Sheikh Mohammed’s oldest son dies at 33

Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who campaigned top-level horses as Zabeel Racing International, died of a heart attack Saturday. He was 33.

Sheikh Rashid was the eldest son of Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, a prominent international racing figure who campaigns horses under the Godolphin and Darley banners. On Saturday, the homebred Frosted carried Godolphin’s colors to win the Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby.

Sheikh Rashid was active in his family’s racing enterprises and launched his own Zabeel Racing International in 2006. Henny Hughes, who raced under the Darley banner as a juvenile, became his stable’s first stakes winner, taking the Grade 1 Vosburgh, Grade 1 King’s Bishop, and Grade 3 Jersey Shore Breeders’ Cup Stakes in 2006.

Zabeel Racing also campaigned multiple Grade 1 winner Richard’s Kid for a portion of his career. Game Face carried the outfit’s colors to nine graded stakes wins or placings, including a win in the Grade 1 Princess Rooney Handicap.

Sheikh Rashid, a graduate of the Sandhurst Military Academy in England, was an accomplished equestrian. He represented the United Arab Emirates in the FEI World Endurance Championships and competed in amateur riders’ races in Dubai. He was active in philanthropic affairs and served as chairman of the UAE Olympic Committee.

Sheikh Rashid’s burial took place Saturday, and a three-day period of mourning was observed in Dubai.