The Collectors’ Edition Cover Star – Raoud Albidayer

I love it when a horse returns to the front cover of this magazine, and it is five years since Raoud Albidayer was our cover star. In this time, this dynamic stallion has matured beautifully, and is also proving himself as a sire of note with his first foals.

Owned and bred by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi at his Albidayer Stud in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Raoud Albidayer commanded attention from the moment he made his show-ring debut back in 2015. As a yearling, this typey, exotic colt made waves across Europe and the Middle East. Now a six-year old stallion, Raoud Albidayer is ready to show in the City of Lights and vie for the greatest title in the world, that of World Champion.

Credit Paola Drera

Raoud Albidayer is one of the stud’s handful of progeny sired by SMA Magic One, a stallion who Sheikh Mohammed utilised early on in the young sire’s career. By Psytadel (Padrons Psyche x Bint Bey Shah) and out of Majidah Bint Pacha (AS Sinans Pacha x AS Mounah), SMA Magic One blends Russian and Egyptian bloodlines with type and grace. Raoud Albidayer is out of DL Marielle, who was full sister to Albidayer Stud’s chief stallion, Marajj. Sired by Marwan Al Shaqab (Gazal Al Shaqab x Little Liza Fame) and out of RGA Kouress (Kouvay Bey x Angophora), DL Marielle added Polish bloodlines to the mix. The result is an incredibly showy grey stallion who effortlessly covers the ground. His lines are clean and smooth and even when standing still, he is incredibly eye-catching.

As a yearling, Raoud Albidayer was named Gold Yearling Male Champion at the Ajman Arabian Horse Show, followed by Silver at both the Abu Dhabi International Arabian Horse Show and the Dubai International Arabian Horse Championships and Bronze at the Sharjah International Arabian Horse Championships. Having come to Europe, Raoud Albidayer took Silver at the AHO Breeders’ World Cup in Chantilly. As a two-year old, he was named Prague Intercup Gold Junior Male Champion and as a three-year old, Raoud Albidayer claimed another Gold Championship in Abu Dhabi as well as Bronze in Chantilly. This year, with limited shows taking place, Raoud Albidayer has been shown just the once, making his debut as a senior. This was at the Mediterranean and Arab Countries Championships in Menton and, having won his class, Raoud Albidayer was named Gold Senior Male Champion.

However, as with all Albidayer horses, it is not just the show results that are important but also the ability of their homebreds to go on to produce the next generation, and Raoud Albidayer has already made his mark. His daughter Yamamah al Oyannah (ex Mayar IV by Kanz Albidayer), bred by Fahad Faisal Abdulrahman Almoammar and owned by Al-Diriya Stud, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, won her yearling class this year and took the Silver Yearling Female Championship at the Asharqia Arabian Horse Classic International B Show. Albidayer Stud themselves have the lovely filly Mayar Albidayer out of Maha Albidayer (Kanz Albidayer x Marsina), who represents three generations of their breeding programme. Also of note is the lovely and elegant yearling filly Tharwat Al Baydaa (ex Zennyatta by Victorious LD), bred by Al Baydaa Stud and owned by Samjad Stud. In November, Al Aryam Al Yasat (ex Al Aryam Al Yaba by Ruger AMW), bred and owned by Al Aryam Arabians in the UAE, took the Silver Junior Male Championship at the UAE Nationals. Raoud Albidayer’s progeny may be young, but they are certainly beginning to shine.

Credit Paola Drera

With the end of the strangest year approaching, Raoud Albidayer had firmly set his sights on the glittering lights of Paris for the World Championships, alongside his paternal half-sister and Junior World Champion, Mozn Albidayer (ex Mattaharii by Magnum Chall HVP). However, the pandemic had other plans, and their moment in the spotlight will have to wait – for now, at least.

The dynamic quality of both Raoud Albiayer and Mozn Albidayer puts Albidayer Stud firmly in the spotlight not only as owners of some of the best Arabian horses in the world, but as breeders of horses that we never tire of seeing.

All photography unless stated Elisa Grassi

First published in The Arabian Breeders’ Magazine Collectors’ Edition Volume IV – buy your copy online at The Arabian Magazine Shop.