Who owns Palace Pier?

Palace Pier is owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the second son of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his senior wife, Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum and, since 2008, Crown Prince of the Emirate of Dubai. Rated 129 by Timeform, making him the fourth highest-rated older horse in Europe, Palace Pier was retired from racing in October, 2021, having been beaten in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on British Champions Day at Ascot for the second year running.

Nevertheless, the son of Kingman, who was Cartier Horse of the Year in 2014, won eight of his ten races, including five at the highest, Group 1 level. As a 3-year-old, he won the St. James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville and, as a 4-year-old, the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and Prix Jacques le Marois again.

At the end of his racing career, Palace Pier had amassed £1.77 million in prize money and will stand at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket in 2022, with a stud fee to be announced at a later date. At the time of his retirement, trainer John Gosden said, ‘It’s been a pleasure to train him. He had a great mind and was very genuine.’ In fact, despite his neck defeat by the unbeaten 3-year-old Baaeed at Ascot, Palace Pier remains on course to be crowned Cartier Horse of the Year ahead of St. Mark’s Basilica and Poetic Flare.