Hadidi

photo: Betty Finke

Born February 22, 1990, the grey Straight Egyptian stallion Hadidi—bred by Gleannloch Farms in Barksdale, Texas—was a horse of legendary presence and pedigree.
Hadidi’s sire, Norus, was a grey stallion, born in 1986, sired by the black Egyptian import Gharib (by Anter), who stood as chief sire at the renowned Marbach State Stud in Germany. Gharib was celebrated for introducing rich color, powerful, expressive movement and overall athletic ability to the predominantly silver-grey Marbach herd. Norus’s dam, Noha, was a daughter by Hadban Enzahi. The Nazeer son Hadban Enzahi was imported from Egypt and became one of Marbach’s most influential stallions. This daughter Noha was also dam of the beautiful mare RN Farida (by Salaa El Dine), multi halter Champion mare.
On the maternal side, Hadidi descended from US National Futurity Champion Mare Hebet Allah, an absolutely beautiful and impressive daughter of Morafic—one of the most influential Straight Egyptian sires ever imported to the U.S.—and Soheir II, a grey Nazeer granddaughter. This dam line belongs to the Egyptian Bint El Bahreyn family of the Dahman Shahwan strain, celebrated for elegance, endurance, and typey heads.
At just two years old, Hadidi whose name meant 'the iron one' or 'one of steel', was sold through Gleannloch’s Final Legacy Sale for $60,000, then exported to Italy There, he matured into an elegant and charismatic stallion with large liquid-black eyes and superb movement—traits lauded across Europe.
Hadidi achieved remarkable success in the international show arena, earning the title of World Champion Stallion in 1997, a distinction that recognized his outstanding type and presence. In 2001, he added to his accolades by being named All Nations Cup Champion Senior Stallion in Aachen, and later that same year, he was honored as the World Reserve Champion Stallion in Paris.
Hadidi proved to be a prolific sire. Among his most notable progeny was the grey mare Elettra, who produced the influential stallion Shael Dream Desert. Widely regarded for his refinement and charisma, Shael Dream Desert stood at stud in Italy, Brazil, the United States, and Saudi Arabia, contributing to halter programs across four continents. Until his death in 2024, he sired numerous champions, including FT Shaella, 2012 Senior World Silver Champion Mare; Felicia RLC, 2010 Scottsdale Reserve Junior Champion Filly; and Bruma Bahamas, Brazilian National Champion Filly.
Other significant daughters of Hadidi include Isabelle HG, who was named Supreme Champion Mare at the U.S. Egyptian Event in 2003, and Dorian Bint Hadidi, who earned Reserve Champion honors at the same event.
Hadidi passed away on July 24, 2017, leaving behind a legacy mainly through his daughters and their influential descendants.