Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, owner of Mtoto, dies aged 76 Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, owner of the likes of Mtoto, Addeybb, Iffraaj and Almaqam, has died at the age of 76. Sheikh Ahmed, the youngest brother of Sheikh Mohammed, was deputy chairman of the Dubai police, Group Chairman of A.R.M Holding – a private investment firm in Dubai – and chairman of Al Wasl football club. The driving force behind Jebel Ali racecourse which he founded in 1990, his yellow silks with black epaulettes have been huge presence in Dubai and he had Meydaan finish third in the World Cup this year. Mtoto Leads Outstanding Ownership Legacy His best horse was Mtoto, who won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Eclipse and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1988 for trainer Alec Stewart before finishing second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to Tony Bin. William Haggas’ Addeybb won him multiple Group Ones in Australia and the 2020 Champion Stakes at Ascot, Iffraaj won several Group races before becoming a top stallion and just this year he has tasted Group One success with Ed Walker’s Almaqam in Ireland and Roger Varian’s Saddadd in Germany. Sheikh Mohammed took to social media to say: “May God have mercy on Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. “May God have mercy on you, my brother. You have settled with a Generous and Great Lord. You are absent from our eyes but not from our prayers and hearts, O Ahmed. “May God make you dwell in the vast expanses of His Paradise and inspire us and your loved ones with patience and solace. And to God we belong, and to Him we shall return.” Tributes Paid Across the Racing World A statement from Hugh Anderson, Godolphin’s managing director said: “Everyone at Godolphin is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Sheikh Ahmed. “He was a simply outstanding owner and breeder whose contribution to our sport will be felt for many years to come. Everyone who knew him was touched by his generosity of spirit and love of Dubai; he shared the same passion for racing as his brothers and will be sadly missed. “We send our sincerest condolences to all of the Maktoum family.” The Dubai Racing Club paid its respects by saying: “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.” Speaking to the Press Association in the build up to this year’s Eclipse in July, Mtoto’s jockey Michael Roberts remembered his confident prediction to Sheikh Ahmed in the paddock before the 1987 running, where they beat Derby winner Reference Point. “Sheikh Ahmed had asked in the paddock whether I thought we could beat the favourite and I said, ‘we will win, sir’,” he said. “Alec came after me and said, ‘Jeez, why did you say that’ and I said to him, ‘because we will win’. “After we beat Reference Point the phone never stopped ringing.”
