit against him in a Kentucky court. Zayat filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy last September after Zayat and Zayat Stables were sued by a lender, MGG Capital Group, for defaulting on a loan. Ahmed and Justin Zayat have lived the dream. This story was originally published February 12, 2020, 3:13 PM. The document also seeks the return of horses or breeding rights to a court-appointed receiver who now controls Zayat Stables and aims to block the sale of any offspring of mares foaled while they are in the possession of their purchasers. It's personal. In addition, Zayat paid $1.6 million for the highest-priced horse at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale, a filly by Empire Maker named Mushka, whom he resold in 2008 for $2.4 million. The purchasers now added to the lawsuit include: Yeomanstown Stud in Ireland, which the complaint alleges bought El Kabeir in September 2017 in a private sale for $500,000 from Ahmed Zayat on behalf of Zayat Stables. While Zayat paid off some of the money owed, the bank contended that he remained in default on one loan. [37] As part of his reorganization plan, he was to sell a number of horses, including 100% of his Grade I-winning horse Eskendereya. The trustee assigned to the case is now alleging that three children and the wife of the financially strapped owner and breeder of Triple Crown champ American Pharoah are refusing to cooperate in providing documentation the trustee had subpoenaed from them to try and trace millions of dollars in possibly fraudulent transfers. I want to be dressed as a man and look professional. That dream came true, and American Pharoah became the first horse to win the coveted title in 37 years. 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