Sheikh Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, passed away yesterday.(file photo)

    BEIJIGN, Jan.5 (Xinhuanet) -- One of Godolphin's founding members, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, died Wednesday aged 62. Leading figures from the world of horse racing have come together to mourn his death.

    Former champion jockey Joe Mercer, his racing manager for the past 19 years, expressed his regret at the news and acknowledged the contribution of Sheikh Maktoum to horse-racing industry.

    "He really enjoyed his racing. He knew what was going on and was a very good man to work for. He was a good loser and a good winner. He had over 200 horses in training.

    Sheikh Maktoum, who was ruler of Dubai and vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, passed away while visiting Australia, the president's office in Abu Dhabi said yesterday.

    He has been succeeded by his younger brother, Sheikh Mohammed, and his funeral will take place this morning at Umm Hurair cemetery in Bur Dubai.

    Sheikh Maktoum and Sheikh Mohammed, along with their other brother Sheikh Hamdan, revolutionised racing not only in Britain but across the globe and together formed the mighty Godolphin operation.

    "The whole family have done a remarkable job for English racing. They bought stallions at the right price and invested a tremendous amount of money into the bloodstock business. They have been great for the industry." Mercer said.

    Sheikh Maktoum had ten trainers throughout the world including Sir Michael Stoute, Ed Dunlop, Mark Johnston and Neil Drysdale as well as hundreds of horses in training.

    He had a host of big-race winners, with his best-known horses including Fantastic Light, Cadeaux Genereux, Shadeed and Shareef Dancer. He was also the owner of Gainsborough Stud in Newbury. Enditem

    (Agencies)