Last year, Albidayer Stud in the United Arab Emirates debuted their new colt, Azzaam al Amal, at the World Championships in Paris. Immediately, this already internationally acclaimed colt captivated and, having continued his winning ways, Azzaam al Amal is back in the show-ring once more for Aachen.
Albidayer Stud in Sharjah is renowned for breeding and sourcing some of the best Arabian horses in the world. Under the vision of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Saud Al Qassimi, and supported by Manager Dawn Martin, horses from the Albidayer Stud’s stables continue to shine, year upon year.
As we head to Aachen, the farm is taking three superstar horses with them, with the eye-catching Azzaam al Amal being the most sensational of all. This stylish colt is one of those increasing number of Arabian horses bred in South Africa that go on to change the world.
Elegant and showy, Azzaam al Amal is sired by the Ibn Farid (RFI Farid x Asawir) son, El Galal Baahir (ex XA Echo of Marwan by Marwan al Shaqab) and out of Arabesca Scarlet Moon (Sidi Scorpio x Arabesca Exquisite). While the sire line is familiar for many – Asawir being noteworthy as a Marajj (Marwan al Shaqab x RGA Kouress) daughter, with Marajj being Albidayer Stud’s chief sire for many years until his retirement two years ago – the damline is classically South African breeding. Arabesca Scarlet Moon was sold with the colt foal in utero from Arabesca Arabians to Bilal Bassiouni of Al Amal Arabians, and it was he who had the first glimpse of this international superstar when he was born, knowing immediately that he was something truly special.
Bilal formed a partnership for Azzaam al Amal, and the decision was made to send him to Europe to be shown internationally as a yearling. The colt was sent to Elba Training Center in Belgium for preparation, with South African trainer Wynand Bouwer to show Azzaam. Dawn visited Tony and Kelly at Elba just after the GCAT Cannes show and immediately upon walking into the barn, she asked: “who is this?” “I found myself captivated by his beautiful face, huge eyes and ‘look at me’ personality, and I asked to see him out,” she recalls. “Although he had literally just arrived after a long quarantine and flight, this perky yearling colt came bouncing out with his tail over the back.”
The colt was Azzaam al Amal, and he stuck in her mind, but she wanted to see whether the fire he showed in front of her translated to the show arena. Just a few weeks later, he went to GCAT Valkenswaard and, with Wynand at the lead, Azzaam al Amal shone, placing second in his class before taking home the Bronze Yearling Male Championship.
However, it wasn’t just Dawn who was interested in Azzaam al Amal after the show; the colt’s performance had resulted in a lot of interest. However, Dawn kept on pursuing him, and in October, it was announced that Azzaam al Amal would be joining the illustrious Albidayer Stud line up. With Wynand still at the lead, Azzaam al Amal went to the World Championships in Paris. In strong competition, he was garlanded Bronze World Champion Yearling Colt.
This year, Azzaam al Amal – with regular Albidayer Stud trainer Raphael Curti on the lead – has built on his winning ways, taking the Gold Junior Male title at GCAT Ajman, Gold at the Sharjah International Arabian Horse Festival, and Silver at both GCAT Muscat and the Dubai International Arabian Horse Championships. Now, he heads to the All Nations’ Cup in Aachen, with his sights firmly set on the Gold Championship.
Joining him in Aachen is another astute addition to Albidayer Stud, the vibrant bay filly Vivia SB. Bred by Shellbird Inc in the United States, Vivia SB is sired by AJ Radman (AJ Mardan x AJ Rahifa) and out of Verastrella (Versace x JJ la Estrella), making this smooth three-year-old filly double Versace (Fame VF x Precious as Gold). In 2004, she was crowned Gold Junior Female Champion in the Arabian Futurity Europe. Vivia SB continued her golden ways this year, taking the Junior Female Championship at the Ajman Arabian Horse Show and the Dubai International Horse Championships, as well as Silver Junior Female Champion at GCAT Cannes. Vivia SB has all the qualities that Sheikh Mohammed loves in his Arabian horses, and she is sure to shine in Germany.
Alongside them is Albidayer Stud’s seasoned homebred mare, the ethereal Basmah Albidayer (Fadi al Shaqab x Bidayer), who has been a previous cover star with The Arabian Magazine. Basmah Albidayer is making a return to the show-ring after a year’s break, when she took the Silver Senior Female Championship at the World Championships in Doha. Basmah Albidayer is a truly beautiful mare, and all eyes will be upon her once more as she makes her name in the famed arena in Aachen.
With Azzaam al Amal, Vivia SB, and Basmah Albidayer all competing in Aachen, Albidayer Stud will be once again showing that dreams and vision do come true.
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