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From the December 2011 issue of Arabian Horse World: WAHO guests were welcomed to this famous Qatar stud farm in November, and they found out firsthand: whether it’s Arabian racehorses or show horses (or even open houses), it’s first class all the way at Al Shahania, by Denise Hearst
Citation preview
by denise hearst
photos by scott trees, april visel, suzanne sturgill,
and stuart vesty
— s h i n i n g i n t h e s h o w r i n g
t dusk, as the warm gulf air stirred in the date palms and a full moon rose over
the iconic Al Shahania gates, guests were greeted by a classic Arabic tableau —
falcons and salukis near a campfi re where Bedouin coffee brewed over the coals
— while servers offered exotic fruit drinks and appetizers.
The occasion in early November 2011 marked the fi rst time that a WAHO
conference was held in the State of Qatar, and this evening at Sheikh Mohammed bin
Khalifa Al Thani’s farm promised to be a highlight of the week.
“With the WAHO conference reuniting people from all around the world, we
felt it was a perfect opportunity to share some of the Qatari traditions,” says manager
Alexandra Newman. “We wanted to share the natural beauty of Al Shahania Stud as an
oasis of green and let people enjoy the outdoors as our horses do every day. There were
some challenges — like the rare rain we had in the morning — but all in all, we thought
it was a success and we hope that everyone enjoyed themselves.”
2 ▪ AL SHAHANIA ▪ WORLD
Sheikh Mohammed bin Kalifa Al Thani with Areej (Amer x Akie Croix Noire), winner of the
2011 Qatar Arabian World Cup in France, the world’s richest race for purebred Arabians.
Sheikh Mohammed’s horses also fi nished second and third in the same race.
WAHO guests enjoyed dinner and
entertainment under a full moon at
Al Shahania.
3 ▪ AL SHAHANIA ▪ WORLD
Middle Left: Michael Byatt introduces the Al Shahania
show and breeding stock. � Left and above: Upon arrival,
WAHO guests are greeted by traditional emblems of Qatar
— Salukis, falcons, dhow models, henna artists, jewelry,
and weaving.
4 ▪ AL SHAHANIA ▪ WORLD
Indeed they did. The visitors,
some 400 of them, strolled past a replica
of a traditional Qatari village into the
stable courtyard where a selection of
Al Shahania’s racing and showring stars
were presented. Following Alexandra’s
welcoming speech, race trainer Julian Smart could barely contain
his pride when the handsome Jaafer (Amer x Madjela), winner
of the 2010 Kahayla Classic and the 2011 Emir’s Sword, and
the “Princess of Paris,” Qatar World Cup winner Areej (Amer
x Akie Croix Noire), stepped into the spotlights wearing their
trophy race coolers. After a lap or two around the fountain their
coolers were deftly removed as they walked, revealing their sleek
racing physiques. They, and the racehorses that came after, were
pure class.
Next, show trainer Michael Byatt stepped up to the
microphone and sketched the evolution of Sheikh Mohammed’s
Arabian show program and introduced
a few of the Al Shahania show horses
that now call Qatar home. Majolicaa
(Besson Carol x Majalis) wore her
2007 Champion Scottsdale Signature
Auction Filly roses, and the yearling
fi lly Nada Al Shahania (Besson Carol x
MFA Annies Song), who had arrived in
Qatar just two weeks earlier, charmed
everyone with her exotic beauty.
Not present were Al Shahania’s two newly crowned U.S.
National Champions, Barzan Al Shahania and Abha Raipur, but
more about them later.
“The presentation of the race and show horses was
wonderful,” says Michael. “It was a beautiful night, and in those
lights, those gorgeous racehorses had a physicality and a dignity
about them, embodying grace and strength. And Majolicaa, who
is carrying a Safi r Al Rayyan foal, looked like a queen with her
white coat, so soft and feminine.”
After the showing, guests were free to walk through the
splendid barns as they headed down to the dining area — tables
set under the stars in a grassy paddock,
with a huge video screen showing
highlights of Al Shahania’s racing and
showring triumphs.
Barzan Al Shahania (Stival x NW Siena Psyche), 2011 U.S. National Champion Yearling Colt and Champion Junior
Colt, 2011 Scottsdale Champion Arabian Classic Junior Colt, and unanimous Supreme Champion Yearling Colt at the
Las Vegas World Cup show.
5 ▪ AL SHAHANIA ▪ WORLD
6 ▪ AL SHAHANIA ▪ WORLD
It was a fi tting celebration as it marked a year of
unprecedented success for the stud.
“Two thousand eleven has been a year of many successes for
me, Al Shahania Stud, and my country, the State of Qatar,” says
Sheikh Mohammed. “Jaafer’s win in the 2011 Emir’s Sword, one
of, if not the most prestigious and oldest races in Qatar and the
Middle East, gave us a really nice conclusion to the season in Qatar
prior to heading to Europe with the racing string. We proved
successful in the UK, winning several of the big races, preparing
us well for the Qatar Arabian World Cup in Longchamp, France,
in early October. Winning this race, and the Emir’s Sword, were
my main objectives for 2011. It was here that the Al Shahania
This page and facing:
Barzan Al Shahania.
7 ▪ AL SHAHANIA ▪ WORLD
breeding program proved to be one of the strongest in the
Arabian racing world by fi nishing fi rst with Areej, second with
Aziz (Amer x Aziza d’ Aroco), and third with Jaafer in the world’s
richest Arabian race, held the same day as the
Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (one of the
most watched sporting events in the world).
“Al Shahania’s show program, just in its
second year, has had an outstanding season
with wins in the three largest shows in North
America with championships at Scottsdale,
Arabian Breeders World Cup in Las Vegas, and
the U.S. National Championships.
“To top it all off my football (soccer) team, Al Sadd, made
history for football in Qatar by winning the AFC Championship
League 2011, beating the Korean team Jeonbuk 4-2 at home.
I am now looking forward to seeing them in
December playing in Japan in the FIFA Clubs
World Cup.
“I am proud of all of my horses that
competed this year in the U.S. Nationals,
especially Abha Raipur (El Perfecto x Abha
Zenobia), who gave us our fi rst victory of
the show when she was named U.S. National
Champion Three-Year-Old Filly, and of course
Abha Raipur (El Perfecto x Abha Zenobia), 2011 U.S.
National Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and 2011
Scottsdale Champion International Arabian Breeders
Classic Senior Mare. She is carrying a Marwan Al Shaqab
foal for 2012.
8 ▪ AL SHAHANIA ▪ WORLD
Barzan Al Shahania (Stival x NW Siena Psyche) being awarded not only
U.S. National Champion Yearling Colt but also U.S. National Champion
Junior Colt. I also appreciate the support the Arabian show community
expressed by cheering my horses on. This was heartening to me.
“I knew that Barzan had a tough challenge before him being the
youngest colt in the ring for the title of the 2011 U.S. National Champion
Junior Colt, especially with the older colts being more seasoned,” continues
Sheikh Mohammed. “However the moment he entered the ring, I had no
doubt anymore. It was to me like seeing gold. He is unique and the judges
showed their appreciation by the scores he received, giving him the highest
score of any horse shown in hand at the 2011 U.S. Nationals.”
Greg Gallún handled Barzan to his win. The colt’s dam, NW Siena
Psyche, resides at Gallún Farms in Santa Ynez,
California, so Greg has tended most of her foals.
“When we got word that Siena Psyche’s Stival foal
was a ‘he’ there was a quiet pause from all of us close
to Siena. I know Siena’s owners (Mike and Ruth
Doe) really wanted a fi lly. We all did. But when we
approached the stall with his recipient mare this little
man stood up and looked at us with an expression that
is unique to him, even to this day. He was dramatic
even just barely dry! We all walked away from his stall
really happy, colt or fi lly.
“Barzan has, in his very young life, made himself
quite a reputation, and his U.S. National Champion
Junior Colt title was the perfect fi nale to his amazing
year. The competition has been great all year long and
Barzan found the winners circle each time shown,
winning the Championships at Scottsdale and the
Las Vegas World Cup. I cannot give enough credit to
both Siena Psyche and Stival for passing on their great
qualities. He is the perfect combination of both. Siena
is one of the few U.S. National Champion Mares to
produce a U.S. National Champion halter offspring;
Barzan is now her fourth!
“Barzan is enjoying a bit of down time, eating
a little grass and getting some California sunshine on
his back. It’s been a great honor to show this colt for
Sheikh Mohammed. Recently, while I was attending
the Brazilian Nationals, I spoke with a longtime judge
and breeder who said to me, ‘I have been in this
business for 30 years — I think that Barzan may be
9 ▪ AL SHAHANIA ▪ WORLD
Above: Abha Qalams (Alfabia Damascus x Abha
Mudira), 2010 U.S. National Champion Junior
Mare, will have a foal via ET by Marwan Al
Shaqab in 2012.
A-Malaysia (A Jakarta
x Estee Lauder), 2011
Scottsdale Champion
Breeders International
Classic Junior Filly and
U.S. National Top Ten
Two-Year-Old Filly.
the best young horse I have ever seen.’ What more can be said?”
Among this year’s Nationals judges was Cathy Wright, who had
this to say about Barzan and Abha Raipur: “Barzan was exceptional.
I fi rst saw him at Scottsdale last February and was so impressed. I
was really looking forward to seeing him up close and having the
opportunity to judge him. I was not disappointed. His amazing neck,
color, and presence combined to make an entrance that was memorable
indeed. He was stunning! He was tall, smooth, and elegant. I can’t wait
to see him in a few years and see what kind of stallion he develops
into. I think he has a tremendous amount to offer the breed worldwide.
“The fi lly was also a top-quality individual. She was so balanced
and had such excellent overall conformation. I loved her strength of
body combined with her high degree of femininity and type. What
a combination — just an outstanding fi lly! They are both superb
representatives for their owner.”
10 ▪ AL SHAHANIA ▪ WORLD
11 ▪ AL SHAHANIA ▪ WORLD
Top right and right: “I love them all, but one of my favorites here
in Qatar is Nada Al Shahania (Besson Carol x MFA Annies Song),
who arrived here in October. She is an outstanding fi lly,” says
Sheikh Mohammed bin Kalifa Al Thani, pictured at right. Nada was
2011 Scottsdale Reserve Champion Breeders International Classic
Junior Filly and Qatar National fi rst place yearling fi lly. � Below:
Miss Ali Anna SWF (WH Justice x Miss Psyche), won Top Five Junior
Champion Filly and First Place Two-Year-Old Filly at the 2011 Qatar
National Championships.
Above: Taj Al Jamal (Marwan Al Shaqab x SWF Desert Rose), 2011 Qatar
Bronze Champion Junior Colt.
U.S. National Judge Paul
Kostial adds, “Barzan is an exceptional
individual. He’s tall, very upright,
very correct, with outstanding
Arabian type and, as added value,
has that exceptional chestnut color
with the beautiful fl axen mane and
tail. Barzan is edgy and entertaining,
and has conformational quality that
equals his charisma. He’s a true
show horse!”
As Sheikh Mohammed has
branched out into the Arabian
show world, he has held fast to the
principles that have served him so well in breeding top-class
racehorses. “My experience with my racehorses has taught me
that a horse with good legs, that is well balanced, moves well, and
has a sound character is essential to the making of champions,”
he says. “It does not matter what breed it is or what discipline
one is trying to achieve, these traits are vital. In addition, a good
show horse must have charisma, athletic ability, and be an elegant
mover. Also, I like to see a horse with plenty of size and scope, a
good length of neck, a beautiful face and expression.
“Of course a breeding program is not something to be
taken lightly. Al Shahania Stud has proven that with patience,
through thorough and profound study of the physical and mental
attributes of the horse, as well as their pedigrees, we can produce
champion racehorses. We wish to excel in the same way with
our show broodmare band. Therefore, for the moment we are
still weighing our options on which stallions will give us the best
chance of producing champions with each of our broodmares.”
Trainer Michael Byatt, who has several of the Al Shahania
horses at his farm in New Ulm, Texas, appreciates Sheikh
Mohammed’s discerning eye. ”One thing that continues to
12 ▪ AL SHAHANIA ▪ WORLD
Left: The 1997 mare ZT Ludbectra (Ludjin El Jamaal
x ZT Rubilectra) has three embryos for 2012 foals,
two by ZT Marwteyn and one by Anaza El Farid.
� Below: The 2005 mare Oceania O (Pershahn El
Jamaal x Om El Jimala) is in foal to Marwan Al
Shaqab via ET for 2012. � Facing page: The 2001 mare
MFA Annies Song (Ludjin El Jamaal x MFA Lilac
Tyme), dam of Nada Al Shahania, is also in foal to
Marwan Al Shaqab for 2012 via ET.
13 ▪ AL SHAHANIA ▪ WORLD
The 2011 colt Suhail Al Shahania (JA Urbino x
Viva Marwan).
strike me is that Sheikh Mohammed is a horseman. He understands form and
function, and can pick up on subtle things. He has exquisite taste, and seeks only
the very best for his program.”
Of the 2011 Al Shahania foals born at Michael’s farm, the grey Badiaa Al
Shahania (Marwan Al Shaqab x Majalis), in particular, has caught Michael’s eye.
“She is charismatic, stylish, beautiful, and correct. She thinks well of herself.
She’s balanced, and her neck is glorious.”
Badiaa and 2010 U.S. National Champion Junior Mare Abha Qalams
(Alfabia Damascus x Abha Mudira) will go to Scottsdale in 2012. “Abha Qalams
will have a 2012 Marwan foal via ET,” says Michael. “In 2011 she had a DA
Valentino colt, owned by Ray and Nora Tatum. He is great, and will go to
Scottsdale as well.”
14 ▪ AL SHAHANIA ▪ WORLD
The 2009 fi lly Piacenza (QR Marc x
Primawera), 2011 Bialka Champion Filly
and Best in Show.
Other Al Shahania mares due in 2012 are Abha Mudira
(Marwan Al Shaqab x Abha Fetiyeh), in foal to WH Justice;
MFA Annies Song (Ludjin El Jamaal x MFA Lilac Tyme) and
Oceania O (Pershahn El Jamaal x Om El Jimala) are in foal to
Marwan via ET; Abha Raipur is carrying a Marwan foal; and ZT
Ludbectra (Ludjin El Jamaal x ZT Rubilectra) has three embryos
coming, two by ZT Marwteyn and one by Anaza El Farid.
As for Barzan’s breeding plans, Sheikh Mohammed says,
“He will cover several of our top mares, and we will consider
outside mares but we will of course be very selective and it will
be only limited numbers. He is just coming two next spring. We
want to be conservative and do what is best for Barzan.” Adds
Alexandra, “Promoting Barzan Al Shahania to be a champion
on a world level and securing the best mares for him is a major
responsibility.”
In the meantime, look for the Al Shahania presence to
be expanded in the world’s top showrings, possibly Menton,
Aachen, and Paris, as well as the major U.S. shows. “We also
want to show our support more actively by not only competing
but also becoming sponsors of several shows next year. It will be
a very challenging and exciting time for the Al Shahania team,”
says Alexandra.
One thing is certain: Wherever they go, the race and show
horses of Al Shahania will carry with them the unmistakable
stamp of class — the mark of a true breeder’s eye, and his passion
for the Arabian horse.
15 ▪ AL SHAHANIA ▪ WORLD
Above: The 2009 colt Ssharaz (Besson Carol x Ssharjah by Marwan
Al Shaqab). � Right: The 2011 fi lly Badiaa Al Shahania (Marwan Al
Shaqab x Majalis by Ali Jamaal).
Abdulrahman al Mansour, Director
Alexandra Newman, Manager
P.O. Box 22133, Doha, Qatar
Tel: +974-4490-3074 · +974-4490-3075
Fax: +974-4471-9169 · Mobile: +974-5564-4645
E-mail: [email protected]
www.alshahaniastud.com
Left: Al Shahania Stud Director Abdulrahman al Mansour with
manager Alexandra Newman.
Abdulrahman al Mansour, Director · Alexandra Newman, ManagerP.O. Box 22133, Doha, Qatar · Tel: +974-4490-3074 · +974-4490-3075 · Fax: +974-4471-9169 · Mobile: +974-5564-4645
E-mail: [email protected] · www.alshahaniastud.com
Designed and produced by Arabian Horse World · 12/11
Top and bottom: WAHO conference guests enjoy a visit to Al Shahania stud in early November, 2011.
Middle: 2010 U.S. National Champion Junior Mare Abha Qalams (Alfabia Damascus x Abha Mudira).
Front cover: 2011 U.S. National Champion Junior Colt Barzan Al Shahania (Stival x NW Siena Psyche).