Owner Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Dies at 76

Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, owner of the mighty Mtoto and other star performers, including the successful globetrotter Addeybb, died Sept. 21 at the age of 76. The younger brother of Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai and founder of Godolphin, Sheikh Ahmed's death was announced by the Ruler's Court, which declared 10 days of mourning across the emirate. Sheikh Mohammed paid a personal tribute to his brother in a message on X. Sheikh Ahmed's distinctive yellow and black silks were made famous by Mtoto in the late 1980s. Trained by the late Alec Stewart, Mtoto rose to the top when beating Epsom Derby (G1) winner Reference Point in the 1987 Coral-Eclipse (G1) at Sandown. He became Britain's dominant middle-distance horse the following year by winning the Eclipse again and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Ascot, before famously finishing a narrow second in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) after encountering traffic problems. Mtoto, who also won the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G2) twice, retired to Aston Upthorpe Stud in 1989 and spent the next 17 years as a stallion, siring Derby winner Shaamit and Ascot Gold Cup (G1) hero Celeric. Another son, Presenting, became a legendary jumps sire in Britain and Ireland. Sheikh Ahmed enjoyed considerable success in Britain and Ireland, including Classic wins with Wassl in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1), Possessive Dancer in the Irish Oaks (G1), and Ameerat and Elmalka in the One Thousand Guineas (G1). His best-known horse in recent years was Addeybb (IRE), who won the 2020 Champion Stakes (G1) and three group 1s in Australia for the William Haggas stable. This year had been a particularly productive one for Sheikh Ahmed, who was also a brother to late Shadwell founder Sheikh Hamdan. He gained two group 1 victories with Almaqam (GB) in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) in May and Saddadd (IRE) in this month's Grosser Preis von Baden (G1), with a long list of other big-race wins coming with the likes of Quddwah (GB), Sallaal (IRE), and Waardah (IRE). Sheikh Ahmed's horses are not expected to run during the 10-day mourning period, with Wadooda (GB) declared a non-runner at Leicester on Monday. Some key horses were being readied for Newmarket's three-day Cambridgeshire meeting this week, including exciting juvenile Sharadd (IRE), who was not among the confirmations for the Sept. 26 Middle Park Stakes (G1). The sheikh's very first winner was Wassl in the 1983 Greenham Stakes, trained by John Dunlop and ridden by Willie Carson. The colt had previously won for Sheikh Mohammed, who then transferred ownership, presumably to encourage his younger brother's participation in the sport. Wassl was then unplaced in the Two Thousand Guineas (G1) but won the Irish equivalent. A statement from the British Horseracing Authority read: "We are saddened to learn about the passing of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. "His famous yellow and black silks have been commonplace on British racecourses for decades and have been carried to victory in some of our most historic races, including the Coral-Eclipse, One Thousand Guineas, and Champion Stakes. "He was a significant and longstanding supporter of British racing and our thoughts and condolences are with his family at this difficult time." The British Jockey Club also paid tribute to Sheikh Ahmed, who was elected an honorary member of the organization in 1996. Jockey Club senior steward Baroness Dido Harding said: "His Highness has been a champion of racing in Dubai, the UK and worldwide. "He showed great vision in developing Jebel Ali racecourse and his yellow and black colours were carried by some true greats of the sport. "We were proud that he was an honorary member of the Jockey Club and join the wider racing community in sending our deepest condolences to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, his family, friends and all in Dubai." The founder of Jebel Ali racecourse, Sheikh Ahmed raced his horses under the ARM banner and was a leading figure in the United Arab Emirates through his various roles. He was deputy chairman of Dubai Police, group chairman of ARM Holding—a UAE-based private investment firm—and chairman of Al Wasl football club. In April, it was revealed that Ed Crisford had accepted a role as private trainer at the sheikh's Jebel Ali Stables following Michael Costa's relocation to Australia after four years in the position. Dubai Racing Club posted a tribute on X, which read: "Dubai Racing Club mourns the passing of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. "A distinguished figure in the UAE, his remarkable legacy spans decades of contribution to the nation, with an enduring impact on sport, equestrianism and horseracing. "His life was defined by dedication and service to his country, leaving a legacy that will remain an important part of the UAE's sporting and national history."