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Racing Legend Sheikh Ahmed Dies at 88
21 Sep
Summary
- Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, owner of Mtoto and Addeybb, died Monday.
- Ten days of mourning were declared across Dubai following his death.
- His horse Mtoto famously beat Derby winner Reference Point in 1987.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a prominent figure in horse racing and owner of stars like Mtoto and Addeybb, died on Monday. His passing was officially announced by the Ruler's Court, which decreed ten days of mourning throughout Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed, ruler of Dubai, paid a personal tribute to his brother.
Sheikh Ahmed's distinctive yellow and black silks became famous through Mtoto in the late 1980s. Trained by the late Alec Stewart, Mtoto achieved peak success by defeating Derby winner Reference Point in the 1987 Coral-Eclipse. The following year, Mtoto cemented his status as Britain's top middle-distance horse with another Eclipse win and victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Beyond Mtoto, Sheikh Ahmed's ownership saw considerable triumphs. His horses, including Wassl, Possessive Dancer, and Elmalka, achieved Classic wins in Ireland and Britain. In more recent years, Addeybb, trained by William Haggas, won the 2020 Champion Stakes and multiple Group 1 races in Australia, further highlighting Sheikh Ahmed's enduring impact on the sport.
