Liberty RCA
His dam was a lovely bay mare named Liberty HG. A daughter of the great Hadidi (Norus x Hebet Allah by *Morafic), she was foaled in 1997, the year that Hadidi was Canadian Top Ten Halter Stallion and the Egyptian Event Supreme Champion, but before he had gone off to Europe and won his world titles. Her dam was the extraordinary Belle Staar, a daughter of The Minstril out of a daughter of The Egyptian Prince, and ultimately famous both for her extreme type and her ability to produce quality. Liberty HG’s full sister, Isabella HG, was the Egyptian Event Supreme Champion Mare in 2003, but it was her half-sister, the black mare The Vision HG, by Thee Desperado that has achieved almost mythical stature as a broodmare.
Al Lahab GASB and Michael Byatt
Liberty HG was bred to Mishaal HP in 2010. The intent was obvious. The bloodline cross between Thee Desperado and Mishaal HP has been exceptionally successful over the last few years and the female line, well represented by Liberty HG, has had stunning repercussions throughout the world. At birth the colt was everything his breeding implied. Beautiful, refined and self-possessed, he was a veritable young prince. The stage was set and then … tragedy.
At scarcely one month of age, the colt’s dam suffered a terrible anaphylactic reaction to a routine inoculation. The colt was pushed aside as veterinarian and staff at Rock Creek Arabians and Arabians Ltd. struggled to save Liberty HG’s life. She died in their arms while the colt watched, unable to comprehend. The baby withdrew from the death of his mother, became stoic and refused to replace her with the different milk and sustenance he was offered. Painfully, slowly he was coaxed to eat solid food. He choked, developed pneumonia, recovered and did the same thing a second time. Finally, he began to thrive, a little bit at a time; one step after another. They named him Liberty RCA in honor of his dam.
“He has not behaved like an orphan foal,” says Shawn Crews. “He likes people, but somehow he’s never lost his strong, individual sense. He belongs to himself. This is a colt we intend to keep. He has a home for life here. We have bred a stallion to cross with our breeding program and he is our next step.”
These are powerful words from the home of some of the world’s greatest Egyptian Arabian sires and dams. Even after a devastating life beginning, the colt has enormous presence and quality; carriage and charisma. He’s at the Egyptian Event with Arabians Ltd; almost exactly a year after the death of his mother. He could be the next step in Arabian horse breeding worldwide. The stage is bare and rife with expectation. The suspense is almost palpable.