JC / Railbird

International Archive

Did He Know?

And could he have stopped it? Those are the questions being asked of Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum of Dubai, a leading Thoroughbred owner, who has been placed “at the center of a longstanding international human rights controversy: the trafficking of impoverished children as young as 3 to the United Arab Emirates, where they are forced into slavery as camel jockeys.” Denials abound, but are met with skepticism by international human rights groups, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Posted in International on November 7, 2004

Child Enslavement Alleged

“Sheik Mohammed, one of the richest horse buyers in Kentucky and the world, has been implicated in the slave trade of child camel jockeys by a cable TV news program. A report aired this week on HBO’s Real Sports includes footage of appalling living conditions at camel-training camps and alleges that boy camel jockeys — some as young as 3 — are kidnapped or sold into slavery, starved, beaten and raped. The report links the abuses to Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum.” (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Posted in International on October 23, 2004

No Racing on Christmas

But maybe a little on Good Friday. (The Independent)

Posted in International on October 19, 2004

Beaten Favorite Drugged

“The dark cloud of doping returned to threaten racing yesterday, when the Jockey Club confirmed that a post-race sample from Turnaround, who finished last when favourite at York in August, has tested positive for the tranquilliser acetylpromazine.” (Guardian)

Posted in International on October 15, 2004