Drones took to the night sky in Dubai on Saturday for a fitting tribute to the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, who died last week. The show took place at the conclusion of the Dubai World Cup, the highlight of the UAE’s horse-racing calendar. Drones flew in formation above Meydan Racecourse to map out a portrait of Sheikh Hamdan and images of racing horses, in an acknowledgement of his longstanding love of the sport. In the background, images of the sheikh were projected on to a large screen, accompanied with the messages, "a gentleman, a statesman, the equestrian". The deputy ruler of Dubai and minister of finance died on Wednesday aged 76 after a months-long illness. The <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/horse-racing/racing-pays-tribute-to-sheikh-hamdan-bin-rashid-1.1190493">leading owner and breeder of race horses</a> celebrated many triumphs, including the English and Irish derbies, the 2,000 Guineas, the Ascot Gold Cup and the Dubai World Cup in 1999 and 2007. But his love of racing never distracted him from the duties of public life. He served as deputy ruler of Dubai for 26 years. On Wednesday, Sheikh Mohammed posted a picture of his brother saying: "We belong to God and to Him we shall return ... May God have mercy on you, my brother, my support and my companion."
