©Garbo Biography
By Molly Stanley
THE GREAT GARBO. A real horseman's horse, a delight to the
eye and an
excellent example of Ferman Ansel's Anatomical Proportional Ratios. Dave
and Molly Stanley were able to get special permission from the Spanish
Yeguada Militar to take Garbo's
measurements. These measurements are all
right on the money for a horse of outstanding athletic ability, which was
GARBO, personified.
GARBO was considered in Spain to be the perfect "Model Stallion". He was a
real horseman’s horse, delighting the eye with his superior proportion and balance.
With GARBO, the adage is true that one picture is worth a thousand words. 
Knowing GARBO very will in person, I must add that his photograph speaks eloquently as to the perfection and quality of this stallion. What cannot be seen in the picture is the great character of this horse, which he also passed to a high percentage of his offspring. Dave and I have owned several sons and daughters of GARBO, and we can attest to it. GARBO has a quality that the Spanish call "Noble" (pronounced no-blay). In the USA, we call this an "honest" horse, one that will not kick or bite under any normal circumstances, and one that will go until he drops, if you ask him.
Combine that with the tremendous athletic ability of GARBO, and the result is a truly awesome Arabian horse, in all senses of the word. I have seen and evaluated many thousands of Arabian horses, and never have I seen one to equal the athletic prowess of GARBO. I have seen him at the Military Stud, led out by a slow-moving groom, and brought to a halt. Then GARBO performed a spectacular leap into the air, a natural capriole. Then he returned to earth in perfect position beside the groom, never having touched the man. I have also seen a weanling GARBO son at the Military Stud do the same.
Having ridden the GARBO son *PADRE for many and many an hour over all types of terrain including impossibly high hills and over the course of many years of *PADRE’s life, I can truly say that I have never ridden a horse with so much heart. Part of that "heart" is in the superior mental ability of the GARBO horses, and part is in the wonderful deep body that has room for a large heart and lung space aplenty.
Dave Stanley and Garbo
GARBO was a real dancing horse. Most of the Military
Stallions stood quietly when the soldiers led them out for display, but
GARBO had his own ideas of a display. He would lead quietly enough, and
would stand briefly and then give exciting, wonderful leaps into the air,
coming back down in the same place beside the handler, never touching the
man. He really knew who he was. I (Molly Stanley) recall going to the
Military mare farm in Cortijo de Vicos in the company of don Luis Domecq
Rivero and family to evaluate the year's foal crop, newly weaned.
Molly Stanley Photo
All the babies wore soft, wide woven halters with a rope attached from the day they
were weaned, so the soldiers could walk up beside them and take hold
easily. The soldiers led each baby up to the group for appraisal. One
colt stood for a moment and then jumped straight into the air and came down
beside the man. "A GARBO son?" "Yes, but of course", they said.
GARBO was the result of breeding the gorgeous, big-eyed ORIVE to the
beautiful chestnut BALDOSA (Maquillo X Habladuria). BALDOSA was a full
sister to the famous *SABIDURIA, Imp. USA by the Steens. ORIVE also was
sire of GARBI, the dam of *ABHA HAMIR.
ORIVE was born at the Military Stud of Spain and posted as stallion
to the Spanish Military outpost in Northern Morocco in 1956, where he was essentially lost
to the Arabian breed. (Three Arabian get while in Morocco - one in 1956, one in 1957, and
one in 1959). 
Fortunately for ORIVE, he was "discovered" in Morocco by MariPaz Murga (then the Condesa de Belalcazar) - and reposted to the Stallion Deposito in Jerez in 1959. MariPaz produced five foals at that stud in 1963, including GARBI, dam of *ABHA HAMIR. Also in the 1963 foal crop was *GAZELA, Imported to the USA by Dave and Molly Stanley. *GAZELA was carrying *ATLANTICA in utero.
ORIVE produced HALEBI, who has offspring in the USA including the Grey Stallion HABANERO owned by Ross MacDonald. In 1964 ORIVE was returned to the Spanish Military Stud and an official sire, and produced five foals in 1965 (among them GARBO), three foals in 1966, five foals in 1967, and one foal in 1968. ORIVE has had sons or daughters exported to the USA, France, Germany, and Great Britain.
Orive died in 1971.
BALDOSA is a famous Military mare who lived her whole life in the pastures at Vicos, near Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. BALDOSA is a full sister to *SABIDURIA, one of the best in the Steen importation of 1965. BALDOSA’s first offspring was GARBO (which puts to rest the idea that the first foal is not the best). BALDOSA produced a full brother, HACHIMI, the following year. Unfortunately he died in 1971 without offspring. In 1968 BALDOSA produced JAQUECA II, by TABAL, who went on to produce several, including *SCHEHERAZADE, by GALERO. This mare was imported to the USA by Marieta Salas and is now owned by Lucy Whittier. In 1969, BALDOSA foaled the filly KAMORA by TABAL, sold by the Military Stud to Mariangles Bravo. In 1971 she produced the filly MALENCA by TABAL, owned by the Woodwards in Majorca.
BALDOSA’s final five offspring were males - all owned by the Military, and therefore, never available for sale. NARANJO in 1972 by TABAL, ORLADOR in 1973 by ZANCUDO, PAKISTAN 1974 by GALERO. The following year, 1975, BALDOSA produced in inbred son, the beautiful chestnut RAJA, sired by her own first son GARBO. This type of inbreeding is rarely done by the Yeguada Militar, and only in cases of extremely exceptional individuals. RAJA has produced approximately twenty foals of his own to date.
BALDOSA’s final male offspring was by JACIO, a beautiful liver chestnut named ZACATECO that was loaned by the Yeguada Militar for use as stallion at the stud of Her Highness, Princess Teresa de Borbon. Her Highness has produced several noteable offspring at her stud from ZACATECO, including FIOLEK, Reserve Supreme Spanish Champion Stallion in 1997,and GHORAK, Reserve Supreme Spanish Champion Mare in 1997. Also produced at her highness’ stud farm was FAKETEKO, sire of *SS ORION, standing at Stanley Ranch, and NAGASAKI, sire of *SASAKI.
Her valuable legacy lives on. BALDOSA died in 1980.
We have to thank MariPaz Murga of Spain for GARBO. It was she who
discovered ORIVE at the outpost of the Yeguada Militar in the North of
Morocco, and asked for him to be transferred back to Spain where he could
cover some of her mares, as well as theirs.
We also have to thank Pat and Joanna Maxwell of England
for taking the time
and considerable effort and permissions required to take the photographs
included here of GARBO, JACIO, GALERO,
and DANDI II.
GARBO lived to be 30+ years, a feat in itself. His other exemplary feat is
in the number of sons and daughters he produced that have been used as
breeding stock in Spain, and a great number of countries around the world.
GARBO has rightfully earned his place as the 'Stallion of
the Century' in
Spain.
GARBO FAMILY TREE
GARBO sons that have produced 10 or more offspring, have produced exported
offspring, or have themselves been exported. This research is through
January 1, 1997.
NOTE: Exportation from Spain is in itself a questionable criteria, as a
horse sold from California to New York, for instance, travels more miles.
However, to export from any country requires much documentation and
expense, and presumably requires much thought and commitment. Also, time
of research limits more facts on transfer of horses within the U.S. The
reader can further research a horse of particular interest.
ABHA MUFTI (Otra by Galero) REG. AHSA, 17 offspring.
ABUL BEKA (Calpe by Uzacur) REG. SBFAR, 2 offspring, 1 Exp.
AGUILO (Sacarina by Jacio) REG. AHR, 39 offspring, 1 Exp.
ALCALDE (Iadeta by Zancudo) REG. SSB, 3 offspring, 1 Exp.
ARMADO (Elegancia by Congo) REG. AHR, 44 offspring
AZLAM (Yuca by Fabuloso) REG. SSB, 2 Exp.
BAAHY, (Almoraima by Zafiro) REG. ITSB, 3 offspring
BATAL (Acerola by Bahram) REG. ITSB, 2 offspring, I Exp.
CALA D'OR (Opalina by Zancudo) REG. AHSB, SAHR, SBFAR, 38 offspring
registered in 9 studbooks.
EL JAUTOR (Abisinia II by Malvito) REG. AHR, 15 offspring
EL MANSUR (Iaba by Zancudo) REG. EAOPB, 4 offspring, 2 Exp.
EL MARRUFO (Dakar by Congo) REG. SSB, 4 offspring, 3 Exp.
GALERNO (Ocarina by Galero) REG. SSB, 15 offspring, 1 Exp.
HARDUN (Orla II by Galero) REG. SSB, 63 offspring, 6 Exp.
NIEL (Palanca by Galero) REG. SBFAR, 58 offspring
OCAL (Jana II by Zancudo) REG. SSB, 27 offspring, I Exp.
OMAR V (Zara by Congo) REG. SSB, 19 offspring, 1 Exp.
PACHA II (Ebanista by Congo) REG. SSB, 26 offspring, 5 Exp.
PACHAKA (Jabalera by Zancudo) REG. SSB, 44 offspring, 3 Exp.
PADRE – EL SAUCEJO in SSB (Yuca, by Fabuloso) REG. AHR, 100 offspring, 12
Exp.
PALJHA (Iaba by Zancudo) REG. SSB< 2 offspring, 1 Exp.
PALMA REAL (Cantinera II by Malvito) REG. SSB, 11 offspring, 3 Exp.
RAJA (Baldosa by Maquillo) REG. SSB, 14 offspring, 1 Exp.
RAPOSO (Labranza by Zancudo) REG. SSB, 43 offspring
SABLE (Cantinera II by Malvito) REG. SSB, 46 offspring, 9 Exp.
SARGENTO (Ocalina by Sirio IV) REG. SSB, 39 offspring, 8 Exp.
TABACO (Ladrona by Zancudo) REG. SSB, 64 offspring, 1 Exp.
TABUK (Fatima by Bahram) REG. AHSB, 22 offspring, 1 Exp.
TACANO (Labranza by Zancudo) REG. SSB, 43 offspring, 5 Exp.
TARQUIN (Ocalina by Sirio IV) REG. SSB, 27 offspring, 3 Exp.
TAXDIR (Nata by Zancudo) REG. SSB, 55 offspring, 5 Exp.
URANO (Opalina by Zancudo) REG. SSB, 32 offspring
USANSOLO (Comedia II by Malvito) REG. SSB, 24 offspring, 1 Exp.
USTARROZ (Obrada by Galero) REG. SSB, 6 offspring, 2 Exp.
UVAL (Cantinera II by Malvito) REG. SSB, 31 offspring, 1 Exp.
VAKUSKO (Vakuska by Jacio) REG. AHSB, 3 offspring, 1 Exp.
GARBO DAUGHTERS EXPORTED, OR WITH EXPORTED OFFSPRING
ABHA MEDEA (Dalila II by Uzacur) REG. AHR, 1 offspring
ABHA NACARA (Zara by Congo) REG. AHR, GASB, 8 offspring, 1 Exp.
ABHA RAHALA (Kabila by Tabal) REG. AHR, 2 offspring
ALHUCEMA (Ayesha Ben Borni by Borni) REG. BRSB, 7 offspring
AMORA I (Ocalina II by Zancudo) REG. AHR, 7 offspring
CARDELA (Garla by Maquillo) REG. AHR, 6 offspring
FACINA (Abisinia II by Malvito) REG. SSB, GASB, 12 offspring, 5 Exp.
FREILA (Acacia by *CORINTO) REG.SSB, 13 offspring, 2 Exp.
GALANA I (*Ochava by Zancudo) REG. AHR, 8 offspring
GEISHA (Ocaoca by Zancudo) REG. SSB, BAPS, SBFAR, 6 offspring
GUAL OMAYA (Gual Graciela by Galeon) REG. SBFAR, 2 offspring
JAIBA (Acacia by *Corinto) REG. AHSB, 5 offspring, 4 Exp.
LAILA-DIAL-NACHA (Nacha by Zancudo) REG. SSB, 8 offspring, 1 Exp.
LA JARDA (Venezuela II by Congo) REG. WASB, 8 offspring, 3 Exp.
LA MORABITA II (Corteza by Malvito) REG. AHR, 11 offspring, 6 Exp.
LAROCINA (Ortega by Zafiro) REG. MSB, 0 offspring
LANGARA (Jabalina II by Zancudo) REG. AHR, 9 offspring
MARIARA (Egypcia by Malvito) REG. AVS, 2 offspring, 1 Exp.
MEDINA AZAHARA (Grazalema by Jaguay) REG. AHR, 5 offspring
MOREDA (Auriga by Malvito) REG. SSB, 9 offspring, 1 Exp.
NEBLINA (Venezuela II by Congo) REG. SSB, 4 offspring, 1 Exp.
NIHARRA (Eritrea, by Habiente) REG. SSB, 4 offspring, 1 Exp.
NOMBELA (Lopaz by Zurich) REG. SSB, 8 offspring, 4 Exp.
OBA (Ural by Maquillo) REG. BAPS, 8 offspring
ONZA (Uzaina by Aboukir( REG. AHSB, 2 offspring, 2 Exp.
ORAL (Jacerina by Tabal) REG. AHR, 17 offspring, I Exp.
OSCA (Ebanista by Congo) REG. SBFAR, 6 offspring, 1 Exp.
PALMADA (Kadofa by Zancudo) REG. SSB, 11 offspring, 2 Exp.
PANDORA (Jalea III by Zancudo) REG. AHR, 10 offspring, 3 Exp.
PANTALLA (Kalia by Zancudo) REG. AHR, 5 offspring, 1 Exp.
PARAFINA II (Kaciana by Zancudo) REG. AHR, 10 offspring
RADIANA (Alhama III by Congo) REG. SSB, 8 offspring, 1 Exp.
RALEA III (Ladrona by Zancudo) REG. AHR, 8 offspring,2 Exp.
RAMPA (Lazada by Tabal) REG. AHR, 7 offspring
RANDA (Janda by Tabal) REG. CHAV, 6 offspring, 1 Exp.
RASTRA (Betonica by Maquillo) REG. AHR, 5 offspring, 1 Exp.
SANDUNGA (Uzaina by Aboukir) REG. AHR, 6 offspring, 3 Exp.
TICHLA (Elegancia by Congo) RDG. AHSB, 10 offspring, 2 Exp.
URTA (Mabiena by Tabal) REG. SSB, 5 offspring, 1 Exp.
YANIFA (Jafifa by Zafiro) REG. AHR, 4 offspring
GARBO has written his own history. His contributions to the Arabian breed
include type, refinement, and athletic well made bodies. In many cases the
athletic body is prepotent in the GARBO line. For example; the GARBO son
*PADRE (EL SAUCEJO in the SSB), who was Supreme Champion Stallion of Spain,
sired ABUTIG, Supreme Spanish Champion Stallion, who sired HELENO, Spanish
Supreme Champion Stallion, who sired MONTERO, Junior Champion of
Spain, who
still has the gorgeous body of his great-great grandsire, GARBO THE GREAT.
We also have to thank DAVE AND MOLLY STANLEY
for taking the time
and considerable effort and permissions required to take the photographs in Spain and
providing many others
included in this Spanish Section.
