Sired by *Abbeian (Desert Bred x Desert Bred)
Out of Amran (*Deyr x *Wadduda)
AHR #196
4/13/1916 Grey Arabian, Deceased May 28, 1945
Historical Stallion
Bred by Peter Bradley of Hingham Stock Farm, Hingham, Massachusetts, USA. C.D. Clark sold Jadaan to W.K. Kellogg for $1200.
Desert Bred/Al Khamsa
Tail Male: *Abbeian, Tail Female: *Wadduda
Markings
Left fore and left hind socks.
🐎 Biography
A striking grey Arabian stallion, Jadaan became one of the most famous horses of his time, not only for his classic beauty but for his celebrated role as the steed of silent film legend Rudolph Valentino.
His life story is a fascinating blend of desert heritage, Hollywood glamour, and enduring legacy as an ambassador for the Arabian breed - truly, the horse that captivated Hollywood.
Desert Lineage and Early Years
Foaled in April 1916 at Hingham Stock Farm in Massachusetts, Jadaan, registered as #196 with the Arabian Horse Registry, boasted a distinguished pedigree. His sire was the desert-bred stallion Abbeian, imported in 1906 by Homer Davenport, and his dam was Amran, sired by another Davenport import, Deyr. His granddam was the famed mare Waddudda.
In 1925, the cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg purchased the ten-year-old Jadaan for $1,200 and brought him to his newly established Arabian Horse Ranch in Pomona, California. It was here that Jadaan's path would cross with Hollywood royalty.
The Sheik's Noble Steed
As production began for the 1926 blockbuster "The Son of the Sheik," star Rudolph Valentino, an accomplished horseman, sought a mount worthy of his character.
He had seen Jadaan in Palm Springs, ridden by his trainer Carl Schmidt (also known as Raswan), and was captivated by the stallion's presence. Valentino considered Jadaan "the embodiment of the finest Arab from every standpoint" and went to great lengths to secure him for the film.
A series of telegrams between Valentino and W.K. Kellogg ensued. An agreement was reached: Valentino would pay for a $25,000 insurance policy, transportation costs, and the salary of trainer Karl Schmidt, who would accompany the horse.
In return, the Kellogg Arabian Horse Ranch was to receive prominent screen credit.
The desert scenes were filmed near Yuma, Arizona, and the pairing of Valentino and Jadaan created an iconic image. However, the production ran over schedule, and Jadaan was not returned by the agreed-upon date of May 1st.
This prompted a stern telegram from Kellogg, who was unaccustomed to such business dealings. Valentino assured him the horse would be returned on May 5th.
Tragically, Valentino died suddenly on August 23, 1926, before the film's full release. When W.K. Kellogg's son, Dr. Karl Kellogg, saw the film, he was dismayed to find that the promised screen credit for the ranch was missing.
While the credit was added to later versions of the film, it was the beginning of Jadaan's own rise to stardom.
A Star in His Own Right
After Valentino's death, Jadaan's fame grew immensely, forever known as "the horse that Valentino rode." He became a top attraction at the Kellogg Ranch, where visitors flocked to see him and the magnificent saddle used in the film, which Kellogg had purchased.
Jadaan embarked on a subsequent film career, appearing in movies such as:
- "The Garden of Allah" (1927)
- "The Desert Song" (1929)
- "Beau Ideal" (1931)
- "The Scarlet Empress" (1934)
- "Under Two Flags" (1936)
During the filming of "Under Two Flags," Jadaan displayed the remarkable intelligence and loyalty of his breed. In a battle scene shot without rehearsal, his rider was "wounded" and fell from the saddle. Jadaan immediately stopped and remained with the fallen rider, a trait lauded as that of a "true son of the desert."
The stallion was also a frequent participant in Pasadena's prestigious Tournament of Roses Parade. He made successful appearances with actor Victor McLaglen in 1929 and General C.S. Farnsworth in 1931.
A 1930 appearance proved more eventful when a last-minute replacement rider, unfamiliar with horses, was spooked when the band began to play. Jadaan reared and ran off with the actor clinging to his neck.
Jadaan also attended the 1930 unveiling of the 'Aspiration' statue in Los Angeles, a monument representing Valentino. In 1933, a Kellogg employee attempted to bring Jadaan to a ceremony at Hollywood Memorial Cemetery for the seventh anniversary of Valentino's death, but was turned away.
Legacy and Final Years
Though a stunningly beautiful horse, horsemen noted conformational flaws, particularly in his front legs, which were passed to his offspring. After several seasons, the ranch manager, H.H. Reese, retired Jadaan from stud service to live out his days as a beloved movie and parade horse.
Jadaan passed away in 1945 at the age of 29. In a final tribute to his fame, he posed one last time with the iconic Valentino saddle he had worn so often.
His skeleton was then donated to the University of California's College of Agriculture at Davis to be used as a classroom display, a testament to his significance. The skeleton was even loaned back to Cal Poly Pomona for its 50th-anniversary celebration, allowing a new generation to appreciate the famed stallion who captured the heart of a public and its greatest screen idol.
💗 Get/Progeny
Jadaan sired a total of 21 registered purebred Arabian foals, 7 of which were colts/stallions, with the remaining 14 foals being fillies/mares.
| NAME | AHR #/CAHR # | DOB | COLOR | GENDER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Markada | AHR #525 | 09/27/1925 | Bay | Mare |
| Wardi | AHR #610 | 03/26/1927 | Grey | Mare |
| Irak | AHR #616 | 04/30/1927 | Bay | Stallion |
| Jadanna | AHR #703 | 01/22/1929 | Grey | Mare |
| Raidaan | AHR #709 | 05/07/1929 | Grey | Stallion |
| Gloria Davenport | AHR #705 | 05/25/1929 | Grey | Mare |
| End O War | AHR #734 | 11/12/1929 | Grey | Stallion |
| Jadur | AHR #756 | 05/04/1930 | Grey | Mare |
| Badia | AHR #760 | 05/15/1930 | Grey | Mare |
| Estrellita | AHR #765 | 10/16/1930 | Grey | Mare |
| Raidaana | AHR #830 | 04/04/1931 | Grey | Mare |
| Amaana | AHR #837 | 09/10/1931 | Grey | Mare |
| Jadura | AHR #829 | 10/10/1931 | Grey | Mare |
| Bedaana | AHR #881 | 03/03/1932 | Grey | Mare |
| Jarid | AHR #921 | 03/20/1932 | Grey | Stallion |
| Majada | AHR #931 | 05/02/1932 | Grey | Mare |
| Jurad | AHR #913 | 10/25/1932 | Grey | Stallion |
| Hamaan | AHR #914 | 11/05/1932 | Grey | Stallion |
| Havanna | AHR #1614 | 03/19/1939 | Grey | Mare |
| Leidaan | AHR #1679 | 03/20/1939 | Chestnut | Stallion |
| Ravaana | AHR #1615 | 03/27/1939 | Grey | Mare |
🐴 Related Articles & Resources
Jadaan: The Horse That Valentino Rode
Jadaan at the Valentino Memorial
Jadaan Photo Gallery
Video compilation coming soon...
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