BLOODSTOCK
Straight Egyptian Program

Straight Egyptians, which constitute less than four percent of all purebred Arabian horses, are known for their exceptional beauty and elegance, reflecting the classic type and purity of their desert origins. Influential far beyond their scarce numbers, the history of the straight Egyptian is fascinating, tracing to turbulent times in the Arabian peninsula when many of the finest desert horses were taken to Egypt and bred by the Pashas, Princes and Kings of that country.

Al Shaqab remains a leader among many distinguished farms around the world dedicated to preserving these exceptional horses. Several of the original mares selected by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani for the Al Shaqab breeding program were imported from Egypt. Subsequent importations of straight Egyptians ensured that Al Shaqab became an important source of this rare blood, which has noteworthy connections to the history of Qatar and the Al-Thani family. The exquisite mare Imperial Phanilah was an early acquisition and earned the coveted title of World Champion Mare. Ansata Halim Shah, a legendary stallion and one of the most influential sires in the world, also came to Al Shaqab in the mid-1990's, leaving behind the legacy of his World Champion son, Al Adeed Al Shaqab. Recent additional acquisitions, including several horses from the renowned Ansata Arabian Stud, ensure Al Shaqab's future as one of the most significant straight Egyptian breeding programs in the world.