The Saudi royal family member suffered a heart attack in Riyadh on Monday, just two months after becoming the first Arab owner to win the Kentucky Derby with 20-1 shot War Emblem.

The Churchill Downs champion went on to land the Preakness Stakes but failed to complete the fabled Triple Crown with defeat in the Belmont Stakes.

War Emblem was the latest in a distinguished line of Salman winners in both Europe and the USA, including the likes of Point Given, Oath and Royal Anthem.

Jockey Gary Stevens, who rode 2001 Horse of the Year Point Given to victory in the Preakness and Belmont, said of the prince's death: "I'm just shocked right now.

"He was a huge asset to racing and breeding all over the world."

National Thoroughbred Racing Association commissioner Tim Smith added: "His tragic and premature loss is a significant blow to the thoroughbred racing industry.

"Having campaigned such stars as War Emblem, Point Given, Spain, Sharp Cat and many others, Prince Ahmed distinguished himself as a man who competed and thrived at our sport's highest levels."

In Britain, some of the equine stars to run under Salman's Thoroughbred Corporation banner were Oath and Royal Anthem.

Oath gave the prince his only British Classic victory in the 1999 Derby while Royal Anthem was one of the most convincing winners of the Juddmonte International in the same year.