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[RC] Sheik Maktoum dies - rides2far@xxxxxxxx

Heard that Sheik Maktoum (the top Maktoum) died yesterday in Australia at a 
yearling sale. He was only 62. They suspect a heart attack.See article below.

Angie

Sheik Maktoum, the emir of Dubai and top racing horse breeder, dead at 62
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - The emir of Dubai, Sheik Maktoum bin Rashid 
Al Maktoum, one of the world's most prominent owners and breeders of 
thoroughbred horses, died Wednesday during a visit to Australia. He was 62. 

Sheik Maktoum, who also was vice-president and prime minister of the United 
Arab Emirates, died at the exclusive Palazzo Versace hotel on the Gold Coast, a 
resort in eastern Queensland state, Queensland police spokeswoman Chelsea 
Roffey said. 

The emir arrived in Australia on Dec. 28, apparently for a world-renowned 
yearling sale known as the Magic Millions. 

Authorities in Dubai would not give a cause of death. Australian police would 
only say the emir did not die of suspicious causes. Al-Jazeera, the pan-Arab 
satellite TV broadcaster, said he was believed to have "previously suffered 
from heart problems." 

The emir immediately was succeeded by his younger brother, Sheik Mohammed Bin 
Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the defence minister of the U.A.E. and also a 
prominent businessman and breeder of race horses, said deputy information 
minister Ibrahim Al Abed. The succession was automatic under the constitution. 

The new emir is known as the intellectual architect of Dubai's building boom. 

Sheik Maktoum's foremost interest was horse racing, and he and his younger 
brother worked to put Dubai on the world racing map. 

They founded British-based Godolphin Racing Inc., one of the world's most 
successful stables, and also created the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest 
race that carries a $6-million US purse. 

Sheik Maktoum operated four stud farms - one in central Kentucky, another in 
England and two in Ireland. 

"We would concur with others around the world that a visionary leader has been 
lost," said D. G. Van Clief, commissioner of the National Thoroughbred Racing 
Association and president of Breeders' Cup Ltd. 

He said that "there has been no single family in recent years more influential 
in the conduct of the racing and breeding than the Maktoum family." 

He owned top flight thoroughbreds such as Breeders Cup Turf winner Fantastic 
Light, English 2,000 Guineas winner Shadeed and Irish Derby winner Shareef 
Dancer. 

"Sheik Maktoum made a hugely significant contribution to the sport of horse 
racing and British thoroughbred racing and breeding in particular," said Julian 
Richmond-Watson, senior steward of the Jockey Club in Britain. 

Dubai declared 40 days of mourning, with government offices shutting down for 
seven days beginning Wednesday. The stock exchanges in Dubai and Abu Dhabi 
ceased trading, and many shops and businesses closed. 

Dubai TV interrupted its programs to show a picture of the sheik smiling with 
the voice of a Muslim cleric reading verses of the Qur'an, Islam's holy book. 

"The United Arab Emirates today lost a historical leader who devoted his life 
to establishing the United Arab Emirates and enhancing its structure and the 
welfare of its people," the government said. 

The secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, expressed his 
condolences, praising Sheik Maktoum for his "defence of Arab and Islamic 
causes." 

In Dubai, the authorities said Sheik Maktoum's funeral would be Thursday, and 
he will be buried at Umm Hurair cemetery in Bur Dubai. 

Deputy Information Minister Al Abed said the country's Supreme Council, which 
comprises the rulers of the seven constituent emirates, will meet to choose a 
vice-president to replace Sheik Maktoum. 

The president then will nominate a new prime minister who, after being approved 
by the council, will form a new cabinet. 




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