Ahmed Zayat

Ahmed Zayat is an Egyptian-born American businessman and thoroughbred horse racing enthusiast, best known as the founder and principal owner of Zayat Stables, which achieved historic success with the 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah—the first horse to claim the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in 37 years.

Born around 1963 in Cairo, Egypt, to a prominent Jewish family—his father served as physician to President Anwar Sadat—Zayat grew up in the affluent suburb of Maadi, where he developed an early passion for equestrian sports, winning Egypt's under-14 show jumping championship as a teenager. At age 18, he immigrated to the United States, earning a graduate degree in public health from Boston University before returning to Egypt to build his career.

Since the early 2000s, following Zayat's permanent relocation to the United States after selling his Egyptian beverage company, the family has resided primarily in Teaneck, New Jersey, selected for its vibrant Orthodox Jewish community and convenient access to New York City. This suburban setting provided a stable, family-oriented environment amid Zayat's international business transitions.

Ahmed Zayat maintains an observant Orthodox Jewish lifestyle, adhering to traditional practices such as keeping kosher and observing Shabbat. The Zayat family works out kosher eating arrangements at racetracks they visit on Saturdays, ensuring compliance during travel for horse racing events. They abstain from driving on the Sabbath, as demonstrated during the 2015 Belmont Stakes when Zayat and his family slept in recreational vehicles near the track and walked to the venue to witness American Pharoah's Triple Crown victory without violating religious restrictions. A 2016 hotel fire in their suite underscored their commitment to ritual observances.

Zayat resides in Teaneck, New Jersey, a community with a significant Orthodox Jewish population, and attends Congregation Bnai Yeshurun, where he participates in synagogue activities. He has publicly expressed his faith as a guiding force in his life, crediting divine intervention for successes in business and horse racing.