Horse racing: Royal Ascot honours Sheikh Hamdan

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Finance, has been named the leading owner at the Royal Ascot festival. (Twitter)

In what was an incredible achievement for the UAE horse racing, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Finance, has been named the leading owner at the Royal Ascot festival which concluded on Saturday.
Sheikh Hamdan, one of the world's top race horse owners, had an unforgettable Royal Ascot festival as six of his horses emerged winners during the five-day event.
Motakhayyel gave Sheikh Hamdan a flying start on the opening day of the iconic festival with an impressive win in the Buckingham Palace Handicap.
Battaash then won the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes, giving Sheikh Hamdan his second win of the day.
Sheikh Hamdan completed a hat trick of wins on the first day when Nazeef, the impressive filly, won the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes.
Following a hat trick of wins on the opening day, Sheikh Hamdan's Hukum triumphed in the King George V Stakes on the second day of the event.
The dream continued for Sheikh Hamdan on the third day of the event with the UAE royal clinching his sixth winner at the Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire.
After racking up four winners across the two days of the festival, Sheikh Hamdan, who owns Shadwell Racing, saw Molatham and Khaloosy run out impressive winners on the day.
"On behalf of all of us at Ascot Racecourse, we write to offer our congratulations to you on finishing as the Leading Owner at Royal Ascot 2020," the Royal Ascot said in a letter to Sheikh Hamdan.
"Everybody at Ascot is thrilled for you and the team at Shadwell and we look forward to presenting the trophy to you in person when we are able to.
"We are deeply grateful for all your support of Ascot and wish to record our sincere thanks. We are sad that we are not able to present this award to you in person today but very much look forward to being able to do so in person as soon as circumstances permit," Royal Ascot authorities wrote, referring the Covid-19 situation.
"There was no better way for everyone to enjoy the opening day of the Royal meeting than admiring Battaash producing one of his most brilliant performances to win the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes. It was a stunning performance, which lit up the racecourse and excited the large broadcast audience. It will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most impressive performances in the history of the race. It must have been particularly thrilling for you to see three homebreds win at the Royal meeting in Hukum, Khaloosy and Nazeef. All three look to have exciting futures. Motakhayyel and Molathan were also very impressive.
"Your support for Royal Ascot and the sport of horse racing in Britain and around the world is hugely appreciated and we look forward to welcoming you back to Ascot Racecourse soon."