In Memoriam | KLASS

14 January 2003 – 28 May 2025

It is with immense sadness that we share the untimely passing of KLASS.

An international icon as both a show horse and a sire, KLASS was the first of the Mulawa-bred stallions to establish his own unique brand of excellence in the new millennium. As the only Arabian stallion ever to be named three-time successive Australian National Champion – as Senior Stallion in 2009, as a Ridden Stallion in 2010, and as a Working Stock Horse in 2011 – KLASS set the standard in the decade to follow for achievement in the show ring with dozens of champion get to his credit across a multitude of disciplines. This incredible versatility and inherent athletic ability are unquestionably the gift his own legendary sire TS AL MALIK (Hello Barich ELS x BF Tiffany Select by BF Rageymazon), an Australian and Brazilian National Champion renowned for his size, structure, substance, stamina and undeniable masculinity.  

As a sire, KLASS is credited with more Australian National Champion daughters across all age groups, with twelve titles earned by six extraordinary daughters. KLASS still holds the record for siring the most Australian National Champion Senior Mares – four in total: KLASSICAL DREAM MI (in 2014), KLASSICAL PRESENCE MI (in 2016), MI KLASSIC FANTASY (in 2017) and KLASSICAL FAME MI (in 2020). In all the best KLASS daughters, the invaluable influence of KLASS’s dam KARMAA (Kaborr x AN Marieta by AN Malik) – beloved as the ‘Queen of Mulawa’ – is still celebrated, especially evident in their large dark eyes, well-shaped capacious nostrils, clean elastic mitbahs, strong maternal instinct, aristocratic presence and alluring feminine charm.

For much of the last decade, the KLASS daughters have been the most precious matrons at the heart of the Mulawa breeding programme, raising the standard with each successive generation. Many of the very best KLASS daughters are now treasured members of leading breeding programmes worldwide – KLASSICAL DREAM MI at Akmal Stud (KSA), MI KLASSIC FANTASY at Orrion Farms (USA), KLASSIC HARMONY MI at Al Shaqab (Qatar), KLASSICAL INSPIRATION MI at Xinda Bohan Stud (China), and KLASSICAL PRESENCE MI & KLASSICAL DEVOTION MI at Al Zobair Stud (UAE) - all of whom continue to leave a profound legacy in their new homes.

Rightly honoured as the WAHO Trophy Recipient for Australia for his outstanding contribution to the breed as a superlative ambassador for the Arabian horse both at home and abroad, KLASS also serves as the symbol for the Arabian horse in Australia at the Arabian Horse Galleries at the Kentucky Horse Park, his iconic Vesty photo as the stockhorse around the campfire hanging proudly amongst the global breed representatives.

Although born into a life of showing and breeding, KLASS lived the majority of his irrefutably charmed life as the ‘King of Alabama’ in the Upper Hunter Valley, Mulawa’s breeding and youngstock operation situated just outside of Scone, New South Wales. Fully retired for most of the last decade, KLASS continued to be a perennial favourite for visitors, especially breeders and professionals from overseas. Always keen for a pat and a carrot, KLASS lived his best life at Alabama, the blissful existence one would expect for a horse of his status, acclaim and adoration. 

He was the horse of a lifetime for everyone at Mulawa, especially for Greg, who had recognised something special in KLASS from the moment he arrived more than twenty-three years ago. We remain forever grateful to have shared so many wonderful years and unforgettable moments with KLASS and continue to be indebted to all those expanding the KLASS legacy all around the world.

While his reassuring presence may be gone from the farm, his inimitable spirit remains in our hearts and souls forever. He was, is and forever shall be in a KLASS all his very own…