Facts American Pharoah and the Kentucky Derby

The 141st Kentucky Derby – the Run for the Roses – is now past and American Pharoah and jockey Victor Espinoza have won the glory. Here are some interesting fact and figures about the iconic horse race.

Known as the fastest two minutes in sports, this years attendance was a record 170,513. American Pharoah’s owner, Zayat Stables, LLC, pocket $1,418,800 from the overall purse. The CEO of that company is 52 year-old Ahmed Zayat, who emigrated to the United States at at 18. Before getting into horse, Zayed led a beverage company in Egypt, as well as marshaling its sale Heineken International.

This year’s one and a quarter mile race lasted all of 2:03.02 still far off the record set in 1973 by Secretariat of 1:59.40. American Pharoah won this year’s race by one length. The final odds set for American Pharoah to win were 2.9-1. Pays out from the derby to holders of two dollar tickets were $7.80. But if such a ticket betting on American Pharaoh was purchased before November 1st of last year, the payout would have been $27.60.

The horse was purchased as a yearling for $300,000 and has earned $2,930,300 thus far. Pioneer of the Nile, was American Pharoah’s sire and the stud fee was $60,000. That stallion is owned 75 percent by Zayat. American Pharaoh’s damn (mother) was Littleprincessemma, who sold last year for $2.1 million.

Some experienced human talent was behind American Pharoah’s win. Jockey Victor Espinoza has won three Kentucky Derbies, most recently for his ride of California Chrome in 2014. Trainer Bob Baffert has won four and this was the first such win for Zayat Stables.

 

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