Melbourne Cup winning owner, and the breeder of super stallion Dubawi, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum died on Monday.
Sheikh Mohammed Obaid’s yellow and black dots colours were better known in Europe, where his biggest success came with High Rise in the 1998 English Derby, but he was rarely without a topline performer.
He sent Without A Fight to Anthony and Sam Freedman, who would complete the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double with him in 2023.
Sam Freedman, who started his association with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid while working for Roger Varian in England, when he was training one of his more recent champions in Postponed, gave a fitting tribute.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum,” Sam Freedman said.
“His passion and support for the thoroughbred industry globally will be greatly missed.”
“We will forever be grateful for the opportunity to train his Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup champion, Without A Fight.”
“Our thoughts are with his family and those close to him during this time.”
Sheikh Mohammed Obaid is a cousin of Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai and founder of Godolphin, and had success with a number of English trainers.
He was outspoken about racing and was prepared to end relationships with trainers.
Rosallion gave him an Irish 2000 Guineas and St Palace Stakes last year before a string of Group 1 placings in 2025.
However, his main legacy will be Dubawi, who he bred from a mating of his 1999 Italian Oaks winner Zomaradah and the ill-fated Dubai Millennium.
Dubawi would race for Godolphin winning a National Stakes as a two-year-old before taking the Irish 2000 Guineas and Prix Jacques Le Marois at three before retiring.
He has produced 63 Group 1 winners and more than 200 Stakes winners at stud and continues to shape the bred with sons Too Darn Hot and Ghaiyyath.
