Sheikh was inspiration to a racing dynasty

SHEIKH Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum may not have been as familiar a figure on racecourses as his two brothers but his influence has been just as important.

Sheikh Mohammed and Sheikh Hamdan have been more frequent visitors to Britain and Ireland following the fortunes of their horses than their elder brother but he did have more pressing matters to deal with.

After all, he was Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and as head of the family, the ruler of Dubai.