The auction saw bidding for more than 30 purebred champions, with the embryo of multiple champion mare FT Shaella selling for a record-breaking QR3.2m
The auction at the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF) has set a world record with an embryo of international champion mare and World Champion FT Shaella (Shael Dream Desert x Soul Pretty TGS), owned by Dubai Arabian Horse Stud, selling for QR3.2 million (£647,614, $879,121, €768,862) the organisers have said.
The bid was the highest in the world for an embryo, and this was the first time that participants could bid for embryo and breeding horses at the KIAHF. The winning bid was placed by Mr Nabeel Ali Bin Ali and Miss Dana Nabeel Ali Bin Ali al Maslemani of Al Thumama Stud, also from Qatar.
FT Shaella. Credit Erwin Escher
Other highlights included the mares Ghaliah al Kheesa (SMA Magic One x Shania NWA), from Al Kheesa Stud for QR350,000, and Lamana (Laman HVP x Miriam II) from Al Sraiya Stud for QR250,000.
Breedings to Ajman Stud’s AJ Mardan (Vervaldee x Felicia RLC) sold for QR220,000 while breeding a breeding to Dubai Stud’s FA el Rasheem (FA el Shahwan x Virtuosa MLR) sold for QR120,000.
AJ Mardan. Credit Gigi Grasso
The second edition of KIAHF is being held under the patronage of the Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and will run until 12 February.
The auction was attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, as well as other dignitaries, horse owners, breeders and equestrian sports lovers.
The festival has a total prize QR17,083,500, of which QR13,990,000 is for the Title Show. Malika Mohamed Al Shraim, General Secretary of the KIAHF Organising Committee and New Media Department Manager at Katara, said Qatar has become a global sporting destination for horse owners, breeders and horse lovers who are looking for distinctive championships that contribute to preserving the authentic Arab heritage, and boost Qatar’s reputation and make the nation proud in the field of equestrianism. Al Shraim added that the KIAHF is one of the most important sporting events and seeks to protect the rich equestrian heritage through the diversity of its activities related to horses and equestrian sports, art and culture.
Nasser bin Sherida Al Kaabi of the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club praised the professional organisation of the KIAHF auction, which witnessed the participation of the most prominent purebred Arabian horse breeds and noted that the beginning of the auction achieved great success amid the keenness of horse owners.
Read more from Katara International Arabian Horse Festival here.
