Sadly, this is far from the case in Libya, where the Arab Spring of 2011 had a disastrous effect on the thriving thoroughbred industry. Libya, with a recognised stud book and part of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation, is the only Arab country where thoroughbred racing is more popular than racing the native breed. Since 2011, when thoroughbreds from leading stud farms were lost to Gaddafi’s retreating troops, studs such as Al Shaab, near Tripoli, have been frequent visitors to Tattersalls UK and Australia’s Magic Millions, replenishing and rebuilding. An impressive roster of stallions includes Raise A Grand, Churchill Downs, Eavesdropper (a Kingmambo half-brother to AP Indy), Back Draft, and leading Libyan sire Brut Force. “Today, it is reported that there are tanks three kilometres away from the stud.”The Mixed Thoroughbred Sale held at Al Shaab Stud every October attracts buyers locally and from Egypt and Tunisia.

Source: Libya Today June 07, 2019 17:14 UTC