Safinaz

In a 1986 article in the May issue of Arabian Horse World, Dr. Ibrahim Zaghloul, then the director of the EAO, was asked which mares, living or dead, he considered to have the strongest influence upon the EAO's breeding program. Dr. Zaghloul chose Moniet El Nefous, Kamar, Hebah, Adaweya and Safinaz,  the Alaa El Din daughter, out of Ramza, (an El Sareei daughter). Safinaz had already produced 8 foals, through 1986, when Dr. Zaghloul said the following: "A chestnut mare foaled February 1, 1970, has one of the prettiest heads you'll ever see, along with all the other qualities that make you take a second look. She is extremely elegant with a chiseled, tapered face and a teacup muzzle. She is one of the noblest mares in the herd, with the dry, typey look of the true Bedouin mare. She has been a superior mare for the EAO." It is interesting to know that the name "Safinaz" is a Persian name, which means "Fascinating Woman". In Egyptian culture, Persian, Turkish and non-Islamic names are often given to higher-class females. The mare Safinaz was mody definitely considered to be in a higher class of broodmare, as evidenced by Dr. Zaghloul's appraisal of her. Considering the success of her son, *Ibn Safinaz, we can now, in hindsight, say that Dr. Zaghloul's statements proved to be accurate.