Prominent Florida horseman J.B. McKathan dies

J.B. McKathan, who, with brother Kevin, was a proprietor of McKathan Brothers Training Center near Ocala, Fla., has died. He was 53.

“Our hearts are broken today,” the training center posted on Twitter on Sunday. “J.B. McKathan passed last night. Please keep his family in your prayers.”

J.B. and Kevin McKathan, sons of horseman J.B. "Luke" McKathan, started out as racetrack trainers but founded their own operation in 1988. The brothers specialized in breaking and early training but also worked in 2-year-old sales prep, consigning, pinhooking, and as bloodstock agents.

Among the McKathans' most prominent business associates are Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and his various clients. The brothers purchased 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Silver Charm for Baffert as a 2-year-old, and they broke and trained 1998 Derby and Preakness winner Real Quiet.

The McKathans and Baffert finally notched their Triple Crown via their work with Zayat Stables, which sends its young horses to the McKathans for early training. The McKathans gave Pioneerof the Nile and later his champion son American Pharoah their early lessons for the Zayats before both colts moved on to the racetrack. J.B. McKathan described American Pharoah, who swept the 2015 Triple Crown, as a “perfect student.”

“[American Pharoah] was a really big, lanky, classy, two-turn-looking horse,” J.B. McKathan told Daily Racing Form in 2015. “He didn’t look anything like a sprinter. He was a really nice horse. Really good bone, very correct.

“From the first time he worked, he was extraordinarily fast.”

Ahmed Zayat was among the prominent owners, trainers, and bloodstock agents posting tributes to McKathan on Sunday.

“We are shocked and devastated to hear of the untimely passing of J.B. McKathan,” Zayat wrote on Twitter. “J.B. was a great friend and integral part of Zayat Stables’ success over the years. A great and talented horseman.”