The incredible stallion El Chall WR has arrived on Australian soil, bringing with him his own unique Arabian type and charisma. Loved by all that see him, El Chall has an illustrious pedigree and he has already enjoyed a dynamic show career that spans two continents. Now owned by Helen and Andy Hardwick of Al Sahrae Arabians in Victoria, El Chall has a chance to make his mark on the Arabian horses in this part of the world.
El Chall WR was born in 2008, bred by Donald Camacho Jr in the United States, and this eight-year-old stallion is sired by Magnum Chall HVP, a son of the famed Magnum Psyche (Padrons Psyche x A Fancy Miracle by Sasaki out of Medina Azahara). Magnum Chall is out of Taamara HVP, a daughter of the vibrant stallion Don El Chall (Prichal x AF Donana by AF Vasco out of JT Amazon). El Chall’s dam is the US National Champion Major Love Affair, sired by DS Major Afire, a son of the legendary Afire Bey V (Huckleberry Bey x Autumn Fire by Bask out of Sparkling Burgundy). Major Love Affair is out of HL Infactuation (LF Fifth Avenue x Georddanna by Aladdinn out of TJS Georgie Girl). Looking at his pedigree, it is clear that much of El Chall’s appeal lies in his bloodlines. There are no lines to Marwan AL Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab x Little Liza Fame by Fame VF) or WH Justice (Magnum Psyche x Vona Sher-Renea by El Sher-Mann), two stallions whose progeny have dominated the show-ring in recent years. Indeed, El Chall does, in fact, have a very ‘old’ pedigree, and there is little wonder that Helen and Andy recognised the brilliant qualities that El Chall would bring not only to their own breeding programme, but to Australia.
In his yearling year, El Chall WR immediately made a name for himself. Although he is now almost white, still with his trademark dapples, El Chall was almost black when he was born, and this striking colt took the title of US Reserve National Champion Yearling Colt. The following year, in 2010, El Chall memorably stepped into the show-ring of the Arabian Breeders’ World Cup in Las Vegas for the first time. El Chall and Vegas would go on to become a winning combination, and the crowds never tired of seeing him show in this fantastic arena. As a two-year old, he took the Supreme Junior Male Championship in some style; I still remember the gasps from the audience as those that had not seen El Chall before fully took in the quality of this young colt. Quite an amazing experience.
Under the ownership of North Arabians, El Chall then came to Europe for the summer season, taking the Bronze Junior Male Championship at the Menton Mediterranean & Arab Countries Arabian Horse Championship. From there, El Chall took the Gold Junior Male Championship and the Best in Show Trophy at the Elran Cup in Belgium. El Chall finished his season in Europe by taking the Trophée Espoir at World Championships in Paris, with this award being given to the most promising young horse at the show.
Back on American soil, and now three years of age, El Chall took two Reserve US National Championships, for the Futurity and for the breeding classes. As a stallion, El Chall was shown lightly, always delighting the crowds wherever he went. Las Vegas remained a favourite show for El Chall and he was consistently placed at the top of the line.
Scottsdale also became a great show venue for El Chall. In October 2015, he was named Gold Senior Male Champion at the Arabian Breeders’ Finals. February 2016 then saw El Chall take the stage at the Scottsdale All-Arabian Horse Show. To huge cheers, he placed second in his international class, and would go on to take the Bronze International Senior Male Championship. In strong competition in Las Vegas, El Chall placed third behind eventual Gold Champion Equator (QR Marc x Ekliptyka by Ekstern).
Helen and Andy first saw El Chall WR in the flesh at the Arabian Breeders’ World Cup in 2015 and they fell in love with this beautiful, dapple-grey stallion. They were then fortunate enough to see him at both the Scottsdale All-Arabian Horse Show and again at the World Cup in 2016. They both thought that El Chall was a very special stallion.
“In August this year, Kate and Doyle Dertell of Future Farms Arabians mentioned to us that an opportunity had become available to purchase this amazing stallion,” explains Helen. “We immediately jumped at the opportunity as all of us from Al Sahrae Arabians, including our children Brittney and Evan, were completely captivated by El Chall WR from the moment we saw him. He has an amazing pedigree, undeniable type and charisma, and a very sweet nature. We never thought that we would be able to own him but dreams do come true! Thanks must go to Travis Rice of Royal Arabians and Rodolfo Guzzo of Guzzo World Wide as well as Doyle for securing our opportunity to purchase this stallion.”
In October, El Chall WR arrived on Australian soil and he made his Aussie debut in early December at the Future Farms open day. “Our very good friends Kate and Doyle will stand El Chall at stud for us. To have El Chall’s first presentation at their farm was very special indeed, and we were delighted with the response to him!
“El Chall already has his first mares in foal, and we now spend the next few months waiting for them to arrive! El Chall won’t be shown this season at present – he has nothing to prove – but we plan to show him for a complete season, starting with the National Arabian Championships in 2017. One thing is for sure, however; we are so excited to have El Chall here with us, and we look forward to all that the future brings with this charismatic and sweet-natured stallion.”
Find out more about El Chall WR and Al Sahrae’s Arabian farm at www.alsahraearabians.com.au
All photography by Samantha Taylor
