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Emir of Dubai pegs
 The emir of Dubai, Sheik Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, one of the world's most prominent owners and breeders of thoroughbred horses, died Wednesday during a visit to Australia. He was 62.Sheik Maktoum, who also was vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, died at the exclusive Palazzo Versace hotel on the Gold Coast, a resort in eastern Queensland state, Queensland police spokeswoman Chelsea Roffey said. The emir arrived in Australia on Dec. 28, apparently for a world-renowned yearling sale known as the Magic Millions... ...The emir immediately was succeeded by his younger brother, the crown prince, Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the defense minister of the United Arab Emirates and a high-flying businessman and breeder of race horses, said Deputy Information Minister Ibrahim Al Abed. The succession was automatic under the constitution. The new emir, Sheik Mohammed, is known as the intellectual architect of Dubai's building boom. Sheik Maktoum's foremost interest was horse racing, and he and his younger brother worked to put Dubai on the world racing map. They founded the British-based Godolphin Racing, one of the world's most successful stables, and frequently said they aim to win the Kentucky Derby... Posted by: Anonymoose 2006-01-04 |
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