Sired by Desert Bred (A Saglawi (or Saqlawi, Saklawi) Jidran (or Jedran))
Out of Desert Bred (A Saglawi Jidraniyah)
GSB #70 Studbook Volume 16, Page 487
1881 Grey Arabian, Deceased 1980
Historical Stallion & One of the Original Crabbet Imports
Bred by Sheikh Mashlab Ibn Ed-Derri of the Qumusa-Saba.
Imported to England in 1888 by the Wentworths of Crabbet Arabian Stud, England. Later imported to South Africa in 1891 by Cecil John Rhodes, then Prime Minister of the Cape Colony.
100% Crabbet, 100% Blunt, Straight Egyptian, Sheykh Obeyd Foundation, Al Khamsa
Markings
Blaze, unknown leg markings.
🐎 Biography
A pivotal figure in the early history of Arabian horse breeding, the desert-bred stallion Azrek GSB #70 left an indelible mark on the breed, first at the famed Crabbet Arabian Stud in England and later as a foundational import to South Africa. His legacy is one of physical prowess, prepotency as a sire, and a fascinating connection to the ambitions of empires.
Desert Origins and Importation to England
Foaled in 1881, Azrek was a grey Saqlawi Jidran stallion. His name, meaning 'ash-grey' in Arabic, aptly described his coloring. The Blunts' descriptions of him as a young horse in the desert suggest he was born a bay horse and greyed out with age.
Wilfrid Scawen Blunt and Lady Anne Blunt, founders of the Crabbet Stud, heard of a celebrated grey stallion during their travels in the Middle East. Unable to purchase him directly, they sent a trusted friend, Zeyd Saad el Muteyri, to acquire the horse who would become one of their most influential sires.
A Paragon at Crabbet Stud
Upon his arrival at Crabbet Park, Azrek quickly became a cornerstone of the Blunts' breeding program. Lady Anne Blunt was particularly effusive in her praise, writing in 1891:
A magnificent horse in every way, grand head and neck, powerful shoulder and unrivaled trotting action; seen approaching at the trot, one saw underneath the hoof, enormous strength of back and quarter, up to any weight, tail set very high and splendidly carried, legs absolute perfection, the sinew literally like steel to the touch.
Great speed and impossible to tire. His stock superior to any other sire yet in the stud.” -Lady Anne Blunt, 1891
At Crabbet, Azrek proved to be a remarkable sire, producing 27 registered purebred foals. His progeny contributed to the growing influence of the Crabbet bloodlines.
His descendants, often noted for their elegant bay and brown coloring, can be found in the pedigrees of Doyle and other Crabbet-influenced Arabian breeding programs in the United States.
A New Chapter in South Africa
In 1891, Azrek's journey took a significant turn when he was purchased by a Mr. Thompson, acting as an agent for the British mining magnate and politician Cecil John Rhodes.
This transaction marked a historic moment, as Azrek became the first registered Arabian horse to be imported to South Africa. Rhodes's intention was to use the stallion to improve the quality of the local horse population at his De Beers farms and Groote Schuur estate.
Unfortunately, Azrek did not sire any registered purebred offspring in South Africa. Historical records that might have documented his progeny were tragically lost in the 1896 fire at Groote Schuur. Despite the lack of official records, it is believed that he had a significant impact on upgrading the local stock, contributing his superior genetics to the horses of the Cape at the time.
Though his purebred line in South Africa ceased, his influence remains woven into the fabric of the global Arabian breed through the extensive success of his Crabbet-bred descendants.
💗 Get/Progeny
Sire of 27 registered purebred foals, fifteen of them fillies and the remaining 12 were colts. All of his registered progeny were bred at Crabbet Stud.
| NAME | REG. # | DOB | COLOR | GENDER |
| ZUBAYDAH | GSB #180 | GREY | MARE | |
| WILD COLUMBINE | GSB #213 | BAY | MARE | |
| SHIEHA | GSB #161 | GREY | MARE | |
| SHEYHAN | GSB #199 | GREY | STALLION | |
| SHAH | GSB #168 | GREY | STALLION | |
| ROSE DIAMOND | GSB#174 | BAY | MARE | |
| RASHAM | GSB #196 | GREY | STALLION | |
| RAFYK | GSB #179/ AHSA #2139 | BAY | STALLION | |
| NEMRUD | GSB #177 | GREY | STALLION | |
| NEJRAN | GSB #195 | BAY | STALLION | |
| NEJIBA | GSB #206 | GREY | MARE | |
| MERSINA | GSB #176 | BAY | MARE | |
| MABRUKA | GSB #184 | BAY | MARE | |
| JENEYNA | GSB #182 | BAY | MARE | |
| JEDAM | GSB #192 | BAY | STALLION | |
| JAMUSA | GSB*175 | BAY | MARE | |
| HOWA | GSB #204 | BAY | MARE | |
| HILLA | GSB#190 | GREY | MARE | |
| HASSELBAN | GSB #166 | GREY | STALLION | |
| HASIRA | GSB #203 | GREY | MARE | |
| DOHEYMA | GSB #189 | BAY | MARE | |
| DAHMAN | GSB #198/ SBCH #34 | BAY | STALLION | |
| *BUSHRA | GSB #163/ AHR #23 | 01/01/1892 | BAY | MARE |
| BEN AZREK | GSB #208 | GREY | STALLION | |
| *BEDR | GSB #188/ AHR #239 | 01/01/1891 | GREY | STALLION |
| ASFURA | GSB #183 | BAY | MARE | |
| AHMAR | GSB #171 | BAY | STALLION |
🐴 Related Articles & Resources
Queen of Sheba and Azrek by Alexia Ross
The History of AHSSA (Arab Horse South Africa)
Azrek Photo Gallery
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