Every so often, a horse bred here in South Africa goes on to change the world. Azzaam al Amal is such a horse. Bred by myself at Arabesca Arabians, he is now proudly owned by Albidayer Stud in Sharjah, UAE. This is his story.
“I am more than I appear to be
I am full of my past and my future
I carry your dreams and your wishes
I reflect both light and dark in others
I am mystery, majesty, and miracle.”
Throughout my twenty years of breeding Arabian horses, I have prioritised sire selection based on compatibility with my mares, rather than solely National Champion status. Having established a strong dam line over three generations, I seek stallions that enhance my mares’ qualities without structural compromise.
As a dedicated Arabian breeder, breeding one or two foals per year, my goal remains to produce exceptional horses aligned with the textbook breed standards. Our participation in dressage and showing under saddle further emphasises conformational excellence.
Arabesca Silver Bell
My passion for the Arabian horse began with Ghazal (Nazeer x Bukra), the silver stallion who plunged people around the world into Arabitis, enchanted by his beauty. His charisma is unbroken to this day, and for many, he still presents the ‘dream robber’. Erika Schiele, the great admirer and supporter of this breed, once wrote about her first encounter with him:
“There suddenly appeared Ghazal, the silver stallion from Egypt. Dancing gracefully, he leaped gracefully, his snow-white fur shone metallic in the sun. Mane and sieve appeared to be softer, flowing silk. Then the stand is still.
“The fiery look from the big night black eyes hit me like a lightning and left me silent and devotional. I encountered a creature of almost terrestrial beauty… “
Darius, a son of Ghazal, was imported to South Africa from the renowned Vidiko Stud. His dam, Darsi (ex Winarsad by Wind), was a Marbach-bred mare and her sire was the eminent stallion, Hadban Enzahi (Nazeer x Kamla).
Simeon Segev
These two stallions are key to the story of my homebred foundation mare, Arabesca Silver Bell, foaled in 2004 and who sadly passed away in 2023. Ghazal appears three times in Arabesca Silver Bell’s pedigree, demonstrating the significant influence of line breeding in the female line on her exceptional brood mare capabilities. Through Gazal, Darius exhibited a significant concentration of lineage, appearing three times in her tail female line. Notably, the mares he was crossed with, Nourmahahl Vanessa (Queensway Shadow Play x Nourmahahl Khaybet), Vidiko Nina (Chez Nous Shah Rukh x Vidiko Nazime), and Vidiko Maraka (Timarie Captain Silver x Gordonville Majorette), were exceptional producers. I firmly believe these extraordinary horses substantially enhanced Silver Bell’s value as a broodmare.
With Silver Bell, I had selectively bred a mare that embodied the desirable characteristics I sought as a breeder. Her notable features included neatly proportioned ears, a large eye, and ample space between the eyes. Although relatively new to the industry, I recognised her conformation aligned with the established breed standards.
Arabesca Exquisite
Silver Bell’s pedigree boasted exceptional horses, inheriting the qualities necessary to produce my ideal Arabian horse. Personally, I observe a strong resemblance to her tail female line, a trait consistently evident in her progeny throughout the years. I have chosen to highlight the significant impact of her first and last foals.
Upon learning of Jack Maritz’s decision to import Simeon Segev from Australia, I was overcome with enthusiasm, recognising the potential synergy between Simeon Segev and Silver Bell. This development has its roots in the lineage of Ghazal, which, through his union with Malacha (El Sareei x Moheba), produced Malikah, and subsequently, Malik via Hadban Enzahi. This lineage is pivotal, as it facilitated the birth of Asfour (ex Hanan by Alaa el Din), sire of the esteemed World Reserve Champion Black Stallion Simeon Sadik (ex Simeon Safanad by Sankt Georg) and Sidi Arabian stud’s imported stallion, Simeon Segev.
Notably, Simeon Segev’s dam, Simeon Shuala (ex Ramses Tinah by Ramses Fayek), was sired by the illustrious three-time World Champion Simeon Shai (Raadin Royal Star x Simeon Safanad), whose influence extends to Silver Bell’s pedigree through his son, Silver Shai (ex Chiffauna by Mohssen). Simeon Segev embodied the quintessential Arabian stallion. The breeding of Simeon Segev to Silver Bell yielded a mare whose exquisite beauty upheld her name – Arabesca Exquisite – underscoring the significance of a robust bloodline and pedigree in consistently producing superior quality and type.
Sidi Scorpio
When I rethink the past years, this is a breeding that should have been repeated and the mare should have been retained by my stud.
When contemplating a suitable stallion for Arabesca Exquisite, key considerations included an exceptional outcross aiming to enhance the Egyptian-related dam line while introducing an extraordinary element. The selection of Sidi Scorpio (Magnum Chall HVP x Sidi Moonlighting) as the ideal sire for Arabesca Exquisite was driven by the desire for size, exceptional movement, and refinement.
The resultant offspring, Arabesca Scarlet Moon, displayed exceptional beauty, movement, and plenty of snort and blow. Sidi Scorpio’s genetic contribution enhanced her body, added refinement, a beautiful head and an extremely fine muzzle.
As a proven sire and exceptional riding horse, Sidi Scorpio’s impressive show record solidified his reputation. He epitomised the Arabian breed, demonstrating unwavering class and competitive ability. His untimely passing in 2024, just a year after winning the WAHO Trophy, will not diminish his legacy.
Arabesca Scarlet Moon
Bred by Jack Maritz of Sidi Arabians, Sidi Scorpio’s excellence in South African show-rings was a testament to the Maritz breeding programme, which showed dedication to breeding exceptional Arabian horses, distinguished by their impressive type, athletic ability, and versatility.
The decision to breed Arabesca Scarlet Moon with El Galal Baahir (Ibn Farid x XA Echo of Marwan) was instinctual. Notably, I departed from my usual practice of thoroughly examining the pedigree and researching the horses. I was thoroughly confident that combining these two exceptional horses would yield extraordinary results.
Jaco Koen, a longstanding friend, breeder, and owner of El Galal Baahir, shared my enthusiasm for the breeding. Consequently, I transported Scarlet Moon to Jaco’s beautiful farm for breeding and subsequently collected her upon confirmation of pregnancy.
Azzaam al Amal. Credit GCAT. Lead photo credit Alessio
Due to severe COVID-related health problems I opted to downsize my equine holdings, retaining solely three show riding horses and my foundation mare Arabesca Silver Bell. Scarlet Moon’s value as a broodmare precluded her training under saddle. Regrettably, I offered her for sale. She was sold with the in-utero foal to a gentleman aspiring to become an Arabian horse breeder. The transfer to her new home was bittersweet.
Indeed, to breed a horse of this stature, a breeder needs to have knowledge and a breeding programme. Azzaam al Amal was proudly created by Arabesca Arabians and although he does not have my prefix, he has a stellar female line that was carefully planned and chosen by myself.
Thank you to Jaco Koen and Wynand Bouwer for all the effort and stress endured with the exportation of Azzaam to Europe. He looked great at Valkenswaard. Congratulations to all involved in this exciting venture, and to his new owners, Albidayer Stud. Azzaam has taken Europe by storm and is now set to create an even greater legacy. Wishing you immense success as he proves his value and leaves a lasting mark as a great asset to your stud. And so, he goes onwards, to the World Championships in Paris, under the ownership of Albidayer Stud.
First printed in The Arabian Breeders’ Magazine Vol IX 20-year Collector’s Edition. Buy your copy here.
