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Mohamed Obaida, the Dubai-based owner whose blue and red silks were carried to Group One glory by stars including Sayyedati, Air Express and Dubai Honour, has died following a long illness.
Obaida, who was involved in racing for more than four decades, saw his most recent flagbearer Dubai Honour land the Gr.1 Tancred Stakes in Australia just three weeks ago, giving the 7YO his fourth top-level success.
The UAE-based property developer, a close associate of the ruling Maktoum family, first registered his distinctive colours more than 40 years ago. His silks initially came to prominence through 1985 Epsom Oaks third Dubian, who was bred by his close friend Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum.
Clive Brittain, who trained several of Obaida's most successful horses, led the tributes, saying: "They were good horses and he was a very easy man to train for. He loved his horses and we had a good relationship."
Obaida's most notable successes came with the top-class Sayyedati, who won five Group One races in Britain, Ireland and France, including the 1,000 Guineas in 1993 and the 1995 Sussex Stakes.
"She certainly was very special to me and fillies like her don't come along very often," said Brittain of Sayyedati.
A daughter of 2,000 Guineas winner Shadeed, Sayyedati was bred by Sheikh Maktoum's Gainsborough Stud and won the Cherry Hinton, Moyglare and Cheveley Park as a 2YO.
After her Guineas triumph, she followed up in the Prix Jacques le Marois, the first of several overseas assignments. She travelled to Japan in the spring of her 4YO career, while her final race at five was at the Breeders' Cup at Belmont.
"As an owner he was always pleased to go where I suggested with Sayyedati and never interfered with a plan," said Brittain.
Air Express landed the Italian and German versions of the 2,000 Guineas in 1997 for Obaida and Brittain before defeating Rebecca Sharp in the Gr.1 QEII Stakes at Ascot.
"Winning at Ascot was a very special day," said Brittain. "I was so lucky as a trainer to have many good owners and he was just the nicest man and a good friend."
Obaida's racing influence extends through his family, with sons Saeed and Salem also involved as owners. Saeed's best-known horse is the three-time Melbourne Cup placegetter Prince Of Arran.
His granddaughter, Maitha, created history when becoming the first Emirati woman to hold a training licence at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.
Bruce Raymond, who served as Obaida's racing manager, said: "He was just a wonderful man. I've known him since the Sayyedati days and he's always looked the same age. He was kind and just a good guy to know.
"The last time he came to England would have been last year and he would always go to the sales in Newmarket."
Raymond added: "I don't think he left any stones unturned, even at an advanced age. I would ask his son Salem how he was doing and would be told he was away hunting with the hawks. If everybody was like him, there would be no more problems in the world."
Other notable horses to have sported Obaida's silks include Group One-placed stayer Nayef Road and Group Three winners Star Storm and Sueboog.
Dubian produced four stakes performers, all raced by Obaida: Sayyedati; Golden Snake, who won the Gr.1 Prix Jean Prat before he was sold to the National Stud; Race Leader, who finished second to Giant's Causeway in the Gr.1 Prix de la Salamandre; and Listed-placed Dubai Typhoon.
The property developer famously refused to divulge his age after winning his first Classic in 1993, admitting he was "about 55" – which would have put him in his mid-80s upon his death on Saturday.
In accordance with Islamic tradition, his funeral was held in Dubai on Sunday morning.