Zedan Brings Suit Against Churchill Downs To Gain Entry Into 2024 Kentucky Derby

Owner Amr Zedan's Zedan Racing Stables has filed a civil lawsuit in Kentucky's Jefferson Circuit Court in hopes his horses may be allowed to run in this year's Kentucky Derby. First reported by the Los Angeles Times, the suit against Churchill Downs seeks an injunction allowing Zedan horses trained by Bob Baffert into the race. 

The lawsuit was filed April 3. Churchill has not yet had an opportunity to file its response.

Baffert is not a party to the suit. Last summer, Churchill Downs announced it would extend its ban on the trainer, based on private property rights of exclusion, through at least 2024. Since the racetrack writes the conditions for its signature race, any horse conditioned by a trainer banned by Churchill is ineligible to earn Kentucky Derby qualifying points in Road to the Kentucky Derby races. Churchill also instituted a deadline by which owners must transfer their horses away from banned trainers in order for them to earn qualifying points. Baffert's owners opted not to move 3-year-olds away from him in 2024 as they have done the previous two years. 

Zedan-owned, Baffert-trained runner Muth won last Saturday's Arkansas Derby, which would normally qualify the colt for the Kentucky Derby.

Zedan's suit contends that he spent $10.7 million on yearlings in 2022 with the belief they would be able to run in the Derby in 2024. His legal argument is three-fold: that Churchill's exclusion of Baffert runners is not based in contractural or common law; that it damages the race's value; and that it defies the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's attempts to create a level playing field. He primarily blames Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen for the ban on Baffert.

“I am a longtime admirer of the Kentucky Derby and specifically headquartered my stables in the Commonwealth of Kentucky because it is world-renowned for horse breeding. Bringing this lawsuit is the last thing I ever wanted or expected. But due to Bill Carstanjen’s vindictive personal vendetta against our stable’s trainer Bob Baffert – who happens to be one of the most legendary trainers in the history of our sport – the horse racing industry I revere is being compromised,” said Zedan in a release distributed by a New York communications firm. “Because of the unjustified ban horse racing fans in the grandstand and around the world will be deprived of the most competitive and best possible Run for the Roses on its auspicious 150th anniversary. Mr. Carstajen has refused any attempts at negotiations, even though his egotistical decision is inflicting an undeniable yet completely avoidable wound to the sport of horse racing, which is a point of pride for Louisville, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the entire country.

"Consequently, this lawsuit is the only means available for our stable to seek an end to CDI’s injustice, and ensure that only the best possible Thoroughbreds can compete on May 4th.”

A hearing on Zedan's motion for temporary injunction is scheduled for April 8 at 9 a.m. before Judge Jennifer Bryant Wilcox.