The Tamria Story

Tamria, a 1967 EAO-bred grey mare, was a daughter of *Tuhotmos, a Moniet el Nefous son, sired by El Sareei and out of Kamar, a Nazeer daughter and great-granddaughter of Bint Sabah (Kazmeen x Sabah). Dahmah Shahwaniyah by strain, she is of the same branch as Sid Abouhom, Bukra, Sheikh El Arab and *Bint Bint Sabbah. Always a mare of great  significance, especially in Europe; there's been a global resurgence of interest in her bloodline, with several breeders either adding her to their programs or culling all other bloodlines, to focus solely on her. In Authentic Arabian Bloodstock II, beloved author Judith Forbis said of Tamria, "The first time we saw Tamria she was a vision in white lying against the golden straw in her stall at Babolna. She didn't rise; her feet hurt too much from laminitis. Beauty crowned her sculptured face. Her big black eyes gave only a hint of the pain she bore with dignity but she nevertheless enjoyed having visitors admire her." Judith Forbis used the Tamria bloodline within her program, through a 1997 mare named Sherifa Tamria (Royal Jalliel x Imperial Daeemah). What's interesting about this mare are two things: she traces to Tamria through *Pharrah, in both the tail female line of sire and dam. The second thing that I found interesting is that Imperial Daeemah, the dam of Sherifa Tamria, was sired by a stallion named Imperial Im Daeem, a full brother of the globally influential stallion, Imperial Imdal (Ansata Imperial x Dalia). Sherifa Tamria produced three stallions for Ansata: Ansata Aly Sherif in 2002 by Ansata Iemhotep, Ansata Tashreef in 2004 by Ansata Sirius and Ansata Royal Qasim in 2008 by Ansata Qasim.

The name "Tamria" or "9 Tamria"  has become like a "buzzword" within the breed, as enthusiasts check pedigrees of their favorite horses, in the hope of discovering her legacy within the genetic mix. The numeral "9" which precedes "Tamria" in some reference materials is only a registration number, which is unique to The Babolna Stud. Purebred mares at The Babolna Stud were assigned a numeral between 1 and 30 or 201 and 250, while the Shagya mares were assigned a numeral between 31 and 200 or 251 and greater.

Although bred and born in Egypt, Tamria was imported to The Babolna Stud in 1968 as a yearling and it is in Hungary where Tamria spent her life. And that's the part of her story that I find so interesting, as Dr. Hans Joachim Nagel of the world famous Katharinenhof Stud plays a pivotal role in the story, as he was the person, under the mentorship of Dr. Ameen Zaher, who  selected Tamria in Egypt and purchased her, intending to use her for his breeding program. At the time, Dr. Nagel was not able to import the EAO horses directly into Germany (African horse sickness) but rather, the horses went to The Babolna Stud, where they were quarantined and from there, would be exported to his farm in Germany.

The Babolna Stud, founded well over 200 years ago, was primarily focused upon developing a horse of utility, that is, strong, functional, cavalry-type horses suitable for driving and riding, while incorporating the distinctive and noble Arabian breed trademarks. Over the years, Arabian stallions were imported from the Middle East and bred to a select group of local mares, with the resulting offspring bred together, resulting in a unique group of horses referred to originally as "Araberrasse"and later recognized as "Shagya Arabians", in honor of the 1836 stallion, Shagya, imported by Baron von Herbert from Syria. So, while The Babolna Stud has a long equine history, which does include the Arabian horse breed; it really wasn't until the early 1970's when the straight Egyptian breeding program, which included Tamria, actually began. Think of it another way, in the mid-50's, before Robert Burgert began his term as Director, there were only two purebred Arabian mares kept at The Babolna Stud. Like Poland and other Eastern European countries, the World Wars, changing leadership and governments had a devastating impact on the continuity of a purebred breeding program. While Arabians were fewer than they were in Babolna's past, the greater number of horses stabled at The Babolna Stud were Shagya Arabians, in addition to a handful of other European breeds, like the Lipizzaner. At the time, The Babolna Stud, comprised of 10,000 hectares, was pressured to put the property to better use and maximize the amount of return that the property could yield, pursuing other more lucrative agricultural industries. Turning to poultry, The Babolna Stud experienced enormous success, which helped Babolna's management, in establishing a high level of credibility (and support) within the Hungarian Agricultural Department. If ever there was a suitable time to begin a purebred breeding program at Babolna, this was the perfect time. The horses that Dr. Nagel had purchased in Egypt in 1968: Ibn Galal (Galal x Mohga), Hanan (Alaa el Din x Mona), Lotfeia (Alaa el Din x Bint Kamla), Mahiba (Alaa el Din x Mouna), Marah (Galal x Maysa) and Tamria were sent to Babolna for quarantine purposes, where they remained for two years and in 1970, were joined by still more horses, selected by Robert Burgert and Dr. Nagel, in a visit to the EAO: Ghalion (Morafic x Lubna), Farag (Morafic x Bint Kateefa), Hanadi (Alaa el Din x Rahma), Bint Inas (Gassir x Inas), Bint Azza I (Tuhotmos x Azza I), Momtaza (Sameh x Mamlouka) and Bint Nazeera (Anter x Nazeera). A short time later, the mares El Aziza (Gassir x Zabeia), El Tayeba (Fayek x Mahdia), Hosna (Ibn Maisa x Rida) and the stallion, Zohair (Alaa el Din Zebeda) were added. Initially skeptical, especially amongst Hungarian horsemen familiar with the Arabian horses of Babolna's past, the overall quality of the Egyptian horses was so excellent, that the Agricultural authorities in Budapest agreed to re-establish a purebred breeding program using the horses that Dr. Nagel had selected and imported (with the exception of Mahiba, Marah, Hanan and eventually, Lotfeia), in the hope of creating a supply of horses that would sell for the high prices that Robert Burgert had observed being paid in America for purebred Arabian horses. Robert Burgert was no horseman but he was intelligent, savvy (shrewd) and recognized a good opportunity when he saw one. Plus, he had developed a strong relationship with Dr. Nagel, whom Robert Burgert trusted. If it wasn't for Dr. Nagel's influential, supportive and guiding friendship (some would go so far as saying visionary) with Robert Burgert, I don't believe that the legacy of horses like Tamria, would be what we know and enjoy today.

In the resources that I have available to me, I learned that Tamria produced eleven foals in her breeding career (she had been bred to produce thirteen foals over her lifetime but didn't settle to Farag in 1970 and Ibn Galal I in 1979. She was in production from 1970 through 1982, with the birth of her final foal, Ibn Galal I-4. She was bred to four different stallions, in a very focused effort to produce a more diverse offering of her influence, without resorting to any form of inbreeding. In an interview with Monika Savier, published by Desert Heritage Magazine, Dr. Hans Nagel, when asked who were the most important horses of the Babolna importation, he replied, "During this time, it became highly obvious that certain mares were of excellent quality and were considerably contributing to the success in Babolna's breeding. Such top class mares were: Lotfeia, Tamria, Bint Inas and El Aziza."

Tamria was bred four times to Ibn Galal I, a home-bred Ibn Galal son out of Hanan. She produced two daughters and one son by this stallion:

• 214 Ibn Galal I
• Ibn Galal I-6 (colt)
• 214 Ibn Galal I-4

Tamria was also bred three times to the imported stallion, Farag, a *Morafic son out of Bint Kateefa (Sid Abouhom x Kateefa), producing the following mares:

• 21 Farag aka *Pharrah
• 28 Farag 

Farag II, a Farag son, who in one individual, combined the oldest of the classic Babolna bloodlines, as he was  out of  25 Amurath Sahib (Amurath Sahib x  221 Kuhaylan Zaid) with the new Egyptian lines, was also bred to Tamria three times, producing a daughter and two sons:

• Farag IV
• 208 Farag II (mare)
• Farag II-6

The stallion Ghalion, a *Morafic son out of the Moniet el Nefous daughter, Lubna, was bred to Tamria three times to produce two sons and one daughter (just in case you missed it, that's three lines to Moniet el Nefous in these horses):

• Ghalion 4
• Ghalion 2
• Ghalion I (mare)

What I found especially interesting about Tamria's production record is the number of daughters she produced (a little more than 54%), as compared to the number of sons (a little more than 45%). This phenomenon repeats again in the succeeding generations. Tamria's influence prospered, mainly as a result of the many families that her daughters, granddaughters and great granddaughters established. Collectively, her descendants are numerous and within the format of a blog article like this one, it is not possible to discuss every horse who possesses a genetic link to Tamria.  So, I decided to  highlight the efforts of a few breeders, around the world, who have been breeding with the Tamria bloodline and continue to be committed to growing Tamria's influence within their breeding programs. For the majority of these breeders, they have creatively blended the blood of Tamria on both sides of the pedigree, while weaving other ancestral elements into the genetic fiber of their herds.

The Tamria daughter, 28 Farag, when bred to Zohair, produced the outstanding broodmare 211 Zohair. Bred to a variety of stallions, 211 Zohair, like Tamria, produced a record number of daughters, who in turn, expanded the family legacy for producing mares of significant influence. Bred to Ansata Halim Shah (when he was leased by Dr. Nagel), 211 Zohair produced the mare, Tamria II, who produced differently from her maternal sister, 230 Ibn Galal I. Contrast still another maternal sister, Taghira B, by El Thay Mameluk (Ibn Nazeema x El Thay Mansoura), equally prolific as her sisters, although she produced an equal amount of sons and daughters. So, dear reader, would you say that this is the family of 28 Farag, 211 Zohair or would it be better to say that these are three distinct families: Tamria II, 230 Ibn Galal I and Taghira B?

Alfabia Sohar (Salaa el Dine x Taghira B)

One of the most brilliant movers in the straight Egyptian community, Taghira B was owned by Alfabia Stud for most of her life. When bred to Salaa el Dine, she produced a son, Alfabia Sohar, retained by Alfabia for their program (although I have to add that this stallion, in his youth, was leased by DeShazer Arabians in Texas). A 2001 stallion, now at 19 years old, he is very much his mother's son, with the heavy flea-bitten coat his mother possessed and when he moves, it's as if Taghira B has come back to life, as he possesses the same degree of elasticity in his hocks that his dam had, resulting in a hind end that is equally powerful, as it is in his ability to use the muscling in his back resulting in movement that is clean, forward, light and supple.

Alfabia Kamaria (Classic Rayan x Taghira B)

However, his sister, Alfabia Kamaria by Classic Rayan, now owned by Nayla Hayek of Hanaya Arabian Stud, possesses a look which more closely resembles the mare, *Pharrah, than she does of her dam, Taghira B! Such is the power of this family, in terms of remaining relevant and vibrant, several generations later. Incidentally, Alfabia Kamaria was bred to Safeer By Sibilla (MG Magic Ghassan x Magic Sibilla) and she produced a lovely filly in 2018, Hanaya Kareema. Alfabia retained Kamaria's daughter by Sabeh Al Salhiyah, Alfabia Kateefa. Taghira B also produced a colt by the Ansata Hejazi son, Ajmal Agreb, who is now with Osman Linjawi, Linjawi Arabians in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a filly, Alfabia Komeira, who also was retained for the Alfabia program. Taghira B was bred to Phaaros and produced two sons: Alfabia Jayed and Alfabia Johar. In 2004, she foaled Alfabia Tamria by Phaaros, who went to Al Rashediah Stud in Bahrain. Alfabia Tamria, true to the family legacy for producing a proportionately higher rate of female gender horses, has produced Tala Al Rashediah by NK Hafid Jamil, who in turn produced a daughter named Tameyra Al Rashhediah by Jamil Al Rayyan. Alfabia Tamria also produced Tamara Al Rashediah by Rashadan Al Rashediah. Taghira B also produced Alfabia Mameluka by the Anaza el Farid son, ZT Faaiq, now owned by Al Kharafi Arabians in Kuwait and Alfabia Mansour by the Ansata Nile Echo son, Sabeh Al Salhiyah.

*Pharrah (Farag x Tamria)

*Pharrah, who was also known as 21 Farag, was the first born Farag foal of 1972 (she was also known as Farag-1) and matured into an extraordinary Tamria daughter, bringing so much fame in America to her dam. I don't believe that many breeders in America were familiar with Tamria, prior to *Pharrah. So, one must also credit *Pharrah with the awareness she created for her bloodline. In Authentic Arabian Bloodstock II, noted author, Judith Forbis said of *Pharrah, "Of royal demeanor, she carried herself with grace, dignity and pride, her beauty, refinement and sweet character endearing her to everyone. One was drawn immediately to her extreme head with very long shapely foreface and teacup muzzle, a trait probably inherited from the double Shahloul through *Tuhotmos up close in her pedigree. Some of her granddam's physical characteristics were also evident, but *Pharrah was better conformed." An important broodmare for Imperial Egyptian Stud, *Pharrah was imported to America as a 5-year old mare and was purchased by Imperial the following year, producing 5 foals, one right after the other:

• Imperial Phanadah by *Ibn Moniet el Nefous
• Imperial Napharr by Moniet el Nafis
• Imperial Na Pharo by Moniet el Nafis
• ImperialPharalima by *Ansata Ibn Halima
• ImperialImPhudala by Ansata Imperial

*Pharrah was consigned by Imperial Egyptian Stud in the second Pyramid Society Breeders Sale, held in 1983. *Pharrah sold for $255,000 to Vincent and Diane Fortuna of Royal Arabians in Santa Barbara, California. Bred to Ansata Imperial, *Pharrah produced Royal Jalliel and Royal BintPharrah. When bred to Nabiel, *Pharrah produced Royal Mikhiel and Royal Pharriel. Her last foal,  Royal Farrah, was sired by El Halimaar. *Pharrah died in 1991.

Many years ago, Jamie Zissis of Rosehaven Arabian Farm started to assemble a breeding program, whose primary focus was concentrated in the bloodline of Tamria. While Jamie has incorporated the influence of Tamria in a diverse mix of blood, the majority of her program traces to Tamria through the mare *Pharrah.

When Rancho Bulakenyo leased *Lebinon Al Shaqab (Alidaar x Lamia Al Shaqab) for the 2014 and 2015 breeding seasons, it was an opportunity for Jamie to further concentrate the Tamria bloodline in her breeding program, through the *Pharrah granddaughter, Imperial Pharida (Ansata Imperial x Imperial Phanadah), *Lebinon Al Shaqab's maternal great-grand dam. *Lebinon Al Shaqab, the last son of Alidaar, sired two daughters: Pharrasha RAF and Pharratayma RAF, who have been retained for the Rosehaven Arabian Farm breeding program. *Lebinon Al Shaqab, who also incorporates a double dose of Ansata Halim Shah, is recognized for having sound, functional conformation, a beautiful, long neck, while offering outstanding pigmentation (he is bay) and large, expressive eyes.

Once again, Jamie is expecting foals sired by stallions who like *Lebinon Al Shaqab, also incorporate Tamria in their pedigree, further intensifying the influence of Tamria within her program. Ansata Royal Qasim (Ansata Qasim x Sherifa Tamria) traces in his tail female line to Tamria, while Jassehr (*Mishaal HP x Shahirs Abriel) traces to Tamria through the tail female line of his maternal grand-sire. Jassehr is also a 3/4 brother to Nayla Hayek's El Khaled (Ansata Sinan x Shahirs Abriel). It's a clever breeding strategy, in terms of line breeding Tamria on both sides of the pedigree, while adding alternative Dahman sources, which also intensify the rich fiber of that strain which is already present in these horses:

• Farah Al Shamal (Authentic Ibn Nawaal x Asila Al Zobara), who is expecting foals sired by Ansata Royal Qasim and the *Mishaal HP son, Jassehr
• Tashany Al Zamet (Ansata Malik Shah x Muniah), who is expecting a foal sired by Jassehr
• Zahara RAF (Asala Hafid Nahman x Tashany Al Zamet), who is expecting a foal sired by Ansata Royal Qasim 
• Zarina RAF (Nour Al Kamar MH x Tashany Al Zamet) 
• Pharrasima RAF (Ansata Royal Qasim x Imperial Baasarah)
• Pharratayma RAF (Lebinon Al Shaqab x Pharrasima RAF)
• Pharrasha RAF (Lebinon Al Shaqab x Imperial Baasarah)
• Imperial Baasarah (Imperial Baarez x Imperial Pharasha)

Al Aaqib Al Zamet (Ashhal Al Rayyan x Muniah)

Susanne Schreibvogel of Al-Zamet Arabians in Germany, purchased the mare Abbas Pasha I-12, who was carrying the mare Muniah (Halim Shah I x Abbas Pasha I-12). A beautiful filly, who matured into one of the most beautiful mares in Europe, Muniah did extremely well in the show ring, as she was named a Premium Mare by the German Arabian Horse Society.  She is the dam of the stallion, Al Aaqib Al Zamet and the mare, Tashany Al Zamet, purchased by Jamie Zissis.What is interesting about Muniah is that she traces to Tamria, through the tail female line of her sire (his dam is the Tamria daughter, 214 Ibn Galal I), as well as her dam (Abbas Pasha I-12 is a daughter of 211 Zohair and great granddaughter of Tamria).  Susanne also bred the mare Jamala Al Zamet by Salaa el Dine, whom she sold to Al Jazira Stud in Kuwait.

Tamria II (Ansata Halim Shah x 211 Zohair)

Karsten and Sabrina Scherling of Al Tair Stud, Walsrode, Germany, established one of the larger breeding programs to be focused on Tamria, primarily through utilizing the progeny, as bred by Dr. Hans Wettke, of Tamria's great-granddaughter, 243 Halim Shah (Ansata Halim Shah x 211 Zohair), also known as Tamria II:

MARES:

• Takrima (Mounaz El Din x Tamria II)
• Tabatah (Authentic Ibn Nawaal x Tabanya)
• Taagirah (Authentic Ibn Nawaal x Tabanya)
• Al Tair Tamria (Tahsin x Takrima)
• Al Tair Tabanya (Taras x Taagirah)

STALLIONS:

• Taras (Mounaz El Din x Tabanya)
• Tahsin (Pasha Yasin x Tamria II)
• Takreem Mounaz El Din (Authentic Ibn Nawaal x Takrima)
• Al Tair Tamaiyuz (Authentic Ibn Nawaal x Takrima)
• Tamar Halim (Ansata Sokar x Tamria II)
• Al Tair Tamoun (Taras x Taagirah)

Karsten and Sabrina have also bred a little more deeply within the Tamria bloodline, while adding the blood of horses like Authentic Ibn Nawaal and Ansata Sokar, for diversity. I find their program not only well thought out but also clever, as they have very creatively woven a genetic fiber that includes Tamria combined with the blood of *Bint Maisa El Saghira, Bukra, Kateefa (through both Alaa el Din and Kaisoon) and Magidaa, while intensifying the blood of Moniet el Nefous already present in Tamria through additional sources of Moniet blood like TheEgyptianPrince, Moneera, Manaya II and Nafteta.

230 Ibn Galal I (Ibn Galal I x 211 Zohair)

In 2000, Tzviah Idan and Kuti Aharon of Idan Atiq in Israel imported 8 mares and a stallion from Babolna Stud. A historic importation,  the horses they purchased in Hungary, for the most part, traced in tail female line to the mare, Hosna (Ibn Maisa x Ridaa), bred by Sayed Marei of Albadeia Stud in Egypt. However, Tzviah also selected a Tamria line mare, 230 Ibn Galal I (Ibn Galal I x 211 Zohair), a maternal sister of Tamria II and Taghira B. Imported as an aged mare and in foal to the stallion, Halim Shah I (Ansata Halim Shah x 214 Ibn Galal I), she produced Atiq Tamaara, the following year, in 2001. Bred to Wazir el Kheil, a son of the straight Babson Egyptian mare, Fa Mahfina, she produced a colt named Atiq El Wazir and a filly, Atiq Tamma, who has matured to become another important broodmare for Idan Atiq and for other breeders, for example, she produced  a grey stallion named Ground Zero in 2011, before joining the broodmare band at Idan Atiq, for whom she has produced the following horses, before she was sold:

• Atiq Tamria 2013 grey mare by Atiq Hilal 
• Atiq Taymur 2014 grey stallion by Atiq Hilal 
• Atiq Tohar 2017 grey stallion by Shaji Al Naif
• unamed 2018 filly, a full sister to Atiq Tohar, who was lost prior to registration

230 Ibn Galal I was bred two years later to Al Maraam to produce her last foal,  a beautiful, stretchy, chestnut mare, Atiq Sofsof, who has been an extremely prolific and beloved broodmare for Idan Atiq:

• Atiq Sof Hadereh 2010 grey mare by Nader Al Jamal 
• Atiq Shahira 2012 grey mare by Nader Al Jamal 
• Atiq Sofsofit 2014 grey mare by Atiq Abir (Nader Al Jamal x Atiq Ayla x Laheeb) 
• Atiq Sofar So Good 2017 grey mare by Atiq Abir 
• Atiq Shofar 2019 grey stallion by Atiq Hilal (Laheeb x *Hila B x Effendi B [An Nile Pasha x 223 Ibn Galal I] ) 

Atiq Shahira (Nader el Jamal x Atiq Sofsof), a Bronze Champion Show Mare

The Atiq SofSof daughter, Atiq Sof Hadereh, very much like her dam, possessing a lovable personality, has also been very prolific for Idan Atiq. Currently in foal to Shams Sharav AA, she has produced the following horses:

• Atiq Soferet 2013 grey mare by Laheeb 
• Atiq Sofiah 2015 grey mare by Atiq Hilal
• Atiq So Fine 2019 chestnut mare by Atiq Hilal

Tzviah feels that the Tamria line horses are extremely intelligent, able to engage in personally fulfilling and intimate relationships with their owners, especially in homes which have been founded with respect for and love of the horse.  The Tamria horses naturally crave human companionship. Tzviah feels that the Moniet el Nefous influence remains relevant to this day, with elegant, dry heads that are reminiscent of Moniet. The Tamria horses embody their authentic desert origin, right down to a very fine skin, which requires careful management to avoid allergic reactions to flies and other irritating conditions.

In an interview with Monika Savier, published by Desert Heritage Magazine, Robert Schlereth of Al Qusar Stud in Northern Germany said, "the best offspring we get is from the Tamria line." Robert and his partner, Volker Wettengl, in their home-bred horses, have incorporated the influence of Tamria at least once in the pedigree, through the use of horses like their foundation stallion,  Teymur B (Assad x 214 Ibn Galal I).

In another Desert Heritage published article, also written by Monika Savier, this time spotlighting the Al Qusar breeding program, Robert said of Teymur B, "we discovered Teymur B in Babolna when he was two years old. He is an offspring of the Ansata Halim Shah son Assad, and he did not only produce a whole number of successful show horses and champions, but, he also transmits his extraordinary, sweet disposition. His offspring are easy to ride and really willing and intelligent, just as he is. He won the stallion approval event, and had a successful show career, even if we showed him just a few times. He is the favorite riding horse of all the children coming here."

Teymur B (Assad x 214 Ibn Galal I)

Using Teymur B and a select group of Babolna-bred mares, who, like Teymur B are of the Tamria family (tail female line), Robert and Volker have also experienced extraordinary results in closely breeding the line of Tamria, by adding the following mares to their program, all purchased from Babolna: Turefi B (Assad x 214 Ibn Galal I), Teymura B (Alidaar x 214 Ibn Galal I), Tahia B (Assad x 230 Ibn Galal I) and Tisrina B ( Salaa el Dine x 211 Zohair). For example, Tisrina B was bred to Teymur B, to produce the 2004 stallion, Thaqib Al Qusar, who traces to Tamria through both tail female lines of the sire and dam.

The Babolna Stud, in practice, maintained a very high level of selection for their breeding program, which allowed Babolna to focus on the mares they felt possessed all of the capabilities to establish and develop strong families. For this reason, Babolna did not practice any form of close breeding, preferring a wider variety of bloodlines to work with. Before reaching the age of three, every horse at The Babolna Stud was put first into harness training and thereafter, under saddle, even progressing to further training and testing on the racecourse that was part of The Babolna Stud property. All of the results obtained through this rigorous testing phase,  especially regarding the disposition, as well as the genetic and physical ability of each horse, were carefully recorded, studied and discussed. There was much thoughtful consideration invested into any decisions made over the roles that individual horses would play in the future of the stud farm. It is my opinion that today, we enjoy the benefits of the strict selection practices employed by The Babolna Stud, as evidenced by the number of families established consistently within the Tamria bloodline. To think that in the very beginning, there was much controversy on the horses that Robert Burgert had purchased and imported to The Babolna Stud. Horseman were skeptical of horses like Tamria, who was very different in phenotype from the Arabians which were bred at The Babolna Stud in the past. Yet, here we are today, 37 years after the death of Tamria, to find that the continuing influence of a mare once considered too small and too light, has transformed into a most revered and highly sought after bloodline, within straight Egyptian breeding.