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a livinglegend THE UNFORGETTABLE John Lennon &Pau McCartney IloveIn mylife you more… stopandthinkaboutthem often I know I’ll For peopleandthingsthatwentbefore lose affection never Though Iknow I’ll Ithink oflove assomething new When losetheirmeaning And thesememories There isnoone compares withyou andlovers thesefriends But ofall loved I’ve themall In mylife are deadandsomeSome are living recall can Istill lovers andfriends With theseplaceshadtheirmomentsAll gone have andsomeSome remain notforbetter forever Some mylife,All thoughsome changed have There are placesIremember Stuart Vesty, AprilVisel Susan McAdoo,LoriRicigliano,VictorAndreShiwa,SuzanneSturgill, photos: GregorAymar, Javan,DarrylLarson,GigiGrasso,AnetteMattson, by BethEllenHunziker, TuttoArabi archive AL SHAQAB GAZAL

BLOODLINE THE UNFORGETTABLE GAZAL AL SHAQAB a living legend BLOODLINE

For each of us, there are certain events, wore. I remember thinking it was the certain individuals in our lives that we most beautiful thing I had ever seen. As will never forget. Ask anyone the name I opened the book and began to read, I of their first love, or, in our world – their was transported to an exotic world in a first – and chances are far away land. With each page I read, I they will remember immediately. My fell deeper in love. Perhaps it was that introduction to the Arabian horse came first love that drew me so strongly from the cherished storybook, “King of to a I believe personifies the the Wind”, by Marguerite Henry. At the handsome Arabian stallion in the book age of nine, I discovered this book at my and brings the dream to life, the living small local library. I took my treasure legend, Gazal Al Shaqab. Although and snuggled into a big red leather the story is fiction, the horse was real. chair in a room that was bathed with History shows that the stallion Shams, sunlight streaming in through the great later named The Godolphin Arabian, lived arched windows. I remember studying from 1724 to 1754. Through a series of the cover art of a bay stallion with his events he was brought to England where black mane flying back, his curved ears, he became a foundation sire and made his big dark eyes, his deep full jaw, his a huge impact on that flared nostrils tinged with delicate pink continues to this day. The Godolphin and the elaborate fringed he Arabian is universally recognized among

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1996 Qatar International Arabian Championships - Champion Colt 1997 US Egyptian Event - Reserve Supreme Champion Male 1997 US Egyptian Event - Champion Colt 1999 Qatar International Arabian Championships - Champion Stallion 1999 Middle East International Championships - Champion Senior Stallion 2000 Qatar International Arabian Championships - Reserve Champion Stallion 2001 Qatar International Arabian Championships - Reserve Champion Stallion 2001 World Arabian Horse Championships - Champion Stallion 2004 Qatar International Arabian Championships - Reserve Champion Stallion 2005 Scottsdale Arabian - Reserve Champion Stallion 2005 US National Arabian Championships - Reserve Champion Stallion

Arabian horse breeders, as well as of the Arabian horse and that it could horse breeders, as a true be used to improve their existing legend. herds. Soon European and American In the story, we learn that Shams was a breeders travelled to the deserts of the tribute or gift to the French King Louis Middle East and North Africa in search XV (15 February 10 – 1710 May 1774). of Arabian horses. Many of these early This was a common practice at the time imports became foundation horses. and one way in which the Arabian was A few truly elite individuals became introduced to horse breeders around legends and are remembered for their the world. Equine experts from Poland, important contributions even to this day. Germany, England and other countries In fact, more than 100 years later, the Gazal Al Shaqab Aachen 2017 presentation quickly recognized the superior qualities names of many of these early Arabian

horse legends appear in the pedigree of This is the lesson history provides; an one of the most influential sires of the objective perspective of thefacts and 21st century –Gazal Al Shaqab. accumulated data that show exactly In the early days of Arabian , what a horse has accomplished. In the there were no shows or competitions to past, it could take a very long time for prove a horse’s superiority. They were breeders to recognize the true impact tested on the battlefield and in the of a horse’s breeding career. However, breeding stables – it was the survival today we have the luxury of technology of the fittest. The success of Gazal Al that allows us to study the results of a Shaqab’s ancestors went far beyond any horse’s show and breeding career as show ring. Their greatest achievements it develops. It no longer takes decades were the contributions they made for us to recognize the significance of through their get, grand get and through an individual. We saw Gazal Al Shaqab their offspring. Thus, they influenced the crowned the National Champion Colt breed in a significant way and became of Qatar as a , his victory at the the legends we recognize today. Salon du Cheval where he was named

MORAFIC* NAZEER* SHAIKH AL BADI* gr 1956 MABROUKA* gr 1969 ARABIAN AHR*54456 BINT MAISA EL SAGHIRA* NAZEER* RUMINAJA ALI* b 1958 MAISA* gr 1976 ARABIAN AHR*134937 KHOFO* MORAFIC* BINT MAGIDAA* gr 1965 NABILAHH* gr 1970 ARABIAN AHR #62907 MAGIDAA* ALAA EL DIN* ANAZA EL FARID* ch 1964 MAYSA* b 1988 ARABIAN AHR #423140 NAZEER* MANSOUR* ANSATA IBN HALIMA* gr 1934 BINT SAMIHA* gr 15h 1958 ARABIAN (EG) HALIMA* SHEIKH EL ARAB* BINT DEENAA* b 1944 RAGIA* b 1979 ARABIAN AHR #200068 SAMEH* EL MOEZ* DEENAA* gr 1945 SAMEERA* b 1967 ARABIAN AHR 50733 DAHMA II* NAZEER* GAZAL gr 1950 FUTNA*

NEGATIW* NASEEM* AL SHAQAB NABORR* gr 14.1 1945 TARASZCZA* gr 14.2 1950 ARABIAN 2010 bay, stallion AHR #25472 LAGODNA POSEJDON* KABORR * gr 14.2 1939 OBRA* gr 15.1 1970 ARABIAN AHR #69270 ADIBIYEZ* ZITEZ*

BINT KHOLAMEH* b 1957 ADIBIYEH ch 14.3 1961 ARABIAN AHR #20176 KHOLAMEH WARDAMAR ALLA* KAJORA* ch 1949 KHOLEY* b 15.2 1979 ARABIAN AHR 224546 AQUINOR* MIECZNIK* EXELSJOR* gr 1951 AMNERIS* gr 14.2 1963 ARABIAN AHR 61010 ELEONORA* WITRAZ*

EDJORA* b 1944 ZMORA gr 1968 ARABIAN AHR 94009 PIETUSZOK* PRIBOJ* b 1954 TAKTIKA* EDESSA* b 1961 ARABIAN ELLORA* WITRAZ* b 1950 ELZA*

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BLOODLINE Champion Arabian Stallion of the World. those same qualities and traits with a We saw the emergence of Gazal’s sons good amount of consistency. Arabian and daughters and watched as they took horse expert Michael Byatt, who knows the world by storm winning national and Gazal Al Shaqab intimately, repeated international championships and then this statement when he spoke about producing their own champion sons and Gazal Al Shaqab, “An early indication daughters. With each generation, Gazal of Gazal’s strength was the fact that he Al Shaqab’s influence grows and at22 looked almost exactly like what I would years old he truly is a living legend of the expect from his pedigree. Physically, he Arabian breed. has the best qualities of his sire and his The Origins of the Legend Gazal Al dam, as well as recognizable traits from Shaqab I have often heard knowledgeable other horses in his pedigree. But he also breeders state that when they evaluate a possesses intangible qualities such as horse and project its possible breeding character, temperament, intelligence, ability they look to see how strongly kindness and heart. He truly is one of the individual resembles its pedigree. the nicest horses to be around and that If the horse’s physical characteristics is a quality I love. He is everything his closely match those of the animals pedigree says he should be – and more.” in its pedigree, then breeders believe If there was a star in the sky for every there is in fact a very high probability Arabian horse legend in Gazal Al that the horse will be able to reproduce Shaqab’s pedigree, the night would be as

2012 Mediterranean and Arab Countries Leading Sire 2012 Qatar International Arabian Horse Leading Sire 2011 World Arabian Horse Leading Sire 2011 Mediterranean & Arab Countries Leading Sire 2011 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show Leading Sire 2010 World Arabian Horse Leading Sire 2010 Qatar National Leading Sire 2010 Qatar International Arabian Leading Sire 2010 Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show Leading Halter Sire 2009 World Arabian Horse Leading Sire 2009 Qatar International Arabian Champion Stallion 2009 Qatar International Arabian Leading Sire 2008 World Arabian Horse Leading Sire 2008 World Arabian Horse Champion Senior Stallion 2008 All Nations Cup Champion Stallion 2007 World Arabian Horse Leading Sire 2005 US National Arabian Unanimous Champion Jr Stallion 2003 US National Arabian Unanimous Champion Jr Stallion 2003 Region 9 Unanimous Champion Junior Stallion 2002 World Arabian Horse Champion Colt 2002 European Arabian Champion Colt 2002 All Nations Cup Champion Colt 2001 World Arabian Horse Champion Colt 2001 Qatar International Arabian Champion Colt

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Marwan Al Shaqab

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Marwan Al Shaqab

bright as day. Gazal Al Shaqab’s sire was Nazeer, bred by the Royal Agricultural Anaza El Farid. Through Anaza El Farid, Society of Egypt, is considered the most Gazal inherited an incredibly strong sire important source of excellence in these line. Without exception, each stallion in bloodlines. Nazeer’s importance as a sire this line is recognized as a leading sire of significant sons and daughters cannot of the breed. The strongest line traces as be overstated. His contributions, as well follows: Gazal Al Shaqab, Anaza El Farid, as those of his offspring – including Ruminaja Ali, Shaikh Al Badi, Morafic, those that appear in the pedigree of Nazeer. This sire line obviously continues Gazal Al Shaqab – are well documented further, but for many contemporary and solidify Nazeer’s place of honor in breeders, the straight Egyptian stallion the history of the breed. Gazal’s pedigree

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Shakir El Marwan

Fai Al Shaqab Star Ghazal has five lines to the great Nazeer. are much more limited in the Genetic strength is not achieved number of offspring they can produce. exclusively through a strong sire line. Many of Gazal Al Shaqab’s paternal There must be a balance and the dams are among the most widely mares in Gazal Al Shaqab’s Egyptian recognized aristocratic mares of the heritage contribute their own legendary breed: Mabrouka, Maisa, Bint Maisa El excellence. This is indeed a rare Saghira, Magidaa, Bint Magidaa, Halima, phenomenon. It is almost impossible Dahma, Deena and Bint Deena - their for a to achieve the same level names create a melody of exotic beauty of stature as a stallion simply because and harmony of inner strength.

www.tuttoarabi.com - TUTTO ARABI | 243 Migracja, Gazal Al Shaqab x Mandala, 2012 Swedish National Show awarded 93.67 points. Bred and owned by Vicke Philip-Sörensen, Blommeröd Arabian Stud

Maranta, Gazal Al Shaqab x Margotka, 2012 Swedish National Show awarded 92 points. Bred and owned by Vicke Philip-Sörensen, Blommeröd Arabian Stud

There are two sides to every pedigree that of Gazal’s sire Anaza El Farid, but no and each is equally important. The sire less aristocratic. Kajora’s pedigree brings side of Gazal Al Shaqab’s pedigree is a potent combination of rich and robust straight Egyptian and brings with it the Russian, Polish and Crabbet bloodlines. strong, close ties to his desert origins. Historically, these lines have been Gazal Al Shaqab’s dam is the regal blended and overlapped to create U.S. National Champion Mare Kajora. masterpieces of living, breathing art. Her extraordinary beauty earned her a Kajora’s family members are valued for national championship title, but Kajora’s their aristocratic character, their bold ability as a broodmare brought her and graceful carriage, and their majestic international acclaim. beauty. Kajora’s pedigree is more diverse than Numerous in Gazal Al Shaqab’s

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Pianissima

Emandoria

Pinga

maternal line are found in the AHA Edessa, Ellora, Elza, El Zabibe, Karima, Arabian Horse Data Source list of Leading Rusalka, Polenta traces back eight Sires of the World including Kaborr, generations to the foundation mare Naborr, Negativ, and Witraz. Other Polenta, foaled in 1895 at the Chrestowka significant sires in Gazal’s maternal line Stud in Poland. Given Poland’s fractured that are universally recognized as legends history, it is nothing short of amazing of the breed include Priboj, Pietuszok, that the breeding of purebred Arabian Excelsjor and others. Kajora’s dams are horses continued so strongly. Today, the no less impressive. They contributed their Polish Arabian horse breeding program, lifeblood, which is rich in history that the oldest continuous program outside spans centuries of carefully selective the Middle East, has renewed and breeding. strengthened its ties to the Middle East The tail female line of Kajora, Edjora, through Gazal Al Shaqab.

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Glamour MI

Soul of Gazal

Jullye Al Gazal Bellissimo DPA BLOODLINE

NW Siensei Brixx IA

Many of Gazal Al Shaqab’s international Farid and his dam Kajora. Each of these ancestors were imported to the United horses is acknowledged throughout the States during the late 1950’s and Arabian horse community as individuals 1960’s by world renowned breeders of extraordinary quality and superior such as; Donald and Judi Forbis of breeding ability. Ansata Arabians, Douglas and Margaret Al Shaqab purchased the mare Kajora Marshall of Gleannloch Farms, Anne in February of 1994. She was a part of McCormick of McCormick Ranch, and Millfield Stables’ Gucci herd, which was Sheila Varian for Lloyd Bryant of Bryant being dispersed and managed by Michael Arabians. These and other American Byatt Arabians. During the same time, breeders used the imported horses with Michael was also managing the straight great success to create new legends of Egyptian stallion Anaza El Farid, owned the breed including Gazal Al Shaqab’s by the Farid Group. Michael was a ancestors Shaikh Al Badi, Ruminaja Ali member of the group and part owner of and Kaborr, as well as his sire Anaza El Anaza El Farid. Michael Byatt made the

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Laurence El Gazal (Gazal Al Shaqab x Lara El Ludjin)

Magora (Gazal Al Shaqab x Margotka) Shariba (Gazal Al Shaqab x Thee Rahiba)

divinely inspired choice to bring Kajora championship titles in the United States, and Anaza El Farid together. When Al Europe and the Middle East including Shaqab purchased Kajora, she was in foal five championship titles in Qatar. Perhaps and carrying an unimaginable treasure. one of the most poignant moments in On May 1995 ,15, Kajora foaled a Gazal’s show career came at the 2001 handsome bay colt; he was named Gazal Salon du Cheval in Paris, France when Al Shaqab. he was named World Champion Arabian Almost immediately, Gazal Al Shaqab Senior Stallion and his son, Marwan Al was a show ring sensation. His career, Shaqab was named World Champion which he began as a yearling, was stellar Arabian Junior Colt. with national, international and world As impressive as Gazal Al Shaqab’s show

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Hadidy Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab x White Silkk)

Sultan Al Zobara (Gazal Al Shaqab x Inra Al Shaqab) Ali Ghazali AA (Gazal Al Shaqab x The Vision HG)

ring achievements are, the trophies and Shaqab a true living legend. titles he has won express only the judges’ The goal of every Arabian horse breeder opinions. They selected him as champion is to create the absolute best horse for his conformational excellence. possible and to maintain that level of However, the opinions that matter most quality or improve upon it with each are those of breeders; they choose Gazal generation that follows. It’s almost Al Shaqab for his superior physical impossible to imagine a stallion of more traits as well as his breeding potential. extreme quality than Gazal Al Shaqab. His proven ability to sire offspring with The challenge was to use his exceptional exceptional type and quality, as well qualities to enhance those of the mares as genetic strength, has made Gazal Al he bred, to bring out the best in them,

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Truse

Barzan Al Shahania

Stival

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Trussardi

and to create an equal or even better Bey, by Ray Dor Echo and out of the Bey resulting offspring. Shah daughter Moonlite Bey. Star Ghazal Gazal Al Shaqab stood his first breeding was named the 2004 Canadian National season in 1997. The following year his Champion Stallion. first foal crop was somewhat small, but Today, Star Ghazal is owned by Tarrance impressive. It takes a leap of faith to and Jacqueline Floyd of Silver Lake use an unproven young stallion – but Arabians and stands at Shada Arabians, those early breeders were rewarded with Inc. Although Gazal’s first foals were outstanding foals. Among those first impressive, only time would tell how foals was Gazal’s first national champion they would mature. His second foal crop offspring; Star Ghazal, out of C Starlite in 1999 had just six registered foals and

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Ghasham Al Shaqab Amir Al Shaqab

although his foal crop the following year level of excellence. It didn’t take long was his smallest, it included his most for Marwan Al Shaqab to prove his successful offspring to date. Al Shaqab abilities. Marwan’s stunning success as selected their mare Little Liza Fame, by a show horse is totally eclipsed with his Fame VF, for Gazal Al Shaqab. The result achievements as a sire. was the great Marwan Al Shaqab, foaled The list of champions made by Marwan in 2000. Marwan’s unimaginable beauty Al Shaqab seems to be endless. and quality made believers from many of Marwan Al Shaqab’s champion offspring those who questioned if Gazal Al Shaqab are found in almost every country of the was capable of reproducing his own world. Their exceptional conformation glorious qualities – Marwan Al Shaqab earns them international acclaim and crushed any doubts. He is the son who their ability to consistently produce high crowned his father as king. quality foals proves they are valuable Marwan Al Shaqab’s show record breeding horses as well. Without includes the highest accolades in the question, Gazal Al Shaqab endowed his Arabian horse world with national and son Marwan with the gift of genetic international championship titles in greatness. In return, Marwan Al Shaqab every country he has been presented. and his offspring pay tribute to their He won the hearts of judges for his patriarch by increasing Gazal Al Shaqab’s beauty, conformation and charisma. global influence. Breeders also appreciated Marwan’s In 2001, Gazal Al Shaqab made qualities, but again they questioned if history. He was presented at the World he had the capacity to sire that same Championships at the Salon du Cheval BLOODLINE

Saiaf Al Shaqab Truli Prescious

Raghad Al Shaqab Ghalib Al Shaqab

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and was named World Champion shared his thoughts about Gazal Al Arabian Senior Stallion. His son, Marwan Shaqab. “What can I say other than that Al Shaqab, was named unanimous I am incredibly blessed to have Gazal in World Champion Arabian Junior Colt. It my world. He has enriched my life, and was an incredible achievement for both the lives of so many other people, in father and son. All eyes were on Gazal ways that I cannot describe or define”. Al Shaqab, including the representatives Al Shaqab, Member Qatar Foundation from the Polish State Studs. The directors is the owner of the great sire Gazal of the stud farms requested a lease Al Shaqab and will be the main force agreement and in 2002, Gazal Al Shaqab directing his future. Al Shaqab has was warmly welcomed to Poland. In become an international leader in the Poland Gazal left many gift as Pianissima Arabian horse community through the that recently passed away, Emandoria success of their breeding programs one of the best mare around the world, and through their contributions to the Pistoria and many others. Arabian horse community. We really For Michael Byatt, overseeing Gazal Al need to thanks the General Manager of Shaqab and his son, Marwan Al Shaqab, Al Shaqab HH Sheikh Hamad bin Ali Al is an honor, a privilege, a labor of love. Thani to give us the pleausure to have Michael is completely open about his stallions like Gazal Al Shaqab, Marwan Al feelings for these special stallions and Shaqab and all the Al Shaqab’s stallions

Wadee Al Shaqab

Gazala Al Shaqab

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Khahil Al Shaqab in our life. has sired other sons and daughters Al Shaqab has established one of the that are contributing their own unique most influential breeding programs in and valuable qualities to the Al Shaqab the world. It is a large responsibility to program. maintain that high level of success and Attention to detail, planning, constant to guide it forward into the future. evaluations, more planning, working, Gazal Al Shaqab has sired national and dreaming of new possibilities – a international champions for breeders breeders work is never done. The team around the world including his homeland. at Al Shaqab is totally dedicated and Gazal’s son Marwan Al Shaqab is his committed to continuing the legacy of most successful offspring, but Gazal their living legend – Gazal Al Shaqab.

www.tuttoarabi.com - TUTTO ARABI | 255 Sarab Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab x Sharifa Al Shaqab) Farasha Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab x SWF Valancia)

Gazala Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab x Evening Starr) Hadidy Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab x White Silkk)

Haifa Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab x WN Sixofhearts) Thamamah Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab x Thourayah Al Shaqab) GAZAL AL SHAQAB offsprings Salamah Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab x Marieta Al Shaqab) Marwa Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab x Little Liza Fame)

Marwan Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab x Littel Liza Fame) Saiaf Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab x Venetzia)

Jenan Al Shaqab Tahfa Al Shaqab Khisal Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab x Aliaa Al Shaqab) (Gazal Al Shaqab x Little Liza Fame) (Gazal Al Shaqab x Balqais Al Shaqab) GAZAL AL SHAQAB offsprings BLOODLINE 22 YEARS OF MY LIFE and my best son Marwan... memory can’t never be forgotten

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