Al Shahania Stud — Shining in the Showring

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.


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.


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.



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.


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.


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


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.”



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


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.

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.”


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.


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).

Al Shahania Stud — Shining in the Showring

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