Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum

Lambourn was shocked to hear of the early death of Sheikh Hamdan.

I speak both personally, and on behalf of us all, when I say what a wonderful man he was. He was such a kind, loyal and generous person, and so knowledgeable about horses. He would not need or want to see his horses on the gallops. Just by seeing them outside their stable would tell him all he wanted to know. He had many horses throughout the world, and we have been very fortunate to have had such involvement with him in Lambourn.

He stood by his Trainers even in their difficult or bad times. When Dick Hern had to move from his West Ilsley Stables, Sheikh Hamdan bought and set him up at Kingwood House in Lambourn. Marcus Tregoning and then Owen Burrows have trained there for him since Dick retired. When Peter Walwyn was towards the end of his long career, and things were not going well, he continued to provide horses for him to train. Without them, Peter would doubtless have retired earlier. He was rewarded with some good winners, including Peter’s last Group winner, Nadwah, who won the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, ridden by Richard Hills. The Hills family have been very involved with Sheikh Hamdan for many years. The brilliant Battaash was their latest top winner for him, trained by Charles. Besides countless riding successes for Sheikh Hamdan, Richard became his assistant racing manager.

The world of racing has lost a huge presence, but his legacy will be with us for a very long time. Lambourn would like to say a big thank you to him for all that he meant to us.

Mark Smyly