American Pharoah

American Pharoah
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Name	American Pharoah
Sire	Pioneerof the Nile
Grandsire	Empire Maker
Dam	Littleprincessemma
Damsire	Yankee Gentleman
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	February 2, 2012
Country	United States
Color	Bay
Breeder	Zayat Stables
Owner	Zayat Stables
Trainer	Bob Baffert
Record	11: 9–1–0
Earnings	$8,650,300

American Pharoah was an American Thoroughbred racehorse bred and owned by Zayat Stables, trained by Bob Baffert, and ridden in major races by Victor Espinoza and Martin Garcia. He won the 2015 Triple Crown—comprising the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes—becoming the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to complete the sweep, and subsequently captured the Breeders' Cup Classic to secure the inaugural “Grand Slam” of American racing. His racing career and stud retirement influenced breeding, racing economics, and public interest in Thoroughbred bloodlines and horse racing culture.

Background and Breeding

American Pharoah was foaled at Ocala, Florida breeder Zayat Stables' operation; he was sired by Pioneerof the Nile out of the mare Littleprincessemma, a daughter of Yankee Gentleman. His pedigree combined lines from notable sires such as Empire Maker, Unbridled, Fappiano, and Mr. Prospector, and reflected crosses to influential broodmares connected with families traced through Northern Dancer, Bold Ruler, Seattle Slew, and A.P. Indy. The colt's breeder and owner, Ahmed Zayat, campaigned him under the tutelage of trainer Bob Baffert and early riding assignments by jockey Martin Garcia before principal riding by Victor Espinoza. He was nominated to the Triple Crown series and prepared at Baffert's training base in Southern California, with key prep starts at tracks including Oaklawn Park, Santa Anita Park, and Churchill Downs.

Racing Career

As a two-year-old, American Pharoah debuted in allowance company before breaking his maiden and later graduating to graded stakes competition, winning the Grade I Del Mar Futurity and the Grade II FrontRunner Stakes en route to becoming a leading juvenile and earning a place on year-end lists alongside horses such as Shanghai Bobby and Uncle Mo. In 2015 he won the Grade II Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park and then triumphed in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, ridden by Espinoza, defeating contenders including Frosted, Carpe Diem, and Materiality. He followed with a decisive victory in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, where he faced rivals like Tonalist and Smooth Roller, and then completed the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, denying horses such as Tonalist and Mr. Speaker and joining champions like Seattle Slew, Citation, and Affirmed in the winners' circle. After the Belmont, he returned to competition to capture the Grade I Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park and then made history by winning the Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland, defeating a deep field that included Beholder, Kiss the Kid, and Effinex, thus securing both the Triple Crown and the Breeders' Cup Classic in the same year. His 11-start record of 9 wins included victories in major races organized by bodies such as the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and awards from institutions including the Eclipse Awards.

Retirement and Stud Career

Following his racing retirement, American Pharoah entered stud at Ashford Stud, the North American division of Coolmore Stud, standing alongside stallions from lineages connected to Galileo and Tapit in the international bloodstock market. His initial stud fee reflected demand driven by his Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup accomplishments, attracting clients from prominent operations like Stonestreet Stables, WinStar Farm, and international breeders in Japan, Australia, and Ireland. His first crop included foals out of mares with pedigrees tracing to Sea The Stars, Storm Cat, and Danehill lines; progeny were sent to sales at venues such as the Keeneland September Yearling Sale and the Fasig-Tipton books. As a sire he produced graded winners and stakes performers who campaigned at tracks including Saratoga Race Course, Santa Anita Park, and Belmont Park, contributing to discussions in publications like the BloodHorse and the Daily Racing Form about stallion impact, fertility, and commercial viability. His stud career also involved shuttle arrangements and negotiations with breeding syndicates interfacing with organizations such as the Jockey Club and international registries.

Honors and Legacy

American Pharoah garnered multiple accolades, including the Eclipse Award for American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse and American Horse of the Year honors voted on by panels representing the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters and industry bodies. His Triple Crown and Breeders' Cup Classic feats stimulated media coverage from outlets like NBC Sports, ESPN, and The New York Times, heightened attendance figures at premier events such as the Belmont Stakes and Breeders' Cup championships, and reinvigorated public interest in Thoroughbred racing. He became part of cultural memory alongside historical champions like Secretariat and Seattle Slew, influenced bloodstock valuations at sales like Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton, and motivated retrospective analysis in books and documentaries featuring contributors such as Bob Baffert, Victor Espinoza, and Ahmed Zayat. Commemorations included museum exhibits at institutions such as the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and inclusion in lists of top American racehorses, shaping debates on legacy, pedigree, and the economics of elite racing and breeding.

Category:Racehorses