This ancient family of horse is believed to have been with the Al-Khalifa from the earliest time of their history. A saying, attributed to Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa in the 19th century is still believed in: ‘If you own a Shawaf stallion, whether he is big or small, handsome or homely, you must use him as a breeding stud, for his blood is guaranteed to be the noblest of all’.

After a number of years a Shawaf stallion is being used as a stud. This is the magnificent speckled racing and show stallion Shawaf Al Betaar 953.