SHAHEEN AL SABA is a 2007 grey colt bred by Saba Arabians, Australia. He is exotic, elegant, friendly and intelligent. He possesses the traits that we feel we need to add to our breeding programme, notably a naturally long curvaceous neck and throat, good action in front, and flowing lines throughout. His outstanding classic breed type, topped off by his overall dryness and beautifully dished face with expressive wide-set eyes, should solidify and enhance the genetics of our already very pretty mares.
Shaheen's show debut in New Zealand has brought huge success – in late 2008 he was crowned North Island Champion Junior Colt or Filly, unanimously under three judges. In early 2009 he won New Zealand National Champion Junior colt.
Shaheen was shown for the third time at the 2012 Nationals and was crowned New Zealand National Champion Stallion, where the judge commented on his beautiful front end and type.
Shaheen is sired by the National Champion stallion of Qatar, THAQIB AL NASSER. Professional rider Mandy Leishman relays "I would like to say that Thaqib Al Nasser is one of the most talented, intelligent and beautiful horses I have ever had the pleasure of riding. His movement is huge ... he has super floating extensions and presence coming out of his ears. He is a complete show off in the ring and has an air of prestige and pure elegance about him." International judge Gloria Lanigan recalls "This magnificent stallion absolutely took my breath away, gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. Thaqib has such an overpowering spirit and ethereal beauty that it is difficult to describe. His conformation is excellent and he gives the overall picture of the true Arabian standard".
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Of Ansata Halim Shah, renowned Arabian aficionado Joe Ferris said "As I walked around him looking over his pearl-like surface, the experience was like that of viewing an Auguste Rodin sculpture. .. At the same time, in his eyes I saw the essence of thousands of years of indescribable character of the Arabian horse. From the moment of eye contact, I was reminded of what the Bedouin meant by 'a gift of Allah'"
Thaqib Al Nasser's dam is one of the world's most celebrated Imperial Madheen daughters, IMPERIAL MADANAH. Imperial Madanah traces in female line to the great Sameh daughter, Deenaa, progenitor of the type of horse we see today in World Champions Marwan Al Shaqab and Pianissima.
Shaheen Al Saba's dam, LA MONIETTE, is an exquisite mare "with a rarely seen desert dryness" (Louise Cordina). La Moniette is sired by Prince Fa Moniet, is an extremely influential stallion, with perhaps his best known son being World Reserve Champion Ansata Sinan, "the architect of a new generation", and in turn sire of World Champions and World Reserve Champions Khidar, Eternity Ibn Navarrone and AS Sinans Pasha.
La Moniette is out of SELILAH, a broodmare supreme with huge eyes and very good movement and who consistently passed on her show ring attitude, long fine neck and throat. Selilah is by the international icon AL KARIM SIRHALIMA.
Of AK Sirhalima, his last owner Marilyn Lang relates "SH unloaded from the van in a black swirl... He was so lean, but his thinness created an ethereal beauty that was almost translucent. His skin draped over his ribcage and was as black as midnight. And the eyes, well, I had never seen anything like them and I probably never will again". In addition, well known breeder Sylvia Archer recalls "his refined good looks and extravagant movement left an indelible impression on me. He had personality and was my idea of a beautiful little horse to ride".
Selilah, and therefore Shaheen Al Saba, traces in tail female line to the Shueyman Sbah strain mare CHERIFA, via the great Polish mares TRYPOLITANKA and ELEONORA. Pedigree researcher Arlene Magid says "Cherifa founded the dam line that includes U.S. National Champion Stallion *Elkin and Swedish National Champion Stallion *Exelsjor, found close up in the pedigree of World Champion Stallion *Gazal Al Shaqab". Author Britta Fahlgren recalls "My good friend Erik Erlandsson saw Eleonora (the last representative of Cherifa OA in Poland at the end of World War II) in reality - he says that he has never forgotten her, she was outstanding and had the most beautiful, biggest, darkest eyes that Erik has ever seen! When I met Roman Pankiewicz in Poland he said exactly the same!".
It is this heritage of consistent desert type, intelligent and trainable disposition, and ethereal beauty, generation after generation, that makes SHAHEEN AL SABA one of the most promising Arabian colts in New Zealand today.
© Annie Studholme
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Thaqib Al Nasser |
Ansata Halim Shah |
Ansata Ibn Halima |
Nazeer |
Halima |
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Ansata Rosetta |
Ansata Shah Zaman |
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Ansata Bint Bukra |
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Imperial Madanah |
Imperial Madheen |
Messaoud |
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Madinah |
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Imperial Naffata |
Moniet El Nafis |
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Imperial Fanniya |
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La Moniette |
Prince Fa Moniet |
The Egyptian Prince |
Morafic |
Bint Mona |
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Fa Moniet |
Ibn Moniet El Nefous |
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Fada |
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Selilah |
Al Karim Sirhalima |
Ansata Ibn Halima |
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Sirhabba |
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Zelidah |
Tristram Manbalou |
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Autumn Sunshine |
(Click the underlined names to see a picture)
