By Suzanne Phillips
Mercury Farms
e-mail SUZIENP@aol.com
*EL MAREEKH was born at the Egyptian Agricultural Organization (EAO) stud farm in Egypt in February 23, 1975. His sire is Aseel, a Sameh son who is out of a *Ghazalahh daughter. Not only is Sameh one of the EAOís premier stallions, he has sired some of the worldís most successful Egyptian-bred horses, including *Sultann, *Fawkia, *Ibn Hafiza, and *Serenity Sonbolah. Aseelís dam, Inas, is by the incomparable *Ghazalahh. *Ghazalahh had a short breeding career, with *Bint Ghazalahh being her only other produce. *El Mareekhís dam, Raweyeh, is a daughter of Alaa el Din.
*El Mareekhís breeding is based predominately upon Blunt bloodlines, making him qualify for Straight Egyptian and Al Khamsa breeding programs. He was imported to this country in 1979 by his owners, Les and Lois St. Clair. The St. Clairs had taken an extended vacation in 1977, making Egypt one of their stops. On a visit to the EAO, Mr. St. Clair asked to see Sameh sons. He knew Sameh offspring were well-known for their outstanding conformation and movement. He was shown the Sameh son, Aseel. Immediately liking the stallion for his smooth build, Mr. St. Clair was eager to see more. But it wasnít until a young and energetic colt by the name of El Mareekh was brought out that Mr. St. Clair knew the meaning of the word ëbreath-taking.í Prancing, his dark bay coat rippling, El Mareekh was everything the St. Clairís had ever hoped to have for their small straight Egyptian breeding program. The colt was two years old at the time and was, regretfully, not for sale.
Despite knowing that the EAO had plans for using El Mareekh as a breeding stallion for their own stud in the future, Mr. St. Clair nonetheless put his name down as a potential buyer for the beautiful black-bay colt. The St. Clairs returned home. To wait.
In January of 1978, after much deliberation, the St. Clairís decided to write a letter to Dr. Marsafi, the Director of the EAO, outlining their future breeding plans for a colt such as El Mareekh. They waited some more. An answer was never received.
By December of that same year, the couple decided to return to Egypt to again try their luck first hand at obtaining El Mareekh. Mrs. St. Clair had never actually seen the colt, having been ill during their previous visit. When they saw the wonderful colt, now a gorgeous three-year-old, they tried very hard to hide their enthusiasm. As they walked away, they were told that the EAO had decided to sell El Mareekh to Mr. And Mrs. St. Clair. Shocked, but undeniably happy, the couple began making arrangements to ship their new acquisition home. Delays were numerous, but finally, in July of1979, *El Mareekh arrived. Within a few months, he was hitting the show circuit.
*El Mareekh became an outstanding success in the show ring. His impressive trot, which displayed his tremendous balance and energy would have alone been enough to capture anyoneís attention, but add to that a long, laid-back shoulder, good croup, hips and withers, plus a wonderful disposition, and you had a show horse supreme. In a short show career of just 26 months, *El Mareekh garnered an impressive collection of wins and honors. 1981 was his top year, starting with a Top-Ten at Scottsdale and ending the year as a Top-Ten at the US Nationals. The St. Clair Arabian Stud was on a roll. Just a few months later, in February of 1982, disaster would strike from which the St. Clair farm had to struggle to get over. *El Mareekh was mistakenly fed hay infested with blister beetles and the gorgeous black-bay stallion died as a result. He passed away on Feb. 17, 1982, just a week short of his seventh birthday. He left behind some good sons and daughters, including MFA Mareekh Amir, MFA Tale Mareekha, and Ibn El Mareekh, whom the St. Clairís continued to use as their replacement sire.
*EL MAREEKH FAST FACTS:
Born: February 23, 1975
Died: February 17, 1982
EAO Registration: Volume 5 Page 17
Did not sire any foals in Egypt
Imported by Les & Lois St. Clair of Reddick, Florida in 1979
Registration #: 194599
1981 Scottsdale Top-Ten Stallion
1981 US National Top-Ten Stallion
Nine Most Classic Awards
Sired 38 purebred foals in United States
Straight Egyptian
Al Khamsa
Pyramid Society
