Arabian Horse Breeding in the World Today: Ansata Hejazi

ansata hejazi

GRASSO PHOTO

This incredible stallion played a major role in elevating the popularity of his Dahman Shahwan family — not only in Kuwait, but throughout the Arabian Gulf, the Middle East, Africa and worldwide.

PHOTO: GIGI GRASSO

ANSATA HEJAZI Introduction by Cynthia Culbertson (Excerpt from the book Ansata Hejazi: Born to Rule ©) … and the eye could scarcely realize his beauty For, when gazing at one part, the eye was drawn away by the perfection of another part. — From the poem of Imru’ al-Qais

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Ansata Hejazi held a unique position in Arabian horse history. There is no other stallion in modern times, and likely in all of history, that had such a profound impact on a single country. Often called the “King of Kuwait,” he influenced nearly every Kuwaiti breeding program in existence today. Hejazi, in many ways, became a living symbol of the power of hope and resurrection for a country whose Arabian horse legacy was nearly destroyed.

Kuwait boasts centuries of tradition with the Arabian breed, but after the Iraqi invasion in 1990 only a handful of Arabian horses remained. It is a testament to the will of the Kuwaiti people and their connections to their cultural heritage that today the country has a thriving state stud, hundreds of private breeders, and thousands of purebred Arabian horses.

Ansata Hejazi, imported to Kuwait less than a decade after the destruction, became a shining star, not only for his owner, Mohammed Al Marzouq of Ajmal Stud, but for an entire nation. He was a stallion whose renown as an individual and a sire brought worldwide attention to Kuwait. In a perfect place and time, like a meteor blazing across the desert sky, Ansata Hejazi illuminated the path to an inspirational renewal of Arabian horse breeding in his ancestral homeland.

Every horse story is also a human story, and the tale of Ansata Hejazi is no exception. No matter how great a horse might be, his fate is determined by the people around him. In this regard, Hejazi has been especially blessed. His breeder, Judith Forbis, has devoted her life to the Arabian horse. Ansata Hejazi was already a star as a young stallion and sire at Ansata Stud, but his historic impact on the breed was the result of a young breeder from Kuwait who sought an exemplary stallion to fulfill the vision of his breeding program.

Ansata Hejazi arrived in Kuwait just as a renaissance of Arabian horse breeding in the region was blossoming. Breeders, like Mohammed, united to honor the cultural heritage that belonged to their forebears. Arabian horses of Straight Egyptian heritage led the renaissance, and although their recent origins were from the Land of the Nile, their ancestors had been among the finest Arabian horses on the Arabian Peninsula. Ansata Hejazi therefore had the opportunity to sire foals from classic mares representing the historic strains and families that had once graced the tribes of Kuwait and other countries of the region. His star rose ever higher.

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PHOTO: MOHAMMED AL ADWANI

In February of 2015, Arabian horse breeders and enthusiasts gathered from around the world to attend the 4th International Arabian Horse Festival and Egyptian Event in Kuwait. A highlight of this popular event is the tours of the various Kuwaiti farms after the show, and the visit to Ajmal Stud is always eagerly anticipated.

PHOTO: GIGI GRASSO

That year, Mohammed Jassim Al Marzouq, Ansata Hejazi’s owner, had a special surprise in mind. He asked that the visitors gather together for a group photograph. The crowd posed for the photographer. At that moment a special guest walked quietly into their midst. A low murmur began, quickly turning into gasps of astonishment. Almost as one, the visitors turned to see that Ansata Hejazi had been led to stand amongst them. Despite his advanced age and the painful burden of laminitis, he was resplendent, possessing the timeless beauty and nobility that has inspired poets and artists for centuries. The alabaster stallion stood still as a statue as the minutes passed, his legion of fans surrounding him in admiration. To all who were present, it was an unforgettable moment.

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Ansata Hejazi — Born to Rule

by Judith Forbis (Excerpt from the book Ansata Hejazi: Born to Rule ©)

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On May 8, 1992, under a starry night sky, a newborn bay colt announced his presence in the Ansata foaling barn. The birth heralded a day to rejoice and reflect on the astonishing gift presented. His forehead was illumined by a fortuitous white star; silver hairs surrounding his eyes proclaimed he would become white, a color symbolic of victory and success. As the Arabs said: “This is the mount of kings, because it brings good fortune and luck, and with it you are able to obtain what is necessary.”

It wasn’t long before the colt was standing strong and pestering his patient mother.

His demeanor was reminiscent of his grandsire, *Ansata Ibn Halima. He was kind, attentive, a bit rambunctious like most colts, but always independent and mindful of who he was, a particular trait inherited from his mother, Ansata Sudarra, and her mother, Ansata Delilah.

For the first year of Hejazi’s life he romped in green pastures and played with his friends; he grew up as a colt should. It was fun to watch him, because he liked attention and enjoyed showing off. He was charismatic, willing to please, and easy for the staff to handle. With each succeeding month he became more elegant and beautiful. His dark, dappled coat turned lighter and lighter, his head dried out and his tear bones became more prominent. It became evident we had an evolving star in our midst.

Hejazi continued to mature into a most handsome stallion. He eventually was shown at the Pyramid Society’s Egyptian Events in Lexington, Kentucky, where, against strong competition, he won Senior Champion and Reserve Supreme Champion titles. He was also Top Five in a large liberty class, proving to be a great crowd pleaser with his lofty yet ground-covering trot. Not only could Hejazi move brilliantly in front, but he also drove strongly from behind with his hocks well under him.

Hejazi began attracting the interest of international breeders even as a youngster. While we appreciated Hejazi as a show horse, which gave him added exposure to the public and other Arabian horse breeders, his greatest value was as a breeding stallion. When we unexpectedly sold Ansata Halim Shah in 1994 (to head the Al Shaqab breeding program in Qatar, then owned by HH The Emir), Hejazi was standing in the wings to replace him. His first foals soon proved he would follow his father as a sire of major significance — and perhaps even more so. Within five years, Hejazi would leave home to fulfill his destiny, for he was “born to rule” as king of another realm.

It wasn’t long before Hejazi’s get were in demand to head breeding programs in Europe, England, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Australia, and South America. Hejazi had become an international star. European and Arab eyes closely watched him now, especially since he was the heir apparent to his sire, Ansata Halim Shah.

Yet, Ansata Hejazi’s greatest story was yet to be told. In 1998, when an astute young Kuwaiti businessman named Mohammed Jassim Al Marzouq called for an appointment, we were glad to show him the horses although, at the time, we had nothing for sale. Mohammed had studied the Ansata program carefully and wanted some of our most prominent horse families for himself and for his country.

“For as long as I can remember it has been my ambition not only to be a proud owner of Arabian horses and to participate in the development and perfection of their breeding,” says Mohammed, “but also to make a contribution to the reestablishment of their bloodlines in the land of their forefathers.”

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PHOTO: MARION WEISE

Ansata Hejazi pictured with his breeder, Judith Forbis, and Mohammed Jassim Al Marzouq from Kuwait, who purchased Hejazi in 1999 from Don and Judith Forbis.“There is no doubt this stallion helped me achieve my breeding goals,” Mohammed says of Hejazi.

There was one stallion at the Egyptian Event in 1999, however, that impressed Mohammed more than any other. “Hejazi was the one that worked for me,” Mohammed explains. “Firstly, he represented the family I desired the most, and secondly, Kuwait had no real stallion power at the time. So this prompted me to think of buying him not just for me, but for my country’s interest. A stallion like Hejazi would be beneficial to all.” The final decision to try to obtain Ansata Hejazi came about during the Stallion Showcase presentation when the stallions were paraded before the audience. Don Forbis was handling Hejazi as the pair passed before Mohammed. Sheikh Abdulaziz and Sheikh Hamad bin Ali Al-Thani, then manager of Al Shaqab Stud for HH the Emir of Qatar at that time, were also looking at Hejazi and comparing him to his world-renowned sire Ansata Halim Shah. They were mentioning that Ansata Hejazi had an even longer neck than his sire, as well as many other positive attributes. “This was a huge compliment to Hejazi,” Mohammed relates, “and then I heard Sheikh Abdulaziz say, ‘This is a horse that should be considered!’ In that moment I decided to buy him.”

Mohammed was extremely gratified by the purchase of Ansata Hejazi, as well as the mares he had selected from Ansata. At the time he had not chosen Hejazi specifically for the mares he already owned, but rather to elevate the breeding of Straight Egyptian Arabian horses within his home country of Kuwait.

Later, however, Mohammed made the decision to begin acquiring mares specifically to breed to Hejazi.

“There is no doubt this stallion helped me achieve my breeding goals,” Mohammed says. “He put my farm in a leading position very quickly in comparison to many others.” Freely allowing others in Kuwait to use Hejazi’s services also provided a strong foundation for new breeders who were just getting started.

Hejazi was well on his way to becoming the star of the realm and proving his destiny.

“The three C’s — classic type, charisma, and conformation — are traits that are extremely important to me in my breeding program,” says Mohammed. Most importantly for a breeding stallion, these were characteristics Hejazi routinely passed on to his offspring. “Even today,” adds Mohammed, “people who are seeking Hejazi blood are looking for these traits.” One of the things Mohammed admired most about Hejazi is that he sired both stallions and mares of equal eminence whereas many stallions are known for either the quality of their daughters or sons, but not both. Another of Hejazi’s strengths was that he did not diminish or overwhelm the dam lines of the mare. “Hejazi gave the mother lines a chance to show themselves while consistently adding his strengths,” Mohammed observes. This was also true of Hejazi’s great-grandsire, Nazeer, a stallion that appears ten times in his pedigree.

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For the 2004-2005 breeding season Mohammed made the momentous decision to lease Ansata Hejazi for one year to Sheikh Abdulaziz’s Al Rayyan farm in nearby Qatar. “Sheikh Abdulaziz loved Hejazi and was very supportive of his contributions,” explains Mohammed. “His lease to Al Rayyan was a gesture of goodwill and appreciation for all that Al Rayyan had contributed to Egyptian Arabian horse breeding.”

When Mohammed determined to buy Ansata Hejazi, little did he realize the inspirational impact this dynamic young stallion would have on re-establishing Kuwait’s preeminence in the breed. Looking back, it now seems prophetic that Hejazi returned to the land of his ancestors. When Kuwaitis set forth to rebuild the nation and replenish their Arabian bloodstock, they went far beyond what existed prior to the Gulf War. Within the next seven years they focused on establishing significant breeding farms of Straight Egyptian Arabian horses to preserve and perpetuate the nucleus of rare bloodlines once associated with Kuwait’s tribal heritage. Ansata Hejazi proved to be an exemplary ambassador for Kuwait. Not only have many of the country’s Arabian horses been his sons and daughters but some of the highest-selling horses in the history of the Arabian breed are also his offspring — impressive proof that his blood is widely valued.

In Kuwait, a country which began breeding Arabians again in 1995 with only 26 horses, there were more than 5,000 in 2015.

The influence of Ansata Hejazi is undoubtedly an element of that growth. “Knowing this, I believe that he not only fulfilled my own vision,” Mohammed Al Marzouq states, “but also became a cornerstone of Egyptian breeding in Kuwait.” What has been achieved in Kuwait in less than 20 years is unparalleled by any other country.

True to their heritage, Hejazi’s descendants continue triumphant as breeding stock and horse The crowning achievement of Ansata Halim Shah was show stars — “stepping proud and stepping bold siring a son, Ansata Hejazi, that would change the face of Arabian horse breeding in a country far away from … to the field of victory.”

PHOTO: VAN LENT JR.

his birthplace. An inheritor of that “Halima look,” this son of Halim Shah would carry his own name, and that of his sire, to even greater heights.

NAZEER *ANSATA IBN HALIMA HALIMA ANSATA HALIM SHAH ANSATA SHAH ZAMAN ANSATA ROSETTA *ANSATA BINT BUKRA

ANSATA HEJAZI ANSATA IBN SUDAN ANSATA ABU SUDAN *ANSATA BINTMISUNA ANSATA SUDARRA ANSATA SHAH ZAMAN ANSATA DELILAH *ANSATA BINT MISR

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MANSOUR BINT SAMIHA SHEIKH EL ARAB RAGIA *MORAFIC *ANSATA BINT MABROUKA NAZEER BUKRA *ANSATA IBN HALIMA *ANSATA BINT MABROUKA NAZEER MAYSOUNA *MORAFIC *ANSATA BINT MABROUKA SAMEH *ANSATA BINT BUKRA

GRASSO PHOTO

PHOTO: GIGI GRASSO

A Worldwide Legacy

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by Betty Finke

Although Ansata Hejazi was one of his sire’s later foals, he rapidly rose to prominence as the best and most successful son of Ansata Halim Shah. While his influence now extends to all five continents, it is particularly strong in the Middle East, both through U.S. exports and through the many foals he sired while based in Kuwait and in Qatar.

It is not easy to pick out his most successful get, as there are so many of them in so many different places, but we’ll touch on a few here.

Beginning with Ansata Hejazi’s American-born get, his oldest son to make a name for himself was Ansata Nile Echo 1996 (x Ansata White Nile). This beautiful stallion, known as “King of Trot” for his superb movement, was an international show winner and became a foundation sire for Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani’s Al Naif Stud in Qatar. He is a sire of winning offspring, both male and female, not only in Qatar, but throughout the Middle East and Europe as well. Though he himself passed away last year, his offspring are still a force to be reckoned with. At this year’s Straight Egyptian Championships in Qatar, he was the sire of three out of four Gold Champions.

Ansata Safeer (x Ansata Samsara) is another international sire foaled in 1996. Originally sold to Jordan’s Al Jaffar Stud, owned by HRH Princess Zein bint Al Hussein, he went on to Al Khaled Farm in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

His best-known offspring is the beautiful bay stallion Nayiel Al Khaled, a Gold Champion winner at Egyptian Events both in Europe and in Kuwait.

Ansata Safeer’s one year younger brother, Ansata Almurtajiz, became a foundation sire for Usamah Al Kazemi’s stud farm in Kuwait. His son Ezz Ezzain was one of the best and most successful Straight Egyptian stallions of his generation. He was named Gold Champion at the Egyptian Event in Kuwait for three years in succession and sired many excellent horses both in Kuwait and in Egypt, including Al Pasha Oony, who was Silver Junior Champion Stallion at the Egyptian Event Europe in 2015 and Bronze Senior Champion in 2016. Sadly, Ezz Ezzain died in 2015 just after being sold to Nayla Hayek of Switzerland. Ansata Almurtajiz is also the sire of Nabaweyyah Ezzain, a foundation mare for Al Rashediah Stud of Bahrain. A Gold Champion herself, she is the dam of Naseem Al Rashediah,

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Silver Champion Yearling Colt at the Egyptian Event Europe in 2015 and Gold Champion Junior Stallion in 2016.

Another Ansata-bred Hejazi son with international impact is Ansata Selman 1999 (x G Shafaria). Originally a sire at Al Nasser Stud in Qatar, he was leased and later purchased by Cornelia Tauschke of El Thayeba Stud, one of the oldest Straight Egyptian farms in Germany. He sired the current head stallion at El Thayeba, El Thay Mahfouz, who is proving to be a superb sire himself, as well as several mares. In Qatar, Ansata Selman sired Shagran Al Nasser, another international champion and excellent sire in his own right. He was Qatar National Junior Champion in 2006 and Reserve Junior Champion at the Egyptian Event Europe in 2008, among other wins. Shagran Al Nasser is the sire of the international winning stallion Mabrouk Aljassimya, and of Pyramid El Sareei, Bronze Junior Champion Stallion at the Egyptian Event Europe in 2012. Both of these have also done well in mixed company.

Ansata Selman also sired the stallion Dahes Al Rayyan and the 2009 Israeli National Champion mare Insha Sha Latifa. Insha Sha Latifa is now owned by Al Rashediah Stud in Bahrain, and she is the dam of Ariela Arabians’ prizewinning show and broodmare Nashwah AA. Moving on to Hejazi’s get in Qatar, the 2005 stallion Fares Al Rayyan (x G Shafaria) is a full brother to Ansata Selman. He is the sire of Menouah Al Rayyan, who in 2016 was International Bronze Champion Mare at Ströhen as well as at the Egyptian Event Europe. This year, she was named Gold Champion Senior Mare at the All Nations Cup Straight Egyptians in Kuwait.

The best-known of Hejazi’s Qatari sons has to be Jamil Al Rayyan 2006 (x Dana Al Rayyan), who has done extremely well as a sire. During his stay at Al Baydaa Stud in Egypt, he sired the prizewinning full brothers Kais Al Baydaa and Kenz Al Baydaa, both now successful sires themselves with winning get in Egypt and in Europe. Jamil Al Rayyan also sired Fady Al Baydaa, Gold Champion Junior Stallion at the Egyptian Event Europe in 2015 and currently on lease to Germany, and Wasfeyyan El Ghabry, International Gold Champion Senior Mare at the 2016 Tulip Cup in Holland.

Jamil Al Rayyan himself is now owned by Al Rashediah Stud of Bahrain.

Another Hejazi son that must be mentioned in this context is Monther Al Nasser 2005 (x Aliah Al Nasser), now owned by Aljassimya Farm. One of the few Hejazi sons who is not Straight Egyptian, he was Qatar National Champion Junior Stallion in 2007 and Gold Champion Stallion at the Egyptian Event in 2013 besides winning many prizes in Europe. He has successful offspring in many countries, including Britain, Norway, Austria, Germany, and of course, throughout the Middle East.

Ansata Hejazi’s final home was at Ajmal Stud in Kuwait. His influence in that country was such that he became known as “King of Kuwait.” One of his most successful sons there was Ajmal Al Kout, who was chief sire at Bait Al Arab up to his untimely death a few years ago. Ajmal Al Kout’s son Shamekh Aldanat is not only an international prizewinner himself, but succeeded in siring both Gold Yearling Champions at the 2015 Egyptian Event Europe, Ezz Al Danat and Shaykha Al Danat. Ezz Al Danat was Silver Junior Champion Stallion at the All Nations Cup Straight Egyptians in 2017.

Another Hejazi son bred by Ajmal Stud, Ajmal Tameen (x Tabanya), was leased to El Thayeba Stud in Germany a few years back. He was Champion at the stallion registration show that year and has sired some excellent stock, (Continued on page 13)

a conversation with Mohammed Al Marzouq When and where did you first see Ansata Hejazi, and what was your first impression?

I saw Ansata Hejazi for the first time in 1998 and this was during the 40th Anniversary of Ansata Arabian Stud. I was very attracted to his nobility and classic type.

Were you aware of Hejazi’s offspring before seeing him, i.e., did you specifically seek him out because you liked his foals? Or was it because of his breeding? Or was the decision to purchase him based on the horse himself?

My decision was based on my study of his breeding and the special traits he could pass to his get.

Hejazi was chief sire at Ansata at the time you purchased him and not for sale. How did you convince Judith Forbis to part with him?

I knew it was not an easy decision for Judi and Don Forbis but it was clear to me that they were considering retiring. Also, at the same time, the knowledge I have of the breed and my commitment for re-establishment of the Arabian horse breeding in Kuwait was a factor that was considered in their decision. All of the above led to their decision that allowed me the ownership of this magnificent stallion.

Which of his qualities did you feel made him specifically suited for contributing to the development of the Arabian breed in Kuwait?

His ability to pass his special traits to his offspring. Besides, he is known

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PHOTO: GIGI GRASSO PHOTO: APRIL VISEL

PHOTO: JENNI OGDEN

PHOTO: GLENN JACOBS

PHOTO: GREGOR AYMAR

several notable Ansata Hejazi get:

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Clockwise, from top left: Ansata Nile Echo (x Ansata White Nile), Ansata Safeer (x Ansata Samsara), Ansata Selman (x G Shafaria), Monther Al Nasser (x Aliah Al Nasser), and Fares Al Rayyan (x G Shafaria).

PHOTO: IRINA FILSINGER PHOTO: GIGI GRASSO

Ansata Hejazi get continued: Ajmal Tameen (x Tabanya), left, and Ansata Nile Pearl (x Ansata White Nile), above.

to sire both the stallions and mares of equal eminence, which is very rare.

Hejazi spent two breeding seasons in Qatar, again with excellent results. How did his lease to Al Rayyan come about?

The lease to Al Rayyan Farm was not a lease in its typical form; it had no financial aspect.

For me the horse moved from Al Rayyan farm in Kuwait to Al Rayyan Farm in Qatar. Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Thani, the owner of Al Rayyan farm at that time, was not only a close friend but also the person who influenced my knowledge of the breed and helped me to achieve the position I am in today.

He was a true admirer of Ansata Hejazi.

You have broodmares from various sources with different backgrounds.

Which would you say crossed particularly well with Hejazi, or did all lines work equally well? If there are any standouts, who/what are they?

After buying Ansata Hejazi the first advice I received from Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Thani when I met him at the All Nations Cup Show in Aachen, Germany, was, “if you breed Ansata Hejazi outside of his family you will get your best results,� and this was proven true after years of studying Ansata Hejazi breeding at the farm. Many standouts were achieved from

different mare lines, for example, Ajmal Obbeyah, Ajmal Moneera, Ajmal Turkiyah, Ajmal Sara and many others.

Which specific qualities did he pass on to his get, and which would you personally rate highest, and why?

His conformation and classic type and that he did not diminish or overwhelm the dam line of the mare, and this was also the most important quality for which his great-grandsire Nazeer was known.

Are there any features that he could be consistently counted on to improve?

Movement, long well-shaped upper neck, big eyes, and classic type.

What was Hejazi like as an individual? What kind of personality did he have, what was he like to handle?

He was a very sweet horse with a very kind personality and was very easy to handle and work with.

Since he was also ridden, what was he like to ride?

It was a joy to ride Ansata Hejazi especially when riding him beside other horses. The difference was very visible.

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including El Thayeba’s junior stallion, El Thay Karim Shah, who is out of an Ansata Selman daughter and thus double Ansata Hejazi.

Not every stallion is capable of siring both sons and daughters of equally high quality and influence, but Ansata Hejazi was one of these select few. Many stud farms in the Middle East now have prized collections of Hejazi daughters; Al Shaqab and Al Waab Stud in Qatar, and Bait Al Arab, the state stud of Kuwait, among them. Others may only have one, such as Nasr Marei of Al Badeia Stud in Egypt, who counts the Hejazi daughter Ansata Majeeda 1997 (x Dal Macharia) among his best producing mares. Hejazi daughters have certainly shown themselves to be capable of producing outstanding offspring, including international breeding stallions and show winners. The 1996 mare Ansata Misty Nile (x Imperial Impress) is the dam of the stallion Ansata Nile Pharaoh, head sire at Rhodium Stud in New Zealand and leased to Ariela Arabians of Israel.

Ansata Nile Pearl 1997 (x Ansata White Nile), the younger full sister of Ansata Nile Echo, was first acquired by Al Khalediah Farm of Saudi Arabia. Her offspring there include the international show winning mare Haifa Al Khalediah, whose successes include International Silver Champion Senior Mare at Ströhen and Bronze Champion Senior Mare at the Egyptian Event Europe in 2012. Ansata Nile Pearl was later sold for $800,000 to Sheikh Khaled Bagedo, also of Saudi Arabia. There she produced the stallion Nabeel Al Khaled, who was exported to Germany.

Bint Katyah, foaled in 2000 by Ansata Hejazi out of Katyah, started out as a top producing broodmare for DeShazer Arabians in the U.S. Her daughter DeSha Bahreyn, owned by Nayla Hayek of Switzerland, was a prolific winner throughout Europe. Her wins include Gold Champion Junior Filly at the Egyptian Event Europe and Gold Champion Filly and Best in Show at the Frankfurt Egyptian Cup in 2013, and Gold Champion Senior Mare at the Emerald Trophy (B), Belgium and Gold Champion Senior Mare and Best in Show at the Frankfurt Orientalica (B) in 2014. Bint Katyah herself now graces the broodmare herd of Al Rashediah Stud in Bahrain.

Ansata Hejazi and Mohammed Jassim Al Marzouq.

Looking back, what has been Hejazi’s greatest contribution to the breed, in Kuwait as well as on a global scale?

As it is known today, in Egyptian horse breeding we have a scarcity of good stallions. Ansata Hejazi has proven himself to be the only stallion who has sired many sons that have themselves been main sires in different countries. For example: Ansata Nile Echo and Fares Al Rayyan in Qatar; Ajmal Al Kout, Ajmal Tameen, Ansata Al Murtajiz and Ansata Sheikh Halim in Kuwait; Jamil Al Rayyan and Ansata Marengo in Egypt; and Ansata Selman in Germany, Qatar, and later the UAE. You have supported the show scene in Kuwait, but you do not take part in shows as an exhibitor yourself. Why is this?

Personally, I have a very busy schedule, and horse breeding is a hobby that keeps me out of the stress and pressure which the shows bring.

PHOTO: GIGI GRASSO

Which of the sons that you have bred yourself do you regard as the best, and why?

Ajmal Tameen (out of Tabanya) for me is the best son I have bred; the quality he possesses and the contribution he is making to my breeding is simply marvelous.

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Ajmal Tameen (Ansata Hejazi x Tabanya) 2008 stallion

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Ajmal Tameen is a son of Ansata Hejazi (by Ansata Halim Shah) and his dam is Tabanya, a daughter from the beautiful

Tamria II. Tamria II was bred by Babolna Stud and is also sired by Ansata Halim Shah. Ajmal Tameen was presented at the 2011 German Stallion Registration and Licensing show in 2011 where he was awarded the Golden Ribbon and Champion Stallion.

Mohammed J. Al Marzouq ¡ P.O. Box 3131, Safat 13032, Kuwait ¡ Fax: +965-22424132 ajmalarabianstud@hotmail.com 14 b ANSATA HEJAZI b WORLD

Ajmal Anood (Ajmal Tameen x Ajmal Abla) 2016 filly

Ajmal Anood’s dam is a double Ansata Hejazi granddaughter and her sire is an Ansata Hejazi son.

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Ajmal Anood is a daughter of Ajmal Tameen (by Ansata Hejazi) and her dam is Ajmal Abla, a daughter of Ajmal Al

Kout (by Ansata Hejazi) and the beautiful Ajmal Obbeyah who is also a daughter of Ansata Hejazi.

Mohammed J. Al Marzouq · P.O. Box 3131, Safat 13032, Kuwait · Fax: +965-22424132 ajmalarabianstud@hotmail.com 16 b ANSATA HEJAZI b WORLD

Ajmal Turkiyah (Ajmal Tameen x Ajmal Taraf) 2015 filly

Ajmal Turkiyah’s dam, Ajmal Taraf, is double Ansata Hejazi. Her sire Ajmal Talal is a grandson of Ansata Hejazi and she is a granddaughter of Ansata Hejazi from her dam. Also Ajmal Turkiyah’s sire is a direct son of Ansata Hejazi, hence she has triple Ansata Hejazi in her pedigree.

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Ajmal Turkiyah is a daughter of Ajmal Tameen (by Ansata Hejazi) and her dam is Ajmal Taraf (by Ajmal Talal) and

Ajmal Ibtissam who is also a daughter of Ansata Hejazi. It should be noted that Ajmal Talal is a grandson of Ansata Hejazi.

Mohammed J. Al Marzouq · P.O. Box 3131, Safat 13032, Kuwait · Fax: +965-22424132 ajmalarabianstud@hotmail.com 17 b ANSATA HEJAZI b WORLD

Ajmal Naela (Ajmal Tameen x Nashwa Saqr) 2015 filly

Ajmal Naela is a granddaughter of Ansata Hejazi through her sire Ajmal Tameen.

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Ajmal Naela is a daughter of Ajmal Tameen (by Ansata Hejazi) and her dam is Nashwa Saqr, a daughter of Tallahsman

and Shahrzad Saqr.

Mohammed J. Al Marzouq · P.O. Box 3131, Safat 13032, Kuwait · Fax: +965-22424132 ajmalarabianstud@hotmail.com 18 b ANSATA HEJAZI b WORLD

Tahleel Al Gamal (Ansata Nile Echo by Ansata Hejazi x Goharah) 2010 Straight Egyptian Stallion of the Kuhaylan Rodania Strain “Evolution of Beauty” An outstanding representative of a truly great pedigree Beauty Rarity Type

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Tahleel brings a rare pedigree to North America. Nile Echo’s sire, Ansata Hejazi, is known for his beauty and for

being one of the top-ranked straight Egyptian stallions in the world, and his dam, Ansata White Nile, is a beautiful multichampion. Tahleel’s dam, Goharah, is an incredible producing mare; her sire, Ansata Iemhotep, a full brother to the coveted Ansata Sinan, brings to his pedigree The Egyptian Prince, Fa Moniet, and Ansata Halim Shah. Her dam is by the worldrenowned Ibn Morafic son Al Metrabbi++. Tahleel sires foals with beautiful chiseled faces, huge dark eyes, exceptionally long shapely necks, clean throatlatches, smooth toplines, straight legs, powerful movement, and high tail carriage.

Owned by Lone Tamarak Arabians · Ontario, Canada · 905.912.2935 · westernindulgences@yahoo.ca www.lonetamarakarabians.com 19 b ANSATA HEJAZI b WORLD

Kamal Ibn Adeed A superb son of *Al Adeed Al Shaqab out of an exquisite Ansata Hejazi daughter.

Head, neck, and body — Kamal has it all — and passes it on.

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Back home in California ... A huge thank-you to Judy Sirbasku, Shawn Crews, and the entire staff of Arabians Ltd. for

taking care of Kamal from 2013 - 2016 while he was on lease, breeding some of the world’s most beautiful mares.

Kamal’s semen has been tested and is excellent quality at 24 and 48 hours.

A&D Arabians · Dennis Fournier · 530-432-2636 · cell 530-277-4693 · dgfour@gmail.com www.aanddarabians.com 20 b ANSATA HEJAZI b WORLD

kamal ibn adeed (*Al Adeed Al Shaqab x NF Bint Sajha by Ansata Hejazi), 2009 stallion Owned by A & D Arabians, Penn Valley, California

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Ansata Hejazi became an integral part of the breeding program of A and D Arabians in 2005 with the purchase of his

daughter NF Bint Sajha. Bint Sajha was a treasure for our program. We immediately bred her to *Al Adeed Al Shaqab to double up on Ansata Halim Shah blood and although it took a few attempts, we were finally blessed with that special gift for a breeder — a truly special colt named Kamal Ibn Adeed (more on Kamal later). We then took Bint Sajha to *Laheeb Al Nasser and she gave us a beautiful filly named Hejazia who developed into an exceptional mare. Hejazia then gave us another beautiful filly by Kamal that we named Kamals Rosetta (renamed Ameera Al Safwa). She was Reserve Champion in Scottsdale and sold to her new owner in Qatar.

Hejazi’s influence on our program was monumental as all of our horses (until this year) contain his blood. He is

considered one of Ansata Halim Shah’s most prominent sons and his influence around the world is undeniable.

Our stallion Kamal Ibn Adeed is a maternal grandson of Hejazi and although his sire is *Al Adeed Al Shaqab, everyone who sees him notices that his phenotype is that of his grandsire Hejazi.

We have been extremely fortunate to have been able to utilize Hejazi’s blood so successfully in our program with Kamal, Hejazia, and Bint Sajha.

Kamal has been successful in the ring at the Egyptian Event as a yearling and then again as a three-year-old. Recognizing his potential, Arabians Ltd. leased him in 2013 for three years. They did an exceptional job of caring for him and we are eternally grateful for all they have done for Kamal. Under their care he bred some of the top Straight Egyptian mares in the world. His foals are displaying beauty, structure, and movement in the ilk of his grandsire Ansata Hejazi.

Kamal’s semen has been tested and is excellent quality at 24 and 48 hours.

22 b ANSATA HEJAZI b WORLD

CARISWOOD HANA (Ansata Sheikh Halim by Ansata Hejazi x Cariswood Mahrousa) 2015 bay filly 2016 Egyptian Event First Place Yearling Filly

Hana and her dam are available for your consideration.

Inquiries Welcome.

Cariswood Mahrousa

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Cariswood Hana, her dam, Cariswood Mahrousa, and all of us here at Cariswood Arabians, pay tribute to the legendary

stallion Ansata Hejazi, and to our dear friends, his breeders, Donald and Judith Forbis of Ansata Arabian Stud, and his owner, Mohammed Al Marzouk of Ajmal Arabian Stud. Of noble heritage, he was truly “born to rule.” Perhaps the truest measure of the prepotency of a sire can be found in his influence on the generations beyond his own progeny. Such can be seen in his granddaughter, Cariswood Hana. She is the perfect combination of the greatness of Ansata Hejazi and the mare lines from which she descends … double Ansata Bint Bukra on her sire’s side and double Bint Magidaa on her dam’s side.

Owned by Keri and Carolee Wright · Cariswood Arabians · Sandy, Utah · 801.455.8740 · info@cariswood.com www.cariswood.com 23 b ANSATA HEJAZI b WORLD

Qadar Kadin

Al Mouhareb (Ansata Nile Echo x Imperial Baasimah) 2010 grey Straight Egyptian Stallion

(Ansata Nile Nadir x MB Rayeena) 2005 grey Straight Egyptian Stallion

The first son of Ansata Nile Echo (by Ansata Hejazi) born in North America. On lease to Al Dhahabia Egyptian Stud/Gold Coin Arabians.

One of only two sons of Ansata Nile Nadir out of a daughter of Ansata Misty Nile who is by Ansata Hejazi, standing at public stud in North America.

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In 2001, after visiting the Forbises at

their farm in Mena, I became determined to incorporate Ansata bloodlines into my program. I feel especially blessed to have the blood of Ansata Hejazi — an icon of this legendary program and source of extraordinary balance, beauty and motion — through his grandson Al Mouhareb and greatgrandson Qadar Kadin.

Robin Lee · 575-545-1402 · aleaharabians@yahoo.com www.aleaharabians.com 24 b ANSATA HEJAZI b WORLD

Design by: mickĂŠandoliver Photography by: Michelle Kelly

The Ansata Ibn Halima look Transmitted timelessly from Ansata Hejazi through Monther Al Nasser to new generations of Champions.

by Ansata Hejazi ex Aliah Al Nasser by Imperial Mahzeer For Europe Frozen or Fresh Contact, Giacomo Capacci: Phone +39 335 44377 info@giacomocapacciarabians.com For USA contact, Bart: (US) + 1 805 450 1377 bart@aljassimyafarm.com info@aljassimyafarm.com | www.aljassimyafarm.com