HIS Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, the head of the Dubai Land Department and the first cousin to the ruler of Dubai, paid a visit to Mike de Kock’s Grandstand Stables at Nad Al Sheba racecourse after the morning gallops on Saturday, 13 January 2007.

 Sheikh Mohammed owns shares in nine horses stabled with De Kock and he is keen to make his presence felt at the 2007 Dubai Racing Carnival that kicks off next Thursday, 18 January.

Sheikh Mohammed sat down for a chat with Mike and his staff and then looked at the respective horses who will be representing him this season.

 “The Sheikh takes a personal interest in his horses and has an educated eye,’’ said Mike. “His racing operation is called Al Adiyaat, based here in Dubai and in Australia, where he has done most of his racing so far.’’ 

Sheikh Mohammed’s nine part-owned horses are Candy Critic, Bennie Blue, Limehouse, Money Bags, En Grupido, Express Way, Yalaad, Drayton and Asiatic Boy, who is likely to be De Kock’s first Carnival runner in a conditions race over 1400m on dirt, on Thursday.

Mike said: “All our horses are very well and coming along the right way. Due to the late arrivals from South Africa we have brought them along slowly, but we are winding up the string. They will soon be in full swing.’’