The Magnificent Monarch AH

Photos by Pamela Burton

As I write this, Monarch AH is still alive at a remarkable 35 (36 in 2023) years of age. I saw him last summer and although he looked a very old man, his eyes were bright, and he obviously had a strong will to live as he searched my pockets for the dates which he can easily chew.

Monarch arrived in to Wrsan Stables twenty-two years ago along with the cream of the Magness Arabian herd fulfilling a dream of the late Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed al Nahyan, at the time Deputy President of the UAE, to own this superstar sire.

Racing in the U.S.

Monarch is surely unique in being sold not once but twice with his own herd of mares. He was bred in USA in 1987 by the philanthropist billionaire Dr. Armand Hammer in whose name his race career took off. After Hammer’s death, cable cowboy, Bob Magness, with his wife Sharon, who had been closely following Monarch’s very promising career, were quick to offer for him. However, the deal involved taking on the 79 Armand Hammer herd as well. Nevertheless, the deal was done.

Monarch continued to race for Magness Arabians, ending up with a total record of 23(19-3-0)14-3, Darley Champion 3-year-old, Darley Champion 4-year-old and Racehorse of the Year.

Impressive Sire Record

He retired to stud in 1993 and by 1999 took over Leading Sire from his own sire Wiking. It was a title he retained for three years until he left the USA when he progressed to Leading Broodmare Sire. He was also the first Arabian stallion in USA to have progeny win over $1,000,000 in a single season.

Meanwhile, very sadly Bob Magness had passed away and Sharon decided that Magness Arabians had nothing left to prove. It was time for Monarch to travel to pastures new, or rather, return to the desert of his ancestors. Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed al Nahyan had been waiting for this opportunity and had no hesitation in bringing Monarch to Abu Dhabi. But once more, the sale included Magness broodmares and Monarch’s sons and daughters. In total, 120 horses flew into Abu Dhabi putting Wrsan Stables firmly on the map.

Monarch’s pedigree represents the elite of Polish racing bloodlines. His sire was the legendary Wiking, and his dam Sasanka, a granddaughter of Sabellina, was a Triple Crown winner in Poland as well as an outstanding broodmare. Monarch, Wiking and Sasanka are all in the U.S. Arabian Racing Hall of Fame.

Before he left the U.S., Monarch had produced four Darley Champions, Winning Spirit MA, Royal Atheena, Bellaa and HF Ontario. In UAE he produced a succession of winners including Dhuha W’rsan, a leading UAE bred filly, Yakoota W’rsan, Jadhebeh W’rsan GRP Marudda Ghantoot, You Snooze Ulose, Qassam W’rsan, etc. His daughters have been valued broodmares both in the U.S. and UAE.

Monarch AH produce have also been very successful in the sport horse field. At the ECAHO European Sport Horse Champions, Al Khattar W’rsan, Al Mijlas W’rsan and Muteeaa W’rsan all brought home Gold medals. In the U.S. he has had similar success.

A Living Legend

For Sheikh Sultan, Monarch represented the true Arabian horse, having good looks, proven athletic ability and a wonderful temperament which he passed on to his progeny. Monarch’s thirtieth birthday was celebrated with an international guest list guests including Marek Trela of Janus Stud and Shirley and Charlie Watts. It was a very special day. He was the horse of a lifetime who fulfilled the dreams of all three of his owners, and it is fitting he is memorialized by the outstanding life-sized sculpture in the heart of his final home Wrsan Farm.

Deidre Hyde’s Influence

Deirdre Hyde has had a lifelong involvement with the Arabian horse. Early on, she became closely involved with the Arab Horse Society of Great Britain, at various times being chair of the General Purposes Committee, co-opted onto the Stud Book and Registration Committee, a Steward for AHS racing and for a brief period, AHS Honorary Secretary.

In 1992, Deirdre took up a position as Stud Manager of the Royal Stables of Abu Dhabi for The President of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan. Then in 2000, she joined HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan working closely with him to build his Wr- san Stables, developing a breeding program for Monarch AH and his band of mares. In 2018, Deirdre started working as Consultant to Emirates Arabian Horse Society, which continues to this day. Meanwhile in 2020, she decided to return to UK when Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum asked her to join his Shadwell Arabians as pedigree consultant. Unfortunately, following his untimely death and the dispersal of his Arabians, this ended in 2022.

Deirdre’s work has given her a unique opportunity to see and study Arabians all over the world. She is an Arab Horse Society judge and on the ECAHO ‘A’ judges list, a member of the ECAHO Judges Instructor Group and a member of the AHS Registrations Committee.

Deirdre has contributed numerous articles to Arabian magazines and publications and is now a freelance Arabian horse consultant.

Sire Line Of Monarch Ah

Kuhailan Haifi 1923 b s (Kuhailan Kharas – Kuhaila Haifi) desert bred imported 1931, died 1934

Ofir 1933 b s (Dzwia) taken to USSR 1939

Witraz 1938 b s (Makata) Died 1957

Celebes 1949 b s (Canaria) Died 1978

Etap 1971 b s (Etna) Died 1979

Wiking 1979 b s (Wilma) USA 1984

Monarch AH 1987 b s (Sasanka) UAE 2001

Wielki Szlem 1938 b s (Elegantka) Died 1959

Czort 1949 b s (Forta) Died 1973