Rabdan Al Azrak was possibly the greatest Arabian stallion of all time. Born in 1897 of the Kuhaylan Rabda strain, he would give the world some of the greatest equine athletes as well as the most beautiful horses. Wide hips, powerful well laid-back shoulders, a high perfectly placed neck, wide body, and beautiful tail carriage are Rabdan trademarks.

His sons Ibn Rabdan and *Nasr exemplify his influence. Ibn Rabdan, an outstanding racehorse, is the sire of the Babson imports *Fadl , *Maaroufa, and *Bint Bint Durra as well as the beautiful stallions Shahloul and Hamdan. *Nasr, bred by Prince Mohammad Ali, set world race records at the 6 furlongs and 1.25 mile distances. *Nasr was imported to the U.S by W. R. Brown where he sired Sirecho and Banna (the dam of Richard Pritzlaff's beloved foundation mare Rabanna).

The great Kuhaylan stallion Mansour and racing legend Balance each had 25 percent Rabdan blood in multiple lines (grandson equivalent). Mansour was the sire of Sheikh El Arab, Nazeer, and *Roda (the dam of Hallany Mistanny). Balance held the world race record for 1 1/8 mile and 1 mile (carrying 132 lbs). His dam, the Dahmah-Shahwaniyah Farida, was a Rabdan great-granddaughter.

The Babson import *Bint Saada was also a Rabdan greatgranddaughter, and sister to Balance, explaining in part why Serr Maariner, Faddan, and Faarad were great athletes.

The Babson closed gene pool created a “time capsule” of Rabdan El Azrak blood that has not diminished in strength for the last 75 years. This same closed gene pool with its stored genetic potential creates a strong heterosis effect, or expression of hybrid vigor, when outcrossed. The results are some truly great Arabians, such as Fadjur,
Saud El Ameer, Ansata El Salim, RG Al Mone, and Rafeer, to name a few. The almost 16-hand stallion Soo Shahloul has 52 lines to Rabdan through Mansour and Shahloul, but his 20 percent Babson (Faarad) blood has shown the “Babson Influence” to have the greatest effect on his appearance, temperament, and athletic capability.