Cover Story - Al Ghanayim

WINTER 22

L E G E N D. L I F E . L U X U R Y.

ARABIAN HORSE WORLD

Al Ghanayim Stud

A Breeder's Journey Unfolds

by Je f f re y Winte r ste e n Ph o to s by Ale ssio A zzali

I

t is November in Kuwait, the harshness of summer has receded leaving warm days and pleasant evenings in its wake. A crescent moon, the symbol of the faithful in this part of the world, hangs in the blackness above the horizon. As the lights of the stud flicker on, the only sound that breaks the silence is the gentle cascade of water from the nearby fountains and the occasional call from a stallion. The grooms are beginning to turn out the stallions, mares and foals to their paddocks for the night, having spent the day sheltered from the heat. This summer routine will soon be reversed as winter brings cooler days.

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We are at Al Ghanayim Stud, the equine paradise built by Mr. Ayad Al Thuwainy that is literally a stone’s throw from the Saudi border in Al Wafra, southern Kuwait. “In the beginning, this was not the plan,” recalls Ayad with a smile.

“It was supposed to be a small facility with a few horses for fun, just a hobby. With time the hobby became a passion and things became more serious. With an increase in the number of horses, came an increase in the number of staff and of course, greater requirements for their care. When we started in 2015, I never envisioned it would reach the size and scope of what it is today.”

Upon entering gates of the stud, the most striking aspect is the incredible expanse of grass that carpets the entire property. It is truly unique in the Middle East.

Top: The filly Mabrooka Al Ghanayim ( Jakhal Alfabia x Ebonie Starr).

Opposite Page: Top: Mr. Ayad Al Thuwainy enjoys spending much of his time in the barns with the horses.

Bottom (left to right): Ahmed, Gina, Ghaneemah and Ghizlan Thuwainy pictured with one of their farm favorite mares, Erianna MFA (Eden C x Sue Bees Honey).

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The farm boasts 99 stalls and 20 turn-out paddocks, along with walkers, and a state of the art equine pool to help condition horses. As for equine residents, Al Ghanayim Stud includes fourteen stallions, forty-six broodmares, five recipient mares and thirty-five young fillies, colts and foals.

Top: Al Ghanayim's spectacular garden barns.

Bottom: Ibn Faleeh (GR Faleeh x Ameera Bint Bellagio), bred by Al Ghanayim Stud, after a recent race win.

Ayad nurtured his love of horses with his uncle, who was one of the largest Arabian breeders in Kuwait before the Iraq invasion.

From October through April, Ayad would spend every day after school at the racetrack with his uncle’s horses. This deep understanding of the Arabian’s utility reverberates through the stud as all the stallions are ridden for their daily exercise.

Even older stallions, who were not started under saddle until arriving at the farm, are ridden.

The most recent addition to the facility is an impressive air-conditioned barn that includes stalls, walkers, and an equine pool with a unique area to entertain guests and present horses, allowing the entire operation to move indoors during critical times of the year. “The Kuwaiti weather is very harsh in summer,” explains Ayad.

“We also have about a month and a half in winter that is cold and windy. So, we have five months when we can’t live outside. Because of this, we decided that we needed to have an indoor facility for the horses' comfort, and ours.

This allows us to operate 365 days a year no matter the weather.” Soon the facility will also include a state-of-the-art breeding center that is capable of handling fresh and frozen semen, as well as performing embryo transfers.

Middle right: The recently completed equine pool.

Bottom right: A groom conditions a horse at the indoor barn.

Any time spent with Ayad makes it clear that the most important aspects of his involvement with horses is to share them with family and friends. “I have two presentations a week,” says Ayad with a smile of genuine pleasure. “I show my horses for myself, then my family and friends. Because of this, it is important for them to be presented properly.” There are two paddocks, on each side in which to present horses, enabling the viewers to escape the breeze or sun depending on the direction. There are movable glass panels for when it is nice, or enclosed with air conditioning or heat depending on the seasons.

Top: The filly Jawhara Al Ghanayim (Al Rali RV x Ebonie Star).

Below: Ayad Al Thuwainy and his daughters enjoy viewing the mares and foals with Jeffrey Wintersteen and Shawn Crews.

Opposite Page: Filly sired by Jakhal Alfabia and out of Basmah Al Ghanayim.

A facility is nothing without proper management, and in this regard Ayad made an astute choice, bringing in William Oppen who has a wealth of experience and is also a popular international judge. Trained as a vet, William was hired out of university by the well known and influential Zichy-Thyssen Arabians in Argentina. From there, William played an integral role at the world renowned Al Shaqab Stud in Doha, Qatar in 2002.

“After working more than 20 years for Zichy-Thyssen, including the two periods before and after Al Shaqab, I knew I could only work for someone with a first-rate breeding and show program and with the best possible facilities,” explains William. “In 2019, I had an offer to come and see Al Ghanayim Stud in Kuwait.

After meeting Mr. Ayad I realized this was the place I was looking for. Mr. Ayad is well educated, an entrepreneur, and a gentleman, and those qualities made my decision easier.”

Left: Manager William Oppen pictured with his right-hand man, Sawroop Singh, left.

Below: The Al Thuwainy family's beloved salukis enjoying an afternoon of play in one of the many fountains on the farm.

Recently added to the staff is fellow Argentinian, Lucas Fernández, who handles the training responsibilities. This is the first time that Al Ghanayim has handled training in-house. The 22-year-old gained experience at Luca Oberti Training Center in Italy and Al Khor Stud in Qatar before arriving at Al Ghanayim. “I have only known Lucas for a couple months,” explains William, “but he is humble, disciplined, hard working and an astute horseman. He is also a good person and gets along with the staff. I see a bright future for him in this industry.

“We are also very lucky to have on staff Dr. Dayvory Zalotini," continues William. “He is probably one of the best veterinarians I have worked with in my career and we could not be prouder that he's here at Al Ghanayim Stud.”

Top Right: Manager William Oppen judging at a competition.

Below: Shawn Crews (far left), William Oppen (center) and Jeffrey Wintersteen (far right) with the staff at Al Ghanayim Stud.

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Marwan Al Shaqab ZT Marwteyn ZT Ludjteyna Jakhal Alfabia ZT Magnanimus ZT Magna Psyche WN Obsession

While the facility and staff developed at Al Ghanayim Stud is impressive compared to the best in the industry, what really makes Ayad’s vision unique is his commitment to breeding black Arabians at a level few have ever attempted. Currently there are in residence ten black stallions, eighteen black mares and seven black colts and fillies. This rare, hand-picked collection rivals any program in the world, and is the core of the Al Ghanayim breeding program.

One of the recent imports to the stud is the Italian-bred black stallion Jakhal Alfabia (ZT Marwteyn x ZT Magna Psyche by ZT Magnanimus). Bred by Gigi Grasso, Jakhal

Gazal Al Shaqab Little Liza Fame Ludjin El Jamaal Shahteyna AB Magnum ZT Shakmontelite Padrons Psyche WN Obession

Alfabia paints a striking profile with his length of neck, incredible throatlatch, beautiful head and length of leg. He is also a sensible horse, easy to handle, and in the Al Ghanayim tradition is ridden regularly for exercise. “We have had a lot of black stallions since the beginning, mainly of Egyptian blood. Jakhal offered something that we were missing, a black stallion of nonEgyptian blood to serve as an outcross for our Egyptian mares, as well as useful on our purebred Arabian mares,” explains Ayad. “When I went to see Jakhal for the first time, he was very close to the black Arabian stallion ideal that I had in my mind. I saw in him certain characteristics that would complement our mares.”

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Jakhal Alfabia

(ZT Marwteyn x ZT Magna Psyche by ZT Magnanimus) 2012 Black Stallion

Jakhal Alfabia had been used sparingly prior to being purchased by Al Ghanayim. “You could probably count his foals on one hand, but I liked what I saw, I liked the quality, and was convinced that he is what we needed,” remembers Ayad. “And to be honest, I also liked the fact that there were limited progeny, as he would be exclusive to Al Ghanayim. I wanted to create my own niche with him.” It stands to reason that Jakhal Alfabia is not available to outside breeders, standing only for the mares of Al Ghanayim.

Jakhal Alfabia’s first foals at Al Ghanayim arrived this past breeding season, and the results are spectacular. Not all are black, but enough are, and all have huge eyes, beautiful faces and long upright, well-hinged necks. “We are really lucky and proud of this most recent foal crop,” continues Ayad. “We are starting to see what we were hoping for with Jakhal. So I am also very hopeful about what is coming in the next few years.”

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Top right: 2021 grey colt sired by Jakhal Alfabia and out of Ghizlan Al Entissar.

Top left: The filly Mabrooka Al Ghanayim, sired by Jakhal Alfabia and out of Ebonie Starr.

Bottom: The filly, Musk Al Ghanayim sired by Jakhal Alfabia and out of Alia Galal RCA with trainer Lucas Fernández.

Opposite Page: Jakhal Alfabia (ZT Marwteyn x ZT Magna Psyche).

The Mares of Al Ghanayim Stud “Al Ghanayim also breeds horses of other colors, and identifies these as “non-blacks” from the stud’s perspective. “After I established a good foundation with black mares, I started to look for non-blacks, mainly of Egyptian breeding,” recalls Ayad. “Thanks to some of our dear friends and breeders, many who have been breeding much longer than we have, some 25 years, we were allowed to acquire some of their best mares to add to our foundation. We also bred them to some excellent outside sires, and the results are very gratifying.”

The black breeding program can be divided into straight Egyptian and non-straight Egyptians. Furthermore, the straight Egyptians are divided into descendants, on the sire's side, of primarily the two Nazeer sons, *Morafic and *Ansata Ibn Halima++.

“Ayad's mind as a breeder is different,” comments Shawn Crews, who has worked with Ayad on the selection of a number of his straight Egyptian foundation stock. “At first glance Ayad’s thought process in breeding resembles the chaos of how a puzzle looks when you open the box and see hundreds of pieces. What Ayad sees, and sees differently than anyone I have known… is the spectacular picture that those pieces create.

That is the mind of a great breeder. From what Jeff and I saw on this last trip, it is going to be an exciting time at Al Ghanayim Stud.”

A Unique Breeding Philosophy On the pages to follow, you will find lists of Al Ghanayim Stud's straight Egyptian mares arranged by sire line.

Although the importance of the mare’s tail female lines were key in Ayad's aquisition process as he assembled the highest quality foundation mares, in most cases the physical traits of the mares most resemble their sire's family. So much so, that when glancing across the field, it is quite easy to know which mares are descendants of which of the three famous stallions that most of the herd traces to…*Morafic, *Ansata Ibn Halima++ or Sameh.

By using his diverse group of stallions, Ayad breeds those mares to both concentrate the stallion line and desired traits as well as to blend and cross the three groups. In addition, he is using the strong Egyptian gene pools to blend with his Arabian purebreds.

Whether Ayad and his team are making breeding decisions for their straight Egyptian mares or choices for their purebred Arabian stallion, Jakhal Alfabia, the sire lines play an integral role in their decision making process.

• Mares pictured throughout the story.

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Manar AA (Al Ayal AA x Madeena)

Mares of the Sameh Sire Line SL Jamila (Raisuli RF x Ayla Dheen) Alia Galal RCA (Alixir x Kiyasa RCA) Ameera Bint Bellagio (Bellagio RCA x Queen A Hearts RCA) Bint Bellagio RCA (Bellagio RCA x Princes Hamamaa RCA) Jameela Bint Bellagio (Bellagio RCA x Binte Nafila RCA) Magdalenah (Bellagio RCA x Queen A Hearts RCA)

Top: Ameera Bint Bellagio (Bellagio RCA x Queen A Hearts RCA).

Bottom: Bint Bellagio RCA (Bellagio RCA x Princes Hamamaa RCA).

Jameela Bint Bellagio (Bellagio RCA x Binte Nafila RCA).

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Filly sired by Naseem Al Rashediah and out of Mishaala Belle RCA.

Mares of the *Ansata Ibn Halima++ Sire Line Ajeeba Al Danat (Ezz Al Danat x Badrah Al Danat) Azeeza Al Danat (Ezz Al Danat x Almasaa Al Danat) Aljawhara Al Danat (Shamekh Al Danat x Shalwa) Frasera Farida (Frasera Ramses Shah x Frasera Hadyra) Frasera Rashira (Frasera Ramses Shah x Frasera Shahira) Ghazayel Al Danat (Ezz Al Danat x Shethor Al Danat)

Kaheet Al Mashrek (Negm Al Farida x Gehad Alaa Al Din) NK NouNou (NK Nadeer x NK Bint Bint Nashua) Tabasheer Al Wafy (Sofyan Al Mobarky x Hasna Madheen) Bint Kamal RCA (Kamal Ibn Adeed x Scarlet Madinah RCA) BS Najla (BS Echnaton x BS Hakima) Kareena Kamala SA (Kamal Ibn Adeed x Kareena RCA)

Nezar Al Ghanayim (Al Rali NV x TheeBintLotusCapri).

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Purebred Arabian Mares Brule PA (Magnum Chall HVP x ZSpecial Edition) Erianna FMA (Eden C x Sue Bees Honey) Georganne CG (Georgia AF x MarkCherie LCA) Manar AA (Al Ayal AA x Madeena) Lady Jamal (EB Jamal x Aja Sanagors Lady) EB Sultana (Dandi MPE x EB Sury)

Top: Colt by Zadilrakb Ezzain and out of Jazsara.

Bottom: Erianna FMA (Eden C x Sue Bees Honey).

Dana Alkhamiss

(Sabea Al Muawd x Durrat Alkhamiss)

The recent acquisition for Al Ghanayim Stud is an example of Ayad’s continued search for something special to enhance his breeding program. He found it in the black mare Dana Alkhamiss (Sabea Al Muawd x Durrat Alkhamiss). The 2016 mare exhibits an

incredible attitude and the exotic type that is treasured in an Arabian mare regardless the color, even more so when it is black. Currently in Belgium, she will join the broodmare band at Al Ghanayim, where Ayad is looking forward to seeing what she can produce.

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The Stallions of Al Ghanayim Stud

Top: Attimo (Bellagio RCA x Desperados Fatinah).

Right: Safari Ameer (*Dahes Al Rayyan x *Safari Warda).

Bottom: Zambuka (*Alixir x Abriel RCA).

Straight Egyptian Stallions SAMIR ALI (Bellagio RCA x Barakis Gem) GR FALEEH (Madallan-Madheen x *Fasinah El Chamsin) TB MANSOUR (*DF Nashwan x Mia Mouna) AL RALI (*Baha AA x Doubay YA) ATTIMO (Bellagio RCA x Desperados Fatinah) GR LAHAB (*Al Lahab x GR Nashidah) SAFARI AMEER (*Dahes Al Rayyan x *Safari Warda) THEE MASADA DB (Thee Desperado+ x Makeda DB) GR NASHAD (*GR Faleeh x GR Nashidah) AMIR AL JOOD (Thee Desperado+ x Imaaras Alixir) ZAMBUKA (*Alixir x Abriel RCA)

Samir Ali (Bellagio RCA x Barakis Gem).

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It becomes clear that Ayad’s mission is not just amassing a collection of high quality horses, it is what his influence can mean to the future of the breed. “The proof of every breeder is his progeny,” says Ayad, with a seriousness in his tone. “How will history will judge what we created here? Two years ago, just before the pandemic, we entered some of our first homebreds in shows here in Kuwait. Almost all won their classes, either first or second. I was very pleased with those results.”

The show was the Kuwait Breeders Cup for Straight Egyptians in February of 2020. Those who have been to Kuwait, know these shows are quite competitive with over 20 entries per section.

The group of homebreds was led by the grey Rowah Al Ghanayim (Shamekh Al Danat x Tabasheer Al Wafy) who won her section of yearling fillies, as did stablemate Zainah Al Ghanayim (Samir Ali x Safina RCA) in the class for two-year-olds. One of the farm’s first successes with black horses was Abjar Al Ghanayem (Bellagio RCA x Kavetas Miracle RCA) winning three-year-old colts. Another black colt, Nezar Al Ghanayim (Al Rali RV x TheeBintLotusCapri) was second in his yearling colt class and just missed being name Bronze Champion Yearling Colt.

Al Ghanayim has also won laurels internationally. Aljawhara Al Danat (Ezz Al Danat x Al Massa Aldanat), purchased from good friend Mr. Mohammad Al Omar, owner of Al Danat Stud, has carried the banner for Al Ghanayim. In 2018 she earned a Bronze Championship for Yearling Fillies at the Straight Egyptian World Championships in Vermezzo, Italy.

From top to bottom: Al Ghanayim's winners from recent shows: Abjar Al Ghanayem (Bellagio RCA x Kavetas Miracle RCA); Aljawhara Al Danat (Ezz Al Danat x Al Massa Aldanat); Nezar Al Ghanayim (Al Rali RV x TheeBintLotusCapri); Rowah Al Ghanayim (Shamekh Al Danat x Tabasheer Al Wafy); and Zainah Al Ghanayim (Samir Ali x Safina RCA).

The Progeny of Al Ghanayim Stud 2021 Filly

(Jakhal Alfabia x Mishaala Belle RCA)

2021 Filly

(Jakhal Alfabia x Jameela Bint Bellagio)

Alia Al Ghanayim

(Samir Ali x Kahert Al Mashrek)

Anwaar Al Ghanayim

(GR Laab x Lily Mishaala RCA)

Asila Al Ghanayim

(Safari Ameer x Ebonie Starr)

Basmah Al Ghanayim

(GR Faleeh x Ebonie Starr)

Ghalia Al Ghanayim

(Al Rali RV x Bint Bellagio RCA)

2021 Colt

(Jakhal Alfabia x Ghizlan Al Entissar)

Ghizlan Al Ghanayim

2021 Colt

(Asfour Al Waab x Maram Aljazira)

(Jakhal Alfabia x Brule PA)

Jawhara Al Ghanayim

2021 Colt

(Al Rali RV x Ebonie Star)

Mabrooka Al Ghanayim

(Jakhal Alfabia x Ebonie Star)

(Ezz Al Danat x Tabasheer Al Wafy)

Nader Al Ghanayim

(Naseem Al Rashediah x Al Jawhara Al Danat)

Musk Al Ghanayim

(Jakhal Alfabia x Alia Galal RCA)

Rowah Al Ghanayim

(Shamekh Al Danat x Tabasheer Al Wafy)

Zainah Al Ghanayim

(Samir Ali x Safina RCA)

The filly Basmah Al Ghanayim (GR Faleeh x Ebonie Starr).

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Nezar Al Ghanayim

(Al Rali NV x TheeBintLotusCapri)

Kuhail Al Ghanayim

(GR Nashad x Mishaala Belle RCA)

As enthusiastic as Ayad is about his first foray into showing, he is even more keen to build on their initial success. “I am very excited for when shows start up again in Kuwait, I think we will be more prepared and even better positioned,” explains Ayad. “I believe the quality of our foals has improved, as has our ability to prepare the horses for shows. So this is something I am really looking forward to.

But the overall direction of the breeding program, rather than the show results, is Ayad’s focus. “I believe the next five years will be more interesting than the last five,” relays Ayad with excitement. “The first five years, we began from nothing, constructing a foundation of mares, the facility, everything. Now, we have reached a proper foundation to actually start building something of note. I am really optimistic about where we are going. I think we have a really good chance of reaching the highest international standard of quality.

Top left: Kaheet Al Mashrek (Negm Al Farida x Gehad Alaa Al Din).

Center: Zainah Al Ghanayim (Samir Ali x Safina RCA).

Bottom: Anwaar Al Ghanayim (GR Lahab x Lily Mishaala RCA).

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Top: Nader Al Ghanayim (Naseem Al Rashediah x Al Jawhara Al Danat).

Bottom right: Kuhail Al Ghanayim (GR Nashad x Mishaala Belle RCA).

Bottom left: Colt sired by Ezz Al Danat and out of Tabashira Al Wafry.

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“Now, I come more often, and am involved in all of the details of the stud, especially during foaling. Whenever I have any extra time, I am here to check on the horses, discuss plans and future breedings. Horses have changed me completely from the man I was before. They give

me the greatest joy, especially when you start to see some successful results. In some ways, it reminds me of my children – when there is a foal I want to know everything, is it okay? How is the mare? I just want the best for them. They have become like my family.”

Top left: Filly sired by Magic Magnifique and out of BS Najla.

Top right: Filly sired by Naseem Al Rashediah and out of Ghizlan Al Ghanayim.

Bottom: Mr. Ayad Al Thuwainy pictured with William Oppen, Jeffrey Wintersteen and Shawn Crews.

Top: The Al Thuwainy family (left to right) Ghizlan, Gina, Ghaneemah, Hanadi, Ayad and Ahmed pictured inside the new guest center, which is elaborately designed in the style of a traditional Bedouin tent.

Left: Anwaar Al Ghanayim (GR Lahab x Lily Mishaala RCA).

Ayad’s passion for horses is something he shares with his family on a regular basis, and has been a pleasure for all of his children. “We are happy my father got to fulfill his passion and create this environment for the horses and us too,” explains his daughter Ghaneemah, capturing the sentiment of her siblings. “We do not get bored when we come here, there is so much to do. I think his passion has become our passion as well. We have connected on a very personal level with our father and the horses.”

“Breeding a horse is different from buying one.

It is nice when you buy a horse and develop a relationship with it, but when you breed them, the relationship is much more intense,” explains Ayad, his face more serious now. “You agonize over the decision of the stallion, you celebrate a healthy foal, but then began to worry whether anything will happen to it.” It is a sentiment shared by true breeders all over the world.

Breeding has never been a science, a linear equation, but more a seemingly unrelated pattern that the best are able to see clearly. The best breeding decisions are often guided more by intuition or feel than an articulation of facts.

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Our time in Kuwait has been fascinating as we chronicled Ayad’s journey to do what many think is not possible: consistently produce the highest quality Arabian, and in black. Again, we find ourselves looking forward to seeing this passionate breeder’s journey unfold.

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