Sheik spends $35M in race for derby champ

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Dubai ruler Sheik Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum spent $35.2 million to add to his growing U.S. thoroughbred breeding operation.

His purchase of 10 broodmares and prospects last week comes on the heels of his earlier purchase of Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense and second place finisher Hard Spun, The Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal reported Sunday.

The sheik, who has been active in horse racing since 1970 and has owned many of the best horses in Dubai and the United States, likely plans to breed the mares with top-end stallions with the goal of producing a Kentucky Derby winner, the newspaper said.