Racing world mourns an icon of the turf
Prince Khalid was renowned for breeding and racing champions
The passing of legendary horse ownerbreeder Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah on Tuesday has shocked the racing world’s very soul.
However, the legacy that he leaves behind will be immortalised within contemporary horse racing and its culture.
The many tributes that are pouring in for the Saudi royal illustrate the huge impact that his death has had on the Sport of Kings, which he ruled for over four decades.
Hall of Fame trainer John Gosden and jockey Frankie Dettori, who formed a formidable teamwith Prince Khalid, led the tributes with the former saying: “His charming and humorous manner was coupled with a great strategic approach, both in business and in his horse racing and breeding operation.”
Prince Khalid was one of the most successful and prolific owners of the modern generation with a list of great horses too long to recall.
Formidable force
He was a key player in the evolution of British horse racing since the 1970s not just through the champions that he raced but also through the champions that he bred at the world renowned Juddmonte Farms International in the UK, Ireland and United States.
Juddmonte Farms delivered his first superstar in Dancing Brave, who raced between 1985 and 1986 running 10 times and recording eight wins. To reel off more famous Prince Khalid winners would be next to impossible but it was two outstanding horses that he bred would define his lasting legacy — Frankel and Enable.
The former, who was unbeaten in 14 races was trained by the late Sir Henry Cecil, who was Prince Khalid’s long- time trainer, before Gosden inherited his talented string.
Frankel’s would become the most famous horse in the world, taking on all the opposition and dominating them for victory after victory. Dettori, who said he grew up watching Prince Khalid’s horses like Dancing Brave winning, hailed him as“a true giant of the sport”. He said: “Hewas amazing and a true giant of the sport.”
The words of Dettori perhaps best sumup a man who will forever be remember in the world of racing through the everlasting legacy that he has left behind.
RIP Prince Khalid.