Racehorse owner Sheikh Maktoum dies

Racing:  Leading racehorse owner and breeder Sheikh Maktoum Rashid Al Maktoum, the eldest brother of the ruling family of Dubai…

Racing:  Leading racehorse owner and breeder Sheikh Maktoum Rashid Al Maktoum, the eldest brother of the ruling family of Dubai, has died.

The emir of Dubai (62), who was a vice-president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, died while visiting Australia, an Emirates official said.

He is believed to have suffered a heart attack.

He and his two brothers Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan revolutionised racing throughout the world.

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Sheikh Maktoum had 10 trainers throughout the world - including 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, his best-known horses included Fantastic Light, Cadeaux Genereux, Shadeed and Shareef Dancer.

"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," a government statement read.
 
Sheikh Maktoum was the owner of Gainsborough Stud in Newmarket, where many of his stallions were stood after their racing careers.