MAGNUM FORTY FOUR

Root Sire Line: SAKLAWI I or. Ar. (1886)
Bred by the Ruala Tribe - Anazeh Bedouin | Arabian Peninsula

Tail Female Dam Line: FERIDA or. Ar. (1886)
Bay Ma’naqiyah Sbailiyah bred by the Shammar Tribe |  Mesopotamia (Ottoman Empire)
Imported to United Kingdom (Crabbet Park - Lady Anne Blunt) from Egypt (1891)

Mulawa LEGACY Sire

09 Jun 1998 - 23 Jan 2013

Bred by North Arabians | USA
Imported 2003

The Life, Legend & Legacy of MAGNUM FORTY FOUR

Only rarely do distinctly disparate elements and circumstances converge to create profound opportunity – opportunity that in the end manifests itself as the catalyst for monumental change and fortune-altering progress. Only with time and perspective do we ever gain the awareness and understanding necessary to fully comprehend and appreciate this karmic convergence of good fortune. The story of the Arabian stallion MAGNUM FORTY FOUR is a dramatic account of such fortune, of fame achieved, prominence lost and distinction gained yet again, of chance and circumstance, of impact and influence, a tale played across a decade and a half and two major continents on opposite sides of the world.

Sensational Beginning

The story of MAGNUM FORTY FOUR began near the very end of the last millennium in sunny Southern California, the product of a newly expanding North Arabians. He was the first foal for his dam, Regional Champion WH Nashahna, an important daughter of breed legend BEY SHAH who, quite remarkably, carried the future sire of significance as a two year old. “He was special from the start”, recalls breeder Bob North, “with a very pretty head and a hooky, upright neck. He was without a doubt the best foal we had bred to date”. “

It was Dixie who came up with his clever name”, Bob remembers with a laugh, a name, most often shortened simply to “FORTY FOUR” or “44”, that has since become instantly recognizable and an unmistakable identifier synonymous with his prepotency as a sire. While Bob & Dixie will always be honoured as the breeders of MAGNUM FORTY FOUR, they are quick to credit David Boggs for the breeding recommendation. “Our horses were with David at the time and Magnum Psyche was the horse about whom everyone was talking. In retrospect, we were still three years away from purchasing Magnum’s sire Padrons Psyche, so the hottest young colt in the industry seemed the logical choice for our prized young Bey Shah daughter, who we just happened to purchase from a sheriff’s auction with David’s help. Nashahna has since gone on to be the dam of several international champions, but it was Magnum Forty Four as her first foal that made us realize her potential and how fortunate we were to have her.”

The excitement created by MAGNUM FORTY FOUR as a sensational foal at North Arabians followed him to Scottsdale, where upon the recommendation of David Boggs, he was sent to prepare for Scottsdale 1999. “Offers were flying from Midwest clients as he literally stepped off the trailer”, Bob recalls. “Kerry Meyers was the eventual buyer. We were very happy to sell him for a very good price at the time.” Just a few weeks later, it was Kerry Meyers who would smile his way to the winner’s circle in the class for Junior Yearling Colts, with MAGNUM FORTY FOUR impressing the judges and the international audience alike as the winner, while Bob & Dixie admittedly “jumped up and down screaming like crazy people” from the rail.

The inaugural victory and global exposure in the Scottsdale ring proved significant for MAGNUM FORTY FOUR and the international Arabian community on multiple levels. Firstly, the unmistakable quality of FORTY FOUR was convincing support and ultimate promotional tool for Magnum Psyche’s genotypic potential and prowess as an emerging sire of significance. Secondly, FORTY FOUR’s “modern” phenotype, described by handler David Boggs “as significantly ahead of its time – so extreme and refined” altered and raised the standard for the elite Arabian show horse around the world, ushering in the era of Magnum Psyche, while successfully spreading the positive impact of the Padron-Padrons Psyche-Magnum Psyche influence to the far corners of the globe. Finally, and most importantly, it was here in Scottsdale that FORTY FOUR was first seen by the Greg, Julie & Jane Farrell of Mulawa Arabian Stud in Australia. All three of the Farrells remember him as “an exceptional colt”, with Greg boasting of him as “the most memorable colt of the entire show”. “He was superb”, recalls Greg, “very balanced and refined, with huge eyes beautifully placed and an extraordinarily pretty face”. For Jane, the recollections of FORTY FOUR over the rail at Scottsdale are “impressive”, passionately detailed with reference to his “exceptional quality, extreme type, a long, well-set, well-shaped neck, huge black eyes and a distinct charisma”.

Later in 1999, FORTY FOUR found further fortune for energized owner Kerry Meyers as Region 15 Breeders Sweepstakes Champion Yearling Colt. With excitement continuing to build for both himself and the get of Magnum Psyche, FORTY FOUR was eventually sold Michael & Rachel Wilmet, enthusiastic newcomers who were rewriting the history books with their record-breaking halter mare S Justadream. With the Wilmets, MAGNUM FORTY FOUR would achieve his greatest show ring acclaim as a three-year old, winning the title of Reserve National Champion Stallion AOTH in both the United States and Canada, as well as Canadian National Top Ten Futurity Colt.

Reversal of Fortune

As a mature stallion, the decision was made to place MAGNUM FORTY FOUR in performance training for Western Pleasure, a discipline in which many of the get of Magnum Psyche would eventually find great acclaim. Inherently talented and highly trainable, FORTY FOUR showed great aptitude for his new athletic endeavours, until an accelerated training regimen resulted in a chronic stifle injury that jeopardized his long-term soundness. Advised to “get out” from a potentially costly long-term health issue, the Wilmets made the decision to donate MAGNUM FORTY FOUR to the Salem’s Children Home for a significant tax write-off in late 2002. From the highs of the accolades at Scottsdale and the United States National Championships, MAGNUM FORTY FOUR found himself discarded as unwanted to a modest charitable foundation in rural Illinois. Although abandoned, MAGNUM FORTY FOUR was most definitely not forgotten, for it was here at the Salem’s Children Home that he would fortuitously encounter respected Arabian trainer, judge and horseman Gene Reichardt, who at the time was managing the resident herd of Arabian horses for the Home.

A long-time friend and advisor to the Farrells, Gene mentioned FORTY FOUR to Greg, Julie & Jane during the annual Scottsdale Show the following February, while the trio was visiting the show in search of an emerging young sire to add to the nearly 30-year old Mulawa breeding program. Specifically, the Farrells were looking for a son of Padrons Psyche. The opportunity, however, of utilizing MAGNUM FORTY FOUR, a horse remembered admirably and respectably by all three and highly recommended by Gene, proved intriguing, and a deal was struck to lease the stallion for two years on a trial basis.

A Fresh New Start Down Under

MAGNUM FORTY FOUR arrived in Australia just in time for the southern hemisphere breeding decision. Put to a handful of Mulawa mares sired by the broad cross-section of stallions utilized in the program over the decades, as well as a few carefully chosen outside mares, the decision was made to prove FORTY FOUR early to determine if the lease was indeed a wise decision. The arrival of the first foals the following August proved the gamble an unqualified success, so the lease was renegotiated as a permanent purchase from the Salem’s Children Home. MAGNUM FORTY FOUR had once again found his place in the world, albeit literally on the opposite side of the planet.

Eager to showcase FORTY FOUR to the rest of Australia, Mulawa began to campaign the stallion very soon after his arrival. Shown sparingly at only the top shows, as Julie recalls him “quite a handful in the ring”, MAGNUM FORTY FOUR went on to win the all-important Senior Stallion titles at the National Stud Show and the East Coast Championships in Sydney. FORTY FOUR’s only appearance at the Australian Championships resulted in Top Ten honours, with a first place finish on one international judges card. By the end of his Aussie Champs debut, it was abundantly evident that FORTY FOUR’s success as a sire was exceeding expectations, so the decision was made to retire him from the show ring and return him to the breeding shed full-time, emphatically stated by Greg as “the ultimate purpose for which he was originally introduced to the Mulawa”.

The Sire

“His first foals were really very impressive”, recalls Julie. “We were very pleased with the results. Almost every one had a short face with beautiful eyes. It was a very distinct look – something very different than we had ever seen at Mulawa from any other sire.” That “look” – the extreme type and refinement, the exceptional balance and harmony of proportion, the exotic faces with those large luminous eyes - would come to be known as “so unmistakably 44”. Jane describes the “44 look” as one of “smooth, compact, expressive and dynamic” with “abundant quality, charisma and refinement”. Greg, Julie & Jane are all in agreement about the single most identifiable FORTY FOUR characteristic – the eyes. Captivatingly large, dark and soul-searching, the FORTY FOUR eyes are most likely the gift of his Spanish and old-Polish heritage, a gift that has been faithfully transmitted to nearly every one of his exceptional get.

Greg remembers the decision to incorporate FORTY FOUR into the Mulawa breeding program as “the next logical step, in an attempt to strengthen the bloodlines of Padron and Bey Shah introduced through GLF Apollo and Fame Maker R”, respectively. The Polish and Spanish influence in FORTY FOUR’s pedigree were also a perfect fit for the original Mulawa foundation stock as well as the younger horses sired by the then recent import TS Al Malik. “We weren’t sure if FORTY FOUR would be an interim step in the breeding program, or a major move forward” elicits Jane. “It was quite clear, however, that after the first few foal crops, FORTY FOUR would be a serious sire of significance for the Mulawa program. FORTY FOUR has unquestionably defined the modern look of Mulawa.”

Greg describes FORTY FOUR’s impact on the Mulawa breeding program as “profound”. “FORTY FOUR is very much the son of Magnum Psyche, but incredibly prepotent at siring his own unique look. That is the hallmark of a great sire”, educes Greg, “a horse that can transmit the best genetic qualities of his pedigree but in a unique combination that characterizes his own definitive style”.

The overwhelming quality, distinctive presence, superbly smooth balance and overall elegance of MAGNUM FORTY FOUR were the attributes Mulawa intended to weave into the breeding program through his use. Unexpected additions to the long list of redeeming qualities passed so consistently on to his get were versatile athleticism and trainability, traits that have allowed the 44 get to excel in the performance ring across Australia with great success. This genetic bonus of athletic performance and an intelligent willing disposition was in perfect alignment with the Mulawa breeding philosophy which began with the original Polish & Crabbet imports in the early 1970’s. To find it in conjunction with the type, refinement and quality – the “modern look” so inherently characteristic of FORTY FOUR – has allowed the Mulawa program, according to Jane, “to make huge strides forward and give Mulawa a competitive advantage with the rest of the world.” “The contribution of FORTY FOUR is indisputably the modern look of Mulawa,” Jane concludes. Greg adds that he “cannot imagine the current success of the Mulawa program without the contribution of MAGNUM FORTY FOUR”.

The success of MAGNUM FORTY FOUR as a sire has not only been appreciated within the Mulawa program, but throughout the Arabian industry in Australia. He is the ONLY purebred Arabian sire to win Sire of the Year honours at the Australian Championships twice – in 2010 and again in 2012. Given the success of his get at the recently concluded 2013 Australian Championships both in-hand and especially under saddle, MAGNUM FORTY FOUR looks poised to win Sire of the Year for yet a unprecedented third time. The FORTY FOUR influence is now becoming global with recent exports of his get and grandget to the United States, Venezuela and Saudi Arabia.

The Daughters of MAGNUM FORTY FOUR

“Time will prove the most significant contribution of MAGNUM FORTY FOUR to be that of his daughters,” explains Greg. Several of his very best have already gone on to be Australian Champion, as well as winning major titles at the East Coast Championships, the National Stud Show and the important Challenge & Gala Event shows in Queensland. Two of his daughters have been Australian Champion twice: Romance MI (out of Rimaraa) as back-to-back Australian Champion Yearling Filly and Two & Three Year Old Junior Mare; and the glorious Parada (out of Presence) as Australian Champion Junior Mare (Two & Three Year Old) & Senior Mare (Four & Over). Another 44 daughter, Mulawa Aspiring (out of Jiah Aspire), is the reigning Australian Champion Senior Mare winner, giving her sire back-to-back wins in the mare division following Parada’s victory in 2012.

Another of MAGNUM FORTY FOUR’s biggest winners was one of his first: Mustang’s Magnum (out of Sahtarah) bred by Phil & Kay Edward of Shane Edward Arabians in Victoria. “Her inherent quality was evident for the moment she was born,” recalls Kay, “so I rang Greg right away and told him he really needed to come and see this filly”. On the next trip to Victoria with show horses, Greg did stop by to see the promising filly in person, and a partnership was formed between the Farrells and Edwards to promote “Maggie” as the top yearling filly for the next show season. Top was indeed what Maggie was destined to become – in unprecedented style, she was the first yearling filly ever to claim all three major show titles in Australia in one season, finishing the year as undefeated National Stud Show, East Coast & Australian Champion. Mustang’s Magnum was added immediately to the broodmare band as a two-year old for the newly expanded embryo transfer program, giving two foals her first year: Fames Phantom MI (by Fame Maker R) and Klassical Dream MI (by Klass). Another Klass filly, MI Klassic Fantasy, followed two years later along with the two foals by Guiliano: Majesta MI and Maximilliano. Her most recent foal is another Guiliano – Maximise MI. With these six foals to her credit, Mustang’s Magnum can boast a “perfect” production record, as all six have been named champion at major Arabian shows in New South Wales. All have earned Australian Championship honours: Klassical Dream MI as Australian Champion Two & Three Year Old Mare, Australian Reserve Champion Mare Four & Over and Australian Top Ten Yearling Filly; Maximilliano as Australian Champion Yearling Colt; both MI Klassic Fantasy and Maximise MI as Australian Champion Yearling Filly and Colt, respectively; Majesta MI as Australian Champion Yearling Filly Finalist; and Fames Phantom as Australian Champion Finalist Arabian Silver Snaffle, Gelding Under Saddle, Bridle Path Hack and Show Hunter over 15 hands. Klassical Dream, MI Klassic Fantasy and Maximilliano are all East Coast Champions as well, with Klassical Dream having earned the title three times as a yearling, two year old and four year old, for a perfect undefeated record at the show. Fames Phantom also earned his first East Coast Championship in 2013 as East Coast Cup Purebred Champion, a spectacular win for a four-year under saddle for less than a year.

While Mustang’s Magnum is most certainly the banner carrier for the prolificacy of the FORTY FOUR daughters, several other of his elite females have been proving their worth exponentially. Just behind Mustang’s Magnum as the young broodmare of greatest importance is Karess (out of Mulawa Kara Mia Mi). Karess has thus far produced three champion colts: Katar MI (by ABHA Qatar), Mulawa chief sire Konfidence MI (by Klass) and the reigning unanimous Australian Champion Yearling Colt Kavalle MI (by Gazal Al Shaqab). Her daughters Glamour MI (by Gazal Al Shaqab) and Klassical Faith MI (by Klass) also show great promise as broodmares of importance. “Australia’s Sweetheart” PARADA is proving she is more than just a pretty face. Three of her foals have already earned significant show ring titles: Pravia MI (by Guiliano) as Queensland Gala Event Junior Champion Filly; Platinum MI (by Guiliano) as Castle Hill Champion Arabian Newcomer Under Saddle; and, most significantly, Prussia MI (by ABHA Qatar) as Scottsdale International Gold Champion Junior Colt. Mulwa Aspiring has also excelled as a broodmare with National Stud Show Champion as well as Australian & East Coast Reserve Champion MI Aspiring Valentino (by DA Valentino) to her credit. The “most classic” FORTY FOUR daughter, as described by both Greg & Jane is Chance to Dance, the last daughter of legendary broodmare Mulawa Chance. A classic flea-bitten grey with world-class quality and charisma who has charmed every recent international visitor, Chance to Dance is in foal to Klass for late 2013 for a highly anticipated foal. Another infinitely charming daughter of FORTY FOUR is the Arabian Part-bred Mulawa Ballerina, an Australian multi-champion in both halter and performance.

The Mulawa broodmare band can now boast thirteen daughters of MAGNUM FORTY FOUR in production, with another five young daughters ready to join in the next two years. No other sire utilized by Mulawa has ever contributed so many daughters to the breeding program. This alone is testament to his invaluable worth as a sire.

The Sons of MAGNUM FORTY FOUR

While the serious contribution of the FORTY FOUR daughters has been in the halter show ring and breeding barn, the sons of FORTY FOUR have recently been rewriting the history books under saddle. Mulawa Inspired has dominated the most recent show season as THE Arabian gelding under saddle to beat, winning Champion Arabian Gelding Under Saddle at all three major shows – the National Stud Show, East Coast Championships and the Australian Championships. Inspired was also named East Coast Supreme Champion Saddle Horse of the Show, while his Australian Championship earned in 2013 gave MAGNUM FORTY FOUR the unique distinction of siring two full sibling Australian Champions in the same year, as Australian Champion Mare Mulawa Aspiring is Inspired’s full sister. Mulawa Inspired is owned by Peta & Ashleigh Meagher, unofficial co-presidents and chief cheerleders of the MAGNUM FORTY FOUR fan club. The Meaghers own several FORTY FOUR sons and grandsons, known affectionately as the “44 Boys”, who are cheerfully and proudly campaigned across the country each season with tremendous success.

Several of the FORTY FOUR sons who have earned major championships in-hand are now earning significant titles under saddle: Anastazi MI, Astor, High Calibre, Rapid Fire, Aces Wild, Falzon Four Claim and Chelleason’s Magnum Gold, to name just a few. Former East Coast & Australian Champion Because is enjoying a brilliant new life with amateur owner Rene Theoctistou, demonstrating the ultimate versatility and willingness of the FORTY FOUR get, as he successfully competes in multiple saddle and halter classes each time out. Two other recently sold young sons are making an impact in the halter arena: National Stud Show Reserve Champion Yearling Colt Trust MI (out of DM Marcedes True Love) sold to South Australia; and Scottsdale International Reserve Champion Two Year Old Colt Maxium (out of Sahtarah) sold to a Venezuelan-Mexican partnership.

Two of the best young MAGNUM FORTY FOUR sons are both out of daughters of Parkview Audacious, a great show horse and significant sire for Mulawa that was, rather ironically, handed his first loss in stallion competition in the show ring by Magnum Forty Four. The winningest of the two is Atuned MI (out of Mulawa Alexa), an undefeated winner as a yearling as National Stud Show, East Coast & Australian Champion. The elder is Allegiance MI, named National Stud Show Champion Yearling Colt and Reserve Supreme Champion Junior Stallion on his one and only outing in the show ring. Shortly after his impressive debut wins and just before the Christmas holidays, Allegiance suffered a broken hock while playing in his paddock.

“Sometimes fate insists on rewriting the story very differently than we intend,” expounds Jane. “Allegiance was a colt of extreme type, quality and refinement, and the word about him was gaining international momentum. We expected him to be the first Mulawa horse to establish worldwide acclaim for the breeding program. The broken leg was a devastating setback.” Julie remembers the incident with both sadness and hope, “We strongly believe in giving every horse a fighting chance at Mulawa. Although his prognosis for recovery was very grim, we tried to give Allegiance every chance to succeed if he had the heart and desire to do so.” In the end, it turned out that Allegiance’s desire to live and recover astounded all of the Mulawa staff charged with his care, especially Jayna Prell who took a keen interest in his daily maintenance and treatment. Nicknamed “Tigger” by Jayna for his surprisingly bouncy, enthusiastic and optimistic nature, Allegiance not only survived the broken hock with no complications, but now serves as junior sire at Mulawa with nary a noticeable detection of any permanent lameness.

“In the end, fate did us a favour with Allegiance, though we certainly did not see it that way at the time”, states Jane. Greg goes on to boldly pronounce Allegiance as “a step ahead of his sire Magnum Forty Four in terms of his impressive ability to consistently sire foals of extreme type, quality and refinement, with long upright necks, smooth well balanced bodies, beautifully sculpted faces and those classic 44 eyes”. “The best foals of the current foal crop are sired by Allegiance,” elaborates Greg, “on par with those of Klass and surpassing the contribution of every international sire used this past season including WH Justice”. Jane believes “that it will be the Mulawa-bred get of Allegiance that will make him famous around the world”, while Greg poignantly adds “that it is only appropriate that the baton be passed to the next generation through Allegiance the same year that Magnum Forty Four was lost to the program and to the world”.

The Legacy Lives On…

Never quite escaping the scars of his past, the stifle injury from his brief performance career in the States eventually caused Forty Four to be permanently stabled in the final two years of his life. Incredibly content with his exalted reinstatement back into the show stable, Forty Four quickly earned the reputation as a staff favorite, as he was always eager for an affirming pat and a well deserved carrot. Just after the New Year, the stifle injury manifested itself in complications with his hind foot, eventually resulting in a serious case of laminitis. As he grew more uncomfortable and the prognosis determined as highly unlikely to improve, the decision was made on January 24th to give Forty Four a peaceful passing via humane euthanasia.

His presence at Mulawa will be forever keenly missed. His distinguished face and those unforgettable eyes hanging over his barn door in his stable of honour, are still felt by all those who knew, admired and loved this remarkable stallion. Never intended to be the solution the Farrells were seeking, Magnum Forty Four turned out to be the sire of a lifetime, surpassing expectations exponentially in every respect. He has gone on to greener pastures, but Magnum Forty Four will surely never be forgotten, as those qualities that have so defined the “44 look” for the last decade live now in abundance in scores of his inherently exceptional get, grandget and great-grandget, not only at Mulawa and across Australia, but now in the most important Arabian breeding programs around the world. The story of Magnum Forty Four is most certainly one of not just good, but great fortune, of lives impacted positively and profoundly, ending most happily with a legacy that will endure with lasting significance and acclaim.

An international tribute to MAGNUM FORTY FOUR was featured in The Arabian Magazine in 2013.
Please click on the text link below to read more in this feature article.

A Tribute to MAGNUM FORTY FOUR