Horse trainer Karl Burke has expressed condolences following the death of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum on Monday.

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid has been a prominent figure in British racing since the early 1990s, when his black-spotted yellow silks were won by the Luca Cumani-trained High-Rise in the 1998 Derby and have since been worn by several other top runners.

His other major wins include the Champion Postponer in the King George and Juddmont International, and more recently the Rosalian, Inish Lindsay and Royal Champion.

Burke won the Bahrain International Cup for the latter last month and has trained a number of exciting horses for the owner, including unbeaten Joel Stakes winner Zeus Olympias, Cambridgeshire hero Boiling Point and Autumn Stakes winner Hancock.

“It’s just shocking. I just spoke to him earlier today and we discussed all the horses he’s looking forward to next season,” the trainer told the Press Association.

“I was due to see him next week which is sad news as he loves his horse and I know he is really looking forward to next year.

“I owe him a lot. He gave me a lot of responsibility and let me train all these good horses for him, and he’s a really good guy.”

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid also owns and breeds 2023 Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight, while his unbeaten Royal Lodge Stakes winner Bow Echo, trained by George Boughey, is one of the leading names in next year’s 2000 Guineas.

Sheikh Obeid, a cousin of Sheikh Mohammed and a member of Dubai’s ruling family, will leave an indelible mark on the world of thoroughbreds through his mare Zomarada. Zomarada is a Classic winner in her own right and her dam, Dubawi, is out of the only Dubai Millennium strain that went on to become a champion sire in Britain and Ireland.