Al ShAhAniA Stud H
b y D e n i s e P. H e a r s t p h o t o s b y S c o t t Tr e e s a n d S t u a r t Ve s t y
Left and above: The 2003 Al Shahania-bred stallion Jaafer (Amer x Madjela), winner of the 2010 $250,000 Kahayla Classic in Dubai and the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes Group-1 for Purebred Arabians at Newbury racecourse in the U.K. Jaafer’s first foals are coming in 2010.
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O
n an evening filled with fireworks and a standing room only crowd, the seven-yearold grey stallion stepped politely into the starting gate at Dubai’s spectacular new Meydan racecourse. Breaking cleanly, he settled along the rail, and galloping along as relaxed as could be, dropped to last place. There he remained until the field rounded the final turn and he turned on the speed. He muscled through a tight opening between two horses and
Above: Yearlings at play in the Al Shahania pastures.
barreled down the stretch. We’ll let the race announcer take it from here: “Here comes Jaafer! Coming from a mile back! Jaafer from last has swept past No Risk Al Maury! Jaafer is roaring away to win the Kahayla Classic easily!” Jaafer’s (Amer x Madjela) thrilling win in the $250,000 race, the first on the card on Dubai World Cup Day, was a milestone for Al Shahania Stud. Here in front of the entire racing world, their homebred colt upset the favorites to win his richest race, and the first win for a Qatari horse on Dubai World Cup Day. Fast-forward to July 18, 2010, in the Shadwell Dubai International Stakes Group-1 for Purebred Arabians at Newbury racecourse in the U.K., where Jaafer cruised to an easy victory, the highlight of the final day of the Dubai Summer Festival. In the second race the same day, the Meydan International Stakes, the favorite Mu’azzaz (Amer x Massamarie) emerged an easy winner for Al Shahania. These two up-and-coming stars are just the most recent winners to result from Al Shahania Stud’s carefully crafted breeding strategy, one that has made it one of the world’s premier Arabian racehorse programs. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani traces his passion for racing to the late 1980s when Qatar began to hold organized race meets. “I purchased some Russian horses,” he says. “These purchases, along with a stallion, Djendel (Manganate x Mandore), one of the first French-bred horses ever to come to the Middle East, formed the start of my racing and breeding program. “When Djendel proved himself to be the best racehorse in Qatar at the time, it was natural that I followed the French breeding lines and returned to France to buy more French-bred Arabians. Upon acquiring our first French-bred mares, Akie Croix Noire (Tidjani x Okie du Cassou) and Kahila (Djouras Tu x 3 b AL SHAHANIA b worLd
Left: HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani visiting with Marwan Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab x Little Liza Fame). Sheikh Mohammed is expanding his Arabian horse involvement into the showring. Below: Sheikh Mohammed’s son Sheikh Khalifa.
Fantasia), a first class breeding program was well under way.” After Djendel asserted his dominance in the breeding barn, Sheikh Mohammed added three full siblings: the mares Mangadore (winner of the 2002 Emirates Championship Group 1 race) and Madjela (winner of the 22 of February Cup, the Rowdat Al Faras Cup, and the Doha Cup), and the stallion Mebrouk, winner of the 2001 Emir’s Sword and several other stakes. Today, Al Shahania’s herd book lists 286 Arabians in the racing and endurance programs. Roughly half are in England, France, Spain, Uruguay, and the U.S.
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and half are at the farm outside of Doha, Qatar. There, in irrigated pastures in the shade of the date palms, and beautifully designed barns and grounds, the elite of the Arabian racing world are bred and trained. They hail from all corners of the globe and represent an array of Arabian bloodlines from desertbred to American, but the majority are French. “When I am in Qatar, I spend as much time as I can at the stables,” says Sheikh Mohammed. “There, I can think about breeding plans for the next year, appraise the current foal crops, and watch the youngsters out for their first gallops on the training tracks.”
Below: racehorses in training cooling in the paddock area.
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The Emirs Sword Winners for Al Shahania Farm 1991 Djendel H Son of Manganate, the most prominent sire ever in France H Out of Mandore, the queen of the French breeding H Sire of many race champions, including: – Sayf, Emir cup winner – Arc De Ciel, Emirs Sword winner 1992 Damascus H Son of Strij by Topol H Out of Mexica H Winner of: – the 1992 Emirs Sword – 2,400 meters – purse 100,000 QAR 1993 WF High Voltage H Sired by Wiking, two-time U.S. National Champion Racehorse and champion racehorse sire. H Out of Dunasabelina who also produced champions Victoria and WF Vincent, the $25,000 U.S. Desert Wind Stakes winner H Winner of: – the 1993 Late Sh Suhaim Cup — 2,400 meters – the 1993 22 of February Cup — 2,400 meters – the 1993 HH The Emirs Sword — 2,400 meters handicap — purse 110,000 QAR – the Zabeel Stakes at Kempton Race Course in UK — 1,200 meters H Was used lightly in the breeding program H Did some endurance qualifiers prior to retiring 6 b AL SHAHANIA b worLd
(Continued on page 9)
Above and facing page, top: Djendel (Manganate x Mandore), one of the first French-bred horses that formed the start of the Al Shahania racing and breeding program.
Long before Jaafer carried the Al Shahania colors into Dubai’s winners circle, seven of his stablemates won Qatar’s biggest Arabian race, the Emir’s Sword, three of them bred by Al Shahania Stud. “The Emir’s Sword is the most prestigious race in the state of Qatar and is considered by many in the racing community around the world to be one of the elite races,” says Sheikh Mohammed. “My first Emir’s Sword win with Djendel was very special as my father was there to see him win by 27 lengths and set a new track record — by seven seconds!” Djendel in turn sired the first Emirs Sword winner bred by a Qatari, Arc de Ciel (Djendel x Akie Croix Noire), who won the coveted jewel-encrusted sword in 2000. This great mare also won the International Derby here in Qatar as well as HH The President’s Cup in Abu Dhabi, UAE. She retired with over $400,000 in earnings and is now a treasured broodmare,
Above and right: The picturesque Al Shahania facility in Doha, Qatar.
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having produced stakes winners Assil (a 2003 colt by Amer) and Iftekhar (a 2006 filly by Amer). Her 2004 filly Saheel (by Djoury du Montel) was valued more as a broodmare and has already produced a highly regarded 2010 Mared Al Sahra colt. Her 2007 filly Raheel (by Amer) is just beginning her racing career. Arc de Ciel’s Emir’s Cup win was significant for another reason, as it contributed well to Sheikh Mohammed’s pride as a breeder. “Anyone can buy a winner, but our goal is to breed winners,” he says. “When you can trace the thinking, the logic, and yes, the hunch, that led to that particular breeding decision … when you remember your first sight of the precious foal that would one day carry your colors to glory, well, I can hardly express what great pleasure and pride I feel in those moments.” Al Shahania’s next Emirs Sword win with a homebred horse came in 2004 with Kalbarq, a stallion sired by Arawak d’Aroco (the 1996 French Derby winner) and out of Kalila (a track record holder in
the U.K.) who descends from the French Fantasia female line. “Kalila was a very nice mare, who sadly fractured her hip at Goodwood racecourse,” says Sheikh Mohammed. “Fortunately, despite the vet’s prognosis she went on to produce many foals for us. Kalbarq was her best.” In 2008, the Al Shahania-bred stallion Mared Al Sahra (Amer x Massamarie) was Al Shahania’s third homebred horse to win the Emir’s Sword. Mared Al Sahra also won the 2006 GCC Breeders Champion Race and the 2010 HH Heir Apparent Trophy. This season he has been breeding mares via frozen semen in Europe as well as the Middle East. Currently he is in training for the Qatar Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe.
Top right: Nimr (Amer xNisaee), winner of the 2010 HH The Heir Apparent Sword Race, the Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani Trophy, and the Wadi Al Sail Cup. Bottom left and right: Mared Al Sahra (Amer x Massamarie), shown above edging out the great Al Dahma in the HH The Heir Apparent Trophy, and at right winning the 2008 Emirs Sword Cup. 8 b AL SHAHANIA b worLd
(Continued from page 6)
Above: Mu’Azzaz (Amer x Massamarie) is the winner of the Meydan International Stakes at the 2010 Dubai Summer Festival at Newbury Park, U.K.
2000 Arc De Ciel H Sired by Djendel H Out Akie Croix Noire, considered one of Al Shahania’s best foundation mares H Winner of: – the 2000 Emirs Sword 2,400 meters — purse 400,000 QAR. She was Al Shahania-bred and the first Qatar owned and bred Emir’s Sword winner. This was a big first for the farm, and it showed the maturity of the breeding program. – the 2000 Qatar International Trophy 1,800 meters — purse 500,000 QAR – the 2000 UAE HH The President’s Cup 2,200 meters — purse 500,000 UAE – the 1999 Doha Club Cup — 1,200 meters – the 1999 Doha Derby Trail — 1,800 meters – the 1999 Qatar International Derby — 2,400 meters – the 1999 Doha Al Wajiba Cup 2001 Mebrouk H Son of Manganate, the most prominent sire ever in France H Out of Mandore, the queen of the French breeding H Full brother to Djendel, Dormane, Mangadore Madjela H Winner of: – the 2001 Emirs Sword Race — 2,400 meters – purse 400,000 QAR H Went on to be a useful endurance horse 2004 Kalbarq H Bred and raised by Al Shahania Stud H Sired by Arawak D’ Aroco, French Derby Winner H Out of Kalila, a track record holder in the UK. She is out of Fantasia, a great tail female French line. Kalila was a very nice mare and won races in the UK prior to fracturing her hip at Goodwood Racecourse. Despite the vet prognosis she went on to produce many foals and Kalbarq was her best. H Winner of: – the Sheikh Suhaim Cup — 1,850 meters – the HH Emirs Sword — 2,400 meters – purse 400,000 QAR 2008 Mared Al Sahra H Bred and raised by Al Shahania Stud H Sired by Amer H Out of Massamerie H Winner of: – the 2008 Emirs Sword — 2,400 meters – purse 1,140,000 QAR – the 2010 HH The Heir Apparent Trophy – the 2006 GCC Breeders Champion Race — 1,600 meters — purse 400,000 QAR
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Above: The 1996 stallion Parador (Dormane x Praline Du Cassou), a multiple race winner and an important sire at Al Shahania.
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In reflecting on the numerous international wins earned by his horses, Sheikh Mohammed also points to the French-bred Arawak d’Aroco (Manganate x Arizona), winner of the 1996 Derby du Pur Sang Arabes at Chantilly. Although deceased, he is still siring winners via frozen semen. Many of his get are multiple stakes winners such as the Emir’s Sword winner Kalbarq (x Kalila). Elixir de Bastorre’s win at Chantilly in the 1996 Prix du Président des Emirats Arabes is another fond memory, as he and Arawak d’Aroco were just two of the horses that led Sheikh Mohammed to be named the 1996 Racehorse Owner of the Year in France. Al Shahania welcomed 46 foals in 2010, sired by 10 different stallions. Thirteen of them were by Mared Al Sahra (mentioned above), and 11 were by the desertbred Amer (Wafi x Bushra) owned by Sheikh Mohammed’s brother, Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani of Umm Qarn. “I felt it was essential for the Al Shahania breeding program to use Amer on our mares,” says Sheikh Mohammed. “I am proud of the quality of our mares, and their offspring by Amer have proven themselves time and time again on some of the best racecourses in the world. My plan is that Amer daughters will be bred back to the stallions in our breeding program.”
Al Shahania’s Top Stallions ALMAS (Tidjani x Madjela), 1999 chestnut stallion Winner of the HH The Heir Apparent Sword, the HH The Emir’s Trophy, the HH The Prime Minister’s Trophy, and the Qatar Derby Cup Local-bred Horse of the Year At four years old: 4 courses, 3 victories, 1 place, US$34,904 At five years old: 5 courses, 3 victories, 1 place, US$127,178 At six years old: 4 courses and 2 places, US$28,219 BAROUD DE CARDONNE (Djelfor x Pistache du Cassou), 1997 bay stallion standing at stud at Al Shahania, Doha, Qatar. Unfortunately never raced due to an injury at an early age. DJENDEL (Manganate x Mandore) purchased in 1989 from France Race record: 9(5-2-0) Winner of 1990-91 Emir’s Cup in Qatar by 25 lengths. Sire of: ARC DE CIEL (x Akie Croix Noire) Winner of 1999-2000 Emir’s Sword, Qatar HH President’s Cup, Abu Dhabi 1999-2000 Winner of 10 starts out of 17 (6 Stakes Races) Earnings: US$403,520 Progeny: 2003 grey colt by Amer 2004 chestnut filly by Djoury du Monteil ALOUETTE (x Tidjida d’Albret) Winner 1999 Championship Cup, Qatar SAYF (x MC Jabaskzyna) 9 wins in 12 starts 1997 racing season 9 consecutive wins including Owners Cup, Heir Apparent Cup, Deputy Prime Minister’s Sword, Al Wakra Cup, 1998 Emir’s Cup, 1999 HH Heir Apparent Cup and HH Prime Minister’s Sword Earnings: US$325,742 BARARI (x Benita TM), 1996 bay stallion Race record: 18(7-5-2) Winner of 2002/2003 Group III Bani Yas, Nad Al Sheba, the Group III Liwas Oasis by disqualification and the first 1,000m sprint run in Qatar, the purebred Arabian Sprinter Group 3. In addition to his winners in the Gulf and Europe, Djendel has also sired successful racehorses in the U.S., including Djolly Good (x Bygosh Bygolly), who earned $85,070; Djezebel (x Char Rich Louise), $92,852; Djendelman (x Bint Balanna), $16,701; Djenzel (x Prairie Silk), $51,867; and Djenuine (x Wikings Banner), $74,579. (Continued on page 12)
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(Top Stallions continued)
MANIFIK (Tidjani x Malika Fontenay), 1999 bay stallion standing at stud at Al Shahania Stud. Winner of the Qatar International Derby and the HH The Heir Apparent Trophy At 3 years old: 3 races, 2 places, US$4,250 At 4 years old: 7 races, 4 victories, 1 place, US$46,900 Mared al Sahra (Amer x Massamarie), 2008 grey stallion, bred and raised by Al Shahania Winner of the 2008 Emirs Sword — 2,400 meters – purse 1,140,000 QAR Winner of the 2010 HH The Heir Apparent Trophy Winner of the 2006 GCC Breeders Champion Race — 1,600 meters — purse 400,000 QAR MEBROUK (Manganate x Mandore), 1996
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chestnut stallion Winner of the most prestigious race of the 2000-2001 season the HH The Emir’s Sword Race by 2¼ lengths, setting a new track record. Winner of the Musherib Cup in Doha, April 2003 Winner of the Qatar national Handicap Race in Doha, March 2003 Winner of the Yousuf Al Rumaihi Race in Doha, February 2004 Total earnings for his 2000-2004 racing career: US$223,506 PARADOR (Dormane x Praline du Cassou) 1996 chestnut stallion Race record: 31(11-6-7) Two-time winner of the Mazrat Al Ruwayah Cup, UAE, 2000/2001 HH Heir Apparent Sword, Qatar, HH Sheikh Khalifa Triple Crown, Abu Dhabi, 2000 and 2002 Qatar Derby Cup (tied with Al Anood)
The Al Shahania broodmare band, now numbering 62, is considered by many to be one of, if not the best in the world for racing and race breeding. Among those coveted broodmares, Sheikh Mohammed is quick to name Akie Croix Noire as his best. She was a race winner in France and the U.K. as well as the Middle East, and has produced nine excellent foals. Her daughter Arc de Ciel by Djendel is perhaps the best bred mare and may soon rival her dam as the best producer, Sheikh Mohammed feels. Madjela (Manganate x Mandore), the dam of race winner Jaafer, sadly passed away last summer, but her influence will be felt far into the future, both through her promising son Jaafer and the four daughters she gave Al Shahania. Madjela’s own race record is 3 (3-0-0), with total earnings of $51,300. Mention must also be made of the stakes-winning mare Massamarie (Tidjani x Margau), one of three full sisters purchased by Al Shahania. All
Top left: Manifik (Tidjani x Malika Fontenay), 1999 bay stallion standing at stud, and winner of the Qatar International Derby and the HH The Heir Apparent Trophy. Top right: Al Shahania Aseala (Arawak d’Aroco x Akie Croix Noire), sister to Arc de Ciel, and winner of the President’s Cup in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and the Emir’s Sword in 1999-2000 racing season. Middle: Mebrouk (Manganate x Mandore), winner of the 2001 Emir’s Sword and several other stakes, has successfully transitioned from the racetrack to an endurance career.
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Right: Kalbarq, a stallion sired by Arawak d’Aroco (the 1996 French Derby winner) and out of Kalila (a track record holder in the U.K.) who descends from the French Fantasia female line. Below: Awarak d’Aroco (Manganate x Arizona), although deceased, is still siring winners via frozen semen.
Right: Almas (Tidjani x Madjela), 1999 chestnut stallion, is the winner of the HH The Heir Apparent Sword, the HH The Emir’s Trophy, the HH The Prime Minister’s Trophy, and the Qatar Derby Cup.
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three raced successfully and retired to the broodmare band. Two have produced winners: Massamarie produced Mu’azzaz and Mared Al Sahra, mentioned earlier; and Mafatma produced two Amer fillies, the race winners Magadir and Mayada, and they are currently both in foal to Burning Sand. The third sister, Margouia, has produced three foals to date, and this year’s colt by Amer is considered to be one of the best foals produced at Al Shahania Stud this season. (see chart for other top broodmares.) Another treasured mare is Nisaee (Dormane x Naiada Al Maury), dam of Nimr (by Amer), winner of the 2010 HH The Heir Apparent Sword race, the Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Thani Trophy, and the Wadi Al Sail Cup. Nisaee was a multiple stakes winner with a race record of 17 (5-4-5) and total earnings of $177,274. The 1994 bay mare is a track record holder on the 1,800m in 1999, and also won the Al Wajiba Cup in 1998 and the Qatar International Handicap in 1999. She is now one of the best producing broodmares in the Al Shahania breeding program, having produced ten foals. In addition to Nimr, she produced the race-winning filly Reesha (by Djoury du Monteil) and Aaber (by Burning Sand), who is currently in race training in Europe.
Al Shahania’s Current Top Racehorses Amwaj
Iftekhar
(Amer x Aziza D’Aroco), 2005 mare, full sister to Aziz, 7(3-4-0), US$24,876 1st Place Umm Qarn Cup, 1st Place P/A Maiden Plate, 3rd Place Injaaz Stud Cup
(Amer x Arc De Ciel), 2006 filly, 3(2-0-0) 1st place 2010 Local-bred Derby and the Al Zubara Cup
Areej
(Amer x Madjela), 2003 stallion, 11(4-4-1), US$199,278 1st place Qatar International Derby, Pure Arabian Trial Cup, Local-bred Arabian Maiden Plate and Handicap, HH Apparent Trophy, Kahayla Classic, and Shadwell Dubai International
(Amer x Akie Croix Noire), 2005 filly 4(2-2-0), US$6,027 1st place Al Karana Cup, 2nd place Injaaz Stud Cup
Asraa Min Albarq (Amer x Akie Croix Noire), 2003 stallion, 18(8-6-2), US$23,622 1st place Pure Arabian Maiden Plate, Pure Arabian Handicap, Al Naif Stud Handicap, Al Wajba Cup, GCC Champion Breeders Cup, and two-time winner of the Late Yousef Al Romiahi Cup
Assil
Jaafer
Mared al Sahra (Amer x Massamarie), 2002 stallion, 18(6-10-1), US$607,690 1st place Arabian Maiden Plate, Arabian Stakes, GCC Champion Breeders Cup, Qatar Cup, HH The Heir Apparent Trophy, and The Emir’s Sword Cup
(Amer x Arc de Ciel), 2003 stallion, 6(4-1-1), US$62,651 1st places at Local-bred Pure Arabian Maiden Plate, Trial Cup for Four-Year-Olds, and Qatar Derby for Local-bred Arabians
Massoura
Aziz
(Amer x Gardenia Gora), 2004 filly, 5(1-1-3), US$11,726
(Amer x Aziza D’Aroco), 2006 colt, 5(3-2-0), stakes placed 2nd in The President of UAE Cup, Group 1
Farah (Amer x Feline du Cassou), 2005 filly, 10(1-0-3), US$1,205 3rd P/A Maiden Plate
Gadir (Parador x Gardenia Gora), 2005 filly, 7(2-3-0), US$15,616 1st place Injaaz Stud Cup
Galia (Parador x Princess Atheena), 2005 filly, 1(1-0-0), US$6,246 1st place in L/B P/A Maiden Plate
(Amer x Massamarie), 2003 mare, 12(1-3-3), US$25,022 1st place Pure Arabian Maiden Plate
Mataleb
Mu’azzaz (Amer x Massamarie), 2004 colt, 16(6-1-2), US$10,997 1st place The Royal Cavalry of Oman Juvenile Stakes, Pure Arabian Maiden Plate, Musheireb Cup, and Meydan International Stakes in Newbury Park.
Nimr (Amer x Nisaee), 2003 stallion, 21(11-7-2), US$178,698 1st place Sheikh Nasser bin Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Thani Cup, Pure Arabian Championship, Local-bred Arabian Stakes and Handicap, Localbred Arabian Maiden Plate, Wadi Al Sail Cup, Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thanis Cup, and HH Heir Apparent Sword Cup
Theeb (Amer x Akie Croix Noire), 2004 stallion, 10(3-3-1), US$19,488 1st place Pure Arabian Maiden Plate, Qatar International Derby, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thanis Cup
Wa’ad (Parador x Viva Lavida Loca), 2005 filly, 6(3-3-0), US$6,027 2nd place in Injaaz Stud Cup
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Al Shahania also owns a full sister to Akie Croix Noire, Obe de Ghazal, in foal to Munjiz (Kesberoy x Unchained Melody), who was an endurance horse prior to Al Shahania’s purchase. Of the numerous Arabian racehorses Sheikh Mohammed purchased from the U.S., one of the first to wear his colors into U.S. winners circles was the beautiful chestnut filly Gypsy Dahl (ZT Shafis x Silver Dahl), winner of the 1990 Firecracker Futurity at Delaware Park, the 1991 Florida Arabian Cup Distaff (G2) at Tampa, and the 1991 Florida Bred Arabian Oaks at Tampa. She died early in France due to acacia poisoning. Al Shahania currently has one of her colts, a six-year-old, in race training in Qatar. More recently Sheikh Mohammed added the Arabian Horse Trust Hall of Fame mare and Darley Horse of the Year Dixie Darlene (*Wiking x BW Ali Catt). “I recognized her as a great broodmare as well as a racehorse,” he says. “She’s produced: Dixies Delight (by Sam Tiki) who has nearly $300,000 in earnings; stakes winner Dixie Dance (by Line
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Dancer); and Dixies Valentine (by Nivour de Cardonne), Darley Champion FourYear-Old Filly of the Year. “Dixie Darlene had four outstanding foals in 2010, one filly by Burning Sand in the U.S., one filly by Madj Al Arab in Qatar, and two colts by our Emir’s Sword winner Mared Al Sahra,” says Sheikh Mohammed. In 2011, Dixie Darlene will have an Arawak d’Aroco foal and two more Mared Al Sahra foals to add to her exceptional production record. Al Shahania may be racing again in the U.S. now that a Grade I race for Arabian horses ages four and up has been announced for Saturday, October 9, the second day of Keeneland’s fall meet. The race, with a purse of $50,000, will be sponsored by Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Equestrian Foundation, and will surely draw the attention of horse lovers in the United States for the World Equestrian Games in Lexington. “It would be a good place to aim one of my horses — an historic event to run an Arabian on such a prestigious track in Lexington, Kentucky, the heart of the Thoroughbred country,”
Sheikh Mohammed says. Each year, Al Shahania sends a string of racehorses to compete in Europe’s big races, while another string races on the Middle East circuit. The state of Qatar sponsors the best racing event for Arabian and Thoroughbred horses in Europe, The Qatar Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe, run in October in Longchamp, France. The two Arabian races are the Qatar Arabian World Cup Sponsored by Qatar Telecom and the Qatar French Arabian Breeders Challenge. In recent years, Sheikh Mohammed has become an avid endurance competitor, even sponsoring races in Spain and keeping a string of horses there. “Endurance is something I can compete in myself and I enjoy it immensely,” he says. “Al Shahania Stud has been involved with endurance since the 1990s when the Qatar Marathons were introduced. We purchased three horses from Australia to begin with. They proved to be very useful endurance horses, winning races in Qatar as well as the Gantoot Marathon in the United Arab Emirates. (Continued on page 20)
Left: One of the first to wear the Al Shahania colors into U.S. winners circles was the beautiful chestnut filly Gypsy Dahl (ZT Shafis x Silver Dahl). Below: Arabian Horse Trust Hall of Fame mare and Darley Horse of the Year Dixie Darlene (*Wiking x BW Ali Catt).
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Above: Al Shahania’s treasured broodmare Arc de Ciel (Djendel x Akie Croix Noire), who won the coveted, Emir’s sword in 2000 and also won the International Derby here in Qatar as well as HH The President’s Cup in Abu Dhabi, UAE. She retired with over $400,000 in earnings. Below: The 1998 bay mare Mahmoona (Arawak D’Aroco x CR Most Aluring) won the Qatar Derby Cup in 2002 but was unfortunately injured in that race and retired from racing. After her recovery she won the ridden class of the Qatar International Arabian Show.
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Al Shahania’s Top Broodmares aBIGaIlle (Dormane x Cherifa), 2002 bay mare Race record: 19(3-4-1), total earnings of US$47,506 Abigaille is one of the best bred mares in the Al Shahania breeding program. She has been bred to three very nice stallions. Her 2009 Amer colt is superb and very well balanced, and she had a nice Amer colt in 2010. She is a half sister to Umm Qarn’s Djebbel (Djelfor x Cherifa), two-time winner of the Emir’s Sword Cup. aKIe CrOIX NOIre (Tidjani x Okie du Cassou) Raced successfully. Finished fourth in the 1991 Emir’s Sword under the colors of Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalifa Al Thani. Acquired by Al Shahania Stud and raced in UK under Al Shahania colors. Progeny: Arc de Ciel (by Djendel), 1995 filly, Emir’s Sword Cup and stakes winner Al Shahania Aseala (by Arawak d’Aroco), 2000 filly, stakes winner Areej (by Amer), 2005 filly, stakes winner Theeb (by Amer), 2004 colt, stakes winner Asreaa Min Albarq (by Amer), 2003 colt, stakes winner
arC de CIel (Djendel x Akie Croix Noire) Winner of 2000 Emir’s Sword, Qatar HH President’s Cup, Abu Dhabi 1999-2000 Winner of 10 starts out of 17 (6 Stakes Races) Career earnings US$403,520 Progeny: Assil (by Amer), 2003 colt, stakes winner Iftekhar (by Amer), 2006 filly, stakes winner Rahee (by Amer), 2007 filly, in race training in the UK Currently being bred to Amer for a 2011 foal
aZIZa d’arOCO (Dormane x Arizona) Aziza D’Aroco is a half sister to the French Derby winner Arawak D’Aroco. She only raced three times at the age of four and was retired early after an injury. Race record: 3(0-0-1) Progeny: Akhal (by Amer), 2004 stallion, sold to Oman Amwaj (by Amer), 2005 mare, stakes winner Aziz (by Amer), 2006 stallion, stakes placed 5(3-2-0) Harran (by Burning Sand), 2007 colt, currently racing in the U.K.
dIXIe darleNe (Wiking x BW Ali Catt)
The Arabian Horse Trust Hall of Fame mare and Darley Horse of the Year.
Race record: 40(17-10-4)8; total earnings US$281,689 Progeny: Dixies Delight (by Sam Tiki), 2001 mare, stakes winner Dixie Dance (by Line Dancer), 2003 mare, stakes winner Dixies Valentine (by Nivour De Cardonne), 2005 mare, stakes winner
GardeNIa GOra (Nuits St Georges x Gora), 1993 chestnut mare Race record: 16(5-2-5), total earnings of $60,740 Winner of Class 3 handicap, Club Cup, and two P/A fillies and mares races Progeny: Mataleb (by Amer), 2004 filly, stakes winner Gadir (by Parador), 2005 filly, stakes winner Hader (by Parador), 2006 colt, currently in race training in Qatar Thawi (by Mared Al Sahra), 2007 colt, currently in race training in Qatar
MadJela (Manganate x Mandore) A successful racehorse and dam of race winner Jaafer, passed away last summer, but her influence will be felt far into the future. Race record: 3(3-0-0); total earnings US$51,300 Progeny: Mashugate (by CR Pistol Pete), 1998 mare Almas (by Tidjani), 1999 mare Malika Al Maidan (by Amer), 2000 mare Jaafer (by Amer), 2003 stallion, stakes winner
MahMOONa (Arawak D’Aroco x CR Most Aluring), 1998 bay mare Won the Qatar Derby Cup in 2002 but was unfortunately injured in that race and retired from racing. After her recovery she won the ridden class of the Qatar International Arabian Show. Race record: 2(2-0-0), Total earnings $28,110 Progeny: Mafakher (by Baroud de Cardonne), 2007 filly, will race this fall
MaNGadOre (Manganate x Mandore) Mangadore is a full sister to Djendel presently in the UK for breeding. Race record: 21(13-1-1) (Continued on page 20)
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(Top Broodmares continued)
Winner of 2002 Emirates Championship Group 1 race, UAE Second Place in 2001 HH President’s Cup, UAE Career earnings: US$174,691 Progeny: Hareq (by Amer), 2006 colt, currently in race training in Qatar
“The Arabian horse through its long, proud history has proven to be the most versatile breed of any horse in modern history, so it seemed only natural to look in our own program to find our endurance horses. We took some of our top racehorses such as Nuit du Monteil, Elixer de Bastorre and Mebrouk and campaigned them to very successful endurance careers. This showed us that the retired race colts had potential for endurance, giving them a second opportunity to prove their strength and stamina. “In recent years we have purchased horses to give the endurance program more depth for competing at top levels in the Middle East as well as
MarGOUIa (Tidjani x Margau), 1999 chestnut mare Recently completed her racing career and is now in the UK for breeding. Full sister to Massamarie and the late Mafatma. Race record: 9(1-3-0), total earnings US$10,000 Progeny: Maseh (by Burning Sand), 2007 colt, currently in race training in the UK
MaSSaMarIe (Tidjani x Margau) Race record: 6(3-1-0) Total earnings: US$192,172 Progeny: Mared Al Sahra (by Amer), 2002 stallion, stakes winner Massoura (by Amer), 2003 mare, race winner Mu’azzaz (by Amer), 2004 stallion, stakes winner Kaher (by Al Sakbe), 2006 colt, currently in race training in Qatar Gajoula (by Amer), 2007 filly, currently in race training in the U.K.
NISaee (Dormane x Naiada Al Maury) Race record: 17(5-4-5) Winner of the 2010 HH Heir Apparent Sword, Qatar, and the Qatar International Handicap Progeny: Nimr (by Amer), 2003 colt, stakes winner Naama (by Arawak D’Aroco), 2004 filly, currently racing in Qatar Aaber (by Burning Sand), 2007 colt, currently in race training in the UK
Saheel (Djoury Du Monteil x Arc De Ciel), 2004 chestnut mare, joined the band of broodmares at Al Shahania Stud after she retired from racing. Progeny: 2010 colt by Mared Al Sahra In foal to Amer for 2011 20 b AL SHAHANIA b worLd
Top: Third generation Al Shahania race breeding, the 2010 colt by Mared Al Sahra and out of Saheel (Djoury Du Montel x Arc De Ciel). Bottom: 2010 filly by Majd Al Arab and out of Dixie Darlene (*Wiking x BW Ali Catt).
Left: 2010 colt by Amer and out of Margouia. Below: Abigaille (Dormane x Cherifa) with her 2010 colt by Mared Al Sahra.
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“Endurance is something I can compete in myself and I enjoy it immensely,” says Sheikh Mohammed.
in Europe. About 30 of our 63 endurance horses are maintained at our Al Shahania Stud operation outside Madrid, Spain, where I am very actively involved during the spring and summer months. “Al Shahania Stud sponsored two major endurance events in Spain, and I rode and finished in both events. One was the National Endurance Event in May at Xinzo de Limia in the Ourense province. This race attracted top international riders competing for National honors. The other race was Spain’s first-ever FEI-sanctioned 120 km endurance race, held in the Penalara Nature Reserve in June. It was a stunning course through mountainous terrain and forest. Only an hour from Madrid, the location was chosen both for its beautiful scenery as well as cooler
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temperatures.” Keen to embrace the world’s growing interest and participation in endurance, Al Shahania has ambitious plans for future event sponsorships as well as increased breeding efforts to support future event sponsorships. “My involvement with sponsoring races, training the endurance horses, and competing in races has brought me closer to my horses,” says Sheikh Mohammed. “I respect the sport of endurance as it has shown me how to be one with my horse, to realize that every horse has limits, and that competing in the race teaches one to recognize and respect the horse. To finish with a sound horse, physically and metabolically, reflects a good connection between horse and rider. To finish this way is winning to me. Miles and miles in open desert or the countryside of Spain, a good horse, fresh air, keen competition, time to think and to feel the wind. And at the end of the day, the feeling of accomplishment, of being tired down to your bones. And proud for what you achieved with your horse. This is what I find compelling about the sport of endurance.”
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Al Shahania Stud sponsored two major endurance events in Spain. One was the National Endurance Event in May at Xinzo de Limia in the Ourense province. The other was Spain’s firstever FEI-sanctioned 120 km endurance race, held in the Penalara Nature Reserve in June. “My involvement with sponsoring races, training the endurance horses, and competing in races has brought me closer to my horses,” says Sheikh Mohammed, pictured above riding in Spain.
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This page and facing page, top: “I was taken by her when I first saw her,� says Sheikh Mohammed of the three-year-old filly Abha Qalams (Alfabia Damascus x Abha Mudira), who will compete at the 2010 U.S. Nationals in junior mares.
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But still, there is an arena in which Sheikh Mohammed wishes to excel — the Arabian showring. In the past year, he has begun to assemble a beautiful Arabian show string. “It’s true that I look at Arabians first as athletes, but who doesn’t also love to gaze on something beautiful, for the sake of beauty itself? This is another of life’s great gifts. And I am not immune to the excitement of the Arabian halter ring. So my challenge will be to find a balance between the big, strong, physically capable horse that I admire, and the beauty that I
Right: Sierra Tango TT (Audacious PS x Fantasia La Bahia), in foal to *Besson Carol. 27 b AL SHAHANIA b worLd
appreciate. I would also hope that these horses will come to represent a distinctive Al Shahania type, and will earn the respect of fellow breeders … and of course, the judges! “To that end, I have sought the counsel and ideas from some of the world’s best breeders, visited many farms, and I am excited by the program that is beginning to take shape. Of course I can’t help but be impressed and influenced by the global impact of the two great stallions of Al Shaqab Stud, bred by my brother HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar. So I began by looking for mares that will cross well with Gazal Al Shaqab and Marwan Al Shaqab.” Sheikh Mohammed will compete for the first time at the U.S. Nationals this year with the three-year-old filly Abha Qalams (Alfabia Damascus x Abha Mudira) in junior mares. “She’s a big, powerful, pretty horse, and I was taken by her when I first saw her — she stopped and snorted, and displayed such power, energy, and beauty. I also purchased her 2010 colt, Ezz Al Shahania, by Thee Desperado. He’s a very long necked, long
Above: Miss Ali Anna SWF (WH Justice x Miss Psyche).
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Oceania O (Pershahn El Jamaal x Om El Jimala, 2005 grey mare, is being bred to *Marwan Al Shaqab via embryo transfer.
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legged, balanced colt with a pretty face.” Sheikh Mohammed also added Abha Qalams’s dam, Abha Mudira (Marwan Al Shaqab x Abha Fetiyeh) to his show program. Another recent addition is the 2005 mare Oceania O by U.S. Reserve Champion Stallion Pershahn El Jamaal, and out of twice U.S. Reserve Champion Mare Om El Jimala. Oceania, a tall (16 hand mare), was U.S. Top Ten Yearling, Vegas World Cup Top Five, and recently, Region 12 Champion Mare and Reserve Champion AOTH.
Plans are for Oceania O to be shown in Europe and the Middle East in the coming year. She is in foal to Marwan for 2011. More than a dozen foals are due next year via embryo transfer out of notable mares, such as Anniesong (Najib Caaj x Windspinney Anna); Om El Jimala (*Sanadik El Shaklan x Om El Jazira); Om El Excella (*Al Lahab x Omel Bint Shaina); and Majolicaa (*Besson Carol x Majalis), to name a few. “Competition does excite me, whether it’s on the racetrack, the endurance trail, or in the showring. It is what drives us to be better, to be excellent. So I welcome it, and now I look forward to competing in the showrings of the world as well. With luck, we will see Al Shahania horses bringing glory to the farm in all the realms in which the Arabian horse competes. Is that a lot to wish for? Perhaps, but the Arabian horse has never disappointed me, for when all is said and done, his very being is glory enough.”
Above: Nada Al Shahania (*Besson Carol x MFA Annies Song). Right: Ezz Al Shahania (Thee Desperado x Abha Qalams), 2010 colt. Facing page: Jamil Al Shahania (Marwan Al Shaqab x Majaarani).
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Abha Qalams
Al ShAhAniA Stud Abdulrahman al Mansour, Director Deryle Duncan, Manager P.O. Box 22133, Doha, Qatar Tel: +974-4490-3074 路 +974-4490-3075 Fax: +974-4471-9169 路 Mobile: +974-5584-2213 E-mail: mail@alshahaniastud.com 路 www.alshahaniastud.com