The Minstril (1984-2010)
Paradise Arabians owner Gary Kenworthy shares:
It is with a very heavy heart that we must inform the world that an icon has died. On Friday, August 27, 2010, The Minstril (Ruminaja Ali x *Bahila) left this world. At the time of his passing, he was the second-leading living sire of Egyptian Arabian horses in the world, only beaten out by his son, Thee Desperado (x AK Amiri Asmarr). An Arabian Horse World Legacy Sire, he was known for producing champion halter and performance winners around the world. The Minstril’s legacy will live on for generations to come.
His human family remembers him fondly. Longtime owner Judy Sirbasku shared, “Owning The Minstril when he and his son, Thee Desperado, went Top Ten at both the Canadian and U.S. Nationals is something I will always cherish,’ Judy says. “The Minstril blessed us with Thee Desperado and many special mares--for this we will always be grateful.” Former groom and trainer Shawn Crews adds, “I had the pleasure of qualifying him for his National competition, and he was a natural. Just when you thought he had given you all he had, he would give even more--even better.” Breeder and former owner David Gardner shares, "My wife Marion and I experienced the passing of The Minstril with deep emotions--an equal mixture of sadness and fond memories. He was a major influence in the renaissance of beautiful, elegant Arabian horses in the image of Abbas Pasha. A note of thanks to Shawn Crews for her personal love for The Minstril, and to Judy Sirbasku and the Kenworthys for their respectful care of The Minstril."
We are honored to have been a part of The Minstril’s journey. In May, he was the featured horse at our annual May Day event, and many people traveled from around the country to meet him for the first time or to reconnect with him. He pranced proudly as the music played and he entered the arena to cheers and applause. When people posed for photos with him, he raised his regal head and even squealed as if to say, “Don’t forget who you have the privilege of standing next to! I am ALLOWING you to be in my royal presence.” He was “king” in the barn and thoroughly enjoyed his hand walks in the pasture to survey what he had produced; his “family,” which includes the very first Arabian we ever bought, his beautiful black daughter Alia Riyala (x Aliala).
Early on August 27, he was down and had no interest in getting up. When I went into his stall to check on him, I patted him on the neck, he raised his head to look at me, acknowledged my presence and then, as if to say “Thank you; I’m ready,” he laid his head back down in the straw and closed his eye. I think he was telling me that he was done. He had fought the good fight with that leg he had broken nearly 10 years ago, but the arthritis had finally taken its toll. Having to rely too much on his good leg eventually resulted in the inevitable.
At the age of 26, he was done. In spite of his body giving out on him, his spirit and attitude belied any pain he may have been suffering. I think he was happy that he got to spend his last days at Paradise. We are certainly happy to have had him here. All the staff is deeply saddened as they had come to love him, as have I for these many years. They called him “Grandpa” and we all loved his zest for life, right up to the end.
A permanent marker will be placed near his grave in his honor and anyone wishing to pay homage to him may do so. He will be missed. It was a sad day at Paradise, and I’m sure Egyptian breeders all around the world grieve with us. Goodbye old friend. We all owe you a great debt and you will live in our hearts forever!
Please see the following tribute for more information on this incredible stallion:
THE MINSTRIL: A SIRE FOR THE AGES
By Arlene Magid
The Minstril, bred by Gardner Bloodstock, was foaled on July 27, 1984. He had a successful show career, being named a U.S. Top Ten Futurity Colt in 1987 and a U.S. and Canadian Top Ten Stallion in 1993 (both times in the same classes with his son Thee Desperado, who also achieved the same titles). His stud career spanned 20 years, with his first get born in 1987 and his final registered foals born in 2007. He sired a total of 586 registered foals. In his final years, he was owned by Jabar Ltd as of April 20, 2008 and by Paradise Egyptian Arabians from March 9, 2010 till his passing on August 27, 2010.
The Minstril’s influence on the breed worldwide is truly remarkable. His get were exported to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Belgium, South Africa, Australia, Egypt, Morocco and Saudi Arabia. His descendants are found on all continents except Antarctica!
The Minstril sired five North American National winners: U.S. Top Ten Stallion AOTH Say Amen (himself a National winner sire), U.S Top Ten Mare AOTH Havilah E A, U.S Top Ten First Level Dressage The Madrigal, U.S. National Champion Jumper ATR and Reserve National Champion Jumper Schzarad Thundor, and U.S. Reserve National Champion Stallion Thee Desperado, his most famous son. The Minstril also sired German National Champion Colt Thee Brigadier, three times South African National Champion Stallion The Maistro, and South African Reserve National Champion Stallion The Makers Mark. The Minstril sired the National winner producers Belle Staar, Say Amen, The Maistro, The Atticus, Gayleen RCA, Lily Langtry HG, The Shamin, La Marsala and Thee Desperado (sire of 12 National winners through August 2010).
At the American Egyptian Event, The Minstril sired 95 winners in halter and performance. His champion get there include 1991 and 1992 Supreme Champion Gelding and 1996 Reserve Champion Show Hack The Rocketman, 1997 Supreme Champion Gelding, 1996 Champion Country Pleasure and 1997 Reserve Champion Native Costume The Mistral, 1996 Reserve Supreme Champion Mare Havilah EA, 1997 Reserve Supreme Champion Mare Minstrils Kiss, 1998 Hunt Pleasure Champion Minstrils Mandolin, 1991 Reserve Junior Champion Colt and 1997 Champion Amateur Halter Say Amen, 1991 Junior Champion Colt Thee Desperado, 1989 Champion Amateur Halter Til Dawn, and 1995 Hunt Pleasure Reserve Champion TM Al Jumbaz.
Although The Minstril is best known for his son Thee Desperado, the leading living Egyptian sire of champions and for 12 years the leading halter sire at the Egyptian Event, his daughters have been excellent producers as well. 89 of his daughters have produced Egyptian Event winners, 37 of them with multiple winning offspring including Miss Maggie Mae, dam of 6 winners. 13 of his daughters are Egyptian Event Leading Dams with two or more offspring winning in the same year. His daughter La Marsala (a full sister to Thee Desperado) is the dam of both an Egyptian Event Champion and a National winner: 2005 Egyptian Event Reserve Supreme Champion Stallion The Sequel RCA and U.S. Top Ten Sporthorse Jackpot Colt MS Tewfik. Two daughters of The Minstril have produced two Egyptian Event Champions apiece. Minstrils Grey Mist produced 2010 Egyptian Event Reserve Champion Mare ATH Al Helwett and 2008 Supreme Champion Gelding El Helou. Another outstanding daughter of The Minstril is Shahadaa TOA (a 3/4 sister to Thee Desperado), dam of four Egyptian Event winners including 2000 Egyptian Event Junior Champion Colt Thee Ricochet (sire of 2007 Egyptian Event Supreme Champion Stallion *Warad Al Khalidiah) and 2003 Egyptian Event Junior Champion Colt Thee Bravado, also an Egyptian National Champion. The Minstril is the all time leading sire of mares who have produced Egyptian Event winners to date.
The Minstril’s influence on winners in the show ring both in North America and abroad is truly remarkable. The 2009 World Champion Stallion Royal Colours has 3 lines to The Minstril, and 2009 World Reserve Champion Stallion (previously the 2006 World Champion Stallion) *Al Lahab GASB has two crosses to The Minstril. A number of recent North American National winners are linebred to The Minstril, among them twice Top Ten Hunt Pleasure The Bandera (four lines); 2009 U.S. Top Ten Sporthorse Mare WRA Summers Kiss and 2009 U.S. Top Ten Sporthorse Jackpot Gelding Ulyuzzez HLA, both with double crosses to him. At the American Egyptian Event, a number of the champions have been linebred to The Minstril, including the double grandget Thee Ricochet (2000 Junior Champion Colt), Al Salil (2002 Reserve Senior Champion Stallion), TA Prince Sharif (2002 Champion Stallion ATH), TH Dreamchaser (2002 Hunt Pleasure Champion), Insignia De Sha (2002 Reserve Supreme Champion Stallion), Thee Bravado (2003 Junior Champion Colt), RF Footloose (2003 Supreme Champion Gelding and Hunt Pleasure Champion), Soveign (2004 Junior Champion Colt), The Sequel RCA (2005 Reserve Supreme Champion Stallion), and Botswana (2009 Supreme Champion Stallion). The Minstril’s son Thee Desperado was the Leading Halter Sire of the Egyptian Event for 12 years until 2008, when his own son Botswana (also a double grandson of The Minstril), became the Leading Halter Sire, a title which he has held for three years, 2008-2010. Botswana is also the Leading Halter and Performance Sire from 2007-2010.
Godspeed, Minstril. Your descendants have insured your memory will be treasured wherever Arabians are bred.
