Sheikh extends empire from Dubai to Oz

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Dubai's ruler and one of the racing world's pre-eminent forces, has bought out the largest player in Australia's thoroughbred horse breeding, extending his grip on the 'sport of kings'.

The Sheikh, whose Godolphin stable based in the UK, Ireland and Dubai includes the 2007 Derby winner Authorized, paid a reported £250m for Bob Ingham's Woodland Stud operation. The purchase adds another 1,000 horses to the al-Maktoum string, and strengthens the Sheikh's presence in Australian racing, where he already owns the Darlery Australia stud.

The reclusive Ingham had not been planning to sell the operation, and would appear not to need the money, having made £500m from his chicken farming business. But when the offer came for the racing and breeding business which has produced a string of champions, it proved "impossible to turn down", according to Ingham's son John.

The capture of the stud will perhaps help the Sheikh - the world's 15th richest man - get over any frustration at his ongoing struggles to buy Liverpool Football Club. The deal appears deadlocked as the club's American billionaire owner Tom Hicks tries to force Sheikh Mohammed to pay £450m - £230m more than Hicks paid for it.