UAE PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was in Newmarket, U.K.on Saturday to see Dawn Approach carry his colors to victory in the 2,000 Guineas, "a most welcome fillip after the astonishing story of illicit anabolic steroid use that has damaged his Godolphin operation," according to Chris Cook of the London GUARDIAN. The Sheikh made plain his discomfort on the subject "by cutting short a live Channel 4 interview with Clare Balding when she asked him about the continuing investigation." Balding had had to be persistent to get an interview of any kind, "as the Sheikh twice turned down her off-camera approaches." But, "caught up in the euphoria of the winner's enclosure," he consented. Sheikh Mohammed: "I'm very, very happy to come and see a good horse winning the Guineas." Balding then asked if the Sheikh was "happy" with the actions of the British Horseracing Authority. Already turning away, "melting into his supportive entourage," Sheikh Mohammed said, "That's up to them." Later, he gave an interview to a Dubai TV channel, "who asked no such awkward questions" (GUARDIAN, 5/4).
