Goodwood boss pays touching tribute to a legend of horse racing

Prince Khalid Abdullah was the man behind the Juddmonte operation that produced famous names like Dancing Brave and Frankel. He died last week aged 83.

Frankel won the prestigious Sussex Stakes twice – the only horse ever to do so – and the likes of Dancing Brave, Midday and Kingman also graced the Goodwood turf ridden in the prince’s famous green, white and pink silks.

Waterworth, MD of sport at Goodwood, said racing had lost a ‘true gentleman’ and someone who was unique in the sport.

“It’s unbelievably sad that he has passed away. It is impossible to overstate how much he achieved. The success he had with Juddmonte is genuinely mind-blowing.

“Over a very long period of time he bred and owned a lot of top-class racehorses. I don’t know if everyone realises the extent to which he himself plotted the blood lines of horses in order to breed champions.

“You can go back to Dancing Brave, who ran at Goodwood, right up to Frankel, Midday and Kingman, who won our big Glorious week races in recent years.

“He was so passionate and knowledgeable and I don’t think there has ever been an owner-breeder at the same level. His family have said they will be keeping Juddmonte going and that is very good news for racing and racegoers and is itself a fitting tribute to his life and work.”