DA Kandahar

photo: Aline Sagrabelny

The distinguished bay stallion DA Kandahar was sired by DA Esstaan. DA Esstaan was crowned Austrian National Champion Colt in 2000, carrying the blood of none other than World Champion Stallion Essteem. His dam, Al Zahrah, was a foundation mare of Diamond Arabians, established by Cornelia Kolnberger in Austria. As a three-year-old in 1996, Al Zahrah was honored as the best-bred Austrian horse. Having produced predominantly colts for Diamond Arabians, she was later sold to Germany where she brought 4 more registered foals before she retired as broodmare.
On the dam’s side, DA Kandahar is out of Ravenna, a striking black-bay mare sired by the Russian-imported stallion Vympel. Ravenna’s dam, Rawayeh, was a daughter of the chestnut stallion Kais I, a product of the renowned El Zahraa Stud in Egypt. Kais I was imported to the UK in 1976 and later sold to Germany in 1988. Rawayeh herself, a beautiful bay mare foaled in England in 1979, descends from the legendary Rodania damline, tracing through the Crabbet mare Riz.
Foaled in 2002, DA Kandahar was the first offspring of Ravenna. He quickly rose to prominence, following in his sire’s footsteps. As a promising young stallion, he triumphed at the Austrian National Championships in 2004, earning the title of National Champion Colt. His success continued in senior competition, where he was named Austrian Reserve National Champion Stallion in 2010 and Bronze National Champion of Austria in 2014.
DA Kandahar further proved his quality as a breeding stallion. In 2007, he successfully passed his stallion licensing test at Stadl Paura, earning the Silver Ribbon from the German Arabian Horse Association and was winner of the WAHO Trophy 2011.
His legacy is carried forward by his outstanding progeny, including DA Kleopatra (Riva x Rawayeh), who was named Austrian Bronze Junior Champion Filly in 2011, and the multi-champion DA Pharao (DA Enfihda).