The number of active stallions in North America declined by 3.7 percent in 2005, while the number of mares bred increased 0.1 percent in the same time frame, according to preliminary statistics released Thursday by The Jockey Club.

Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai who spent more than $60 million in the first three days of Keeneland's September yearling sale, has been named in a lawsuit alleging that he and other racing-camel owners in the United Arab Emirates are party to the illegal kidnapping of young boys to serve as camel jockeys, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum's private plane - not a commuter plane, but a 747 big enough to hold his entourage - was still parked at Blue Grass Airport on Wednesday when Keeneland's September sale started its third session. The sight undoubtedly warmed consignors' hearts, and with good reason.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum's private plane - not a commuter plane, but a 747 big enough to hold his entourage - was still parked at Blue Grass Airport on Wednesday when Keeneland's September sale started its third session. The sight undoubtedly warmed consignors' hearts, and with good reason.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - One day after spending nearly $30 million on Thoroughbred yearlings at Keeneland's September sale opener, Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum showed no sign of stopping Tuesday, buying a sale-record $11.7 million Kingmambo colt.

LAS VEGAS - Racing against the best runners in Europe, Cacique was a Group 2 winner and finished second in two Group 1 races, but was always in the shadow of his contemporary Bago, who was an undefeated champion at 2 and champion at 3 when he captured the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. But like his siblings, Cacique has turned into a potential grass champion since his importation to this country.

Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum spent $11.7 million at the Keeneland September yearling sale late on Tuesday afternoon for a yearling colt by Kingmambo, breaking the record for a yearling purchased at the sale.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Keeneland September sale, the world's largest marketplace for Thoroughbred yearlings, has become Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum's favorite place to shop. That's the way it seemed on Monday, when the first of two select sessions at the two-week auction rang up a series of high-priced horses for Maktoum's account, including the session-topping $8.2 million Storm Cat colt.

That colt, the first foal for Grade 1 winner Awesome Humor, was just one of 16 purchases totaling $29,660,000 that the sheikh made Monday.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Investor groups have filed two separate lawsuits against ClassicStar, the Kentucky-based commercial breeding company that was to begin dispersing its broodmares in November.

In the lawsuits, which were filed in Kentucky and Washington state, four groups of investors have accused ClassicStar of defrauding them of $500 million in a mare-lease program.

Executive Redhead, a $55,000 purchase by Bill Farish Jr., topped the preferred session of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society's Canadian-bred yearling sale at the Woodbine Sales Pavilion on Saturday.

Gardiner Farm Limited, as agent, consigned Executive Redhead, a daughter of Bold Executive and the winning Personal Flag mare Costa Brava.

The sale's average price of $8,810 was down 9.2 percent from last year's average of $9,701.