Elf Layla Walayla

photo: Betty Finke

Elf Layla Walayla was sired by the beautiful stallion Assad. Born in 1984, Assad was bred by the German breeder Dr. Hans Nagel, who played a pivotal role in enhancing the Straight Egyptian program in Germany by importing Hanan from El Zahraa. Hanan became his foundation mare producing excellent foals knowing for the classic beauty. Assad's sire was Ansata Halim Shah, a sire who does not need further introduction. His progeny have achieved global acclaim for their superior quality.
Assad's dam, Arussa, further enriched his pedigree. Arussa was a full sister to the U.S. Top Ten Stallion Jamilll, sire of notable horses such as World Champion Mare and European Champion Mare Tiffaha.
Bred and born at Babolna stud Elf Layla Walayla's dam was 223 Ibn Galal I, a Straight Egyptian daughter by Ibn Galal I who was chief sire at Babolna in the 1980's. Her dam line traced to desert bred mare Ghazieh from Saklawi strain.
The name Elf Layla Walayla translates from Arabic as 'Arabian Nights', a poetic homage to her enchanting beauty and classic lineage.
True to her heritage, Elf Layla Walayla inherited the refined conformation and expressive features characteristic of her lineage. She exhibited a harmonious blend of strength and elegance, with a well-proportioned body, a gracefully arched neck, and a distinctive head featuring large, expressive eyes. Her movement was fluid and poised, reflecting the athleticism and grace inherent in her bloodlines.
1998 marked a dazzling year for Elf Layla Walayla on the European show circuit. She became a household name among Arabian enthusiasts after earning a series of top honors, including Senior Female Reserve Champion Mare at Aachen's All Nations Cup and Senior Female Reserve World and European Reserve Champion Mare.
Besides her halter show career, Elf Layla Walayla was a valuable broodmare. Before being acquired by Nayla Hayek for her Hanaya Stud in Switzerland she produced her most distinguished offspring: El Nabila by Kubinec. Bred at Babolna he is a stallion who has garnered international recognition. El Nabila B has achieved significant success in the show ring being Brazilian National Champ Senior Stallion and has sired numerous champions, thereby extending the influence of Elf Layla Walayla's exceptional genetics across the globe. For Nayla Hayek, Elf Layla Walayla brought six foals, four colts and two fillies of whom the mare Hanaya Elissar might be the most notable one. Her second daughter Hanaya Habibtee produced the mare Hanaya Layla who is a worthy successor of her exotic grand-dam.
Elf Layla Walayla was retired from broodmare duties in 2010. She died in 2019 at the age of 28.