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| Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum |
With the incredible conclusion of the Dubai World Cup and the astonishing win by Arrogate, two Arab leaders have solidified their credentials as world leaders among the Thoroughbred Racing Elite.
First the host of the Dubai World Cup, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Emir of Dubai. Since becoming Emir in 2006 he has built one of the most successful economic models for development in the world in Dubai.
An equestrian, he is the founder of the Maktoum family-owned Godolphin racing stable and the owner of Darley, the thoroughbred breeding powerhouse with operations in six countries. In 2012, he rode the horse Madji Du Pont 160 km to take the FEI World Endurance Championship.
Second is Prince Khalid Abdullah, whose Frankel retired unbeaten after 14 starts in 2012 having amassed over $80 million in career purse money. Arrogate has not reached that pinnacle yet, but took a significant stride towards it here in the eighth race of his career and promises to be closer still by the time his career draws to a close.
Arrogate races in the colours of the Prince, the first cousin and brother-in-law of King Abdullah of Saudi
Arabi.
Abdullah has won more than 150 Group 1
races worldwide with more than 125 by homebreds such as Flintshire, Emollient,
Seek Again, Empire Maker, Banks Hill, Dancing Brave, and Frankel.
He also owns the outstanding Juddmote
Farm breeding operation. In 2016, Arrogate gave Juddmonte its fifth career
Breeders' Cup win when he outfinished California Chrome to win the $6 million
Classic. After the 2016 season, Juddmonte Farms was named the Eclipse Award winner
as outstanding owner.
Congratulations to these dedicated, persistent, and highly successful royalty and to the honor they bring to their families in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
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