Mahmoud Fustuq

Mahmoud Fustuq
Born1936
Died8 February 2006 (aged 69–70)
Pompano Beach, Florida, USA
Burial placeSaudi Arabia
Occupations
  • Petroleum engineer
  • Businessman
Relatives

Mahmoud Fustuq (1936 – 8 February 2006) was a Lebanese businessman who had various companies in Saudi Arabia. He was known for being brother-in-law of former Saudi Arabian ruler King Abdullah and for his involvement in the horse business.

Biography

Fustuq was born in Lebanon in 1936.[1][2] His family is from Palestine.[3] He was the eldest of nine siblings.[4] He attended the University of Oklahoma in the late 1950s[1] and received a degree in petroleum engineering.[4] His sister, Aida, married King Abdullah.[1][3] His another sister, Abla, was married to the Lebanese politician Nassib Lahoud.[5]

Fustuq had varied businesses in Saudi Arabia.[1] He acquired the Buckram Oak Farm near Lexington, Kentucky, in 1978 which he sold in 2005.[1] He also owned other farms in Ocala, Florida, and Kentucky where he had race horses, including Star Gallant who won the Illinois Derby in 1982[6] and Silver Train, who won a Breeder's Cup race.[1] His other prominent horses were Najran,[7] Silver Hawk[1] Siberian Summer[8] and Green Forest.[2]

He died in Pompano Beach, Florida, on 8 February 2006 in a traffic accident.[1][9] He was buried in Saudi Arabia.[9]

Controversy

See also: Al-Yamamah arms deal

In the 1970s Fustuq acquired a commission from British Leyland following the sale of a fleet of Land Rovers by the company to the Saudi Arabian National Guard headed by Prince Abdullah, later King Abdullah.[3] The Guardian reported that after this transaction he bought the farms in the USA and a mansion in near Chantilly, France.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Breeder, owner Fustok killed in jogging accident". ESPN. Pompano Beach, FL. Associated Press. 9 February 2006. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b Bill Barber (10 February 2006). "Leading owner Fustok killed by car while jogging". Racing Post. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d David Leigh; Rob Evans (8 June 2007). "Mahmoud Fustuq". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Haughey's friend, the diplomatic millionaire". The Irish Times. 17 July 1999. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  5. ^ Who's Who in Lebanon (19th ed.). Beirut: Publitec Publications. 2007. p. 215. doi:10.1515/9783110945904.213. ISBN 978-3-598-07734-0.
  6. ^ "Star Gallant, heavily favored at 6-5, caught Shilling going". United Press International. 15 May 1982. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  7. ^ "Young Sire Najran Euthanized". The Blood-Horse. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  8. ^ "California Stallion Siberian Summer Dies". The Blood-Horse. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  9. ^ a b "Memorial Set for Fustok; Buckram Oak Horses to Run". The Blood-Horse. 18 February 2006. Retrieved 3 January 2023.