Top racehorse owner Sheik Maktoum dies
04/01/2006 - 12:31:31The emir of Dubai Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum has been succeeded by younger brother Sheikh Mohammed following his death earlier today aged 62.
Sheikh Maktoum, who was ruler of Dubai and vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, passed away while visiting Australia, the president’s office in Abu Dhabi said in a statement.
His funeral will take place on Thursday morning at Umm Hurair cemetery in Bur Dubai, according to www.sheikhmohammed.co.ae.
Sheikh Maktoum and Sheikh Mohammed, along with their other brother Sheikh Hamdan, revolutionised racing not only in Britain but across the globe.
Sheikh Maktoum had 10 trainers throughout the world including Sir Michael Stoute, Ed Dunlop, Mark Johnston and Neil Drysdale as well as hundreds of horses in training.
He had a host of big-race winners, with his best-known horses included Fantastic Light, Cadeaux Genereux, Shadeed and Shareef Dancer.
Following the announcement of his death, Dubai declared 40 days of official mourning.
The stock exchanges in Dubai and Abu Dhabi ceased trading and many shops and businesses closed.
“The United Arab Emirates today lost a historical leader who devoted his life to establishing the United Arab Emirates and enhancing its structure and the welfare of its people,” the government said in a statement.
Sheikh Maktoum was the owner of Gainsborough Stud in Newbury, where many of his stallions were stood after their racing careers.
The news came as a great shock to former champion jockey Joe Mercer, his racing manager for the past 19 years.
“It’s absolutely awful,” he said.
“We had hundreds of great horses – Cadeaux Genereux, Royal Applause, Fantastic Light, Hatoof, Shadeed, Shareef Dancer – dozens and dozens of them.
“He really enjoyed his racing. He knew what was going on and was a very good man to work for. He was a good loser and a good winner.
“He had 10 trainers throughout the world including Sir Michael Stoute, Ed Dunlop, Barry Hills, Mark Johnston, Andre Fabre and Criquette Head in France and Neil Drysdale in America.
“He had over 200 horses in training and a lot of yearlings still to come in.
“The whole family have done a remarkable job for English racing.
“They bought stallions at the right price and invested a tremendous amount of money into the bloodstock business.
“They have been great for the industry.”
Johnston expressed his regret at the news and acknowledged Sheikh Maktoum helped put his yard at Middleham on the racing map.
He said: “Obviously it’s a great shock. It’s terrible and unbelievable and I had no inkling anything was wrong with him.
“He did a huge amount for racing, not just in Dubai but worldwide.
“Along with Sheikh Mohammed, he was instrumental in changing the whole shape of my yard and helping move me to a different level.”
The Scottish-born trainer singled out Land Of Dreams, Systematic and Shamardal as offering the fondest memories in his time in association with Sheikh Maktoum.
Land Of Dreams, a daughter of Cadeaux Genereux, won the Group Two Flying Childers Stakes in 1997, while Systematic landed the Group Three Cumberland Lodge Stakes in September 2002.
Johnston added: “Systematic was terrific and Land Of Dreams was brilliant but there where that many good memories and horses.
“Obviously Shamardal ran in the Gainsborough Stud colours to win the Dewhurst and that was also special.
“There have been no yearlings allocated yet this year but most years I have had about 30 of his horses with me – he was my biggest owner.”
Ed Dunlop, who is based at Gainsborough Stables, paid tribute to the man who gave him the opportunity to train from one of the finest stables in the country.
“It’s very sad news, primarily for Sheikh Maktoum’s family and all of Dubai,” said the Newmarket trainer.
“He was a wonderful man to work for and most importantly, he was the one who gave me a chance.”
Dunlop’s best horse with Sheikh Maktoum was Lailani, who won the Group One Nassau Stakes and the Irish Oaks in 2001.
More recently, the pair teamed up to good effect with Court Masterpiece, who earned connections nearly £300,000 (€440,000) in prize money.
Dunlop added: “There are so many fond memories. He was a big racehorse owner and a very successful one with lots of good horses.
“Obviously the best filly I had with him was Lailani, while Court Masterpiece was terrific last year for me.
“At this stage we don’t know what will happen in the future but it’s immaterial at the moment because our thoughts go to his family.
“He will be sorely missed.”
Sheikh Maktoum was elected an honorary member of the Jockey Club in 1985 and Julian Richmond-Watson, senior steward of the Jockey Club, paid his tribute.
He said: “Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum made a hugely significant contribution to the sport of horseracing and British thoroughbred racing and breeding in particular.
“He bred and owned several champions, many of which went on to enjoy great success at stud.
“Along with other members of his family, he was a great sportsman who cared deeply about his horses.
“The majority of his racing interests were based in this country and I believe he shared with the British racing public a love of horses, of racing and of the history and heritage the sport has in this country.”
The Emirate Racing Authority announced their offices would be closed for seven days with racing at Nad Al Sheba on January 5 and 12 cancelled, along with the card at Jebel Ali on January 6.
However, the Dubai Racing Carnival which is due to start on January 19 is expected to take place as scheduled.
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