Prince Khalid Abdullah
Saudi Arabian Royal who founded a racing stable beyond equal
Prince Khalid Abdullah, horse racing owner and breeder. Born: 1937 in Taif, Saudi Arabia. Died: 12 January 2021
Khalid Abdullah provided the racing world with a platinum legacy as ownerbreeder of a string of equine greats including Enable and Frankel. Through his breeding operation, Juddmonte Farms, the Saudi prince was the driving force behind generations of many of the best horses to grace the turf.
Dual Prix de l’arc de Triomphe winner Enable and unbeaten superstar Frankel lit up the early 21st century, yet were following in the hoofprints of Rainbow Quest, Dancing Brave and Zafonic
among a stellar list of mighty Juddmonte forebears.
Equine ancestry was always key for Abdullah, from his first steps into racing more than 40 years ago, as he built up a battalion not merely for the present, but long into the future through home-bred stallions and broodmares.
Khalid bin Abdullah Al Saud was born into Saudi Arabian royalty, in 1937, in the Middle East Kingdom’s Mecca Province. His earliest association withthebluebloodsoftheturf, however, did not begin until many years later.
A spark was reportedly lit in the most appropriate of surroundings, given exploits to come, on a chance 1950s trip as a young man to Longchamp – home of the Prix de l’arc de Triomphe, Europe’s premier middle-distance Flat prize.
Yet history records the first victory in his pink, green and white colours arrived only in May 1979 – courtesy of Charming Native and trainer Jeremy Tree at Windsor.
Major investment was already under way by then – in terms of bloodstock, with real estate to follow – and success at the highest level was swiftly achieved.
Significant milestones arrived on and off the track in 1982 – with the first home-bred winners and the founding of the Juddmonte banner.
Juddmonte’s best were elite – and it was Dancing Brave who first set the bar with his remarkable deeds in 1986.
Abdullah was a notably unassuming presence on the racecourse – allowing the splendid narratives around him to speak for themselves.
His varied, characterful trainers and brilliant racehorses ensured that task was duly fulfilled.
The unblemished career of Frankel was perhaps the finest example.