G r e e n e r
P a s t u r e s
Magic Dream
CAHR
by Nakashen Valaitham “The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.” — Benjamin Disraeli
Facing page and left: Magic Dream CAHR (Ali Jamaal x The Dreamspinner), 1992 – 2017
“E
merging from the shadows cast within the early morning haze, an ethereal 15 plus hand silhouette breaks forth into the light. The dawn’s rays glisten over his nearly black, sleek coat and shine off his large dark eyes. With flagged tail, arched neck and ears pricked so tightly that their curved tips seem to touch each other, he prances with the exuberance and grace of a springbuck yet displays the power and majesty that belong only to an Arabian stallion. Toned muscle and sinew undulate, while hot blood courses through patent veins that strain against the finest of black skin. With steaming breath jetting from flared nostrils, his huge eyes focus with an intense stare that both embraces and penetrates. As he breaks through the morning mist, this mighty young stallion pauses and
lets forth an imposing roar, greeting the new day and announcing his presence to all in his kingdom — a kingdom filled with magic and the promise of future generations of greatness.” I’m not sure who wrote the above paragraph, but it eloquently captures a first glimpse of the international icon and leading sire, Magic Dream CAHR (Ali Jamaal x The Dreamspinner). This description of Magic Dream is what comes to mind when his name is uttered; whether in the U.S. or South Africa, his spell always had the same effect. Magic Dream’s story is one of humble beginnings and it all began with a determined and passionate woman in Chilliwack, British Columbia in Canada. The breeder of Magic Dream, Jo-Anne Campone, shared how she brought ‘magic to life.’ “In the 1970s,
I bred champion Irish Setters and Best In Show-winning Golden Retrievers,” she said. “I had always wanted to breed Arabians and finally bought my first Arabian mare in 1983; she was a typey grey mare by Gai-Adventure in foal to Aristo Kossack.” The Dreamspinner. or “Sarah,” as Jo-Anne lovingly called her, was the resulting foal from this cross. She was a beautiful, bay mare with a solid body, long neck and exceptional movement. “Sarah was everything I had hoped for and was shown to many championships by Brenda Driedeger,” adds Jo-Anne. It has been said that Magic Dream’s sire, U.S. National Champion Ali Jamaal (Ruminaja Ali x Heritage Memory), was one of the few horses who came close to perfection — his degree of excellence, extreme type, near perfect stand-up, and 161 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b SEPTEMBER 2017
most importantly, his abilities as a sire set him apart. The Ali Jamaal influence is greatly felt in breeding barns around the world. Jo-Anne recalls when she first saw Ali Jamaal and why she wanted to breed to him: “In 1986 I saw an ad for Ali Jamaal in Arabian Horse World and fell in love. He was the epitome of type and had just been named 1985 U.S. National Champion Futurity Colt; however, before Sarah was old enough to be bred, Ali Jamaal had been sold to Lenita Perroy in Brazil. “In 1989, Ali Jamaal returned to the U.S. and I booked a breeding for Sarah. The result was a beautiful filly — Dream Fantasy, a Canadian Breeders Reserve Champion Mare and hunter pleasure winner with Frances Fischer. As beautiful as she was, she was still not everything I had envisioned from the cross.” Jo-Anne was determined that Ali Jamaal would sire her version of the ideal Arabian and she made sure to breed to him again. It was two years after Dream Fantasy’s birth that she would truly
harness the magic in Ali Jamaal’s blood. “In 1991, I bred two mares to Ali Jamaal, one of which was The Dreamspinner. On June 8, 1992, a black bay colt was born and he really was ‘Magic.’ His enormous black eyes, those tippy ears, and his overall appearance made me think he was special. I had been hoping to breed a Top Ten Futurity Colt and I thought that that dream just might have come true,” recalls Jo-Anne. Ironically Magic Dream did make Jo-Anne’s dream a reality as Greg Knowles led Magic Dream to Top Ten Futurity Colt honors at both the Canadian and U.S. Nationals. Jo-Anne recalls, “My friend was taking a mare to Arabian Expressions for breeding and I tagged along for the ride. While there, I asked Greg Knowles and Lisa Markley if they would be interested in coming to see a couple of Ali Jamaal colts.” Greg and Lisa agreed and made their way to Canada. “When Greg and I first saw Magic, he was only four months old,” says Lisa Markley. “Even at that young age,
Magic was a stunning individual, with his huge eyes, tiny tippy ears, high set neck with such a fine throatlatch and his cocky attitude, he was ‘all that.’ For me, it was love at first sight.” Greg and Lisa were determined to have Magic Dream, as they knew that he harbored great phenotypic and genotypic potential. “We begged, borrowed, and stole to convince Jo-Anne to allow Lisa and me to create the Magic Dream Partnership, a partnership made up of small breeders primarily in the Northwest,” says Greg. “Together, we were charged with managing and promoting this very special colt who would eventually become an icon of the breed.” It is through Greg’s and Lisa’s perseverance, hard work, determination, and love for this stallion that he became the sensation he is today. “Though Magic had a successful show career, the most important thing was finding out if he would be a sire. We thought he would, given that he looked like what his pedigree said he should, but you never know. History has proven that he’s done
Among the outstanding broodmares sired by Magic Dream are, from left to right: Ellusion Of Magic (x Ericca); GF Simply Magic (x GF Providence); and Swete Dreams (x Kouream De Ment).
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LITTLE PHOTO
that and more,� says Lisa. He truly has been the quintessential sire and one of the ultimate broodmare sires to date. Seven Magic Dream daughters in particular come instantly to mind when I think of the Magic broodmare
band: Ellusion Of Magic (x Ericca), GF Simply Magic (x GF Providence), Swete Dreams (x Kouream De Ment), JMF Daretodream (x Latoura Dare), Ellegant Dream (x Bey Edana), AE Magic Melody (x A Class Act) and AE Juliette (x A Class Act). Why do they specifically come to mind? Let me elaborate. Each of those mares are dams of highly acclaimed international champions and champion producers. It was Ellusion Of Magic, a multiple Regional Champion mare that produced Scottsdale Champion Aria Elation, and JMF Daretodream gave the industry the two-time All Nations Cup Champion Colt Mardigras JMF. The RaeDawn Arabians team harnessed the full power of GF Simply Magic; she gave them three champion daughters with the most famous being RD Fabreanna. The gorgeous U.S. National Champion RD Fabreanna has in turn given the breed U.S. National Champions LLC Fasario, LLC
Fabrizio, and the exquisite Donna Molta Bella SRA, who is also a two-time World Champion. Ellegant Dream produced the charismatic chestnut stallion RHR Marcedes, a Scottsdale and Canadian National Champion, as well as the 2017 Scandinavian Open Silver Champion Senior Mare LC Farfala. For me, Swete Dreams is probably the most famous Magic Dream daughter as she is the dam of the ultra-typey and exotic QR Marc. Having won gold titles at the All Nations Cup, Dubai International, and World Championships, QR Marc is one of the most decorated stallions in the industry today. His progeny, especially those from Poland, have been breaking records and setting standards in showrings around the world. Another Magic Dream daughter that is uberfamous in today’s showring thanks to her granddaughters is Mi Amber Dream (x Mi Fire Dream). It is through her Padrons Psyche daughter Psyches Amber Dream that we have been enchanted by three beautiful, bay National Champion full sisters: Forever Mi Dream, Pitonisa AS, and Armani Al Shahania, all by Ever After NA. The last two mares on that list
Outstanding broodmares sired by Magic Dream (continued) Top left: JMF Daretodream (x Latoura Dare) Middle left: Ellegant Dream (x Bey Edana) Bottom left: AE Magic Melody (x A Class Act) Bottom right: AE Juliette (x A Class Act)
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(both full sisters) were both marketed by Greg Knowles to South Africa and their impact on the South African industry will forever be treasured. It was Werner and Charl Vijoen of Chawer Arabians who bought AE Magic Melody from Arabian Expressions after working and training under Greg for a few years. AE Magic Melody was an amazing chestnut mare that was named South African Supreme National Champion and produced a South African National Champion daughter who in turn is producing National Champions today. AE Juliette was the complete opposite of her sister; she resembled her sire and his dam a lot more. She had his color, his neck and The Dreamspinner’s body. Jack Maritz of Sidi Arabians knew the potential she had; she was named Reserve South African National Champion three times and produced two Reserve National Champion daughters. Even though she was not on my list, South African Supreme National Champion Bint Bint Portessa (x Bint Portessa) was one of the most beautiful Magic Dream daughters (and horses in general) to ever be imported to Southern Africa.
Another Magic Dream daughter that comes to mind is EF Dream Diva (x Countess Shabaska); even though her breeding career was not as successful as her sisters, she was one of the most successful show horses. She is the only World Champion Magic Dream get; she was named Reserve World Champion Junior Filly. The Magic Dream sons were glorious individuals and like their sire, they excelled in showrings and breeding barns in true Magic Dream fashion. His most famous and accomplished son to date is the U.S. Reserve National and Australian National Champion, QR Excel (x Kouream De Ment). Excel is an attractive bay stallion that resides in Spain at Yeguado Ferrero and has sired daughters of significance all over Europe. Once again, South Africa comes to mind when I think of Magic Dream sons; two were imported: R Magician (x Hallelujah Garcia) and Magical CAF (x Marshah). South African Supreme National Champion R Magician was a spitting image of his sire and while Reserve South African National Champion Magical CAF was a chestnut moving machine, it was the latter of these two
that went on to sire multiple National Champions as well as WAHO recipient Sidi Obsession. It is ironic that so many of the Magic Dream get had made their way to South Africa and in the end, he did too. The multiple South African National Champions and the global impact Magic Dream was having grabbed the attention of many of South Africa’s top breeders, but one couple was left spellbound. Francisca and Tinus Strydom were swept off their feet when they saw Magic Dream and knew that he would be the perfect addition to the Strydom Arabian Stud in Bronkhorspruit, South Africa. “I met Magic Dream for the first time in Scottsdale in 1999 and he made an enduring impression,” says Francisca. “For me he was the personification of the ideal Arabian horse. His lust for life was a sight to behold. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I would, a few years later, have the privilege to own Magic Dream. Not that a proud Arabian like Magic could ever be ‘owned’ — you’re merely blessed to spend time with them while they are on loan to us. “We had been looking for a proven stallion to lead our breeding program, and a well-known name to draw visitors to our farm,” continues Francisca. “One day when we were in Scottsdale with Sandro Pinha,
Notable Magic Dream sons: Left: QR Excel (x Kouream De Ment) Right: R Magician (x Hallelujah Garcia)
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we asked him whether he thought that Magic Dream might be the horse we’re looking for. The more we debated the issue, taking into consideration the attributes of the individual as well as his success as a sire, coupled with the worldwide demand for his offspring, especially his daughters, the more evident it became that Magic Dream would more than meet our requirements. Sandro arranged for us to see Magic Dream and negotiated the purchase with the Magic Dream Partnership.” And so in 2008 Magic Dream made his way to the southern tip of Africa where he would reign king of Strydom Arabian Stud and Francisca’s heart. When Magic Dream arrived in South Africa, people flocked to Strydom Arabian Stud to get a glimpse of the icon in the flesh. It was almost six years ago that I first laid eyes on Magic Dream and it is a memory I will never forget. It was a warm Saturday afternoon and the Strydom Arabian Stud open day was coming to an end. I was waiting just outside the arena with a firm grip on my old Kodak camera with the hopes of clicking a few snaps of the famed stallion. Led by Wynand Bouwer, Magic Dream, adorned with red roses, made his way around the corner and then paused in front of me for a last minute shine. As the groom was spraying and rubbing him down, Magic Dream stood there with those perfect ears attentively listening to the crowd calling his name. Those deep, dark eyes stared right into my soul — I was mesmerized! Although Magic Dream was used extensively in breeding programs around the country, his best foals still remain those that were bred in the U.S. That said, Magic Dream sired an array of National Champions in South Africa with almost all of them being bred by
the Strydoms. Some of those include FS Taisiya (x GFA Taylor Made) and FS Twilight Moon (x GFA Taylor Made). Magic Dream also sired the Namibian National Champion FS Tailored Deam (x GFA Taylor Made). Magic Dream’s most memorable moment in South Africa is when he was named Supreme Champion Stallion at the Gauteng Championships at the age of 21. Wynand Bouwer showed him to perfection — it was an electric performance; judge Joe Polo placed the garland over Magic Dream’s shoulders with the biggest of smiles. Magic Dream lived a magnificent life, truly speaking — the life of a king. His impact on this industry is one that will be felt for eons to come. In his 25 years of existence, the spell that Magic Dream cast on spectators, fans, judges, and those that held him close to their hearts will forever be remembered. Francisca shares, “Magic Dream was a horse of a lifetime. When he came out of his stable in the morning he would announce his presence, demonstrating his reign with his signature roar and prance. One could only gaze in wonder and admiration. We shared an immense bond since the day he arrived at the farm. He was even more than the ideal Arabian — he was a true friend. Feisty as he was, he also had a pleasing personality and a kind heart. On the way to my office I passed his stable every morning and would then stop to greet my friend and share a carrot (or two) with him. The same routine would play out every afternoon on my way home. Whenever I approached his paddock he would always come over to share a moment. Now the stables are quiet — a constant reminder of the huge loss.” “I have loved and believed in Magic Dream from the beginning and
always will,” adds Lisa. “It is because of Magic, through his daughters and granddaughters that I have enjoyed the successes I have as a breeder. I can honestly say if it weren’t for Magic there would not be a ‘Lisa Markley Arabians.’” Greg Knowles, too, credits Magic with much of his success. “I can’t begin to describe what Magic meant to me,” he says. “He put me on the map; he kept us in business while we built our business. Because of Magic I met people from all over the world. There will never be a day I don’t think of him, and what he has done for me. Arabian Expressions is the farm that Magic Dream built.” Magic Dream has written his name in the books of legends, he has built a legacy that will last a lifetime and he will forever be the horse that made dreams a reality. I would like to send my deepest condolences to Jo-Anne Campone, Greg Knowles, Lisa Markley, and to Tinus and Francisca Strydom. God speed Magic Dream. “With those distinctive and perfectly shaped ears pointed forward, those huge, soft eyes tell me it’s time to go. “I resist with heart and mind, wishing that the Magic could last a little longer. But sadly, so sadly, it is time to say goodbye. “You’ve touched and enriched the lives of everyone who had the privilege of meeting you. All over the world your offspring will continue your unique contribution to the Arabian horse breed. “You might be gone, but you will never be forgotten. “You are a legend — a stallion of a lifetime.” — Francisca Strydom 165 b ARABIAN HORSE WORLD b SEPTEMBER 2017