Albidayer Stud, located in Sharjah, one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, has a long and rich history with the Arabian horse. Founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, and managed by Dawn Martin, Albidayer Stud has been one of the most influential farms in the Middle East for fast approaching 15 years. The horses that are bred there, as well as those who have been carefully and considerately brought into the stud, shine the world over. From the United States, where Albidayer Stud has a huge presence, to Europe and the Middle East, horses from this farm make an impression on all who see them.
The Arabian Breeders’ Magazine Summer Cover – A Vision MI. Photo Stuart Vesty.
While Albidayer Stud breed great horses the world over, with a strong and highly successful programme in the United States as well as at home, Sheikh Mohammed is always ready to bring in something new and special to the farm. One such example is the refined beauty, A Vision MI, who was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed last year to further enhance the breeding programme. Bred in Australia by Mulawa Arabian Stud, A Vision MI is by Allegiance MI (Magnum Forty Four x Audacia) and out of Always Valentine MI (DA Valentino x Always an Angel). In her home country, A Vision MI was unstoppable, including East Coast Yearling Female Champion and unanimous Australian National Gold Champion Yearling Filly.
A Vision MI – Gold Champion in Sharjah and Dubai. Photo Claire Reigneaud.
A Vision MI’s arrival into Europe saw her debut at the Paris World Championships, still in her yearling year but being bred in Australia meant that she competed against two- and three-year olds. As an official two-year old, A Vision MI came into her stride during this spring’s Middle East show season. She claimed Gold Junior Female Champion, as well as first place in her class, at both the Sharjah International Arabian Horse Show and the Dubai International Arabian Horse Championships.
A Vision MI in Belgium. Photo Glenn Jacobs.
This is an extremely beautiful young filly – feminine, correct, graceful and elegant. Above all, A Vision MI has all the qualities that define an Albidayer Stud horse, including type, energy and presence, and we can all look forward to seeing her show once again this year. This is a filly who is only going to get better and better, and she has much to offer.
The beautiful A Vision MI. Photo Glenn Jacobs.
Saif Albidayer is one such homebred who is currently making his mark. Foaled in 2016, this grey colt oozes class and appeal and he is at the centre of Albidayer Stud’s 2019 show programme. Saif Albidayer is sired by Excalibur EA, himself an European Triple Crown winning colt by the multiple champion Shanghai EA (WH Justice x Salymah EA) and out of Essence of Marwan EA (Marwan al Shaqab x Elizja). Saif Albidayer’s dam is one of the mares Sheikh Mohammed carefully added into his breeding programme, Nesj el Markhisa, sired by Marwan al Shaqab (Gazal al Shaqab x Little Liza Fame) and out of Nesj el Khisaya, a daughter of the great Khidar (Ansata Sinan x Elizja) and out of Om el Eshara (Estopasan x Sariet). Interestingly, the mare Elizja appears three times in Saif Albidayer’s pedigree. This is a mare of old lines, being by Esta-Ghalil (ex Sadika by Saufi) and out of Aica (ex Warandes Hindia by Hindi), both sired by the legendary Om El Arab stallion Ibn Estasha (Malik x Estasha). This infusion of old blood, along with the modernity of stallions such as Shanghai EA and his son, Excalibur EA, is what helps to make Saif Albidayer so special.
Saif Albidayer. Photo Gregor Aymar.
At his show debut, at Deauville in France as a yearling, Saif Albidayer won his class and went on to take the Gold Yearling Colt Championship. Albidayer Stud never overshow their horses, something to be commended, and it would be two years before Saif Albidayer made a return to the show-ring at this year’s Sharjah International Show. Thus far, Saif Albidayer has been shown just once as a three-year old, and he claimed the Gold Junior Male Championship.
Saif Albidayer taking Gold in Sharjah. Photo Claire Reigneaud.
Saif Albidayer is a free-moving and elegant colt, typey and beautiful, and with correct conformation as well as a strong pedigree behind him. He is full of Arabian type, that showy, look at me presence that we love so much in our horses, and he has charisma to boot. Add in good limbs, a beautiful face and correctness and it is little wonder that he has done so well in the show-ring to date. Those who see him are impressed that such a young colt is a complete horse, not just a sum of different parts. He has size and substance, but he has also retained the elegance that is so desirable in our Arabian horses. The three-year old colt competition is notoriously tough, but Saif Albidayer has all that qualities needed, and more, to shine as the year progresses.
Saif Albidayer. Photo Gregor Aymar.
With the top European shows fast approaching, it is clear that Albidayer Stud is well placed with both homebreds and careful additions to retain their place among the leading farms in the world. Both Saif Albidayer and A Vision MI will be competing in the Mediterranean and Arab Countries Arabian Horse Championships in Menton this month, and the title shows will then surely beckon.
Albidayer Stud has always been at the top in show-rings across the northern hemisphere. Their homebred colts and fillies have shown at the major shows in this part of the world, and Sheikh Mohammed has enhanced the strength of his programme with additions such as A Vision MI. For beauty has many names, but it is always evident at Albidayer.
