It’s a common sentiment these days among horse breeders, the idea that the pioneer American Egyptian Arabian imports of the 1960’s and ‘70’s were extraordinary and utterly unique. Gleannloch Farm’s bloodlines are certainly among those that are mentioned in reverent tones. No wonder the reappearance in America of the Gleannloch-bred stallion, Hadidi caused such an emotional reaction among knowledgeable Egyptian breeders and historians.

A two-year-old at the Gleannloch Farm Legacy Sale in 1992, Hadidi caused a minor sensation by bringing one of the best prices at this historic dispersal. The son of Norus (Gharib x Noha by Hadban Enzahi) out of the *Morafic daughter Hebet Allah, (1977 U.S. National Champion Futurity Mare), Hadidi found himself owned by Italian breeders and off to Europe to make a name for himself. He did just that. At maturity he had grown into an elegant, handsome stallion with large, liquid black eyes. Throughout the show rings of Europe Hadidi exhibited with exceptional movement, a trait he inherited from his sire line. And at 16 hands he often towered over his competition in the show ring. He was impressive. He was charismatic, and the judges liked him. Twelve years abroad brought him six major national titles, including Salon Du Cheval World Champion Stallion, Italian National Champion Stallion, and All Nations Cup Supreme Champion Stallion. A sojourn through North America at six and seven saw him add to his laurels with a Canadian National and a Scottsdale Top Ten in Halter, as well as the coveted Egyptian Event Supreme Championship in 1997.

Hadidi is a grandson of the Marshall’s legendary Egyptian import *Morafic and of Noha, a mare that was very nearly a full sister in blood to El Hilal, leading Straight Egyptian sire of Champions in North America for many years. As a sire overseas, Hadidi quickly became noted for his outstanding daughters, several of whom were Champions in Europe. The Champion Hadidi daughter Elettra produced many classically beautiful offspring including the international sensation *Shael Dream Desert. During his few short years appearing in the United States in the mid-1990’s Hadidi managed to sire the splendid Isabella HG (x Belle Staar) and the classic beauty Dorian Bint Hadidi (x Dorian Fa Halima), the former an Egyptian Event Supreme Champion in 2003, and the latter a two-time Reserve Senior Champion at the Event. Proving the longevity and viability of the line, Isabella HG is also the dam of Desha Bellaara, 2008 Reserve Champion Egyptian Event Senior Straight Egyptian Futurity Filly.

The story of Gail and Joe Mailloux’s rediscovery of Hadidi while in Europe a few years ago is well known in the Arabian industry. Bringing the great stallion back to the United States as a 19-year-old representative of the best of the Gleannloch Arabians’ breeding program was a mission Mailloux’s accomplished with great passion and anticipation. In 2009 Two Silos Farm Egyptian Arabians was incredibly proud to announce that Hadidi was taking his place as their senior sire. The 2011 Egyptian Event will mark the appearance of the first Hadidi offspring born in America since his return. Two of these were bred and are owned by Two Silos. The first is a yearling bay filly, Apolloniaa (x Savannah CC by Thee Desperado). Apolloniaa will be shown in class 50, Futurity Straight Egyptian Junior Yearling Fillies. The second, a yearling grey colt, Ishtihar Ibn Hadidi (x TS Ill Take Champagne by Ansata Sinan) will appear in class 51, Futurity Straight Egyptian Senior Yearling Colts. The classes follow each other on Friday afternoon and both youngsters will be handled by veteran showman Joseph Polo.

“It’s very exciting to show our own Hadidi youngsters this year and we couldn’t be more pleased,” notes Gail. “Hadidi is 21 in 2011 and has excellent semen quality. His book is still open but we are about to change everything we are doing with him. We are in the process of forming an elite group of mares for breeding to him next year. The clock is ticking and I’m feeling the pressure of his age and extraordinary rarity. He is not your average Arabian stallion. The foals he is producing for us have great legs, great movement and phenomenal suspension. The loose shoulders, the elegant drape to their necks, and their straight, high tails … literally everything about them is up in the air and straight! This is not about financial gain for us anymore. There are simply very few stallions of Hadidi’s caliber … I think perhaps one in a hundred thousand. It’s critical to us that we let him make a real difference in the breed. We’re on a quest to find, buy or lease the ten best straight Egyptian mares in the United States. That’s all we are going to breed to him in 2012 … the best of the very best we can find.”

One of the mares that will have a spot on Hadidi’s select mare list next year is Zakeyat (Gad Allah x Zakyia) brought from Europe by Gail and Joe recently. She is EAO bred, has a completely unique pedigree and a notable production record. A splendid big-bodied mare with remarkable movement, she is currently in foal to Emiratus B (El Thay Mameluk x 223 Ibn Galal 1-13). Zakeyat arrived mid-summer and will be bred to Hadidi in early 2012.

In several articles written about him the periods of Hadidi’s life have been compared to chapters in a great book … the early years at Gleannloch, the glamour years in the show rings of Europe, the quick trip home to criss-cross America and Canada for glory, and at last a final trip home to settle down at Two Silos. But perhaps there is one last chapter to be included. A chapter about making a great contribution to the straight Egyptian Arabian horse in America. A chapter that will, at the end of Hadidi’s days on earth, be lettered in golden ink and written for the ages.