Eclipse for Sheikh Mohammed

NEW YORK - Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum, co-owner of the worldwide powerhouse Godolphin Stable and who donated more than $7 million to charity this year on behalf of racing, will be given a Special Eclipse Award for 2001, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Friday.

Sheikh Mohammed is the crown prince of Dubai and the defense minister of the United Arab Emirates. His involvement in Thoroughbred racing dates to 1976, and since then he has been one of the most prominent owners and breeders in the world.

Last year, Sheikh Mohammed pledged $5 million to a charity organized by the Keeneland Association in response to the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. He later promised all earnings from Godolphin horses on Breeders' Cup Day to the NTRA's charity fund, eventually donating an additional $2 million when two Godolphin horses, Fantastic Light and Tempera, won and two others, Sakhee and Imperial Gesture, had place earnings.