Al Rayyan Story By Jeff Wallace A backwardness and lack of cultural achievements, coupled with a general decline, are the signs we connect with a part of history referred to as the Middle Ages; a phrase was coined to describe this unique period, the Dark Age, a particular time in history characterized simply as a period of intellectual darkness, but followed by the immensely influential classical era, known as the «Light of Rome.» These words, “the middle,” describe the story of Al Rayyan farm… not the beginning and certainly not the end. This is the story of the creation of one of the finest collections of straight Egyptian Arabians in breed history. It is also into the pedigrees makes it easily clear HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani a story layered with exquisite, yet that someone invested a lot of thought with Al Adeed Al Shaqab imperfect circumstances, within the into breeding such a remarkable passion and living art form of horse herd of silver shimmering mares of breeding. ethereal type. However, after a dark, tumultuous, transitional period, HH Like historiography, breeding Arabian Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the horses is a living process. After the end Father Emir, took over the stud farm of the Dark Age, the rise of the Italian in 2014. He didn’t hesitate to appoint Renaissance began. When thinking Sheikh Hamad bin Ali Al Thani as of Al Rayyan Farm in this sense, HH director, and within a heartbeat there Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Khalid Al Thani was light again. laid an amazing foundation for a straight Egyptian breeding program Just how special the Arabian horse is in the late 1980s and bought the best to Sheikh Hamad can be easily seen at he could get. Today, it is by far one Al Rayyan Farm, where today, he has of the most marvelous collections of rung in a new age, shaped by changes Egyptian Arabians worldwide. A look and achievements. 22 • Desert Heritage Magazine DARINE AL RAYYAN (Ashhal Al Rayyan x Aisha) 2002 Grey Mare Desert Heritage Magazine • 23 24 • Desert Heritage Magazine DARINE AL RAYYAN (Ashhal Al Rayyan x Aisha) 2002 Grey Mare Talk to Sheikh Hamad about Al Adeed Halim Shah, while Ashhal Al Rayyan Al Shaqab and you will immediately carries several crosses to this stallion of feel the special bond between man global greatness. Al Adeed also offers and stallion. It’s not because Sheikh the blood of *Morafic and *Magidaa Hamad calls him “his boy.” It’s the through his maternal grandsire, way he speaks about him. “This is the Ruminaja Ali. Once again, both stallions most perfect Arabian stallion for me have had an enormous influence in in the flesh; a living incarnation,” says straight Egyptian and non-straight Hamad. “And, that he is one of the few Egyptian breeding. At Al Rayyan, it is Ansata Halim Shah sons born in Qatar in the blending of these two towers of also makes him special. That’s why power that some of the most exquisite I was always very jealous of Ashhal foals have been born to a renewed and Al Rayyan, because he was a strong world renowned breeding program, competitor for Al Adeed at the shows thereby making the future look like one and in breeding. Now the situation has full of triumphant highs. changed completely! I am proud to be associated with Ashhal and to have The Foundation Mares – World Class his marvelous get in a program that I Treasures Inside Al Rayyan oversee because the blend of Al Adeed The priceless foundation of Al Rayyan Al Shaqab and Ashhal Al Rayyan is lies within the magnificent mare simply magnificent.” families so carefully crafted by founder Sheikh Abdulaziz during the 1990s. Both stallions, now legendary sires, Today, under the direction of Sheikh have a strong connection through Hamad bin Ali Al Thani, these families Ansata Halim Shah, a stallion that Judi continue to thrive, solidifying the Forbis says was the greatest breeding finest future for the farm. We present stallion she ever made. Al Adeed Al you a focus of five world class mares, Shaqab is a direct son of the great treasures of today and tomorrow. Desert Heritage Magazine • 25 NAWAAL AL RAYYAN (Ansata Sokar x Nadrah Al Rayyan in foal to Al Adeed Al Shaqab SULIMA AL RAYYAN (Ashhal Al Rayyan x Selma Al Rayyan) in foal to Hilal al Nakeeb 26 • Desert Heritage Magazine [“The most precious gold to be found Nawaal Al Rayyan (Ansata Sokar x RAYYANA A LALIA on earth is the Arabian mare.” | Dr. Nadrah Al Rayyan by Ashhal Al Rayyan (Ashhal Al Rayyan x Asrar Al Rayyan) Marsafi] to Ansata Bint Bukra through Ansata Nefer Isis) Rayyana Al Alia (Ashhal Al Rayyan x Asrar Al Rayyan by Al Adeed Al Shaqab The Essence of Al Rayyan – Sheikh to Ansata Delilah through Ansata Hamad Samantha) If you look at Sheikh Hamad while he is speaking to you, you easily feel Darine Al Rayyan (Ashhal Al Rayyan x the truth deep inside his words, as Aisha by Ansata Halim Shah to Haman he speaks from the heart. For him, through Ghazala) breeding is about listening to subtle intuition. It is important, he will say, to Sulima Al Rayyan (Ashhal Al Rayyan know when to make changes in your x Selma Al Rayyan by Al Adeed Al program, as current type and style will Shaqab to Ansata Delilah though take a different direction every few Ansata Samantha) years. “As breeders we need to feel the Desert Heritage Magazine • 27 STUD FAHAD AL RAYYAN (Faress Al Baydaa x Tahadeel) standing at Luca Oberti Arabians nudge of time and change, and sense to win constantly,” Sheikh Hamad says the important relationship between with deep respect. “He is someone that these two factors” takes his wins, and says thank you, and in return, takes his losses without “Life should be fun and playful,” is one getting angry. Sheikh Nawaf has done a statement from Sheikh Hamad, and lot for Qatar and a tremendous amount “breeding is a feeling and always from for the Arabian horse in this country. the heart” is another. He is truly a humble man who just does good things without talking about it.” “Breeding horses is also like drilling for oil – you just do it, until you find it” “I have known Michael Byatt for 30 years says a smiling Hamad. now. In the early years of managing Al Shaqab Stud, we accomplished many “In the beginning, I learned a great things together, and still share a tremendous amount from Sheikh very deep bond of friendship. Michael Nawaf. He is not a fierce competitor, has an amazing eye and is more of a but a quiet leader who doesn’t run friend than a business associate; he around at a show to figure out how has my full confidence. We understand 28 • Desert Heritage Magazine Desert Heritage Magazine • 29 MAJDAH AL Rayyan (Ashhal Al Rayyan x Maida bint Bint Mohssen) immediately what the other is thinking, A Nod From the Past – Bart Van in foal to Hilal al Nakeeb and create success easily together Buggenhout because of the synergy that exists “I am forever grateful and full of love 2015 between us.” toward the horses of Al Rayyan. I Qatar National remain their biggest fan. It is success Silver Champion Mare While other famous straight Egyptian that I wish the team of Sheikh Hamad farms use non-straight stallions and Santiago, as well as wishing for on their mares, Sheikh Hamad is them the joy and happiness that my 14 absolutely clear when making this years at Al Rayyan brought to me. point for the present and future of Al Rayyan. “I would never do that!” he My respect will always be with says emphatically. “It is not nice to Sheikh Abdulaziz and his entire rollover the work of Sheikh Abdulaziz, family, including many friends of as his intention was always to maintain those throughout the Middle East a straight Egyptian program. Therefore, who also love the horses of Al I would never disrespect his wishes.” Rayyan Farm.” 30 • Desert Heritage Magazine Mayassa AL NASSER (Ansata Hejazi x Bint Saida The Heartbeat of Al Rayyan – Santiago team leader has such an infectious al Nasser) Fornieles spirit, it’s contagious! It’s more than a “I think Sheikh Hamad has the humility team. It’s family, both symbolically and to hear what horses are saying. That is literally.” the reason I love heading up his team. Every day I learn something new, and However Long the Night, The dawn will every conversation we have about break and start anew. breeding is an intellectual challenge The beginning of a mixed blood for me. When my WhatsApp sounds, program. I know Sheikh Hamad is wanting to share a new and brilliant breeding idea, An exposition of artistic, cultural and and in return, shows me the respect social dynamism, coupled with an of listening to what I think about his inventive genius, mark the Modern Era fresh new idea. Let’s face it, he bred of history. Marwan Al Shaqab, Gazal Al Shaqab and Al Adeed Al Shaqab. So when a As Sheikh Hamad honors the efforts Desert Heritage Magazine • 31 RASHEED AL RAYYAN (Ansata Nile Echo x RN Farida) DURRA AL RAYYAN (Ashhal Al Rayyan x Dana Al Rayyan) 32 • Desert Heritage Magazine JAWAHER AL RAYYAN (Ashhal Al Rayyan x Jalila Al Rayyan) and purist visions of Sheikh Abdulaziz side, coupled with his full embrace of before him, within the straight equine romantic fantasy, and lastly, Egyptian collection of Al Rayyan Farm, his true sense of inventive genius, will the time has now come to venture out open not only a new chapter of Al and create a world-class mixed blood Rayyan, but will beautifully broaden breeding program of its own.