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By Dr. Hans-Joachim Nagel lt is very evident that every major Arabian horse breeder is constantly searching for a prospective herd sire. This is also true for Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Khalid Al Thani of Qatar. Whoever is engaged in this activity is forced to look ahead of time and the requirement of another stallion than those who is used at the moment comes as an inescapable thought. What is searched for is normally not something completely different, not a so-called "outcross". He should be something different, but nevertheless related to what is already in existence. Furthermore he should have the capacity to improve one or another important criterion in the breeding herd or to add a feature which the owner likes to see. At the same time, he should not only be able to improve but also be an impressive horse as such - because a beautiful stallion is the pride of every good breeder and normally it is him who represents the stud and stamps this stud with his image.
Safir, the King of Al Rayyan Such excellent horses are rare and difficult to find. The most convenient would be to discover an older stallion which has already proved his breeding abilities by a number of foals and has grown up to his final shape. Such horses build a solid foundation, however, they are usually not for sale. The other alternative is to look for a colt which one believes to be promising. This is the moment when feeling, luck and courage come into breeding, and that one falls on such a little fellow might happen any time when one is looking around. Such a situation arose when Sheikh Abdul Aziz visited Katharinenhof about 13 years ago with the idea that he might be able to obtain the mare Aisha (Ansata Halim Shah x Ghazalla by Ghazal) which was in his mind since he had seen her one year before when he came to this stud for the first time.
Safir's dam Aisha Now
a three months old foal followed her around, a little colt named Safir
which means "ambassador". All of a sudden it was not only
the mother which was the object of his desire, instead both mother and
son were in his focus now. The Sheikh is an excellent connoisseur of
pedigrees, but at the same time he always has in mind both the horse
and the pedigree. The one does not impress him if the other is not of
equal value.
Safir's sire Salaa El Dine Everybody who is well acquainted with pedigrees of Egyptian Arabians must be impressed by such an exceptional and attractive combination and naturally the expectations and prospects for the future even climb higher when the beauty of such horses confirms the value of their genealogy.
Safir as a youngster in Qatar It should be mentioned that little Safir was, in principle, a perfect and faultless creature, however, there was a slight indication of a low back which could be a reason of concern. This consideration becomes a certain importance when one remembers his grandsire Ghazal (Nazeer x Bukra) who was rejected by nearly all German breeders at that time due to his sway back - an unpleasant view which apparently irritated many. Finally, a simple business solution was found in case such eventuality in Safir would show up. Now the doors to Qatar were open for Aisha and Safir and two months later they travelled to their new home where sun and blue sky are guaranteed all year long and to a region and climate where the Arabian breed has its original roots. However, it was a difficult decision to let such a couple go which would have fit also perfectly into Katharinenhof's own breeding programme.
Safir awaiting his mares Safir reached his peak at the age of seven. Never before did he look better. Now he was a mature stallion, proud and impressive with his fleabitten colour but as gentle and kind as his dam. His movement was extremely powerful, showing an elegant, far extending trot, again like his dam. As everyone had expected he passed on the look of his double grandsire, Ansata Halim Shah. Quickly Safir became the chief stallion of Al Rayyan, the studfarm of Sheik Abdul Aziz al Thani in Doha. Several other stallions were tried during Safir's time at AI Rayyan, some did also very well, but it could be said that none of them could rival Safir's ability as a sire. Until this day no other Salaa El Dine son is equal to him. Safir became the best of them all.
A
proud and eager Safir in his paddock
The
first lesson: Ashhal Al Rayyan Safir sired a total of fifty foals; at Al Rayyan Stud alone 35 of them were born, the others belong to other studs in Qatar. A more detailed list of offspring reveals his brilliance as a sire.
The multi-champion stallion Ashhal Al Rayyan ... Of
his sons the attractive Ashhal Al Rayyan (x Ansata Majesta) is the one
who will step into his sire's footsteps. He already is holding the position
of Al Rayyan's chief sire and was leased to Germany two years ago where
he sired 28 foals. His dam Ansata Majesta was one of the mares Safir
was bred to shortly before he died. Needless to say that the foal is
... and his full sister Naama Al Rayyan Four Safir daughters were incorporated into Al Rayyan's broodmare band: Naama Al Rayyan (x Ansata Majesta), Al Wajba AI Rayyan (x Ansata Sharifa), Turkiya Al Rayyan (x Rababa) and Mabrouka Al Rayyan (x Nabawia). Other beautiful Safir daughters are RN Ajlah, Khowleh Al Rayyan (AI Jazeera Stud, Kuwait), Al Ghasahmieh Al Rayyan (Ezzain Stud, Kuwait), and Zaafarana Al Rayyan (Egypt).
The sisters Turkiya Al Rayyan and Al Wajba Al Rayyan...
... and Al Wajba's
son Sinan Al Rayyan (by Ansata Sinan), These mares are of the highest class and style and are proven producers. They show great uniformity and an expression which is completely in line with what Sheikh Abdul Aziz is looking for.
Khowleh Al Rayyan (Safir x Bint Sabah) in Kuwait Sadly
Safir died only lately at the age of 13 years due to a heart failure.
Goodbye
to a Friend
Safir at one of his last photo shootings in Qatar Since my start as a stable manager at Al Rayyan Farm, some five years ago, I have run many presentations here at Rayyan Farm. During these presentations Safir was one of the highlights! Together with his dam, Aisha, he pranced into the paddock and made a clear call for attention. When running free you would best notice Safir's strong points - his big black eyes, large nostrils, big round cheeks all topped off by delicate refined ears. A beautiful wide chest with a strong well laid back shoulder and arched neck made him all the more impressive. An excellent croup with a tail like a standing flag would made it clear that he was all Arabian. He had a playful disposition and often acted like a teenager but at the same time was willing and easy to handle. He carried his rider proudly.
Najma
Al Shaqab (Safir x Kajora),
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