Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, whose office at Churchill Downs features a mural of his Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify, is preparing for his next major challenge. Baffert, one of only two trainers to secure two Triple Crown titles, recently evaluated a new colt at his California barn. The horse, now named Zedan, displayed a unique presence that convinced the veteran trainer of his elite potential. “It’s like he knows he’s a bad ass,” Baffert remarked, noting that the truly great horses possess an innate sense of their own capability.
The colt was acquired in April for $10.5 million at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale in Florida, marking the second-highest price ever paid for a 2-year-old in North American history. The record remains held by The Green Monkey, which sold for $16 million in 2006. Zedan’s pedigree is impeccable, sired by the undefeated 2022 Horse of the Year, Flightline, and out of a mare by the prominent stallion Into Mischief. During his pre-sale workout at an Ocala farm, the horse—then identified as Hip 1056—completed a furlong in nine-and-three-fifths seconds, a performance Baffert compared to drafting a top-tier athlete.
The horse’s owner, Amr Zedan, is a US-born Saudi businessman who entered the thoroughbred industry a decade ago. After finding early success partnering on the 2014 Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome, he established his own racing operation in Lexington. His journey has been marked by both triumph and controversy; his horse Medina Spirit finished first in the 2021 Kentucky Derby but was later disqualified following a positive test for a prohibited anti-inflammatory. This incident led to a lengthy legal battle and a three-year suspension for Baffert, which prevented Zedan from entering his horse Muth in the 2024 Kentucky Derby.
Reflecting on his ambitions, the owner admitted, “I wouldn’t say I’m hungry for a Derby winner; I’m starving.” Despite the immense pressure and the skepticism of some observers, Zedan maintains that his investment strategy is calculated. He relies on the expertise of Baffert and bloodstock agent Donnato Lanni to mitigate the inherent risks of the sport. During the high-stakes bidding war at the Ocala sale, Lanni successfully outmaneuvered competitors, including Lane’s End and a consortium of Jockey Club owners, to secure the colt.
Baffert monitored the auction remotely from California, expressing surprise as the price climbed past expectations. For his part, the owner remains pragmatic about the financial commitment. “Some people think I’m crazy,” Zedan noted. “But again, I have surrounded myself with pros. That mitigates the risk. And the horse doesn’t know how much he costs, right?”
The industry is well aware of the risks associated with such high-priced acquisitions. The Green Monkey, the most expensive 2-year-old in history, struggled significantly on the track, finishing third in his 2007 debut and failing to find success as a stud before being euthanized in 2018 following complications from laminitis. Baffert is currently focused on maintaining the health and fitness of his new colt, keeping his expectations measured.
Looking ahead, Zedan is focused on the long-term prospects for his horse. “I try to be very measured,” he said. “I want him to be healthy, unjinxed and get him to the races. I hope he’ll be good for us, good for the industry and a good stallion one day. Only time will tell, though, right?” The report also notes that breaking a then 37-year-old hex that created a near cathartic roar at Belmont Park, pharoah won the Triple Crown in 2015. The report also notes that the 2022 horse of the year, who retired undefeated after six starts, and the mare is from Into Mischief, the best stallion going these days, zedan is out of Flightline. The report also notes that anything less than 12 seconds is considered fast. The report also notes that created by his wife Jill as she remodels his on-track digs, the back wall of Bob Baffert’ s office at Churchill Downs is entirely covered by a custom-made print. The report also notes that in it, American Pharoah and Justify are neck-and-neck, as if crossing a finish line in a match race for the ages. The report also notes that confirming what the trainer saw the first time he spied him – that he was a true athlete with all the physical tools to do something magical, the horse had just galloped for him at Santa Anita. The report also notes that but back at the stall, Baffert saw something else. The report also notes that conveying a message that Baffert immediately interpreted, the horse practically stared the trainer in the eye.
