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An initial study of HC Abla Raqqas' pedigree reveals a fascinating story, as it unites several key breeding programs across the world, namely Gleannloch with Marbach, The Babson Farm, Albadeia, Pritzlaff (by way of Rafter G and Ravenwood Ranch), plus as an added bonus, an infusion of additional EAO blood through the harder-to-find stallion, Akhtal (Amrulla x Hagir). If the breeding to Ameer El Koloob is successful, the pedigree of the resulting foal will be an uncommon one, expanded to include the breeding programs of Martha Murdoch's Rocaille Ranch by way of Ursula and Willi Poth's program, plus the EAO-founded programs of Shams El Asil and the Rabab Stud. The global aspect of the straight Egyptian breeding community is underscored many times by the thought of a pedigree that will read like this!
Digging a little deeper within the pedigree of HC Abla Raqqas, you will discover an interesting relationship between Ravenwood Majesty and Ravenwood Cody on the maternal side of the pedigree. They are paternal siblings, both sired by RG Al Mone (Alcibiades x RG Anemone). The stallion Alcibiades was a *Bint Moniet el Nefous son, so the influence of this wonderful mare is doubled. There are other sources of Moniet el Nefous blood in the pedigree, for example, through Mabrouka and *Soufian, which are somewhat different from *Bint Moniet el Nefous, on account of the sires of those horses: Sid Abouhom and Alaa el Din. Still, these horses, combined in the pedigree create a concentrated pocket of Moniet el Nefous' genetic influence within the pedigree. The stallion Anter, is also a horse whose influence is intensified in the pedigree, through his son, Gharib, in the sire line, as well as his daughter, *Somaia in the tail female line. You will remember that *Somaia was one of two Anter/Abla daughters imported by Gleannloch (the other was *Eman). I want to also believe that the multiple crosses to Hamdan, further enhance the Anter crosses in the pedigree. And, as if having Farida in the matriline is not already a great thing, her influence is further strengthened through horses like Noha (the tail female line through Nefisa), *Soheir II (the tail female line of Fagir) and *Ansata Ibn Halima (the sire of El Hadiyi, who appears twice). Incidentally, as a postscript, Noha is the dam of the beautiful mare, RN Farida. You can observe a little of the family resemblance in the opening photo of the blog.
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| Power in the blood: HC Abla Raqqas with all 4 feet off the ground. Photo by Christine Emmert |
It's not that these horses are better than other Egyptian horses, that's not what I am trying to say. Throughout my years of study, the horses who make-up the ancestry of HC Abla Raqqas are the horses that I have learned to look for, as they more consistently produce the type of horse that appeals to me, that is, strong-bodied mares with broad chests, deep heart girths, wider backs and powerfully muscled hind ends. I see all of this and more in this mare. She is strongly reminiscent in her phenotype of the Anter/Abla daughters and yet, the strength of her body is made better through the emphasis of Farida and the power she continues to exert through the generations to improve the coupling, as well as *Ansata Ibn Halima, who contributes balance and classic type. Let us not forget the Saqlawi elegance of Moniet el Nefous and that little bit of length she contributes to the frame of this mare. I am reminded of what Judith Forbis had said after meeting Abla at the EAO, "a very classic, pretty-headed and strong-bodied Nazeer daughter." I feel that today, one can describe HC Abla Raqqas with the same words said by Judi over 60 years ago.
***all photos by Christine Emmert, an equine photographer who continues to awe me with her incredible artistry and skill.***
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