Sheikha Hissa to take leadership role with Shadwell Stable

Sheikha Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum, daughter of the late Shadwell Stables founder Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will take on a prominent leadership role with the international racing and breeding operation as it continues on.

Sheikh Hamdan, the older brother to Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai and the founder of international powerhouse Godolphin, died in March at age 75. He entered Thoroughbred ownership in 1980, and over the next four decades, his stallion operations grew to span Shadwell Estate in Norfolk, England; sister operation Derrinstown Stud in Ireland; and Shadwell Farm in Lexington, Ky.

Shadwell, the Eclipse Award-winning outstanding owner of 2007 and multiple times the leading flat owner in England, has campaigned runners such as champions Battaash, Dayjur, Invasor, and Lahudood, along with major winners including European classic winner Nashwan, Belmont Stakes winner Jazil, Dubai World Cup winner Almutawakel, and Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Tamarkuz. In the United States – where Rick Nichols leads the way as vice president and general manager – Shadwell's current star is unbeaten Kentucky Oaks winner Malathaat.

"Sheikh Hamdan used to involve Sheikha Hissa quite a bit," Shadwell racing manager Angus Gold told Racing Post. "She knows horses, loves horses, and has horses of her own in Dubai. She enjoys the racing and has very much taken over his mantle since he died. Sheikh Hamdan had six children, of whom Sheikha Hissa is going to be the spokesperson on the horse front."