MALIKAH, Bay mare, *1984 (Ibn Mohafez / Sheila).
Breeder/Owner: Jean Laursen.
Strain: Seglawieh Jedranieh of Ibn Soudan (Ghazieh)
The recipient of the Danish WAHO trophy 2008 is Malikah (Ibn Mohafez x Sheila), and the Danish Society of the Arabian Horse has chosen to award her the trophy because they feel that it is extremely important to remember the fantastic mares that are the corner stone of all breeding of Arabian horses. Malikah has made a big mark on the breeding of Arabians in Denmark and especially her daughters have proven to be very good broodmares who, in spite of not having had a great number of foals, have done very well indeed.
Malikah (which is Arabic for queen) was born in 1984 at the farm of Jean Laursen after her dam Sheila (Silver Scenario x Samirha) had paid a visit to the German Junior Stallion Champion and Elite Stallion Ibn Mohafez (Mohafez x Brawura), who was bred, owned, and shown by the Schultz family. Ibn Mohafez was a handsome, correct horse with a lovely expression and great movements with a lot of push from behind. He was shown in Denmark in 1986, where he was awarded 88 points – and at the same show Malikah won her class for 2 year old fillies and was also awarded a gold medal. Malikah’s dam Sheila was imported in utero from Horsey Island, England in 1976, together with for instance Emba and Pacific, who were both to become extremely important for the breeding of Arabians in Denmark. Sheila was a lovely, liver chestnut mare, she had a beautiful expression and much type and at the same time a very correct conformation.
Malikah is a very expressive mare who reflects the best of her pedigree – the Egyptian type from Mohafez, but also a super elastic movement and the great front inherited from her damline. Best of all, she has the most wonderful, gentle spirit and she is a joy to be around, in the stables as well as out on the pastures. Malikah has 3 daughters, full sisters by Pacific, all three of whom are still with their breeder, Jean Laursen. Due to the condition of the market, they have not been put in foal very often, and yet they have all produced progeny that have made an impression in the Danish field of Arabian horses. Gaia and Amirah have been shown and have both been awarded gold medals – Gaia was also Reserve Champion Mare. Malikah’s daughters have produced for instance Pacat (Abhat x Pacifica/Malikah), who won the endurance race Hedelandsløbet 2008, Demir (Symba x Gaia/Malikah), who has produced several successful progeny, among others TA Demirah and TA Jamal, who were Reserve Junior Mare Champion and class winner of 2 year old colts respectively at the Danish Nationals in 2004, and Gomir (Gomel x Amirah/Malikah), who is active in dressage where he competes in open LB and LA classes and is doing very well indeed. Furthermore, Malikah’s handsome son, Amlet, was used under saddle and was a much loved performance horse who unfortunately sired only two foals before his untimely death in 2003.
Malikah has reached the age of 25 and she is enjoying her age with dignity with her breeder and owner Jean Laursen, surrounded by children and grandchildren. The next generation are ready to conquer the world and some are already well on their way to continue the heritage of success, that goes with this family. Aksinja, 1999 (Symba x Samitna, ex Amirah) has already been awarded a gold medal in 2005 and she is to be bred for the first time in 2009.
The Danish Society of the Arabian Horse expresses their heartfelt congratulations to Malikah – and not least to Jean Laursen for having bred this amazing mare.
Text by Anne Finnerup
