a i i K
Al Shaqab by
denise
photos
by
hearst gigi
grasso
aiting his turn at the in-gate, the dramatic bay colt tossed his head, bounced around at the end of his lead, postured impressively, and let the other colts in his vicinity know that he was the one. He came out of the ring owning the title of 2010 Qatar International Champion Gold Colt, a win he repeated in 2011. Kahil Al Shaqab, now three years old, is sired by *Marwan Al Shaqab (*Gazal Al Shaqab x Little Liza Fame) and out OFW Mishaahl (Mishaah x OFW Balarina). Bred and owned by Al Shaqab, Qatar, he was foaled at Michael Byatt Arabians in Texas, where many of the Al Shaqab Arabians, including his sire and dam, reside.
98 â–Ş ARABIAN HORSE WORLD â–Ş JULY 2011
Kahil has three full siblings at Byatt’s, including a 2010 brother who is “really brilliant, a great one,” according to Michael. Al Shaqab breeding and show manager Mohammed Al Sulaiti had this to say about the colt, “Considering he celebrated his third birthday at the end of May, Kahil has distinguished himself already as the most successful Al Shaqab-bred son of Marwan. While he
certainly inherited Marwan’s ideal Arabian temperament, Kahil, like Marwan, is a unique individual, and he’s blessed with a gentle and loving temperament and strong exuberance for life. “As long as he is happy in the show string, we will continue to campaign him through 2011 … one step at a time.” “Will he come to America to be shown one day?” we asked Mohammed. “Yes, I am sure he would love to visit the U.S.!” Kahil has been given a chance at stud in his downtime, with eight Al Shaqab mares confirmed in foal for 2012, and a limited number of outside breedings have been sold. Adds Mohammed, “Al Naif Stud in Qatar has bred a few of their very best mares, and we are grateful for the support of all the breeders that have placed their trust in Kahil.” A commanding presence everywhere he goes with his extravagant neck, attitude, and big eyes, Kahil was also 2010 Reserve Champion at Aachen, Champion Gold Colt at the 2011 Al Khalediah Arabian Horse Festival, and 2011 Gold Champion Colt at Menton. He’s headed to Aachen and Paris this year. So if you see an impatient dark bay at the in-gate, asserting his dominance with every regal step, hurry over to the rail … it might just be Kahil.
The 2008 stallion Kahil Al Shaqab (*Marwan Al Shaqab x OFW Mishaahl), 2011 Gold Champion colt, menton; 2011 AND 2010 gold champion colt, qatar international show; 2011 gold champion colt, al khalediah arabian horse festival; AND 2010 reserve champion colt, all nations cup, aachen.
99 ▪ ARABIAN HORSE WORLD ▪ JULY 2011