The story of Nourah as shared by Keri Wright in her profile in the Legacy Section of Volume XII of the Reference Handbook, is a story of good things coming in small packages. Bint Nefisaa (Nourah’s dam) was not a mare of scope or size. In fact, she was quite small, about 14.2 hands. Many felt that two ocean crossings as a very young mare may have stunted her growth, but she was very balanced in each aspect of her frame and conformation. Her daughter, Nourah, a double Nazeer granddaughter, with both Ansata Ibn Halima as well as Bint Nefisaa descending through the Farida branch of the El Dahma family, inherited her mothers frame, but she had a lot of presence and commanded your attention. The class Keri was referencing was a large class of two year olds with Bob Hart Sr. and Alfredo Ortega handling two fillies for Wayne Newton. The 3rd place filly was owned by actor, James Drury. Francine Staner was the judge. And on that day in July of 1973 Nourah was feeling… good. It was an exciting time back when halter classes were a lot more entertaining. She was initially pulled out in 4th position in the judge’s lineup in center ring, moved to 3rd, just ahead of James Drury’s mare. Then the judge called the first three mares out to the rail. All Keri had to do was to just let her show herself off at the end of a very long lead, and do his best to keep up with her. She never broke stride, but trotted like the queen that she was to take away first place honors. Keri was just 17 years old and figured if he could just keep up with her and not detract from her in any way, she would do just fine. And she did not disappoint. But that was just a show. She really proved herself as a broodmare as well. Even when bred to her full brother, El Hilal, she produced a Top Ten Futurity Mare & Stallion, Sidra and Le Baroque. Her production record speaks for itself. The descendants of her first filly by Mohssen, Katourah, went on to establish a dynasty at Khalid Ben Shokor’s Al Safinat Stud in Kuwait through Aliikat (x Ruminaja Ali). This family has produced exceptionally well. The lovely Hilala Al Safinat (x Adnan) and Nefisa Al Safinat and Luluwat Al Safinat (both by Ansata Hejazi), and Adjbah Al Safinat (by Ansata Iemhotep) have been referred to as some of the most beautiful mares produced in Kuwait. In addition to being so beautiful, those mares could MOVE! Bint Nefisaa was a mover. Nourah was a mover. Graceful, light yet powerful movement were hallmarks of this family.
Bint Nefisaa with Nourah
Nourah's More Prominent Progeny
Comments