What happened to Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who died on 21 September 2026 at age 76.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was the fourth and youngest son of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the former ruler of Dubai Police. Authorities did not disclose a cause of death in their announcement.

Who he was

Sheikh Ahmed served as Deputy Chairman of Dubai Police and Public Security and had longstanding involvement across the UAE's military, business and sporting sectors. He graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom before joining Dubai's Central Military Command.

He was also Group Chairman of ARM Holding, a private investment firm. He was a founding figure of Al Wasl Sports Club in 1960, guiding it to eight UAE Pro League football titles.

In horse racing, his yellow and black silks were carried to victory in numerous top-flight races, including Mtoto (King George), Tobougg (Dewhurst), 1,000 Guineas winners Ameerat and Elmalka, and Champion Stakes winner Addeybb. In his final season he had two homebred Group 1 winners in Tattersalls Gold Cup hero Almaqam and his three-parts brother Saddadd, who landed the Grosser Preis von Baden just two weeks before his death.

The mourning and tributes

Dubai declared 10 days of official mourning following his death, with flags flown at half-mast across the emirate. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, wrote: "You are absent from our eyes but not from our prayers and hearts, Ahmed."

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan extended condolences on X, citing Sheikh Ahmed's "longstanding contributions to the development of the UAE since its founding." Tributes also came from the Ruler's Court in Sharjah and Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered condolences, writing that he was "deeply saddened" and that Sheikh Ahmed's "efforts to serve society will be cherished by generations to come."