‘A huge sense of loss.’ Juddmonte Farms owner Prince Khalid bin Abdullah dies.
Prince Khalid bin Abdullah, founder and owner of Juddmonte Farms, died Tuesday, the farm announced.
“The whole of Juddmonte feels a huge sense of loss,” Douglas Erskine Crum, CEO of Juddmonte, said Tuesday in a press release issued by the farm. “Prince Khalid will always be remembered as a quiet, dignified, benevolent family man, whose horses spoke for him.”
One of horse racing’s most successful owners and breeders, Prince Khalid’s famous green, white and pink silks won over 500 stakes races, 440 of which he bred. He raced 118 Group/Grade 1 winners, 102 of which he bred. His horses included Frankel, Dancing Brave, Arrogate and Enable.
He won nine Eclipse Awards, four for top owner and five for top breeder.
Juddmonte Farms was established in 1977 and consists of three farms in England, two in Ireland and two in the United States, both located in Fayette County, encompassing approximately 2,000 acres just south of Lexington.
Prince Khalid is a member of the Saudi Arabian royal family. He presided over Mawarid Holding, a private investment company located in Riyadh.
Prince Khalid was 83.
Alex Waldrop, president and chief executive officer of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, noted the prince’s long-term impact on the sport.
“The contributions of Prince Khalid bin Abdullah to the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry over the past 40 years will be felt for generations to come,” Waldrop said in a news release. “From Empire Maker to Frankel to Enable, his operation produced many of this sport’s all-time greats who carried his famous green, pink and white silks to victory in the world’s most prestigious races. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and the entire Juddmonte Farms team.”
Keenland CEO Shannon Arvin called Prince Khalid “a man of extraordinary class” who will continue to influence the sport.
“Prince Khalid bin Abdullah was foremost a man of extraordinary class, and the excellence he achieved in Thoroughbred racing and breeding globally will continue to influence the breed for generations,” said Arvin a statement released by Keeneland. “Though he was a major presence on the international stage, we at Keeneland treasure the long friendship we enjoyed with Prince Khalid. His Juddmonte Farms is a prominent consignor and buyer at Keeneland sales, where he bought Known Fact, one of his earliest classic winners, at the 1978 July Selected Yearling Sale, and purchased his champion and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Arrogate at the 2014 September Yearling Sale.
“Juddmonte Farms has also strongly supported Keeneland’s philanthropic mission and its racing program as sponsor of the Grade 1 Juddmonte Spinster since 2005. Prince Khalid’s distinctive pink, green and white silks have been carried to numerous wins at Keeneland, earning for him a Keeneland Tray as part of the track’s distinguished Milestone Trophy Program. On behalf of Keeneland, we extend our deepest condolences to Prince Khalid’s family and the entire Juddmonte Farms team.”
Churchill Downs president Mike Anderson said in a statement, “Thoroughbred racing and breeding icons like Prince Khalid bin Abdullah are few and far between. For decades, the Juddmonte Farms racing and breeding operation has represented top-class on an international stage thanks to the vision and dedication of Prince Khalid. His unforgettable pink, green and white silks made numerous trips to the Churchill Downs winner’s circle with regally-bred horses – from 2001 Kentucky Oaks winner Flute to 2018 Breeders’ Cup Turf champion Enable – and they are fondly remembered by the Churchill Downs family as part of his significant legacy.”
This story was originally published January 12, 2021 at 11:43 AM.
