It is November in Kuwait, the harshness of summer has receded leaving warm days and pleasant evenings in its wake. A crescent moon, the symbol of the faithful in this part of the world, hangs in the blackness above the horizon. As the lights of the stud flicker on, the only sound that breaks the silence is the gentle cascade of water from the nearby fountains and the occasional call from a stallion. The grooms are beginning to turn out the stallions, mares and foals to their paddocks for the night, having spent the day sheltered from the heat. This summer routine will soon be reversed as winter brings cooler days.
We are at Al Ghanayim Stud, the equine paradise built by Mr. Ayad Al Thuwainy that is literally a stone’s throw from the Saudi border in Al Wafra, southern Kuwait. “In the beginning, this was not the plan,” recalls Ayad with a smile. “It was supposed to be a small facility with a few horses for fun, just a hobby. With time the hobby became a passion and things became more serious. With an increase in the number of horses, came an increase in the number of staff and of course, greater requirements for their care. When we started in 2015, I never envisioned it would reach the size and scope of what it is today.”
Upon entering gates of the stud, the most striking aspect is the incredible expanse of grass that carpets the entire property. It is truly unique in the Middle East.
The farm boasts 99 stalls and 20 turn-out paddocks, along with walkers, and a state of the art equine pool to help condition horses. As for equine residents, Al Ghanayim Stud includes fourteen stallions, forty-six broodmares, five recipient mares and thirty-five young fillies, colts and foals.
Ayad nurtured his love of horses with his uncle, who was
