Hard to proofread a title. Shouldn't you capitalize the second word in the article, since it is not ' a sheikh ' but 'The Sheikh ' ???Plus it's only sheikh in islamic countries, and Sheik here. Whatever.
AIKEN --- The sheikh of Dubai has purchased land in Aiken County that will expand a horse-training facility, bringing jobs to the area and boosting the equine industry in Aiken.
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum purchased the 360 acres Dec. 29, and crews are developing the land, which is about six miles from the Aiken Training Track near Montmorenci, said Tim Jones, a trainer for the Aiken Division of Darley of America, the American branch of the sheikh's thoroughbred racing empire.
Darley of America officials considered locations in Florida and Kentucky before deciding on Aiken, Mr. Jones said. The facility employs about 25 people and trains about 65 horses, Mr. Jones said. Those numbers likely will double once the facility is expanded.
Crews are working on fencing and clearing the land, Mr. Jones said. The facility will include a one-mile, dirt training track.
"This is one of the biggest racing operations in the world, so it can only help Aiken," Mr. Jones said. "It's definitely going to bring more employment to the area."
The president of Darley America, Jimmy Bell, will survey the construction today, Mr. Jones said.
"Now that they have started in that direction, they don't want to waste any time in getting the work done," Mr. Jones said.
He could not say when the project would be complete.
Reach Stephanie Toone at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
Hard to proofread a title. Shouldn't you capitalize the second word in the article, since it is not ' a sheikh ' but 'The Sheikh ' ???Plus it's only sheikh in islamic countries, and Sheik here. Whatever.
That's out near my farm. This is good news. He chose Aiken because it has perfect weather, soil, infrastructure and the greatest people anywhere.
Riverman1 he may be a terrorist hiding in your area BE WATCHFUL.
He might be training the horses to blow up stuff, God forbid something happens I can see now what you might post, "hey his farm is not to far from me I never suspected anything". Aren't you one who thinks they all are terrorist, did I read that right in your previous post.
Notreally, I already have one Saudi Arabian neighbor and one from Pennslyvania. The yankee worries me more.
Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. We're selling off American's jobs to foreigners, compromising our freedom for the sake of foreigners, amending our speaking habits to appease foreigners, and selling off American land to foreigners. ...But Riverman, don't forget...it's the quiet ones you have to worry about.
Shiek Mohammed is a good guy and well respected within the equine community.
He has also given billions to charity.
Riverman1 - you need to get out more! Aiken's weather, soil, and infrastructure (and lots of other traits) are far from perfect! Better conditions exist elsewhere - I suspect he got a good deal on the land from some Southern goobers.
Atlas, uh, Aiken is world renown for horses. The wealthy have been coming to Aiken for over a hundred years because of the horses. Cot Campbell, the famous thorough bred trainer, says Aiken is the best place in the world to TRAIN horses due to the weather and sandy soil. There is a reason the New Bridge Polo Club fields were built here. Have you ever been there? It's the Augusta National of polo fields. Seriously, check out the history of horses and Aiken. It's amazing.
Orlando also has a large polo center and they had Gold Cup matches on ESPN sponored by the city. About every commercial would extoll the virtures of Orlando for horses. Never mind it is too warm there in the winter for them. Thoroughbreds train best at about 50-55 degrees. Anyway, Adam Snow was the star and he was inteviewed after the polo match. His parting line negated all their commercials. He said, "I can't wait to get back to Aiken." Many of the top polo players live in Aiken. Horses are flown in from all over the world via the Columbia airport which is only about 30 minutes away from the Hwy 302 corridor. Do a search for 302 polo and it will explain lots.
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