Sheikh Hamdan: shy, loyal, knowledgeable and a man fond of having a good laugh

Following the passing of influential owner-breeder Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, we speak to those closest to his racing empire in an article first published in the Racing Post on Tuesday, September 10, 2019.

There was a day at Newmarket, now some years in the past, when two siblings conspired in a gentle jape that resulted in one of racing's most famous owner-breeders displaying a trait they already knew he possessed but most of us possibly did not, at least until now.

Richard Hills had just won a race wearing the colours of Hamdan Al Maktoum, the man who has, in some way or other, almost always been his employer. Also at the track was his identical twin brother Michael. The latter came up with an idea.