Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum: Death of a prominent owner and breeder | Racing News

Trainer Karl Burke has paid tribute to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum following the death of the leading owner and breeder on Monday.

A prominent figure in British motor racing since the early 1990s, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's yellow silks with black polka dots were ridden to victory in the 1998 Derby by the Luca Cumani-trained High-Rise and have since been sported by several other top drivers.

His other major race winners include King George and Juddmonte International winner Postponed, and more recently Rosallion, Inisherin and Royal Champion.

Burke saddled the latter to win the Bahrain International Trophy last month and trains a number of exciting horses for the owner, including undefeated Joel Stakes winner Zeus Olympios, Cambridgeshire hero Boiling Point and Autumn Stakes winner Hankelow.

“It's a shock. I was speaking to him earlier today and we discussed all the horses he was looking forward to next season,” the trainer told the Press Association.

“I was due to meet him next week and it’s very sad news because he loved his horses and I know he was really looking forward to next year.

“I owe him a lot. He gave me a lot of responsibility to train all these good horses for him and he was a very good man.”

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid also owned and bred 2023 Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight, while his undefeated Royal Lodge Stakes winner Bow Echo, trained by George Boughey, is one of the leading fancies in next year's 2000 Guineas.

Cousin of Sheikh Mohammed and member of the ruling family of Dubai, Sheikh Obaid would leave an indelible mark on the world of bloodstock through his mare Zomaradah, a classic winner in her own right and the dam of Dubawi, from the only generation of the Dubai Millennium and who would become the champion sire of Great Britain and Ireland.