Al Shaab recovers 39 stolen horses; half-brother to A.P. Indy still missing

Al Shaab Stud, the largest Thoroughbred breeding operation in war-torn Libya, has reported that more than half of its horses stolen in a raid in January have been recovered, although several, including regally bred former U.S. stallion Eavesdropper, remain missing.

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The raid on Al Shaab, located near Libya’s capital, Tripoli, was reportedly conducted by an armed militia loyal to the Libyan National Army, a rival to the interim government. The Racing Post reported that the stud’s since-recovered horses include three of its stallions – English Group 3 winner Raise a Grand, by Grand Lodge; Brut Force, by Giant’s Causeway; and Metternich, by Seeking the Gold.

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“By the grace of God and the steadfastness of the Libyan people, 38 out of the 59 horses hijacked many months ago have been located,” Dr. Amad Eshaab, manager of Al Shaab Stud posted on Twitter. “The search is still ongoing for the remaining horses, including a number of mares who were in foal.”

Among the horses still missing is Eavesdropper, by Kingmambo, a 20-year-old half-brother to Horse of the Year and leading sire A.P. Indy, as well as to Preakness Stakes winner and classic sire Summer Squall. Eavesdropper, a Grade 3-placed stakes winner, stood in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Australia before being sold to stand in Libya beginning in 2014. The stallion’s best runner is the popular Pennsylvania-bred millionaire Page McKenney, a multiple Grade 3 winner who has won 15 stakes in total and placed in 14 others.

Also still missing are Australian Group 2 winner Churchill Downs, by Danehill; and Backdraft, by Testa Rossa.