Zayat Sells Stud Rights to American Pharoah

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The breeding rights to dual classic winner American Pharoah have been sold to an undisclosed stud farm, ESPN.com reported May 19.

Ahmed Zayat of Zayat Stables told ESPN.com that he could not pass up an offer made for the 3-year-old colt. He also said that because of a confidentiality agreement, he could not discuss many terms of the deal, but that he owns 100% of the horse's racing rights and that American Pharoah will not retire immediately after running in the June 6 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), even if he becomes the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Triple Crown.

ESPN: American Pharoah Breeding Rights Sold to Undisclosed Farm; Terms Unavailable 

A son of Pioneerof the Nile  —Littleprincessemma, by Yankee Gentleman  , American Pharoah won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) by a length May 2 and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) by seven lengths May 16.

In an ESPN story the previous day, Zayat's son Justin said breeding farms had offered "north of $20 million" for the breeding rights to the homebred colt, who was last season's champion 2-year-old male.