Upcoming series about influential Middle Eastern horsemen
Since this blog is not just about horses but also but the people who breed them, I am thinking of starting a new series on some of the twentieth century most influential yet most controversial horsemen of the Middle East. It will likely include the following horsebreeders who were also noted political and social figures in their times — horsebreeding and horseracing being a privilege of this region’s elite: Henri Bey Pharaon (of El Nasser fame, among others); Ahmad Ibish (of *Exochorda fame, among others), H.H. al-Sharif Nasser bin Jamil (of *El Dhabi fame) and Dr. Iskandar Kassis. I will omit a fourth influential figure, H.H. Prince Mansour ibn Abdul Aziz Al Saud for now. A fair and comprehensive treatment of these important characters will need some thorough research, on top of what I already know about them, so this is more like a medium term project. Stay tuned.
Sounds like very interesting idea , breeders play essential role for horses . and it would be great to know not only about ” V.I.P ” breeders , but also about others .
Why not Abdul Aziz ibn al Sa’ud? You know he is the breeder of my foundation mare so I would love to hear what you have found and had to say about him. Maybey his own article?
Thanks,
Samantha
Great idea. I’m sure we will think of additional breeders in the future. Looking forward to seeing them here.
Yeah, Edouard how come Mansour bin Abdul Aziz is being not covered, as it were. After all lots of your readers have his horses genetics in them. Also it seems to me just from a using horse- conformation point of view the Saudi Desertbreds have a lot to offer as improvement stock for the U.S. WAHO horses
Prince Mansour was the son of the founder of the Kingdom, King Abdul-Aziz, and the brother of the current king. He raced horses in Beirut, in the 1960s and the 1970s, and was a member of the Beirut racetrack committee board. He owned a stable in the Biqaa valley of Lebanon, where a lot of anglo-arab horses were produced, many of them sired by an English Thoroughbred stallion nicknamed “Tabush”. Many of these horses raced in Beirut, and some found their way back to Saudi Arabia, where they helping creating a “local” breed of part-bred horses different of the desert-bred Arabian horses which all of us love and which some of us breed (e.g., straight desert). I am not ready to write about it because i don’t know much more than that. Well, I know a little more, but I am still not ready to talk about it now. Suffice it to say that Mansour was not as committed to breeding pure Arabian horses the way other members of his family were. But he was certainly an influential figure.
This should be a fascinating topic. I love controversy, the villagers gathering at the gates, with axes, flaming torches, and pitch forks. I will get popcorn ready and a soft drink or two.
“Young Dr. Frankenstein,” is right up there for the proper setting for such a topic.
Lorriee
Looks like a great topic; hope I will have a chance soon to get back on here and learn more! While we’re mentioning names, the only one that I’m at all familiar with and not sure whether it fits here or not, but I would love to learn more about King Hussein of Jordan. Is it true that he did a lot for the Arabian horse in that country? Also, I couldn’t find a contact place on this site, so hope you don’t mind me asking you here if you would do me the honor of looking at my website. It’s not very good, but I really love horses and would really appreciate your thoughts on it. Thanks and have a great day!
Lorriee, you are just flat-out dangerous!
So I gather that some of the Saudi Royals breed Asils, and some breed Wahos’ and Anglo-Arabs. But I can’t help but think that when new breeds are created by using Asils crossed on other lines that since the resulting horses have proven to be sound useful stock the breeders should not be keeping secrets. Instead they should do like the Hungarians did and openly state that yes these Shagyas are not purebreds they range from say 70 to 90% arabian and we bred them for the purpose of developing a three day event horse, or endurance horse, that a 5’10” rider will be able to comfortably ride. If people are open and honest about their stock and their preferences then it should suffice for them to simply acknowledge that all of what an observer can see in their horse is right smack dab in front of their eyes
no more- no less.
best wishes
Bruce Peek
Lorrie,
if I were english I would have used the same language lol
Can’t wait until this discussion will start!
Hi Wanangwa,
I just came back from a long visit to your website and have now bookmarked it for future enjoyment. I think it’s a marvelous site, filled with fascinating information. Thanks for the link.
Elena
Pitchforks and flaming torches aside, I’m really looking forward to this series of articles.
ooouch..
Edouard,
Help!! What did I say?? 🙁
I think Edouard is commenting on the idea of pitchforks & flaming torches, LOL.