Khalid Abdulla
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the football player, see Khalid Abdullah.
Khalid Abdulla (born 1937 in Ta'if, Saudi Arabia - proper name Khalid Abdullah) is a prince in his homeland although he chooses to not go by his title in his numerous international business ventures. He is a first cousin of King Abdullah of Saudi Arbia and brother-in-law of the late King Fahd.
Like many Saudis, Khalid's father kept horses, though not for racing. It wasn't until Khalid went on a trip to the races at Longchamp with some friends that he promised to himself that he would one day own a horse or two.
Introduced to racing in England in the 1960s, he has been actively involved in the sport as an owner and breeder ever since. His vast thoroughbred empire includes three farms in England, two in Ireland, and one in Kentucky—which together are known as Juddmonte Farms. In North America he was honored with a 1992 Eclipse Award as owner and with another in 1995 as outstanding breeder. His best runner in 1997 was Ryafan, who captured three U. S. Grade 1 races en route to an Eclipse Award for Outstanding Female Turf Horse. Past notable runners have included champions and classic winners Known Fact, Dancing Brave, Zafonic, Quest for Fame, Commander in Chief, Rainbow Quest, Wemyss Bight, Bolas, Houseproud, etc. Despite having tremendous success in many of the world's great races, Khalid Abdulla has never won an American classic. His only Kentucky Derby starter to date was Eltish, who finished sixth in 1995.
In more recent years, Khalid has continued to enjoy success thanks to horses such as Banks Hill, who won the 2001 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf in spectacular style, and Oasis Dream who was rarely unplaced during his career and whose wins included the Darley July Cup in 2003. He believes Dancing Brave is the best horse he has ever owned, but it is the horses he has bred himself at Juddmonte Farms that give him most pleasure when they feature in the winner’s enclosure.
Number of Horses: Over 200
Regular Trainers: Henry Cecil, Roger Charlton, Barry Hills, John Gosden, Amanda Perrett, Michael Stoute (Britain), Pascal Bary, Andre Fabre, Criquette Head-Maarek, Maurice Zilber (France), Bobby Frankel (USA)
Regular Jockey: Richard Hughes
