05/05/2024
Two Seasons Remembered Forever
For horse owners and breeders, the foaling season is a time filled with anticipation and excitement. A year of waiting culminates in the birth of a new life, and there are moments when the reward for the wait becomes a part of history. The years 2004 and 2005 were among those unforgettable seasons.
After a triumphant run, winning back-to-back World Championships in Paris, France, Marwan Al Shaqab's arrival in the United States was met with high expectations and eager anticipation. His first US National Championship in the fall of 2003 only added to his already impressive credentials. In addition to his successful show career, Marwan had bred twenty mares in the United States, with a few foals from his time in Mallorca, Spain, already showing outstanding results. The American breeders were brimming with excitement and anticipation.
In 2004, two c**ts were born, exceeding all expectations: Marajj and Marquis.
Marajj, a beautiful, rich bay, well-balanced, and exquisitely faced c**t, was the first to claim a significant award and represent what Marwan was able to produce. His Junior Champion C**t win at Scottsdale in 2005 was just the beginning of his global success. Marajj continued to win countless awards worldwide, being named both World Champion and US National Champion. His impact as a sire is equally impressive, having produced World and National Champions. Marajj is owned by Albidayer in Sharjah, UAE.
Marquis, born in Canada, made his show ring debut in Menton, France, marking the start of his global success. His exceptional qualities were evident from the start, as he won his first outing commandingly. Known for his glistening chestnut color and unique brilliance, Marquis trotted across arenas in multiple countries, earning massive points for his beauty and charisma. His record includes two World Champions, a testament to the international impact of Marwan's offspring. Marquis is owned by Al Khalediah in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
As a sire, Marwan was officially recognized as a superior sire, destined to make history.
The 2005 foal crop proved to be equally impressive. Two future World Champions were born, but both had some winning to do in America first.
Baanderos went to Scottsdale as a yearling and left a Champion and with a new owner. Once again, Al Khalediah jumped at the opportunity to own one of the great youngsters on the scene. The future recorded wins in Paris, not only as a Junior C**t but as a Senior Stallion. In addition, Baanderos was a Champion from England to Dubai and many places in between.
His birth created quite a stir. Many calls were made describing this exotic bay c**t; was he too extreme? Several interested parties journeyed to California hoping to buy the son of Marwan, QR Marc. Ultimately, Rohara Arabians were the lucky buyers and showed him to Regional wins and the US Reserve National Champion. Eventually, QR Marc was sold to Belgium, where he was shown to World Champion Stallion for Knocke Arabians. Too extreme, certainly not!
2004 and 2005 were tell-tale years for what was to come from Marwan Al Shaqab. He would be the leading sire of Champions for many consecutive years. He lives happily at the famed Al Shaqab Stud in Doha, Qatar.