Khalif came to us when the Balai Directive was in its infancy. He was long waited for and a dream for Michael,
myself and our long time friend and partner, Rosemary Redfern. The late Chrisse Schrey-Grandell of El Hamrah Kennels in Finland
whelped his litter and retained him for us until he was old enough to fulfil the requirements to travel to the United Kingdom
under the Balai Directive. This was at age 9 months. I remember that day as Michael was judging at Richmond Championship
Show. When he awarded his Best of Breed off we went to the airport to pick up Chrisse and her precious cargo. We waited and
waited and no Chrisse. Finally we went and asked where she was. It seems that the airline was planning to send Khalif to the
Quarantine Station instead of releasing him to us. Chrisse was tooth and nail with the airline that didn’t have a clue.
We then presented all the papers to all and sundry and Khalif was able to come with us. (Chrisse also came home). I never
will forget that weekend as it was the Saturday of Princess Di’s funeral.
At first Khalif found our food totally unpalatable until someone discovered his sweet tooth and slowly he
managed to find his appetite again. Khalif’s first Championship Show was The Saluki or Gazelle Hound Club Championship
Show where he went Best Puppy in Show. He was a marvellous show dog winning 14 Challenge Certificates and 15 Reserve Challenge
Certificates gathering some two Group 1s and a Reserve Best in Show at Border Counties Championship Show. Upon his semi retirement
from the Show Ring, Khalif took up hare coursing and managed to “Run Up” the Veteran Stakes in 2004. We were very
pleased with this.
He also appeared at Sadler Wells Theatre in the Birmingham National Ballet of “King Arthur”.
Recently he escorted Susan George’s Arabian Horses into the main arena in her spring production of the
Georgian Arabs.
Khalif has been at very limited stud and has had four wives. We are now presenting some of his children.