Reaching for the Stars – Nourah al Khalediah

The World Championships in Doha over the second weekend of December will see the finest Arabian horses in the world compete for the most coveted of titles – that of World Champion. Among them, reaching for the stars, is the ethereal filly, Nourah al Khalediah.

Bred by Al Khalediah Stables and owned by Akmal Stud, two of the most important stables in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Nourah al Khalediah is a beautiful, correct filly who has enchanted judges across Europe and the Middle East this year. As she heads to the bright lights of Doha, this is her time to truly shine.

Credit Alessio Azzali

Foaled in 2020, Nourah al Khalediah is sired by Hilal al Khalediah, himself Gold Junior Male Champion at the King Abdulaziz Arabian Horse Center Show in Dirab. He in turn is sired by double and Platinum World Champion Baanderos who, in turn, is by triple World Champion Marwan al Shaqab (Gazal al Shaqab x Little Liza Fame by Fame VF). Baanderos is out of the exceptional mare, HB Bessolea by Besson Carol (Parys el Jamaal x Classic Krystall by Simeon Sohr). Hilal al Khalediah is out of Halal al Khalediah II by El Palacio VO (Al Lahab x El Dorada by Sanadik El Shaklan), one of Al Khalediah Stables’ most significant sires. In turn, Halal al Khalediah II is out of Eleonora el Madan (Enzo x Eleonor K by Aladdinn Echo), bringing Brazilian bloodlines to the pedigree.

Looking to Nourah al Khalediah’s damline, we have the incredible mare Ghazalat al Khalediah, who has taken titles across Europe and the Middle East. She is out of the American stallion PA Gazsi (Gazal al Shaqab x Memphis NA by Fame VF) and out of the great mare, Argentinna SS (Arius SS x Taki Padrona by Padron). Nourah al Khalediah has a proven pedigree rich in some of the most important horses of the past 20 years and beyond. Her bloodlines are an exciting mix of Egyptian and Russian, with some Polish and Crabbet lines that bring that extra something.

Credit Alessio Azzali

Akmal Stud is owned by HRH Prince Abdulmajeed bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and it was his brother, HRH Prince Khaled bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, who bred Nourah al Khalediah. Having joined Akmal Stud, Nourah al Khalediah made her debut for them this year at the Prince Sultan Aziz International Arabian Horse Festival in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where she won her three-year-old filly class with 92.33 points, including three 20s for type, two for head/neck, and four for movement. In her home show, Nourah al Khalediah claimed the Silver Junior Female Championship, with four votes for the title outright.

From there, Nourah al Khalediah danced her way to the Mediterranean and Arab Countries Championship in Menton where, again, she won her class with a huge score of 93.08 points including four 20s for type, one for head/neck, and an incredible five for movement – earning her the Best Movement in the Junior Female Award. In Sunday’s championships, she was awarded Bronze Junior Female Champion. Noural al Khalediah also won the Pegasus Trophy for the Best Movement in the Show.

Nourah al Khalediah’s third show this year was the All Nations’ Cup in Aachen and, again, she won her class, this time with a huge score of 93.83 points including five 20s for type, two for head/neck, and a truly impressive straight 20s for movement. In the Championships, Nourah al Khalediah was crowned Gold Junior Female Champion, a wonderful moment for HRH Prince Abdulmajeed and all at Team Akmal.

Nourah al Khalediah is the complete package – as evidenced by her scores, which have never dipped below 92.33 all year. She is very reminiscent of her paternal grandsire at the same age, but oozing femininity and exotic beauty. When she moves, she floats above the ground, and her face is captivating, with its natural dish and evident Arabian type. Nourah al Khalediah is the kind of horse I love to watch – challenging the judges not to put her first in the class, not to give her the highest honours in the show.

Now Nourah al Khalediah is heading to Doha, looking for the brightest prize of all – that of Junior Female World Champion. The world will be watching, as this beautiful filly reaches for the stars.

Credit Alessio Azzali

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