First published in The Arabian Breeders’ Magazine Volume I Issue II December 2016.
Celebrating the Champions – Gallardo J.
How wonderful to get to write about a young horse that has won not just one but two championships since our last edition! And not only has he won two championships, they have been major championships awarded at title shows across Europe.
For Gallardo J is – and let us whisper this quietly – on course for the European Triple Crown title. To win this, a horse has to win Gold at the All Nations’ Cup in Aachen, the European Championships, and the Paris World Championships, all in the same year. It is not easy to do – indeed, since 1994, there have only been 17 winners of this most illustrious of titles. And Gallardo J’s owners and breeders can only hold their breath as they wait for the results of Sunday 27 November to arrive; we wish them luck in their bid for this ultimate prize.
There is no doubt that Gallardo J has captivated the world since he took his first title, that of Gold European Yearling Male Champion at the 2014 European Championships in Belgium. His sire is the great Emerald J, a son of QR Marc (Marwan Al Shaqab x Swete Dreams) and out of one of the most beautiful mares in the world, Emandoria (Gazal Al Shaqab x Emanda), herself a winner of the European Triple Crown. Gallardo was bred at Jadem Arabians in Belgium and in his yearling year, he was leased to Al Muawd Stud in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With them, he took the 2014 European title alongside his paternal half-sister, Mounira J (ex Magnificent Lady J by Extreme out of Mauhiba), and from there, he went to the Middle East.
Gallardo J. Credit Ricard cunill.
At the Sharjah Show in 2015, now two years of age, Gallardo J claimed Gold once more and in scenes of great celebration, he took the Gold Junior Male Championship at the Dubai International Arabian Horse Show while his sire took Gold in the Senior section; quite the feat! The scene of Gallardo and Emerald in the ring together is an image that will stay with many people for a great many years to come.
Now under the ownership of the Ajman Stud in the United Arab Emirates, Gallardo’s command of the show-ring continued. Indeed, of his nine major titles, he has won gold an amazing seven times, underlining his quality. In 2015, his show success continued with Gold at the Mediterranean & Arab Countries Arabian Horse Championships in Menton, Silver at the All Nations’ Cup in Aachen, Gold once more at the European Championships in Verona, Italy, and then Bronze at the Paris World Championships.
This year, Gallardo again took Gold in Menton and, in a history-making move, he claimed his third successive Gold title at the European Championships in Belgium. No other horse has won three gold titles back to back at the same title show, and this truly underlines the immense qualities of Gallardo J.
For a horse who is still just three years old to have won such a strong array of titles is impressive. Gallardo J combines some of the most wonderful bloodlines of the modern breeding world, particularly through QR Marc, Gazal Al Shaqab (Anaza El Farid x Kajora by Kaborr) and Emandoria. His sire line is already proven, and Gallardo’s first foals will be eagerly anticipated. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on him come Paris this November, as he goes for the ultimate goal – that of Gold World Champion Colt and also European Triple Crown Champion. Gallardo J is the next step in such a famous family, and his is also a story that has only just begun.
First printed in The Arabian Breeders’ Magazine Volume I Issue II December 2016. To enjoy further content such as this, please visit The Arabian Magazine Shop.
