Meydan’s first Dubai World Cup-winning owner Stefan Friborg dies at age of 67

Stefan Friborg, second right, celebrates winning the 2010 Dubai World Cup at Meydan. Kamran Jebreli / AP Photo

Horse racing owner and breeder Stefan Friborg, who won the Dubai World Cup in 2010 with Gloria De Campeao, has died at the age of 67.

According to a report in the Racing Post newspaper, the Swedish energy tycoon died in his sleep in Dubai on Wednesday night.

Friborg owned Gloria De Campeao struck at the highest level as an owner in six other countries, including in England and Australia.

His Estrela Energia Stables has raced four horses at Meydan this season without success and all are trained by Marco Botti.

“My wife Lucia is with the horses in Dubai and saw him less than two weeks ago,” Botti said. “I spoke to him 10 days ago and he was in good spirits. He was a gentleman and a pleasure to train for.”

Friborg, who was became a successful businessman and made his money in oil and gas, was based in Brazil and became a pathfinder when in 2005 Sushi-Bar became the first horse from the South American country to win at Nad Al Sheba.

It opened the floodgates for Brazilian horses, who subsequently flourished on the Dubai dirt.

Five years later, Friborg’s blue and yellow silks were carried to victory in the world’s most valuable race when Gloria De Campeao won the inaugural Dubai World Cup staged at Meydan on his third attempt in the race.

“Gloria De Campeao was eighth on his first try in Dubai, which was slightly a practice run,” Patrick Barbe, Friborg’s racing manager, said. “After that he was second and finally won it by a nose. We had great times and I’m very sad for his family.”

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