Saying Goodbye

Saying Goodbye Saying Goodbye

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum died on March 24th, 2021, leaving a long legacy of horse breeding and racing in both Thoroughbred world and that of Arabian horses. His Shadwell farms in Kentucky and the UK raised the profile of Arabian race horses in the western world, and was champion flat (racing) owner in the United Kingdom nine times, including just last year (2020). His prowess wasn’t just on the lawns in England: his beautiful Invasor won the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Classic and 2007 Dubai World Cup; Jazil prevailed in the 2006 Belmont Stakes and Almutawakel won the day in the 1999 Dubai World Cup. In 2012, Sheikh Hamdan commissioned a new trophy for the Shadwell Mile at Keeneland: the trophy is a falcon, modeled after his favorite raptor, Nayef. Few horse owners can lay claim to over four decades of passionate involvement such as that enjoyed by His Highness, Sheikh Hamdan. American and international horse racing have lost a bold advocate, friend and involved owner, breeder, and horse lover.

Saying Goodbye Saying Goodbye

Rick Porter

American owner and breeder, Rick Porter, succumbed after a long medical battle last month. With $32 million in career winnings, Porter seemed to have a magic formula for breeding and racing some of the world’s greatest horses, especially fillies. His Havre de Grace, Round Pond and Songbird were shining stars, while his colt, Hard Spun, came in a game second in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, giving Porter his closest run at the historic race. Porter’s Fox Hill Farm was known as a place of serene beauty and nurturing for the horses who raced under Porter’s watchful, loving eye. An obituary of Rick Porter would be incomplete without mention of his treasured Eight Belles, who died tragically on the track at the 2008 Kentucky Derby. (Porter was criticized for entering a filly in the Derby, an unwarranted criticism. Fillies and colts have equal prowess and talents; Eight Belles earned her way into the Kentucky Derby. Porter’s response to her death was grief, not remorse – for he had no reason to repent.) Porter died at age 80 in Christiana, Delaware, just down the road from his birthplace, Wilmington. American horse racing has lost a much-beloved member of the community. Rick Porter was a gentleman of great grace and generosity of spirit, he will be sorely missed.