MIR BASIT HUSSAIN

DOHA

THE pure bred Arabian horses of Al Shaqab have once again proved to the world that they are the products of one of the best farms in the world. In Menton, France, Al Shaqab again lived up to its reputation by pulling off more successes with its shining performance in the Mediterranean & Arab Countries Arabian Horse Championship.

Galloping under inspiring guidance of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani and the umbrella of Qatar Foundation, Al Shaqab bagged the coveted Gold Medal Junior Male Crown through Wadee Al Shaqab in the two-day event in Menton on Saturday and Sunday.

Moreover, Al Shaqab, which had fielded seven of its best performers, claimed the Gold Yearling Male through Sultan Al Shaqab and Marwan Al Shaqab bagging the Leading Sire Award in the show for the sixth time in a row. The dominant display also fetched Al Shaqab the Best Breeder/Owner’s Title as well. This was the second successive show after US Egyptian Event in which Al Shaqab was declared the Best Breeder.

Another significant achievement was sewn up by Venetzia Al Shaqab, the twotime Reserve World Champion. Venetzia was picked for the Silver Senior Female award.

Marsal Al Shaqab also produced a sterling performance and claimed the Bronze Yearling Male after winning his split of the Yearling Male class.

Rose Al Shaqab and Jenan Al Shaqab, the daughters of world famous Marwan Al Shaqab and Gazal Al Shaqab respectively, scored high enough to finish amongst the top five in their championships. Rose contested in the Junior Female category, while Jenan took part in the Yearling Female class.

Son of three-time World Champion Marwan Al Shaqab and full brother of 2011 World Champion Kahil Al Shaqab, Wadee was expected to raise its performance bar and he more than lived up to that confidence.

He not only turned out to be the Highest Scoring Male, but was also declared the Best in the Show (male).

Al Shaqab Breeding and Show Manager, Mohammed al Sulaiti, heaped praises on the Al Shaqab entries for doing so well, by saying: “This was a very important show for us and we are more than pleased with the great results. Our horses put up great shows, and we were overwhelmed by all of the titles we won. Wadee Al Shaqab performed like a true champion, and with him on our side we can look forward with great anticipation to the World Championships in December.

“Our senior mare Venetzia came out just as beautiful and elegant horse as she is known all over the world.

Sultan Al Shaqab was an exciting result. At only nine months, this colt was also the youngest horse in the entire show. He is one of the first offspring of our young stallion Amir Al Shaqab to enter the show area, and we wait eagerly to see what the future holds for him.” Being presented in Europe for the first time, Wadee, a 2010 colt, emerged as a revelation by sweeping his class. This was another magnificent step forward by Wadee in his journey to stardom, as it has already won the Gold Champion Colt at the Qatar International Show and Silver Champion Colt at the Kheladiah International Arabian Festival in Saudi Arabia earlier this year.

RESULTS Wadee Al Shaqab - Gold Medal Junior Male, Highest Scoring Male and Best in Show Male Sultan Al Shaqab - Gold Medal Yearling Male Venetzia - Silver Medal Senior Female Marsal Al Shaqab - Bronze Medal Yearling Male Rose Al Shaqab - Top 5 Junior Female Jenan Al Shaqab - Top 5 Yearling Female Al Shaqab - Best Breeder/Owner Marwan Al Shaqab - Best Sire of Show