Influential Owner, Breeder Hamdan Al Maktoum Dies at 75

Hamdan Al Maktoum, one of the most prominent and influential figures in international horse racing for more than four decades, has died. He was 75.

The older brother of Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum helped to change the face of the sport in Britain and across the world through his investment in sponsorship, equine property, and bloodstock, racing thousands of horses in his blue silks and white silks, including the likes of champions Nashwan, Dayjur, and Battaash .

Sheikh Hamdan enjoyed considerable success with his runners, including two Epsom Derby (G1) wins with Nashwan (1989) and Erhaab (1994) and numerous other classics such as the Two Thousand Guineas (G1), One Thousand Guineas (G1), Epsom Oaks (G1), Irish Derby (G1), Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1), Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1), and Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (G1), as well as a string of other group 1 races in Britain, Ireland, and France.

He was champion flat owner in Britain nine times (1990, 1994, 1995, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2014, 2019, and 2020).

His horses also triumphed in major international contests, landing the owner two editions of the Melbourne Cup (G1) with At Talaq (1986) and Jeune (1994), as well as a Breeders' Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1) with Invasor  (2006), the Belmont Stakes (G1) with Jazil  (2006), and the Dubai World Cup (G1) with Almutawakel (1999) and Invasor (2007).

While Sheikh Hamdan, who served as deputy ruler of Dubai and UAE minister of finance and industry prior to his death, was a powerful player at the sales spending millions each year, he was also a major breeder under the banner of his Shadwell Estates operation.

He purchased Shadwell Estate, near Thetford in Norfolk, in 1984 with the likes of Green Desert standing at the stud, while sister operations are run at Derrinstown Stud near Maynooth, County Kildare, and at Shadwell Farm near Lexington.

Known for his loyalty to racing professionals, many of whom worked for him for decades, Sheikh Hamdan was a passionate supporter of Arabian racing alongside his love of racing Thoroughbreds.

He was a patron of the Arabian Racing Organisation and the key figure behind the establishment of the Dubai International Arabian Races, Europe's premier Arabian racing program which has its finals day held at Newbury racecourse each year.

An official statement from Shadwell March 24 read: "It is with great sadness that Shadwell announces the death of His Highness, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He died peacefully on Wednesday, 24th March, 2021.

"It is a time to reflect on his achievements and his enormous contribution to the global Thoroughbred and Arabian industries. His legacy will live on through his horses.

"Everyone at Shadwell is so proud to have worked for such a loyal, generous, humble, and wise man."

Richard Hills, assistant racing manager to the Shadwell operation, said: "It's very sad news. It's like losing a boss and a father as I've known Sheikh Hamdan my whole life. He was such a good man and we were very close. I know he was very frustrated about not being able to come to Royal Ascot last year when we had six winners as he loved Ascot. I last spoke to him only a couple of weeks ago and he'll be sorely missed."

Trainer Sir Michael Stoute added: "Sheikh Hamdan had a great knowledge of and love for his horses. He made a significant contribution to British racing and has left an admiral legacy. He will be greatly missed."

John Gosden, who trained 2014 Oaks winner Taghrooda , Sheikh Hamdan's last domestic classic winner, said: "I've been fortunate to train for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum since the 1980's when I was in California. He's always been an absolute gentleman with a true passion for his horses and a profound and intimate knowledge of them.

"He enjoyed being close to his horses whether on the stud farm, the racecourse, or the stables. Sheikh Hamdan was a most respected, loyal, kind, and humorous man of great depth and judgment. A huge contributor to the development of his country and a truly great international owner, breeder, and philanthropist in the worldwide racing industry. He will be greatly missed."

William Haggas said: "The sport of horse racing has lost a true friend today. Sheikh Hamdan was a kind, loyal, generous, sporting man who enriched the lives of all who knew him and many who didn't.

"He was a major presence in every facet of the racing industry, both on and off the track, and had a fantastic memory and huge passion for breeding as well as racing.

"Personally speaking, our lives changed when we met him in 2005 and they'll change again now he has left us. I'm very proud to have known him and will miss his support and enthusiasm dearly."

Charlie Hills, trainer of Battaash among many, tweeted: "From a phone call when we went into lockdown in January to check my family was OK, to taking James and Eddie (Hills' sons) onto the podium after Battaash won his first Nunthorpe—(these are) just a couple of examples of the kindness of Sheikh Hamdan. Our sport has lost one of its finest."

Ed Dunlop paid tribute and said: "It's a sad day for world horse racing. Sheikh Hamdan first had horses with my father John such as the smart filly Salsabil and Derby winner Erhaab, and he supported me through that connection as he was an incredibly loyal man to my family. He'll be sadly missed by the racing industry and also in Dubai where he was a great finance minister." 

Sheikh Hamdan was remembered by American racing industry executives for his sportsmanship, his support of the auction markets, and his generous contributions to a number of philanthropic endeavors.

"Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's lifelong passion to compete at the highest level on an international stage was epitomized by Invasor, who won the 2006 Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs to clinch Horse of the Year honors," said Mike Anderson, president of Churchill Downs. "His legacy and famed royal blue and white-striped silks will be fondly remembered by Thoroughbred racing and breeding fans around the world. On behalf of the entire Churchill Downs family, we extend our deepest sympathies to Sheikh Hamdan's family and friends and the entire Shadwell Stable team."

"Sheikh Hamdan was a beloved figure around the world, cherished for his grace, humanity, loyalty, knowledge, and sportsmanship," said Shannon Arvin, president and CEO of Keeneland. "While he achieved great success as a Thoroughbred breeder and owner through his global Shadwell Farm operation, he made innumerable contributions to the sport—many of which were behind the scenes. Keeneland is grateful for his strong support of our sales and racing programs, including Shadwell's involvement in our philanthropic activities. Sheikh Hamdan's yearling purchases here include such standouts as group 1 winner Dayjur and Belmont winner Jazil, and he also participated significantly in our November Breeding Stock Sale."

At Keeneland, Shadwell won nine stakes led by the 2008 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1T) with Alwajeeha .

"Because of Shadwell's encouragement, Keeneland began the Best Turned Out Awards program to recognize hard-working grooms when Shadwell started to sponsor Keeneland's one-mile turf race during the 1999 Fall Meet," Arvin continued. "Keeneland is extremely proud of that race, the Shadwell Turf Mile (G1T), which became our first million-dollar event in 2014, anchors our Fall Stars Weekend, and is a key stop on the road to the Breeders' Cup."

Sheikh Hamdan won three Breeders' Cup races with his Shadwell runners.

"We were greatly saddened to learn of the passing of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who for many decades was one of our sport's most prominent and influential owners and breeders, represented by his horses capturing many of the world's most prestigious Thoroughbred races," Breeders' Cup said in a statement. "Those outstanding horses include Breeders' Cup champions Lahudood , Tamarkuz  , and Invasor, his Classic winner and 2006 Horse of the Year. In his absence, our community is left with his storied legacy, which includes countless contributions to the Thoroughbred business and bloodlines that will have a lasting positive impact on the breed for generations to come. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and the entire Shadwell Stable team." 

"Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's passing leaves a huge void in the world of Thoroughbred breeding and racing," the National Thoroughbred Racing Association stated. "The royal blue and white-striped Shadwell colors epitomized excellence and were represented globally by some of the world's finest racehorses. We extend our deepest sympathies to Sheikh Hamdan's family and the entire Shadwell Stable team."

The president of the UAE has declared a three-day mourning period which will mean all government departments and institutions are to close from March 25-27. Meydan is to host the prestigious Dubai World Cup night on Saturday evening.

*Data provided by Racing Post, compiled by John Randall