Cover image courtesy of Tattersalls
Sheikh Hamdan raced a powerful string of horses around the world over the past 40 years, many of them homebred by Shadwell.
He won Australia's greatest race, the G1 Melbourne Cup, on two occasions as an owner with At Talaq (USA) (Roberto {USA}) in 1986 and again with Jeune (GB) (Kalaglow {Ire}) in 1994. Colin Hayes trained At Talaq and David Hayes trained Jeune, and his blue colours with white epaulettes became a regular fixture at Lindsay Park over the years.
Sheikh Hamdan, the elder brother of Godolphin owner Sheikh Mohammed, also won Group 1 races in Australia with horses such as Zabeel (NZ), Almaarad (Ire) (Ela Mana Mou {Ire}), Istidaad (USA) (Chiefs Crown {USA}), Azzaam (USA) (Chiefs Crown {USA}), Tawqeet (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}), as well as the G1 Blue Diamond S. on four occasions with Mahaasin (NZ), Nadeem, Rewaaya (NZ) (Singspiel {Ire}) and Reaan.
Jeune (GB)
His most recent Group 1 success in Australia came in 2019 when Qafila (Not A Single Doubt) won the G1 South Australian Derby for trainers David Hayes, Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.
Sheikh Hamdan also enjoyed significant success with Australian-bred stock in South Africa with champions such as Rafeef (Redoute's Choice) and his brother Mustaaqeem as well as Majmu (Redoute's Choice) and Entisaar (More Than Ready {USA}).
In the Northern Hemisphere, he also enjoyed a multitude of elite victories winning two English Derbies with Nashwan (USA) (Blushing Groom {Fr}) in 1989 and Erhaab (Chiefs Crown {USA}) in 1994 and Classics such as the 2000 Guineas, 1000 Guineas and Oaks in England, the Irish Derby, Irish 2000 Guineas, Irish 1000 Guineas as well as the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches in France.
In 2020, Sheikh Hamdan was crowned leading owner in Britain for the fifth time with 112 winners led by the outstanding sprinter Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and including the homebred dual Group 1 winner Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and G1 Sussex S. winner Mohaather (GB) (Showcasing {GB}).
His biggest successes in the United States came when he won a G1 Breeders' Cup Classic with Invasor (Arg) (Candy Stripes {USA}) in 2006, as well as a G1 Belmont S. with Jazil (USA) (Seeking The Gold {USA}) the same year. Sheikh Hamdan received the 2007 Eclipse Award as the leading owner in North America.
Invasor would go on to win a G1 Dubai World Cup the following year, following in the footsteps of another of Sheikh Hamdan's runners, Almutawakel (GB) (Machiavellian {USA}), who won in 1999.
He also ran studs in England, Ireland and the United States under the Shadwell banner. Mohaather recently joined a team of four stallions at Shadwell's Nunnery Stud in Thetford, Norfolk, while the operation also stands five stallions at Derrinstown Stud in Ireland, including Sheikh Hamdan's most recent Classic winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas, Awtaad (Ire).
Australian investment
Shadwell Stud had been a significant investor in Australian racing and breeding over the past 40 years and only recently announced that it would disband its thoroughbred holdings here.
It will offer a selection of its best-bred yearlings through the Yarraman Park draft at the upcoming Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, while its broodmare band of 32 will be dispersed at the Magic Millions Breeding Stock Sale series in May on the Gold Coast, along with 22 foals.
Angus Gold (centre) with Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
On announcing the decision of Shadwell to step away from its Australian interests last month, Sheikh Hamdan's long time Racing Manager, Angus Gold, paid tribute to the connection between the Sheikh and Australia.
“Sheikh Hamdan has had a long and successful involvement in Australia, initially thanks to his close friendship with Colin Hayes and subsequently with his son David when he took over the licence,” Gold said.
“During that time, and from initially small numbers of horses in training, champions such as At Talaq, Almaarad, Zabeel and Jeune, together with Group winners Azzaam, Fraar, Istidaad, Tawqeet, Rewaaya and Qafila have raced in his world-famous colours.
“On Sheikh Hamdan’s behalf, I would like to thank the extended Hayes family, namely Colin, Peter and David, as well as Tony McEvoy, and latterly Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig together with their excellent staff, for the outstanding job they have done over the years."
Sheikh Hamdan's passing was announced on Wednesday morning in Dubai and his brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, posted a photograph on Twitter on Wednesday with the message, “We belong to God and to Him we shall return…May God have mercy on you, my brother, my support and my companion.”
