Ibn Yathreb
June 12, 2026, Photo © Viviane Demont
Ibn Yathreb
Ibn Yathreb (1986–2013) was a bay stallion, bred in the United States by basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In 1995, he was imported to Germany, where he stood at Walter Letsch’s Roßberg Stud.
Ibn Yathreb was sired by the internationally influential stallion Shaikh Al Badi, a son of the legendary Morafic and out of Bint Maisa El Saghira. During his lifetime, Shaikh Al Badi was regarded by many breeders as one of the most important sires in the world. Bred by Gleannloch Farms in Texas and later owned by Russ Jameson’s Ranch Ruminaja program, Shaikh Al Badi achieved significant recognition both in the show ring and as a sire. His offspring included numerous champions and National winners, among them Ruminaja Ali, Ruminaja Bahjat, Ruminaja Alia, and Legendary Nadeen. Through these descendants, Shaikh Al Badi became one of the defining influences in modern Egyptian breeding worldwide.
Ibn Yathreb was the final foal of Yathreb (Seef x Hebah), a bay mare born in 1976 and imported to the United States by Donald Ford in 1978. She traced to the distinguished Rodania dam line through the Malaka branch.
Physically, Ibn Yathreb embodied many of the qualities sought by breeders of classic Egyptian Arabians. He displayed a refined, dry head with large expressive eyes, a well-shaped neck with natural elevation, and a balanced, harmonious body. His overall appearance reflected both elegance and athletic ability.
At Roßberg Stud in Germany, Ibn Yathreb attracted breeders interested in preserving authentic Egyptian bloodlines while maintaining functional conformation and show quality. His offspring achieved recognition in European competition, particularly through crosses with the mare Oml Sanaya Estopa. Among his best-known progeny was FL Mar Saba, named Junior Female Champion Filly at the Wessex Arabian Horse Show in 2000, Junior Female Reserve Champion Filly at the HoCon Open Arab Show in 2001, and Junior Female Reserve Champion Filly at the British National Show in 2002. Another notable son, FL Sayawan, became a class winner at the All Nations Cup in 2000 and later at the British Nationals in 2005. He was Ibn Yathreb's most influential breeding son leaving a number of offspring in the United Kingdom.
Although never among the most widely promoted stallions of his era, Ibn Yathreb remains valued as a representative of a period when preserving authentic Egyptian bloodlines went hand in hand with careful, selective breeding.
Ibn Yathreb was sired by the internationally influential stallion Shaikh Al Badi, a son of the legendary Morafic and out of Bint Maisa El Saghira. During his lifetime, Shaikh Al Badi was regarded by many breeders as one of the most important sires in the world. Bred by Gleannloch Farms in Texas and later owned by Russ Jameson’s Ranch Ruminaja program, Shaikh Al Badi achieved significant recognition both in the show ring and as a sire. His offspring included numerous champions and National winners, among them Ruminaja Ali, Ruminaja Bahjat, Ruminaja Alia, and Legendary Nadeen. Through these descendants, Shaikh Al Badi became one of the defining influences in modern Egyptian breeding worldwide.
Ibn Yathreb was the final foal of Yathreb (Seef x Hebah), a bay mare born in 1976 and imported to the United States by Donald Ford in 1978. She traced to the distinguished Rodania dam line through the Malaka branch.
Physically, Ibn Yathreb embodied many of the qualities sought by breeders of classic Egyptian Arabians. He displayed a refined, dry head with large expressive eyes, a well-shaped neck with natural elevation, and a balanced, harmonious body. His overall appearance reflected both elegance and athletic ability.
At Roßberg Stud in Germany, Ibn Yathreb attracted breeders interested in preserving authentic Egyptian bloodlines while maintaining functional conformation and show quality. His offspring achieved recognition in European competition, particularly through crosses with the mare Oml Sanaya Estopa. Among his best-known progeny was FL Mar Saba, named Junior Female Champion Filly at the Wessex Arabian Horse Show in 2000, Junior Female Reserve Champion Filly at the HoCon Open Arab Show in 2001, and Junior Female Reserve Champion Filly at the British National Show in 2002. Another notable son, FL Sayawan, became a class winner at the All Nations Cup in 2000 and later at the British Nationals in 2005. He was Ibn Yathreb's most influential breeding son leaving a number of offspring in the United Kingdom.
Although never among the most widely promoted stallions of his era, Ibn Yathreb remains valued as a representative of a period when preserving authentic Egyptian bloodlines went hand in hand with careful, selective breeding.