Libya's largest breeding operation has horses stolen

Al Shaab Stud, the largest Thoroughbred breeding operation in war-torn Libya, was raided on Saturday, with the farm's stallions and in-foal broodmares being stolen. Among the dozen horses stolen was former U.S. stallion Eavesdropper, a half-brother to Hall of Famer A.P. Indy, and the sire of popular millionaire Page McKenney.

"I am so sad, and my heart is broken [and that of] my family," wrote Amad Eshab, the general manager and veterinarian for Al Shaab, which is located near Libya's capital, Tripoli. The raid was reportedly conducted by an armed militia loyal to the Libyan National Army, a rival to the interim government.

"It is my life's work, for my country and countrymen," Eshab continued on his Twitter account. "I preserve the national heritage, and now this terrible assault. It is too cruel.

"These armed militias descended from the city of Tarhuna, and they must stop the threat."

Eavesdropper, by Kingmambo, is a 20-year-old half-brother to Horse of the Year, Belmont Stakes and Breeders' Cup Classic winner, and leading sire A.P. Indy, as well as to Preakness Stakes winner and classic sire Summer Squall. Other prominent stallions in the immediate family include Belmont Stakes winner and champion older horse Lemon Drop Kid, still an active sire in Kentucky; Breeders' Cup Mile winner Court Vision, the sire of 2019 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Storm the Court; Epsom Derby winner Ruler of the World and Group 1 winner Duke of Marmalade, both standing internationally; Metropolitan Handicap winner Bee Jersey, who entered stud in Kentucky in 2019; and successful sires Foxhound and Wolfhound.

Eavesdropper won three times from 16 career starts, taking the 2004 Harvey Arneault Memorial Handicap at Mountaineer and finishing third in the Grade 3 Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct that same year. He retired to Walmac Farm in Kentucky for 2005, then moved to Regal Heir Farm in Pennsylvania three years later. He then headed overseas, as he stood in Australia beginning in 2009 before being sold to stand in Libya beginning in 2014.

From his first nine crops of racing age, Eavesdropper's best runner is the Pennsylvania-bred Page McKenney, who earned more than $1.9 million while racing from ages 2 to 8. The multiple Grade 3 winner won 15 stakes in total, and placed in 14 others. Eavesdropper is also the sire of stakes winners Hear No Angel and Last Minute Joe, and Australian Group 3-placed Soviet Secret.

Al Shaab Stud was also standing Churchill Downs, winner of the Group 2 Stutt Stakes in Australia, and whose multiple Group 1 placings included a third in the prestigious Golden Slipper. Churchill Downs, by Danehill, is led at stud by Australian group stakes winners Churchill Dancer, Girl Guide, and Gold Fields, as well as Hong Kong group stakes winner Super Lifeline.

Al Shaab's other stallions stolen were Backdraft (by Testa Rossa), Brut Force (Giant's Causeway), Metternich (Seeking the Gold), and Raise a Grand (Grand Lodge).