Verdi F
February 10, 2026, Photo © Mark Otto
Verdi F
Bred at Forelocks Arabians by Mr. and Mrs. Kuijf in the Netherlands, the stallion Verdi F was born in 2004. A striking chestnut stallion with abundant white markings, Verdi F is correct and balanced in his conformation. He presents a harmonious outline with a well-shaped neck, strong topline, and clean, well-set limbs. His athletic frame reflects the functional qualities long associated with his Russian and Polish ancestry the Kuijf family built their program on. They developed families over generations, selecting for correctness, athleticism, and enduring type. Verdi F is a direct product of this philosophy, uniting a sire line rooted in international show supremacy with a dam line known for producing champions, broodmares and performance horses alike.
Verdi F was sired by Almonito (Monitor x Aldara), a bay stallion foaled in 1994 and a chief sire at Forelocks Arabians. Almonito represented a powerful blend of Russian and Polish influence, combining show-ring excellence with genetic depth. His sire, Monitor, the grey Russian-bred stallion crowned World and European Champion Stallion in 1993, was emblematic of the Tersk-bred ideal: imposing presence, correct conformation, and unmistakable charisma. Monitor’s international success secured his reputation as one of the defining sires of his era, and through sons such as Almonito, his influence extended well beyond the show ring.
Almonito’s dam Aldara was by Probat. Probat, one of Poland’s most important sires of the modern period, left an indelible mark as the sire of Piruet, twice World Champion, and Fawor, World Junior Champion Stallion in 1983 and Polish National Champion in 1990. Beyond his celebrated sons, Probat was widely regarded as an exceptional sire of broodmares, a quality clearly reflected in Aldara’s legacy. Foaled in 1983, Aldara proved her value not only through Almonito but also as the dam of BS Beethovenn (by Taladinn) and Menesall (by Menes), both of whom distinguished themselves as high-quality riding horses. Aldara’s own dam, the Bandos daughter Arra, was among the most celebrated mares of her generation: European and Polish National Champion Mare and a rare achiever on the racetrack, having won racing’s Triple Crown—Polish Derby, Oaks and Criterium Stakes—before adding victory in the Sabellina Stakes.
On the dam side, Verdi F descends from Veronia (Abakan x Veranda), a successful broodmare at Forelocks Arabians who was later sold to Al Hawajer Stud in the United Arab Emirates. Veronia embodied the strength of the Forelocks V-line, a family carefully cultivated by the Kuijf family and tracing back to the Tersk-bred mare Veranda by Naftalin.
Veronia’s sire, Abakan (by Balaton), was imported from Tersk and typified the athletic capacity long associated with Russian Arabians. Abakan’s progeny consistently excelled in sport, confirming his prepotency beyond purely aesthetic traits. Among his most notable offspring was Penthor (Abakan x Pengona HT), a Western Champion at both national and international level, European Champion at the Arabian Sport Horse competition in Poland, and winner of the prestigious WAHO Trophy for his achievements as a sport horse.
The Forelocks V-line proved exceptionally compatible with outcrosses, particularly to Psytadel, resulting in several horses of international acclaim. From this cross came Valentyne F (Psytadel x Veronia), half-sister to Verdi F and Yearling Filly Champion at Las Vegas in 2009, as well as the striking mare Forelocks Vantastica (Psytadel x Valeta F), Dutch National Bronze Champion Filly in 2014. Another prominent representative of the family is Forelock’s Valeta Dominica. The daughter of Dominic M was Dutch National Silver Champion Filly in 2020. Her dam, Dutch Elite mare Valeta F, was WAHO Trophy winner in 2019 and a full sister to Verdi F.
The influence of Verdi F's dam Veronia extended further through her daughter Verkaisa F (Kais x Veronia), herself a half-sister to Verdi F and later the dam of Forelocks Veronique, a multiple C-show Champion filly.
Verdi F was sold to France where he left the relatively small number of foals. However, his pedigree stands as a compelling testament to the breeding philosophy of Forelocks Arabians.
Verdi F was sired by Almonito (Monitor x Aldara), a bay stallion foaled in 1994 and a chief sire at Forelocks Arabians. Almonito represented a powerful blend of Russian and Polish influence, combining show-ring excellence with genetic depth. His sire, Monitor, the grey Russian-bred stallion crowned World and European Champion Stallion in 1993, was emblematic of the Tersk-bred ideal: imposing presence, correct conformation, and unmistakable charisma. Monitor’s international success secured his reputation as one of the defining sires of his era, and through sons such as Almonito, his influence extended well beyond the show ring.
Almonito’s dam Aldara was by Probat. Probat, one of Poland’s most important sires of the modern period, left an indelible mark as the sire of Piruet, twice World Champion, and Fawor, World Junior Champion Stallion in 1983 and Polish National Champion in 1990. Beyond his celebrated sons, Probat was widely regarded as an exceptional sire of broodmares, a quality clearly reflected in Aldara’s legacy. Foaled in 1983, Aldara proved her value not only through Almonito but also as the dam of BS Beethovenn (by Taladinn) and Menesall (by Menes), both of whom distinguished themselves as high-quality riding horses. Aldara’s own dam, the Bandos daughter Arra, was among the most celebrated mares of her generation: European and Polish National Champion Mare and a rare achiever on the racetrack, having won racing’s Triple Crown—Polish Derby, Oaks and Criterium Stakes—before adding victory in the Sabellina Stakes.
On the dam side, Verdi F descends from Veronia (Abakan x Veranda), a successful broodmare at Forelocks Arabians who was later sold to Al Hawajer Stud in the United Arab Emirates. Veronia embodied the strength of the Forelocks V-line, a family carefully cultivated by the Kuijf family and tracing back to the Tersk-bred mare Veranda by Naftalin.
Veronia’s sire, Abakan (by Balaton), was imported from Tersk and typified the athletic capacity long associated with Russian Arabians. Abakan’s progeny consistently excelled in sport, confirming his prepotency beyond purely aesthetic traits. Among his most notable offspring was Penthor (Abakan x Pengona HT), a Western Champion at both national and international level, European Champion at the Arabian Sport Horse competition in Poland, and winner of the prestigious WAHO Trophy for his achievements as a sport horse.
The Forelocks V-line proved exceptionally compatible with outcrosses, particularly to Psytadel, resulting in several horses of international acclaim. From this cross came Valentyne F (Psytadel x Veronia), half-sister to Verdi F and Yearling Filly Champion at Las Vegas in 2009, as well as the striking mare Forelocks Vantastica (Psytadel x Valeta F), Dutch National Bronze Champion Filly in 2014. Another prominent representative of the family is Forelock’s Valeta Dominica. The daughter of Dominic M was Dutch National Silver Champion Filly in 2020. Her dam, Dutch Elite mare Valeta F, was WAHO Trophy winner in 2019 and a full sister to Verdi F.
The influence of Verdi F's dam Veronia extended further through her daughter Verkaisa F (Kais x Veronia), herself a half-sister to Verdi F and later the dam of Forelocks Veronique, a multiple C-show Champion filly.
Verdi F was sold to France where he left the relatively small number of foals. However, his pedigree stands as a compelling testament to the breeding philosophy of Forelocks Arabians.