A long journey of racing success

Leading international horse breeder and owner Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance expanded his operations to Australia in 1981.

By Hisham Al Gizouli

Published: Mon 11 Apr 2011, 12:53 AM

Last updated: Tue 14 Nov 2023, 2:52 PM

He set up the Lindsay Park under the supervision of the prominent trainer Colin Hayes, who passed over the reins to his son David who took over after his father’s retirement and sad demise later on.

Mirza Al Sayegh, director of the office of Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a key player in the management, accompanied a group of newsmen during a short visit to the stables this weekend.

Shaikh Hamdan’s Shadwell Stud has achieved great success on the racetrack in Australia as owners/breeders of many feature winners including two Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield in 2006 and 2008 with Nadeem and Reaan, the Caulfield Cup in 2006 with Tawqeet and two Melbourne Cups in 1986 with At Talaq and again in 1994 when successful with Jeune.

“It was a long journey of success which started with At Talaq, a winner of three Group-1 races in Australia including the Melbourne Cup.

“It was a very big event and the then Australian Prime Minister spoke to Shaikh Hamdan over the phone to congratulate him,” he said.

“Shaikh Hamdan became the only Arab horse owner to claim the Melbourne Cup twice in eight years when Jeune recaptured the title for the powerful stables,” he clarified.

Most recently, Shaikh Hamdan’s Australian arm Shadwell Stud Australia decided to bring the Arabian races to Australia in conjunction with the Melbourne Racing Club and the National Arabian Racehorse Association.

“It is a great pleasure for me to be here in Australia representing Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum at this weekend’s inaugural running of the Shadwell Arabian Mile at Caulfield.

“On behalf of Shaikh Hamdan and Shadwell Stud, I would like offer my thanks to the Victorian State Government for their support of today’s announcement and for supporting Saturday?s race, in particular to Dr Denis Napthine, Minister for Racing.

“It is crucial that these events receive the support of Government and this event will contribute further to fostering strong relationships between our two great racing jurisdictions,” Sayegh said.

“We have been made to feel most welcome in Australia and are looking forward to further establishing Arabian racing in this country,” he concluded.