Prologue
A long time ago now, in the 1980's I was flicking through the AHW magazine when a beautiful picture of a colt jumped out at me. I went back time and time again to look at this picture. What was it that attracted me so? Was it the long beautifully curved neck and the way it set into the chest? Was it the huge black eyes that seemed to swallow you into them ? Was it the dished head that so appealed to the Arabian enthusiast?……or was it all these thing's combined? I guess that was it, but there was still something about his overall persona that made me want to know more about this young horse.
Forward again to the early nineties and I arrange to visit a stud initially to look at some Spanish mares. Gucci's had a nice mare bred by the Maxwells, Encenidora. This mare was for sale but sadly she was not in very good condition at the time and I worried she might not pull through. Close by was the Tudor Arabian stud which we had heard were selling up. We called in by chance wondering if there were any Spanish mares for sale - unfortunately no - but quiet by chance they had a Spanish related stallion on lease who was due to go back to the states. The owner, however, had asked if Tudor would try and sell him in his behalf. The biggest and best surprise of the day was this stallion was by the self same dream stallion Sasaki. How bizarre was that !! - this had to be an omen! He was of course the wonderful Scottsdale top ten champion stallion Bambooki out of Bint Ana Samir.! One look was all I needed and I was on my way home to convince my Husband that we must buy this stallion.
Forward again to the late nineties. After owning my lovely stallion for five years, fate was to send me on a different path and I reluctantly sold Bambooki to a ridden home where I was assured he would have had a useful life. This turned out to be a mistake, as although they promised him a home for life, he was put up for sale within a year. Luckily he was snapped up and bought by friends of mine, who, although they only owned him for 6 weeks before his death, loved him dearly.
This is the prologue to my story so that you may understand why the pilgrimage to see Sasaki meant so much to me.
A brief history of *Sasaki
*Sasaki was originally born in Holland, bred by J.B. Kleijne-Krananveld of Lopik. He was foaled in August 1981 and was purchased by Robert Battaglia and Randy Shockley and imported with his dam, *Safia, in October 1981. His sire Nagasaki was imported from Spain to the Netherlands by Dr. Houtappel. *Sasaki was purchased by Joann Lee Janos in July of 1982 and in 1988, Jack and Adie Watkins purchased *Sasaki and moved him to Florida. During 1995 he was sold on to Stephen Doran and moved back to California and in 1998, a partnership was formed through Midwest and they purchased *Sasaki from Doran. (This was because of the fame of Magnum Psyche.) Hard times fell on David Boggs and Adie elected to buy the partnership out and in October of 1999 *Sasaki left Midwest Station to his new and final home in Texas. Finally in 2001, *Sasaki became officially the owner of Paula and Michael O'Keefe.
Present time. *Sasaki aged 27 .
Forward to 2oo8 and I was invited by Sasaki's owner to visit with them in Aubrey Texas. This was wonderful as Aubrey is close to Dallas where my daughter lives and it meant I could combine this visit with a family get together. Of course I jumped at the chance to see the horse who had captured my imagination all those years ago and the planned visit went ahead.
Approaching the ranch we were met, by of all things, an Emu! (I was later to I find out Paula had rescued her). Then after a greeting from sundry dogs of all shapes and sizes, Paula's big hearted Husband Mike gave me a bear hug and made me feel instantly at home, while Paula came running from the barns with a smile that positively lit up the day. After refreshments I was eager to go and see the horses, so camera on my shoulder, we walked out to the barns. The ranch is well set out with several separate sections, mares on one side and each stallion with his own stable and paddock where they could see the other horses. I was to see many young colts and fillies by Sasaki, all impressive, all with the same beautiful eyes, and with great presence. One that stood out to me was Zazzaki (by Sasaki out of Amuleta de Espana) who is closely line bred and shows great promise.
Another was a really impressive filly Deliciaa (by Sasaki out of LC Kirin) who is a Makor daughter.
Several others took my eye including the yearling colt - yet to be named - who is by Sasaki out of Jaleas ET, and another yearling colt - also not yet named - out of Bint Ziabiya. Quite frankly all were excellent examples of Paula's careful breeding programme.
I think Paula was purposely saving the best till last as she led me to the barn that Sasaki called home. What a lucky boy, with his very own paddock, close to his mares and babies. He is in a prime position and wants for nothing 24 /7. There he was at last, standing in front of me, happily eating into his hay, not aware of me at all, nor that my heart was beating like a drum inside my chest. My eyes welled up with tears as I hid behind my camera, feeling too embarrassed to show Paula how much this moment meant to me. It felt like a moment when a mountaineer first looks out from the summit he has conquered, or when someone finds a lost relation, or when someone makes a pilgrimage to some place they hold dear. I had come so far, had such dreams of this moment since seeing that little foal in the magazine all those years ago. Time hung suspended for infinity it seemed, although it was all too quickly over. He was still unaware of me but he had given me a rare gift taken into my heart that very day. I had seen with my own eyes the dream stallion Sasaki. Out in his paddock he did a little show for me and I was able to take some nice pictures of him.
(Picture of a relaxing Sasaki in paddock soon to be added here)
Then Paula took me to see some more horses. One old stallion, Zaon, was bred here in the UK by Annette Hedley and her husband! He was at the grand old age of 29 and still going strong!
Still that will have to be another story!
The next morning my time had come to leave and I went out to the barns for one last look at Sasaki before getting into Paula's car (yes they even took me back to Dallas!). By now we were firm friends! What an experience and one I hope to repeat again next year........ who knows one of these days I may bring one of his offspring home with me!
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![Still king of the straight Spanish horses after all these years - 27 and still going strong -"long live the king!"](http://content.breederoo.com/users/DFHorses/images/photos/gallery/1838065.jpg?0 "Still king of the straight Spanish horses after all these years - 27 and still going strong -"long live the king!"")