Barbara Walters chats with Forward Syria
Swaying between art and seduction
Discussing monetary policy with the man in charge
Where the earth screams in horror
11/11/2010 - Issue 45
New breeders no longer just horsing around
by Lauren Williams
Long held dear to Syrians, the Arab horse industry is getting a kick start and new breeders have their eyes on export potential to the Gulf.
Manal al-Assad strode through the finish lines just after noon last Saturday, looking calm and cool above her princely Arab sire, Khartoum. With the Palmyra desert shimmering red dust behind her, she was a perfect image of the Arabian dream.
Assad, the honorary president of the Syrian Equestrian Federation, came in first ahead of sixty riders to complete the back-breaking 120 kilometre endurance ride. An annual event, it was the first time the International Endurance Ride was held at Palmyra. The decision to change the location from Damascus is one of new efforts to revive and promote an industry of sentimental and cultural value in Syria.
Long held dear in the hearts of Bedouin tribes, Syrian Arab horses have, until now, remained a pleasure hobby for Syrian breeders, compared to the flourishing business trade of their Gulf counterparts.
Now, thanks to a raft of equestrian events and tourism marketing, the market for Syrian Arab horses is developing and new breeders are casting their eyes to the lucrative gulf exports.
Following a country-wide census of Arab horses in Syria in 2004, there are now 4,500 Arab horses registered with the UK-based World Arab Horses Organization (WAHO). While an estimated 2000 horses remain unregistered, the admission of Syria in to the WAHO and the country’s subsequent hosting of the WAHO convention in 2008 is slowing but surely rejuvinating the flailing industry and adding export value to Syrian Arab strains, who until now, have failed to attract the princely prices of Gulf thoroughbreds.
Until now, the highest price paid for a Syrian Arab was around US $100,000 in 2007 – a far cry from the US$500, 000 - $1 million Gulf Arabs regularly attract.
Lack of coordination of stakeholder industries has been blamed for the unprofitability of the equestrian scene, an industry worth over US $300 million in Saudi Arabia alone. But new coordination has seen a raft of new and optimistic breeders enter the Syrian export market, matched by growing interest from Gulf buyers keen to snap up Syrian produce, thanks largely to the patronage and work of those like Manal Assad, who has taken the reigns in completing the passionate work of the late Bassel Assad, also a keen equestrian.
March will see Manal Assad compete again in the International Show Jumping and Dressage tournaments followed by the third Profair Damascus International Horse Fair and market in May. The first, held in at the Damascus fairground in 2008 was a definite success, attracting thousands of horse enthusiasts and international buyers. This year, organizers say they expect an increase in patronage of 25%. A push to include equestrian events in the next edition of the hugely popular Special Olympics is also underway.
The Syrian climate and geographical location is ideal for breeding and Syria boasts an illustrious history of strong and pure strains. Indeed, one of the three founding sires of the modern thoroughbred racing industry in Europe – the Darley Arabian- was bought at market in Aleppo in 1704.
Just ten years ago, there were just 30 breeders dotted across the Damascus countryside, Homs, Latakia and the areas around Deir al-Zour and Hassakeh. Now, there are over 500.
“To increase the export market we are increasing activities – events and exhibitions - we are doing everything we can to push this proud industry,” said Ghayath al-Shayeib, the director of the Damascus Arab Horses office in the Ministry of Agriculture.
“2004 was really the start of the export market here,” he said.
He is encouraging breeders to register horses to add to their value and promoting education campaigns for new breeders interested in entering the market.
Khaled Minkar owned racing thoroughbreds in Kuwait for 30 years before returning to Syria this year.
He decided the time was ripe to enter the Syrian market and will open his new stables outside of Damascus later this year, aiming to breed and export Syrian Arab horses to Gulf states for jumping and racing.
“I have about fifteen horses. I moved five of my thoroughbreds from Kuwait and the rest I bought here,” he explained.
Minker has combed the country, visiting stables across Syria to source the best Arab horses.
“The weather is better here. It’s cooler. In Kuwait we need to use air conditioning to cool the horses.”
“Here, it’s cheaper and the horses stay in better health.”
Moreover, he says, prices for Syrian Arabs are far more reasonable.
"Here you can buy a good quality, strong horse for between $2,000 and $10,000. As soon as they arrive in the Gulf they almost triple in price," he said.
While the stables were opened as a hobby, Miukar says he hopes on a return on the investment in the next five years.
“Right now, it’s a hobby, but I am looking at developing this into good business.”
The industry, he says, does need some work.
“We need support from the government and from the industry stakeholders,” he said.
But it’s not just dollars that are attracting new breeders “I love Arab horses,” he said.
“This is part of our heritage. It’s our culture. I would love to see the industry develop.”
