The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is honored to be the homeland of the Arabian horse and these splendid animals remain a cherished symbol of the country's culture and heritage. Although the precise origin of the Arabian horse remains obscured in the mists of time, there can be no doubt that this noble breed galloped forth from the deserts of Arabia to become the most influential horse in the history of mankind.

Bedouin tribes of Arabia, who forged this breed in the midst of a harsh desert environment, embraced their horses with a passion unrivaled in human history. In his book about the culture of the Arabs from the earliest known times, Al-Alusi writes: Horses, to the Arabs, were the most significant thing in life: they were the symbol of their erected fortresses, their everlasting treasures, their finest glory, and their securest way of defense. As such, the Arabs took great interest in horses, and excelled in their knowledge about these animals more than all other nations...

The ruling family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Al Sauds, also have a long and distinguished association with the Arabian horse, and there is no better symbol of this relationship than the historic city of Dir'iyyah. Located in the heart of the Arabian peninsula, known as the Najd, the imposing mud-brick ruins of this ancient city are just a short distance away from the skyscrapers which mark the skyline of the modern Saudi capital of Riyadh. Yet in the winding lanes of Dir'iyyah, it is easy to imagine the echoes of hoofbeats from the horses of the great stables now reduced to broken stones strewn across the plain. For it was here, in the early 1800's, that the Sauds gathered the greatest collection of Arabian horses ever said to exist. In 1862, the Englishman, W.G. Palgrave wrote of the fabled horses of Najd, "Never had I seen nor imagined so lovely a collection...Their appearance justified all reputation, all value, all poetry."

To honor the heritage of Dir'iyyah, the Department of Antiquities of the Kingdom is presently engaged in extensive restoration of its palaces, mosques, and walls. Today, the ancient city provides not only a fascinating glimpse of the unique architecture and culture of the Najdi region, but a magnificent setting to display the Kingdom's modern Arabian horses. Just as the citizens of the Kingdom are determined to protect this important historic city, they are also dedicated to preserving their long tradition of breeding the finest Arabian horses in the world.