Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai since 2006, is an avid horse-racing fan.

As a child, he reportedly battled in bareback races with his friends on the sands of Dubai's Jumeirah Beach.

In 1996, he brought horse racing to Dubai by launching the Dubai World Cup, which has a $12 million winner's purse — the largest in the world.

At this year's Keeneland yearling sale in September — the largest horse sale in the world — the Sheikh spent $16 million on 10 horses.