GR Amaretto

photo: Aline Sagrabelny

GR Amaretto was a Straight Egyptian Arabian stallion born in 1999. He was sired by Classic Shadwan, a son of Alidaar. Alidaar, bred by Russell and Mildred Jameson in the USA, was a grandson of Morafic, who appears on his dam’s side, too.
Alidaar’s granddam was Magidaa, a stunning chestnut mare born in Egypt and later exported to the United States. Classic Shadwan, a grey stallion, was out of Shagia Bint Shadwan, who was also born in Egypt and later exported to Germany.
GR Amaretto’s dam was Halims Asmara, a daughter of Ansata Halim Shah. Born in the United States, Halims Asmara was later exported to Germany, where she became one of the foundation mares at Rothenberg Stud, owned by the Escher family. She produced 15 foals, including GR Amaretto and his full sister, GR Amaretta. Halims Asmara’s dam, Lancers Asmara, was a US National Top Ten Mare and a two-time World Reserve Champion Mare. Her exceptional beauty was reflected in her sale price of $150,000 at Donald Ford’s dispersal sale in 1980, where she was purchased by Tom Chauncey.
GR Amaretto had an impressive show career. In Germany and Europe, he was a multi-champion, earning titles such as German National Reserve Champion Colt in 2001 and German National Champion Stallion in 2009 as a senior. At the annual stallion licensing show, he received the golden ribbon from the German Arabian Horse Association.
As a sire, GR Amaretto was used extensively at Rothenberg Stud and by other breeders. In 2003, Beluga Arabians in Germany bred their Moment daughter, Maddelena, to him, resulting in the grey Bel Aresuh a year later. This lineage produced Bel Adeed (Shanghai EA x Bel Aresuh), German National Bronze Champion Stallion in 2024.
As an older stallion, GR Amaretto was exported to Iran, where he established his own dynasty.
He passed away there in 2017.