Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the prominent racehorse owner whose famous yellow-and-black silks were carried by champions including Mtoto and Addeybb, has died at the age of 76.
His death was announced on Monday by the Ruler’s Court in Dubai, which declared ten days of mourning across the emirate. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Ahmed’s older brother and the ruler of Dubai, also paid tribute to him in a message shared on X.
A Major Figure in International Racing
Sheikh Ahmed became one of the most recognizable owners in British racing during the late 1980s, largely thanks to the outstanding middle-distance performer Mtoto.
Trained by Alec Stewart, Mtoto established himself at the highest level in 1987 when he defeated Derby winner Reference Point in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
The following season proved even more successful. Mtoto retained his Eclipse title and added the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot before narrowly finishing second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after encountering difficulties in running.
He also won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes twice before retiring to stud in 1989.
Mtoto later became an influential stallion, producing Derby winner Shaamit and Ascot Gold Cup winner Celeric. Another of his sons, Presenting, went on to become one of the most important National Hunt sires in Britain and Ireland.
Classic Success and Major Winners
Sheikh Ahmed enjoyed decades of success in Britain, Ireland, Australia and beyond.
His Classic victories included Wassl in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Possessive Dancer in the Irish Oaks, and Ameerat and Elmalka in the 1,000 Guineas.
In more recent years, one of his most celebrated horses was Addeybb, trained by William Haggas.
Addeybb won the Champion Stakes at Ascot in 2020 and also enjoyed major international success in Australia, where he collected three Group 1 victories during a highly successful globetrotting career.
Strong Results in His Final Season
The current season had also delivered several important victories for Sheikh Ahmed’s operation.
Almaqam won the Tattersalls Gold Cup in May, while Saddadd landed the Grosser Preis von Baden earlier this month.
Other notable winners associated with Sheikh Ahmed included Quddwah, Sallaal and Waardah.
His horses are not expected to compete during the official ten-day mourning period. Wadooda was withdrawn from a race at Leicester on Monday, while several runners had been under consideration for Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire meeting.
Among them was the promising juvenile Sharadd, although the horse was not included among the confirmations for the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes.
Wassl Started a Long Racing Journey
Sheikh Ahmed’s first winner as an owner came with Wassl in the 1983 Greenham Stakes.
The colt, trained by John Dunlop and ridden by Willie Carson, had previously raced for Sheikh Mohammed before ownership was transferred to Sheikh Ahmed.
Wassl failed to make an impact in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket but soon delivered Sheikh Ahmed his first Classic success by winning the Irish equivalent.
That victory marked the beginning of a racing operation that would remain a familiar presence on major racecourses for more than four decades.
Tributes From British Racing
The British Horseracing Authority paid tribute to Sheikh Ahmed, describing him as a significant and long-standing supporter of the sport.
The organization highlighted the success of his distinctive silks in some of Britain’s most historic races, including the Coral-Eclipse, 1,000 Guineas and Champion Stakes.
It also offered condolences to his family following his death.
Legacy in UAE Racing
Sheikh Ahmed also played a major role in the development of racing in the United Arab Emirates.
He founded Jebel Ali Racecourse and raced his horses under the ARM banner, becoming one of the leading figures in the country’s racing industry.
Earlier this year, it was announced that Ed Crisford had accepted a position as private trainer at Sheikh Ahmed’s Jebel Ali Stables following Michael Costa’s decision to return to Australia.
Dubai Racing Club also issued a tribute, describing Sheikh Ahmed as an important figure in the UAE whose influence extended across sport, equestrianism and horseracing.
His contribution to racing, both in the UAE and internationally, leaves behind a legacy built across decades of ownership, breeding and support for the sport.
