Sultan Al Zobara

Have you ever seen the arrival of a royal figure? The crowds gather in their thousands and split to make way. They cheer at the top of their lungs, whistles can be heard near and far and the clapping almost makes the earth shake. Some people can’t stop smiling, others weep in joy and the rest just stand in awe. The royal figures in the Arabian horse industry include names like Padrons Psyche, Marwan Al Shaqab, RN Farida, Kubinec, CR Jasmeenah and WH Justice to name a few. Whether you look at these royals in their stables, in the show arena or just grazing in a paddock, you can’t help but succumb to the beauty they emanate. The Qatari bred Sultan Al Zobara (Gazal Al Shaqab x Inra Al Shaqab) is another one of those horses that belong to the elite group of royals. His unquestionable beauty and dominance in arenas around the world have put him above the rest and in a royal league of his own. Sultan Al Zobara is bred by Abdullah Al Misnad of Qatar and is currently owned by the uber successful Kuwaiti farm, Abhaa Arabians, proudly owned by Ahmad Abdulaziz Al Babtain. He is a majestic, one-of-a-kind stallion that is of royal stature. His pedigree oozes greatness and is embellished with aristocrats and royal figures from around the world. His sire, World Champion Gazal Al Shaqab (Anaza El Farid x Kajora) is a living legend and icon in the industry. Just like Bask, Bey Shah and Padron did in their day, Gazal Al Shaqab single-handedly changed the face of the breed to what it is today. His impact is revered around the world and the utterance of his name is enough to make breeders, enthusiasts, judges and handlers stand in respect. Through the straight Egyptian stallion and Egyptian Event Winner Anaza El Farid, Gazal Al Shaqab has given Sultan Al Zobara one of the greatest gifts a father could ever give a son in this industry – a sire line to the celebrated stallion and extraordinary producer Nazeer. Anaza El Farid brings with him the powerful blood of U.S. National Champion Ruminaja Ali and the Ansata Ibn Halima daughter and aristocratic producer, Bint Deena. Gazal Al Shaqab’s dam was the 1982 U.S. National Champion Mare Kajora. She is one of the founding matriarchs of Al Shaqab and her pedigree is an extraordinary blend of powerful Polish, Crabbet and Russian influences. Through her dam, the grey, multiple in hand and English pleasure champion, Edjora (Excelsjor x Edessa) we find a tail female line to the Albigowa bred Ellora – dam of U.S. National and Scottsdale Champion Stallion, El Paso. Now while Sultan Al Zobara’s sire lives up to definition of the word influential, his dam should not be overlooked. Inra Al Shaqab (Wahag Al Shaqab x Johara Al Shaqab), is a straight Egyptian broodmare supreme. Her sire Wahag Al Shaqag is the result of crossing two exemplary Egyptian horses, namely Safir and Kamasayyah. Safir sired a countless number of daughters that went on to become integral parts of studs around the world and the Qatari Champion Kamasayyah, is a half-sister to the U.S. Reserve National Champion, Hadban Al Shaqab. Inra Al Shaqab’s dam, Johara Al Shaqab is one of the most refined and authentic Egytpian mares that the industry has ever seen. Not only is she a sight for sore eyes but she is the dam of multiple champions. The rich and valuable Ansata and Imperial blood that Inra Al Shaqab adds to this pedigree makes Sultan Al Zobara a royal inside and out. What is interesting and quite staggering is the fact that in the five generations of Sultan Al Zobara’s pedigree, we find 24 champions from around the world and enough aristocracy to last a lifetime. Now when you possess immense quality, ooze Arabian type, have multiple crosses to breed legends, look better in real life than you do on paper and are a son of a living legend, you are deemed royal and certainly fit to take on the toughest shows around the world. Sultan Al Zobara’s exotic face, long, snake-like neck, perfectly proportioned body and that textbook stand-up all make him look as if he was carved by the world’s greatest sculptors. Couple that with his flag-like tail carriage, powerful movement and snort-and-blow attitude, and you have a living masterpiece – one that sets every show ring ablaze and leaves spectators speechless. Ever since he made his show ring debut as yearling, Sultan Al Zobara has found himself earning truck loads of twenties, Best Head Trophies and in the winner’s circle by unanimous decision. His debut was at the coveted World Championships in Paris in 2012. He was the new kid on the block and everyone was waiting to see the extreme bay colt from the e-blasts in person. Giacomo Capacci showed him to perfection and the culminated that show with the Gold World Champion Yearling Colt title. Then in 2014, he made his return. Sultan Al Zobara had matured into an outstanding three-year-old and all eyes were on him. One could see both his masculinity and refinement from afar, he was ready to take on what was coming his way. He was shown at the Mediterranean & Arab Countries Arabian Horse Championship held at the picturesque, French coastal city of Menton. It was once again Giacomo Capacci at the lead and when they danced into the arena, the crowd erupted. Sultan Al Zobara put on a fantastic performance and earned himself the Mediterranean & Arab Countries Silver Champion Junior Colt title. Sultan Al Zobara came into his own as a stallion and he made sure that the world would remember his name. He made his way to the United States of America and arrived at Midwest Training Center in the capable hands of David Boggs. Professional and experienced horseman, David Boggs, knew that he had a rare gem in his hands. And it was time to take this gem to Las Vegas and make him shine even brighter. Sultan Al Zobara burst into the arena at the 2015 Las Vegas Arabian Breeders World Cup and won his class effortlessly. His near perfect stand up made it look as if a sculpture had truly come to life. As he stood there, dead still, with the judges scrutinizing every nook and cranny, the crowd went wild. The cheers, shouts of praise and tears filled the room. At the end of it, Sultan Al Zobara was named Gold Champion Senior Stallion at the Las Vegas Arabian Breeders World Cup. After an exceptional year in the U.S., Sultan Al Zobara made his way home and started off 2016 with a bang. He was shown at the Kuwait International Arabian Horse Championships, a coveted A-Show held in Kuwait and like he usually does, Sultan Al Zobara bagged himself multiple twenties, a first place in his class and ultimately the 2016 Kuwait International Gold Champion Senior Stallion title. 2016 saw Sultan Al Zobara end up in the hands of the super successful Qatari farm, Al Thumama Stud. After his success in Kuwait, the team at Al Thumama Stud leased Sultan Al Zobara to breed to their array of gorgeous mares and to campaign and show him at the World Championships that year. Sultan Al Zobara stood with Tom Oben and together the two formed a bond, a bond that evident in Paris that year. They burst into the arena with their heads held high and only had one goal on their mind – the gold. On championship day, Sultan Al Zobara was named 2016 Silver World Champion Stallion and the entire Al Thumama team couldn’t have been happier. After a year-long break from the show circuit to fulfil his duties in the breeding barn, the now seven-year-old Sultan Al Zobara has matured into a stallion of immeasurable beauty and quality. He is ready to make his comeback and show the world his true potential. The team at Abhaa Arabians have proudly leases this sensational stallion. The Abhaa Arabians team believe that when you bring together one of the breed’s finest and accomplished stallions with a mare of unique beauty and refinement, both with royal bloodlines, the result is bound to be an exceptional individual that stands out in a crowd. Sultan Al Zobara is indeed one of those individuals and Abhaa Arabians intends to breed more of these royal horses. And this time they are giving outside breeders the opportunity to breed their very own royals as well. For the first time, Sultan Al Zobara will be available to the public. Mr. Gianpaolo Gubbiotti also known as Woody is currently handling all the promotion regarding Sultan Al Zobara and we can be sure to see some great news coming our way. He is currently standing at Capecci Training Center in Italy and Paolo Capecci and his wife Susy Gruschler couldn’t be happier; they are excited to represent such an esteemed and illustrious horse and for the possibilities that Sultan Al Zobara brings with him. The royal king, Sultan Al Zobara is starting a new chapter and we can be sure that it will be written in a royal manner. So get ready Arabian industry, the crowds will soon start gathering, be sure to make way, a royal story is about to unfold.