GCAT Muscat by Alim editrice

MUSCAT

6 - 8 MARCH

by Talitha Bakker z pictures credit and copyright by GCAT

Set against the breathtaking scenery of the Omani coastline and the towering Hajar Mountains, the third leg of the Global Champions Arabians Tour in Muscat was a true celebration of Arabian horse breeding at its finest. Seasoned competitors returned to the ring, joined by outstanding horses from Omani breeders, while distinguished guests and devoted enthusiasts from across the globe came together for three days of thrilling competition and cultural festivities.

The panel of judges included Graham Smith from Australia, Helen Hennekens-van Nes from Belgium, Abdel Raouf Abbas from Egypt, Marc Veray from France, Klaus G. Beste from Germany, Burchard Schröder from Germany, Tamas Rombauer from Hungary, Christian Moschini from Italy, Mohamed Machmoum from Morocco, Lucas Gozdzialski from Poland, Alicja Poszepczyńska from Poland, Renata Schibler from Switzerland, Urs Aeschbacher from Switzerland, Emma Maxwell from the United Kingdom, Majed Abdullah Al Mehyawi from Saudi Arabia, and Antonia Bautista Torrandell from Spain.

The show started with four yearling classes divided into two fillies and two colt classes. The beautiful, refined filly Athbah (Gaith al Zobair x Shamah al Athba), bred by Al Athba Stud and owned by Al Thamer stud, scored

nearly perfect 20’s on head and neck, claiming not only the class victory with 91.53 points, but also winning the Bronze medal in the final yearling filly championships. Second in this class with 91.22 points was Sama Al Jumail (Ibn Farid x Assayla al Shaqab), bred and owned by Al Jumail stud.

Class B of the yearling fillies also showed great quality. It was a real battle between the top three scoring horses. AJ Sindala (Gaith Al Zobair x AJ Sajwa), bred and owned by Ajman Stud, secured a hard-fought victory with 92 points, edging out Tasheel Al Shaqab (Excalibur EA x Sarrah Al Jassimiya), bred by Al Shaqab stud and owned by Al Hamama Stud, by just 0.03 points. Scoring 91.93 points, so still very close, was the beautiful D Neeran (Exxalt x D Shihanah), bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse stud. Later in the championships, Neeran made her come-back and took the Silver medal, leaving the Gold to Sindala.

The show continued with the yearling colts, class A. Dancing his way to the class win, Rammah Albidayer (Exagon OS x Samarah Albidayer), bred and owned by Albidayer Stud from the UAE, took the victory with a total of 91.64 points. Second in this class with 91.43 points was Aseel Ajmal (Royal Asad x SK Sarah), bred by Ajmal Stud and owned by Turki Alothman.

The second yearling colt class saw another fierce competition among the top three. Tashaar Al Shaqab (Excalibur EA x Mazaya Al Shaqab), bred and owned by Al Shaqab Stud, claimed victory by a razor-thin margin of 0.08 points, finishing with a total of 91.79. Second in this class was Sharar al Manhal (M Munther x Shams Almanhal), bred by Fahed Salem al Zaabi and owned by SK Arabians. Third in this class with 91.43 points was AJ Nayd (AJ Mardan x HDM Bella Ciao), bred and owned by Ajman Stud. Later in the final yearling colt championships, Tashaar took the Gold medal, leaving the Silver to Sharar and the Bronze to Nayd.

An exciting competition in the junior filly class was up next. The beautiful, complete AJ Sajeel (Shanghai EA x AJ Sephora), bred and owned by Ajman Stud, won her class with a total of 92.21 points. Later in the championships, she took the Bronze medal. Second in this class with 91.71 points was Aseelah Albidayer (AJ Marzan x Allezandra Albidayer), bred and owned by Albidayer Stud.

All eyes were on the next class. The battle of the Titans. With the whole top four scoring over 92 points, it was exciting until the very end. Winner with a grand total of 92.93 points was the beautiful, leading junior

filly of the GCAT 2025, Shahalel al Shaqab (Namous al Shahania x Siwar al Shaqab), bred and owned by Al Shaqab stud. This filly scored the maximium score of 20’s on both type and head & neck. Later in the junior filly championships, she took the Gold medal. Coming second in this class with a total of 92.57 points was another favorite of the GCAT show: Shahbrys HVP (Royal Asad x Rebecca HVP), bred in Brazil by Vila Dos Pinheiros and owned by Turki Alothman. Later in the championships, she took the Silver medal.

The next day started with the junior colts. Setting the bar high, D Borkan (FA el Rasheem x D Ajayeb), bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse stud, came saw and conquered. Scoring perfect 20’s on type, head and neck, Borkan scored a grand total of 92.57 points and took the Gold in the final junior colt championships almost unanimously! Second with 92.29 points was another fascinating colt. The striking Azzaam al Amal (El Galal Baahir x Arabesca Scarlet Moon), bred by Al Amal Arabians and owned by Albidayer Stud. Later in the championships, Azzaam took the Silver medal.

The second group of junior colts was a small class but with one clear winner. Scoring 91.93 points, D Hayel (D Shakhat x D Jawaher), bred by Dubai Arabian Horse stud and owned by Al Thamer stud, took the lead and later the Bronze medal in the final junior colt championships. Second with 90.93 points was Nader AM (Exagon OS x Sultana AM), bred by Al Mohamadia Stud and owned by Doctor Stud.

Then came the highlight of the event: the senior classes. Like a scene from the Arabian Nights, some of the world’s most breathtaking mares gathered in the arena. The fantastic Al Aryam Banafsaj (Dominic M x Al Aryam Basma) showed off beautifully and took the class lead with 92.79 points. Later in the senior mare

championships, she took the Silver medal. Coming in second with 92.21 points was the very typey Mzoon Al Diriyah (Kanz Albidayer x Kadi Alenaya), bred by Sultan bin Mohammad al Ghohean and owned by Mesfer al Hajri.

The last class of senior mares were again full of excitement as the battle was not determined until the last end. With three horses scoring very close and two having a tie, it was very exciting. In the end, it was the ultra typey RK Sadeem (Magid Moniscione x BV Especially Stivana), bred by Rashed Khaled Alanzan and owned by Ajman Stud, who took the class win with a total of 92.57 points. Second with 92.43 points was the gorgeous D Shihanah (FA el Rasheem x D Shahla), bred and owned by Dubai Arabian Horse stud, who had the exact same points as Safiat al Shaqab (Kahil al Shaqab x Shalimar Prestige), bred and owned by Al Shaqab Stud, but as Shihanah scored higher on points, Safiat was moved to the third position. IN the final championships, Shihanah took her revenge and claimed the Gold medal. RK Sadeem had to settle for Bronze.

The show continued with the big boys, the senior stallions, all in the prime of their lives. The first group was won with ease by the pretty Prestige RC (FA el Rasheem x Pristina LD), bred and owned by the Royal Cavalry of Oman. Second with 90.86 points was Kanz FD (Excalibur EA x Juliana al Saqr), bred and owned by Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al Fadda.

The final class of senior stallions provided a thrilling conclusion to the event. It was a showdown between two kings: Berlin MP (SMA Magic One x Baraka MP), bred by Mindy Peters and leased to Hleetan Stud, and the powerful, fluid-moving Amaar (RFI Farid x Adiya), bred by Al Juman Stud and owned by Al Mirqab Farm. At the last edition of the Middle Eastern GCAT show

that took place in Doha, Qatar, Amaar proved to be the better one. Now, in Muscat, all oads were in the favor of Berlin, scoring 93.29 points in the class and claiming the Gold Medal in the final championships, leaving this time the second place to Amaar as well as the Silver medal.

With a stellar lineup of world-class competitors, the Muscat stage wrapped up with a memorable closing ceremony. The evening was a tribute to Omani heritage, featuring a mesmerizing showcase of traditional music and dance that fully immersed spectators in the region’s vibrant culture.

Looking ahead, the Global Champions Arabians Tour will continue its journey in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the Europe and Middle East series, taking place from April 9th to 12th at Jump Saudi. Shortly after, the tour will make its highly anticipated debut in Miami Beach, USA, from April 17th to 19th at 36th Street Park, marking the second stage of the Americas series.