Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry has sadly passed away.
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His brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, shared the news through the official Twitter account.
Sheikh Hamdan was born on December 25, 1945 and was the second son of the late ruler Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum.Sheikh Hamdan's formal schooling began in Dubai. He did his early schooling at the Al-Ahlia school in Dubai and completed his further studies at the Bell School of Languages in Cambridge.Sheikh Hamdan became the UAE’s first minister of Finance and Industry in 1971, a position he occupied until his death.
He played an indispensable role in developing the country’s financial policies and government spending. Sheikh Hamdan presided over Dubai Municipality as chairman, and the Information and Health Departments, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL) and Dubai Natural Gas Company Limited (DUGAS) among others.
He was the president of the governing board of the Dubai Ports Authority and was also the UAE’s chief representative at the International Monetary Fund, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund and to the Arab states.On January 4, 1995, Sheikh Hamdan was appointed as the Deputy Ruler of Dubai.
Sheikh Hamdan also funded many scholarships for students from around the world at Al Maktoum Institute.
In as far as his South African interest goes, the Sheikh started racing with Mike de Kock in 2008 and enjoyed considerable success with the likes of UAE Guineas Trial winner Zanzamar, Mushreq (Al Fahidi Fort), Mujaarib (Emperors Charity Mile), Soft Falling Rain (UAE 2000 Guineas), Royal Ridge. Jet Legend.and many others
In April 2013, Sheikh Hamdan confirmed his commitment to South African racing when Shadwell purchased 11 well-bred yearlings for Mike de Kock at the Inglis Easter Sale in Sydney, Australia. He also regularly supported South Africa’s major bloodstock Sales.“It was extremely satisfying to train horses for a man like Sheikh Hamdan, who was one of the most respected racehorse owners and breeders in the world. He invested millions in the South African racing industry with a view of securing top horses to compete in Dubai and elsewhere. Angus Gold, Jehan Malherbe and I spent hours at sales looking for the plums,” commented Mike de Kock