US Edition PRINCE Fahd Salman, who owned the 1991 Derby winner Generous, has died in Riyadh, of a suspected heart-attack, aged 47, leaving friends, associates and employees in the racing world mourning the loss of one of the most enthusiastic and flamboyant owners of the past two decades.
His dark green racing silks were carried with distinction by a series of outstanding horses in many countries. Apart from the brilliant Generous, who capped his racing career by winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot, 10 years ago this Saturday, Prince Fahd also owned Oaks winner Ramruma, Ibn Bey, Broken Hearted, Zoman, Insan, Bint Pasha, Magic Ring and Dillum, plus hundreds of others.
Prince Fahd developed a passion for British racing but recently found it necessary to cut back his numbers of horses in training, to around 30 at the time of his death, which was down from 78 three years ago. He was attempting to put more emphasis on his Newgate Studs, in Dorset and Kentucky.
He bred Mozart, the Aidan O'Brien-trained sprinter who seems destined for championship status following his July Cup win, and was so excited when that colt won the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot in June that he rushed to the gate of winner's enclosure to lead in the colt, despite having sold him to Michael Tabor and Sue Magnier for 340,000gns, two years earlier.
A minor controversy developed over Prince Fahd's decision to retain jockey Alan Munro in May 1991, only weeks before Generous went on to win the Derby at Epsom. Richard Quinn, who lost the ride, remained on civil terms with the owner and frequently rode for him again.
It is uncertain what will become of Prince Fahd's bloodstock holdings, which extended to 50 mares, 20 yearlings, 26 foals, plus the horses in training. Anthony Penfold, his racing manager, said it was too early to discuss plans. "Everybody at Newgate is devastated by the news of Prince Fahd's death," he said.
Paul Cole, who was his principal trainer, and Henry Cecil, who handled the Classic winner Ramruma, last night paid tribute to an owner they described as passionate about his racing and a thorough gentleman.
Cole, who trained Generous, and hundreds of others for the owner, said: "This has come as an horrific blow to all of us. Prince Fahd was more than an owner, he was a friend. He was part of the team here at Whatcombe. We would speak every few days, and he would come and stay on a regular basis.
"I would call him an absolute fan of British horse racing. He lived for it. He had to rein in a little the past couple of years, but he was always terribly enthusiastic. He was very generous in every single way. This is such a loss, I still can't believe it."
Cecil said: "Prince Fahd was a really great owner and a marvellous supporter of British racing. He was such a good friend. I only trained a few for him, but he followed it all very closely, and he loved to discuss everything that concerned his horses."
Penfold paid tribute to his employer, whom he described as very kind, yet passionate about his racing. "He was an exceptional man, and it has been a great privilege to have worked for him for the past 17 years. He will be remembered in racing as the owner of Generous, which is very appropriate as the horse could have been named for him personally."
HRH Prince Fahd bin Salman bin Abdul-Aziz, his full title, became interested in racing through Prince Ahmed Salman (now heading the Thorougbred Corporation), one of his four younger brothers. Prince Fahd was the son of Prince Salman, the Governor of Riyadh, and a nephew of the King. Khalid Abdulla was his father-in-law.