Ahmed Mabrouk on the Ubayyan horses at Ibn Jalawi in East Arabia in 1936
The following are excerpts from the RAS Dr. Ahmed Mabrouk’s book “A Journey to Arabia”, pertaining to his visit to Eastern Arabia in 1936:
[King Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia] gave me two recommendations, one to H.H. Prince Seoud Ibn Galawi, Ruler of El-Ehsa […]. The well known hospitality of H.M. The King and his Governors in Arabia was evident in H.H. Prince Ibn Galawi. In the Prince’s stables, near his private palace, I saw about 80 horses. These I believe ar the most pedigreed in Arabia owing to their concentration in a limited spot and the conseuqent exclusion of any outside blood. Nevertheless, I do not consider them bedouin bred horses but stable bred like those in Egypt […]. Photographs and descriptions of some of these horses follow.
Among the stallions he noted, there were three of the ‘Ubayyan strain, two bays (one dark) and a chestnut; he also noted two ‘Ubayyan bay colts; two ‘Ubayyah mares, one a safra (light grey) the other a hamra (bay). Other strains he saw horses from include Krayaan (which he wrote was a branch of the Krush), Harqan, Krush, Musinn, and Kuhaylan (no details), and Hamdani. Mabrouk also noted the horses markings, and appended his comments on most horses. This should make it easier to identifiy the horses in his pictures, but I have not done that.
Note that the same Saud Ibn Jalawi gifted *Mahraa to Esther Ames a few years later. Mahraa was born in 1943, seven years after Mabrouk’s visit.
…and there was a question as to Mahraa’s ancestry or asil status. I do believe you will prove that ludicrous. Ive seen the result of Mahraa inclusion in a pedigree especially t.f.
nothing but class and beauty
I personally think the FTSM are uneven. Some are pictures of balance and beauty (like your bay and grey stallions) and the others are off. Not sure why, I think those who are throwbacks to Exochorda look more plain.
I welcome your comments wholeheartedly Edouard. I will be obtaining conformation photos of all the horses this spring (or earlier) with sire and dams. You can give me your opinions on them. I do not want to breed uneven horses. I want to breed authentic ones that move and work as such.
Oh now I understand this comment Edouard! So sorry I misunderstood!
oh, I certainly was not talking about your horses. I like your horses very much. I was talking more about the FTSM population in general, and my own in particular
FTSM = horses that trace to Fadl Turfa Sirecho Muhaira only.