February 6, 2010

Legendary arabian stallion *Aladdinn died last month, at the age of 35. The Swedish and US National Champion passed away peacefully on January 11 at Taylor Ranch in Utah.

*Aladdinn (Nureddin x Lalage) was the second leading sire of arabians of all time based on the total number of registered foals. In total, he sired 1211 progeny including 391 champions, 24 National Champions in performance and halter, and 71 National winners. Through 2009, *Aladdinn had 136 offspring who produced National winners.

The bay stallion was bred by Erik Erlandsson of Tomelila, Sweden and was foaled in 1975. In Sweden he was named Aladdin. In 1978 he was Swedish National Champion, scoring higher than any other stallion in Swedish Arabian horse history.

He was imported to American by Lasma Arabians in 1978 where he became an instant success. An extra "n" was added to his name, because there was already an Aladdin registered. In 1979 he was named US National Champion Stallion, the first national champion of a foreign country to receive this title, and the only stallion in breed history to sire four US National Champion stallions.

For the past decade, *Aladdinn enjoyed his retirement at Taylor Ranch Arabian Horses in Payson, Utah, where he entertained a steady stream of visiting admirers, young and old. His last major public appearance was at the 2005 US Nationals where he was celebrated by the Arabian horse community as a living legend.

Taylor Ranch issued the following memorial:

"Standing in the presence of greatness is something that few people truly have the opportunity to do. I count myself someone truly blessed to have done so on multiple occasions. On the night of January 11th, 2010, I stood in the presence of greatness.

"Some measure greatness by accomplishments, popularity, etc. And though, if these were the criteria for greatness, Aladdinn would still fill them. But all National Champions are not great. All sires of good foals are not great.

"Greatness cannot fully be described, but you know it when you see it. I saw it in his eyes, nearly every day, for almost 13 years; as he walked to his pasture each morning, most especially his last summer, led by my four-year-old son; or, in his regal attitude at the 2005 Nationals, celebrating his 30th birthday. Yet, it all culminated in one night, one moment, as I held his head in my arms.

"One in a lifetime, really is once in a lifetime. And there will never be another Aladdinn."