And Along Comes
Wadee Al Shaqab
As his older brother Kahil Al Shaqab settles into his new quarters at Janow Stud in Poland, with dozens of mares in his book for this year’s lease, Wadee will carry the banner for Al Shaqab in Europe’s showrings. Already 2012 Qatar International Gold Champion Colt, Al Khalediah Silver Champion Colt, and 2011 Qatar National Gold Champion Colt, Wadee invites comparison to his sire and brother. b y
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ever has a sire stamped his stock like the illustrious Marwan Al Shaqab, and his 2010 son Wadee Al Shaqab (x OFW Mishaahl by Mishaah) is no
exception. In many ways he’s a typical Marwan son. He enters the ring with that trademark, ‘Here I am. I own this place, it’s my dynasty,’ attitude. He sports the rich bay coat, stunning neck with that lovely throatlatch and hooky angle. But if it’s possible he might even have a prettier face than his sire, capped with a neat little muzzle. His 2008 full brother Kahil Al Shaqab has enjoyed a string of impressive wins, culminating in Paris with the 2011 World Gold Champion Junior Colt title along with the highest score of the show and best head. Most gratifying to the Shaqab team is the fact that Kahil represented the third generation of Al Shaqab breeding to be crowned as World Champion — his grandsire Gazal Al Shaqab was World Champion Stallion in 2001, and his sire Marwan Al Shaqab was twice Champion Colt, and was Champion Stallion in 2008. “Even today, I cannot really explain the satisfaction and pride I feel about Kahil’s accomplishment,” says Al Shaqab show and breeding manager Mohammed Al Sulaiti. “Many years and a great deal of effort by myself and my team were dedicated to breeding a great son of Marwan, so the lease of Kahil to Janow Podlaski this year, and being awarded World Champion in Paris was the culmination of an incredible year for Kahil, and many years of dedication by the Al Shaqab team, present and past. Trainer Giacomo Capacci and his staff must also be credited for their unwavering support of and dedication to Kahil.”
Above and facing page: Wadee Al Shaqab (Marwan Al Shaqab x OFW Mishaahl by Mishaah).
During the 2011 All Nations Cup in Aachen, Kahil caught the eye of Dr. Marek Trela, Director of Poland’s Janow Stud, and talks between the two stud farms began. After Dr. Trela’s visit to Al Shaqab during the WAHO conference and a look at the first Kahil foals, a lease agreement was made. Jerzy Bialobok, Director of Michalow Stud, also expressed admiration for Kahil and his desire to incorporate Kahil into the Michalow program in a significant way. As a result Michalow procured forty breedings, and Kahil is also available to all Polish breeders during his lease to Janow Podlaski. “As for the next generation, Gazala Al Shaqab (by Gazal Al Shaqab) foaled a truly outstanding Kahil colt in 2011,” says Mohammed Al Sulaiti. “This colt is very special and closely resembles the look, refinement, extreme type, and elegance of Wadee Al Shaqab. We have high hopes for this yet-to-be-named colt.” In the meantime, all eyes will be on Wadee this year. “There is very little difference,
particularly at the same age, between Kahil and Wadee,” notes Mohammed. “They both share Marwan’s kind and gentle character along with his showring exuberance. Their elder sister, Entesar Al Shaqab, is chestnut and exhibits a slightly different look but the same level of quality that is consistent throughout the family.” Just as older siblings must pave the way for the younger, Kahil had to work a bit to prove he was a worthy member of his family. “He was observed and judged from a distance,” notes Mohammed. “Wadee has been accepted more readily grasso photo
on his few outings, and I welcome anyone interested in him to come and meet him and get to know him the way we know Gazal, Marwan, and Kahil. I expect that through personal access to his endearing character, Wadee will provide a bridge to understanding not just the accomplishments of his sire
and those of their get have collectively raised the standard for
line, but their temperaments and character as well, important
the Arabian breed.
characteristics for every breeder to consider. “And certainly, we are looking to Wadee to perpetuate the
“Like Kahil, Wadee is among the most promising Al Shaqab-bred representatives of this third generation. We have
sire line forward in a positive way while maintaining the look
high hopes for Wadee and we will do our best to help him fulfill
and style of Marwan.
his potential.”
“The Al Shaqab horses are shown as a way to measure our
Looking at the embarrassment of riches that exists in the Al
breeding choices and direction against the breeding programs of
Shaqab stallion lineup, one suspects it won’t be long before we
others,” continues Mohammed. “I believe in the value of Gazal
see a four-generation chain of world champions … and odds are
and Marwan. Their accolades and reproductive contributions
it will be a handsome bay who dares you to look away.