MYSTERY OF CHAMPION HORSE KILLED IN REBEL-CONTROLLED LIBYA
By The Girl Who Loves Khamis On 31st August 2012, it was reported that Kris Kin, the 2003 winner of the world’s most prestigious horse race, the Epsom Derby, had been killed in Libya. Mystery still surrounds the circumstances in which he met his grisly end – breaking his neck as he tried to jump a gate that was part of his enclosure at the al-Shaab stud, near Tripoli, in the newly rebel-controlled Libya. Kris Kin’s downward spiral is typical of most Thoroughbred racehorses – even being a champion never ensured him a loving home for life. In the hands of champion trainer, Michael Stoute, he competed just seven times, winning three races, his final win being the crowning jewel of flat racing; the Derby at Epsom in the UK. His owner, Saeed Suhail, appeared to dote on his pride and joy, keeping photographs of Kris Kin everywhere and even naming a deluxe hotel in Dubai after him. But after retirement, Kris Kin proved to be a largely unsuccessful stallion at stud, his offspring generally being of average status. In an industry where only money and continued success matter, Kris Kin suddenly found himself no longer wanted. He was sent from his place at stud in Ireland across to Italy – and then at the age of twelve years old found himself in an unbelievable situation – being sold to the rebel-controlled hellhole that is the new Libya. Kris Kin has been at al-Shaab for just a few weeks when he died instantly as he tried to clear the gate of his enclosure. A broken neck the cause of death. But nobody had been riding him… So what made Kris Kin try and flee his paddock that summer day in 2012?No proper explanation has been given. Yes, stallions are highly-strung and sometimes very fractious creatures, but I do know about horses. Under any normal circumstances, horses do not choose to jump of their own accord. Either Kris Kin was forced to jump – or he was in fear of something or someone. And questions must be asked as to why his owner sold his ‘beloved’ horse to end up in a war-zone like Libya. Did Mr. Suhail support the demise of Qadhafi’s government? Why was it thought that Kris Kin would be safe in a land run by a bunch of psychopathic thugs? A country that has been descending into a nightmare scenario ever since 2011. The stud also falsely claimed Libya is a ‘safe’ country. I do not know if the rebels were directly responsible for Kris Kin’s death, but I do know that it is yet another precious life extinguished in the horror of the new ‘free’ Libya. I would like to dedicate this article to The Golden General, Prince Khamis Qadhafi – as we both love horses
By The Girl Who Loves Khamis On 31st August 2012, it was reported that Kris Kin, the 2003 winner of the world’s most prestigious horse race, the Epsom Derby, had been killed in Libya. Mystery still surrounds the circumstances in which he met his grisly end – breaking his neck as he tried to jump a gate that was part of his enclosure at the al-Shaab stud, near Tripoli, in the newly rebel-controlled Libya. Kris Kin’s downward spiral is typical of most Thoroughbred racehorses – even being a champion never ensured him a loving home for life. In the hands of champion trainer, Michael Stoute, he competed just seven times, winning three races, his final win being the crowning jewel of flat racing; the Derby at Epsom in the UK. His owner, Saeed Suhail, appeared to dote on his pride and joy, keeping photographs of Kris Kin everywhere and even naming a deluxe hotel in Dubai after him. But after retirement, Kris Kin proved to be a largely unsuccessful stallion at stud, his offspring generally being of average status. In an industry where only money and continued success matter, Kris Kin suddenly found himself no longer wanted. He was sent from his place at stud in Ireland across to Italy – and then at the age of twelve years old found himself in an unbelievable situation – being sold to the rebel-controlled hellhole that is the new Libya. Kris Kin has been at al-Shaab for just a few weeks when he died instantly as he tried to clear the gate of his enclosure. A broken neck the cause of death. But nobody had been riding him… So what made Kris Kin try and flee his paddock that summer day in 2012?No proper explanation has been given. Yes, stallions are highly-strung and sometimes very fractious creatures, but I do know about horses. Under any normal circumstances, horses do not choose to jump of their own accord. Either Kris Kin was forced to jump – or he was in fear of something or someone. And questions must be asked as to why his owner sold his ‘beloved’ horse to end up in a war-zone like Libya. Did Mr. Suhail support the demise of Qadhafi’s government? Why was it thought that Kris Kin would be safe in a land run by a bunch of psychopathic thugs? A country that has been descending into a nightmare scenario ever since 2011. The stud also falsely claimed Libya is a ‘safe’ country. I do not know if the rebels were directly responsible for Kris Kin’s death, but I do know that it is yet another precious life extinguished in the horror of the new ‘free’ Libya. I would like to dedicate this article to The Golden General, Prince Khamis Qadhafi – as we both love horses
