A blog on desert arabian horses, past, present and future
Today I found the following note in the 1935 book of Prince Mohammed Ali. It is an excerpt from the Abbas Pasha Manuscript (or one of its drafts), on a mare of the Jilfan Dhawi strain acquired by Abbas Pasha: The intensely black Jilfah Dahwa mare of the Fid’an, owned by Nasir al-Wayil of Shammar, … Read more
Photos sourced from Le Sport Universel Illustré, no. 906, 21 December 1913 Helwan (Mesaoud x Hilmyeh). He is registered in Vol. 20 of the General Stud Book (GSB), issued in 1905. He was sold to C. E. Poole, of Caledon, South Africa, and exported in 1907. Poole used him on his part-bred Cleveland mares, and Helwan had … Read more
Today Kate found my Holy Graal. Two of my Holy Graals. Ever since I was 12, I have been wanting to see photos of the two fountainhead mares of Algerian Arabian horse breeding, at the Jumenterie of Tiaret: the two mares Olympe and Primevere. Robert Mauvy’s precious gem of a book, “Le Cheval Arabe” has … Read more
I just miss beautiful photos of Davenport mares and stallions, so I went digging among the old ones. I am particularly fond of chestnuts with blazes, long pricked ears, broad foreheads, protruding eye sockets and beautiful soulful eyes like Decibel CF.
روى سليمان العزو السليمان الفيحان من قبيلة الشرابين تجاوز الستين من العمر عن تاريخ قدوم الخلّاوية الى أهله قال: درجت الخلّاوية الى جد أبي اسمه فيحان منذ ما يقارب 180 عام من اعنزا حيث حدثت مشاجرة بين الرعاة من اعنزا والشرابين على المراعي حوالي منطقة جبل سنجار وفي هذه المشاجرة أُصيب رجل من الشرابين وبعد … Read more
Marwah had these magical soulful eyes and long eyelashes. She was small, but built like a tank. Both photos from Marwa’s owner Basil Jadaan. The strain belongs to Hasan ibn Amud who led the Amud clan of the Northern Shammar, but traces to the Jadraniyat mares of the Frijah clan of the Ruwalah. The Frijah … Read more
Basil Jadaan’s gorgeous foundation mare Marwah, a Saqlawiyah Jadraniyah of the marbat of Ibn ‘Amud from the Shammar, pictured here with the late Najm al-Himmayri. Najm’s day job was “horseman”, or “horse expert”. Marwah was the dam of Hijab (by Ward al-Mayel), exported to France and the maternal grandam of the French-bred Syrian stallion Menjad … Read more
Fawaz al-Rajab passed away last week. The news of his passing saddened me greatly, perhaps because he was directly connected to my family’s story with horses. Fawaz was one of Syria’s very last hassanah, (in Arabic حصانة, “men of horses”). Part merchants, part experts, part brokers, part stallion handlers, but never breeders nor owners, the … Read more
Register here to attend, if you can.
وقعت عيناي على حجة باسم جهيم المطخان يفيد بها ان ام الفحل الشهير كروش جهيم المعروف باسمه هي كروش محمد النواف الجربا مما يعني ان كروش جهيم يرد الى فرس علي العبد الرزاق الجربا التي وردت مع امه العمشة اثر رجوعها من حائل حيث اقامت عدة سنوات في ضيافة ابن رشيد وقد اتى ابن … Read more
Seven years after this post, it’s time to say goodbye to Ginger (DA Ginger Moon, photo below). She went to Bev Davison, who had been keeping her for me for some time. Bev now has quite a collection of horses with high percentage Abbas Pasha blood from the dam lines of both Gulida and Rabanna, … Read more
This interesting 2019 article from Aramco Expat is an obituary of sorts for John Ames, an early (pre-World War II) Aramco employee. He was the husband of Dr. Esther Ames, who imported the Ubayyah mare *Mahraa and her daughter *Muhaira to the USA. The following exceprt struck me: John was married to Esther – Esther … Read more
This handsome stallion, a personal favorite of mine, born in 1988, is the sire of the flee-bitten Kuhaylat Ibn Mizhir mare that many of you liked in the entry below. He was one of the last stallions the Tai Bedouins used as a herdsire, in the village of al-Na’em, where some Tai had settled. This … Read more
تُعتبر كحيلة ابن مزهر من الارسان الحديثة وهي بالأصل كروش بطحها رجل من الجوالة من قبيلة طي يُقال له حماد الاسيود الخابور من رجل من الفدعان يُقال له ابن ماضي ثم اخذها من الجوالي ابن مزهر من اقارب شيخ طي انذاك محمد العبدالرحمن العساف توفّي نهاية اربعينيات القرن العشرين وهو الذي أطلق عليها اسم كحيلة … Read more
I have to admit that this mare has always been a favourite of mine, ever since I saw her at my first endurance ride at the age of sixteen. One of her owners, Mr. Paul Kotzé of Diepsand Stud, sent me some screenshots of her, that I will replace when I receive the photos. The … Read more
The hujjah published by Rousseau, in 1813, in Fundgruben des Orients, vol. 3, was printed by the journal both in Arabic, and translated into French. I reproduce both versions here below. “Au nom de Dieu, clément et miséricordieux, de qui nous attendons, toute assistance et secours.” “Le prophète dit: mon peuple ne se réunira jamais pour affirmer … Read more
The works of the Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt (1784-1817) were published after his death, by the African Association. The book in which this hujjah is found, Notes on the Bedouins and Wahábys, was the last of his books to be published, in 1831. The subject of the hujjah is a Saqlawi colt, out of a … Read more
Below is the text of a hujjah from the early eighteenth century. It was published in Thomas Pennant’s 1776 British Zoology. Note that the English consul was already aware of the fact that proof of ancestry was needed to confirm that a horse was truly an Arab. The horse that is the subject of this hujjah … Read more
The photo below shows the three mares (from left) Sachida, Sadana and Sandara, daughter, dam, and granddam, at Marbach in 1992. Photo purchased from In The Focus. Sachida’s pedigree. Sachida had nine registered foals, five of whom were asil fillies. These were: Sarina, 1993 grey mare, by Nami Saadawi, 1995 grey mare, by Nami Sabita, … Read more
يقول حماد الجدوع الجزعة سمعتُ من أبي يقول الصگلاوية الجدرانية التي عندنا بالأصل لآل غبين شيوخ الفدعان من اعنزا وقدا أهدوا فرس الى ابن اختهم ضاري ابن محمود شيخ زوبع من شمر في ثورة العشرين في العراق جَلى ابن محمود الى الجزيرة السورية لأنّه كان احد القادة للثورة وجلبَ معه مجموعة من الخيل ضمنها الصكلاوية … Read more
DeWayne Brown visited the horses at Terry and Rosemary Doyle’s farm in Alfalfa, OR the other day. He sent me these two pictures of my Ma’naqi Sbayli colt Shaykh Al Arab (Tamaam DE x DaughterofthePharaohs by Chatham DE), who is now 15 months old. He has many barn names: Terry calls him Naj, Rosemary calls … Read more
This is the year I have planned the most breeding since 2006. Five mares were bred or about to be bred. Of these three are going to Davenport stallions: Andre DL, Anecdote CF, and Monologue CF. 1/ CSA Baroness Lady to the Da’jani stallion from Syria (planned) 2/ Wadha Al Arab to Monologue CF (in … Read more
Jens Sannek sent me this message, a few days ago: In Germany Falko Zimmermann bred the mare Murjana, a Saglawieh Jedranieh Ibn Sudan via Ghazieh, born 2012, bay, by Menjad Maram al Baida (Mokthar x Hijab) out of Assads Galifah (Maamoon Tarik x Gazeera (Sindbad x Golson)). Sindbad is by Hadban Enzahi out of Sahmet … Read more
This is the stallion I am going to breed my mares to this year. I chose him because of his extreme arched neck, his extreme throat latch, his extreme high set tail, his extreme muzzle, the extreme black skin around his eyes, and above all else, his extreme floating action. Wish me extreme luck.
Susanne Schreibvogel published these two photos, along with a short article in Arabische Pferde Des 92 – Feb 93 after she payed a visit to Sidi Thabet. I’ve added a translation of the photo captions. “Mourad M’Barek, Sidi Thabet’s director, with one of the two-year-old arabian mares.” “The twenty-year-old, Tunisian-bred, chief sire Dynamite III by … Read more
Monologue CF still looks his same old self at 20. If anything his eyes look even more bulging with age. I like the balance on this horse so much, and I wish he was used more. Wadha is in foal to him. I think I will breed him to Barakah next. Because of his high … Read more
By far the nicest surprise of yesterday’s visit to see my horses was little Bassma Al Arab, now three months old. She is Belle’s daughter by Jamr Al Arab. She looks absolutely superb, and I hope she lives long enough to fulfill her promise. She is going to be grey. I confess having taken that … Read more
I was pleased to see how my 2016 mare Barakah Al Arab (Wadd Al Arab x Jadah BellOfTheBall) had developed over the past two and a half years. I left her a gangly two year old, and she has filled up since. She certainly has some more growing to do. Wadd improved the shoulder angle … Read more
Yesterday I went to see my horses for the first time since the onset of COVID-19 some two and a half years ago. Belle the Kuhaylat al-Ajuz looks good and has had two fillies in the last four years. Both fillies are an improvement over her, in terms of balance and structure. I am going … Read more
The dry, arid climate and terrain of the South Western USA are much closer to that of the steppes of Arabia than the wetter climate and more lush pastures of, say, the mid-Atlantic region or the plains of the Midwest. I have observed that these drier conditions are resulting in Arabian horses that look much … Read more
WhatsApp and Twitter threads of Gulf countries Arab horse and saluki breeders are spreading the news of the passing of Danah Al Khalifah of natural causes, the day before yesterday. Rest in Peace, noble lady of the horses, you have done so much.
Some more of what I received from Tunisia. I’ve added the pedigree information I could find. (That in and of itself is a caveat). Kesseb (Sibawaih x Remada, by Cheikh El Ourbane) Mezerib Loubieh (Bouq x Eqbatane, by Ihalli)
Jens Sannek sent me these three photos of a stallion of his breeding in Europe. The bloodlines lines are absolutely unique in Europe. Ajman (Maamoun Tarik x Bint Aja by Mirath x Aja by El Haml) is a 1996 liver chestnut of the Hamdani Simri strain that traces to the *Halwaaji, a mare of Saud … Read more
Hopefully this time is the right time. Last time she slipped her foal at five months. She will be taking progesterone until she delivers. I can’t wait for this foal.
شكر وتقدير للاستاذ خالد الرخلاني الذي جهد في ادخال بيانات انساب الخيول العربية السورية على قاعدة www.allbreedpedigree.com
I received this photo from a friend in Tunisia, taken at Sidi Thabet. Kesseb (Sibawaih x Remada, by Cheikh El Ourbane) This is the only information that I could find, for what it’s worth.
Bev saved him. She really did.
This account was recorded in early 2021. It reads like a testimony in the Abbas Pasha Manuscript. My translation: I, Hammad Jaddu’ al-Jaz’ah, of the tribe of Tai, the clan of al-Jawwalah, am the owner of the strain of Saqlawi Dari, the horses of Jaddu’ al-Jaz’ah, in the town of Abu Hujairah, in the district … Read more
Yesterday Ginger foaled a little male, who as of this morning was still fighting for his life. He could not stand to nurse on his own, so Bev — bless her heart — has been waking up every two hours to lift him so he could nurse. I hope he pulls off. He is Ginger’s … Read more
فرس شقراء كحيلة الخدلية يعود مربطها الى عضيب الوقاع السبيعي ابوها الصقلاوي الجدراني من خيل دريعي الاحدب من عشيرة شمر ابو امها المعنقي السبيلي حصان الشويطي من خيل النجرس من عشيرة العقيدات
صورة للشيخ خالد بن عضيب الوقاع شيخ فخذ المجاهمه من الموايقه من قبيله السبعه من عنزه كان لوالده عضيب الوقاع السبيعي مربط معروف لكحايل الخدليات درج على قبيلة العقيدات في ما بعد
El Salil Paloma is a 2009 Saqlawiyah Jadraniyah from the Nabilah tail female line, in South Africa, out of the mare Induba Wasifa, by the Kuhaylan al-Mimrah stallion Skarabee Picasso. Nabilah (Enzahi x Zamzam) was one of the two Egyptian mares imported in 1945 from the Royal Agricultural Society by Claude Orpen, along with the … Read more
Published in July 1971 by Danah Al Khalifa. All photos by her, unless otherwise indicated. Her photo captions are included. “To the starting post!” Each Friday from November till May, a popular meeting place is His Highness Sheikh Isa’s private racetrack. Races are informal and unique in style. No betting, no prizes, nevertheless each competitor … Read more
Published in July 1971 by Danah Al Khalifa. All photos by her, unless otherwise indicated. Her photo captions are included. HAMDANIEH: ” … how exquisite her ears, pointed as a date flower bud … ” “An Arabian beauty with a dropped veil!” During date harvest season when flies are bothersome, some favourites get a ‘rish-rash’ … Read more
Published in July 1971 by Danah Al Khalifa. All photos by her, unless otherwise indicated. Her photo captions are included. Shuwaimeh & Shawafah. Two expectant mothers. (Photo: Forbis) Hamdany. A new born colt, four hours old. In future will become a dark bay. Hamdany Ibn Krushan. Three weeks old, was born black but … Read more
Published in July 1971 by Danah Al Khalifa. All photos by her, unless otherwise indicated. Her photo captions are included. Bahrain’s mounted police leaving the Guest Palace Old Speckled Jellaby, pictured at 34 years of age, sired his last foal the same year. Born 1930, died 1968. (a note in pencil reads: “Tuwaisan’s sire of … Read more
All photos by Danah Al Khalifa unless otherwise indicated. Sheikh Mohammed bin Sulman Shawaf sired a breeding mare for Sheikh Mohammed bin Sulman’s stud out of Jellabieh No. M1. Bred by the Royal Stud, served as breeding stallion for the Mounted Police. Hamdany Riadh (top); Ma’anagieh Marshoosha (bottom) – photo: Dr. Valérie Noli-Marais. … Read more
Published by Danah al Khalifa in 1980. Photos listed in the same order with pedigree info provided. All photos by Danah al Khalifa, unless otherwise indicated. Shawafa 264 b. 1975 (Ma’anaghi El Kebir x Shawafa Nr. 160) Dahman II Jellaby Sakhir – after 30 in 1980 Old Dahman (photo: Dr. Valérie Noli-Marais) Jellaby … Read more
Kim Davis has a new colt by Othello LD out of HH Nadira Krush, in yet another demonstration of the continued vitality of her wonderful breeding program. It looks like he will be black after his sire and grandsire.
A rare photo of Abd al-Jalil al-Naqashbandi, one of the preeminent Sufis of the Euphrates Valley, and the owner of a famous marbat of Kuhaylan al-Nawwaq that is now 110 years old. He is pictured here on one of his Nawwaqiyah mares. He was a partner of Fanghash al-Nawwaq, who was the last member of … Read more
This was Belle, the Kuhaylat al-Ajuz, with my daughter Solenn in 2018. Belle was 16, Solenn 5. I am still on a quest to know who this line of horses originally belonged to, back in 1925. I have clues but no hard facts.
I like this image so much that I will make it a blog header for a few days. I think the beautiful mare on the left is a Kuhaylat al-Mimrah.
This year I will be using for the first time frozen semen from one of the Syrian stallions now in France. I chose Arnault Decroix’s Dahjani Al Arab (same prefix as my horses, by chance). He is a Kuhaylan Da’jaani from the old Syrian desert bloodlines I have known and loved for three decades (sheesh!). … Read more
A quick snapshot of little Bassma from two weeks ago. She is unfolding slowly. I will be back in the USA in July and will take good pictures. I just love the combination of bloodlines this filly brings. A Saudi tail female to *Nufoud with a cross to *Turfa in the bottom, a female line … Read more
RJ Cadranell took this nice photo of Belladonna CHF several years ago. She was a Kuhaylat al-Ajuz tracing to *Nufoud, and was a favorite mare of mine. I saw her in 2001. She is my Bell’s dam and Barakah and Bassma’s grand-dam
Andre LS (Zachary CF x Aliah LD by HB Adrian), one of Diane Lyon’s Davenport stallions of the Kuhaylan Haifi strain is now California at Michael Bowling’s. Michael is going to take him to a vet clinic for testing. If fertile, he will be bred to one of my mares. He looks good, and is … Read more
Bassma Al Arab was born at dawn today. She is by my stallion Jamr Al Arab (Vice Regent CF x Jadiba by Dib), a Saqlawi al-‘Abd, out of “Belle”, Jadah BelloftheBall (Invictus Al Krush x Belladonna CHF by Audobon), a Kuhaylat al-‘Ajuz tracing to the desert-bred mare *Nufoud. She is only the fifth filly alive from … Read more
Yesterday, Jana and I spent a lovely afternoon in the company of Pienaar, Pauline and Gerhard Du Plessis at Saruk Arabians outside Albertinia in the Western Cape. We came for lunch on Easter Sunday and spent a lot of time chatting so time flew by. They run a successful endurance racing operation mainly oriented towards … Read more
This is Erika Schiele’s photo of Jallad (Arras x Atlassi, by Sepid) imported to Austria by Gustl Eutermoser, Gestüt Schieferegg. He was instrumental in the exportation of another of Arras’ offspring, Jezabel. Eutermoser also managed to take a photo of Jezabel’s maternal grandsire Ajdar.