Holly Farm as a land title is a sixth generation pioneer Marshall Family property since 1877, presently in the ownership of David Marshall. Although farming is still in practice on Holly Farm, it is considered by many to be the home of the Arabian horse in New Zealand. Bought together by the late Lester and Mrs Georgina Marshall, Holly Farm collected a formidable foundation of Arabian horses. New Zealand is predominantly made up of two islands. Holly Farm is located 30 minutes from the main city of Christchurch, on the famous Canterbury Plains of the South Island.

As a younger man, Lester appreciated the requirements of the horse in work as he was bought up among a large family reliant on horsepower for transport and work. It was almost natural that Lester would continue with the interest of horse breeding even after the invention of the motorcar and tractor. Lester, now married to Georgina, purchased their first pony Twinkle, when their first child Murray was only three months old in 1951. Lester's father was sure that it was more for Lester's enjoyment than Murray's. However, as Murray was too young to ride, Twinkle was bred and so the breeding of horses began. As Lester's family enlarged and the oldest outgrew their ponies a need for a more suitable mount was required. On traveling he came across partbred Arabians and was impressed. He duly purchased two youngsters and subsequently returned the following year to purchase their full siblings.

Lester Marshall was an astute horse breeder who came to value the influence and qualities of the Arabian horse. Progression was inevitable but very few purebred Arabians could be found. Fate played a major ace and several mares were secured from the MacIndoe family of Southland. On looking for a suitable foundation stallion, Lester came across some quality Anglo horses in the North Island and enquired as to their sire. He was an aged stallion, advertised at stud with the caption "No Common Mares Entertained". His name was Silver Sparkle and he had been imported as a dream mount for Mr Booth, a retired timber merchant of Carterton.

As it turned out Silver Sparkle was one of the world's most royally bred stallions of the time. Bred by Lady Wentworth of Crabbet Park in England, he was sired by the superb stallion Oran. His dam was the "Queen of Crabbet Park", Silver Fire, the foundation of the very famous "Silver Family".

Silver Sparkle & Lester Marshall

Subsequently, a purchase was negotiated along with Silver Sparkle’s only purebred daughter Sparkle (presumed infertile), was also purchased. On seeing Silver Sparkle a leading pony breeder, Harrison Wilkin nearly fell out his car expelling all his outstanding qualities to Lester before drawing breath, and miraculously not needing his welded walking stick. A mention of possibly three more purebred mares with the Graham family on the Cashmere Hills nearby and they were secured forthright. This proved to be an exceptional foundation for Holly Farm. News of Silver Sparkle reached America and in old age during 1971 he was sold to Dr Shaft of California. This proved most unfortunate as colic cheated him of having any influence in America.

After the sale of Silver Sparkle a son, Jabal (x Adah) continued the breeding program cementing many of the strengths still evident today.
With International interest and exchange widening the horizons. Lester had an intuition of what he needed and where to find it. “Naadirah - The Arabian Dream” had arrived in Australia. This mare was a most welcome addition to this part of the world, conceived in Russia by the Egyptian sire Aswan and out of the British National Champion Mare Napraslina. Tanya Hawley chose Moon Fashion, a son of Silver Moonlight (x Silver Fire) to breed Naadirah, resulting in the birth of Naaddel. This colt was purchased within days of Lester discovering him. Naaddel introduced an outcross while staying with "the Silver Family" to the Holly Farm program.

Naaddel went on to be an undefeated Champion. Shown in Australia before his importation and continued in NZ. He is unchallenged as "New Zealand's Most Used Arabian Stallion of All Time". He was awarded the Roll of Merit for his winning progeny and passed away in his 33rd year in 2004. One of his more well-known sons Silver Reflection (Silver Lady) achieved a record 11 Individual NZ National Show Championships to his credit (Stallion, Ridden and Costume). Silver Reflection and his full brother Riblah also sired top performance horses including of late, the 2005 NZ National 160km Endurance Champion. Naaddel sired his own top Endurance horses including 1997 NZ National 160km Endurance Champion. At the 1998 World Endurance Championship, half of the NZ representatives where Naaddel related. His son was a team member, wining the World Champion Team Gold. More recently he sired Traask (x Khala) at Holly Farm, who with his breeder/rider, they achieved the fastest 160km NZ combination ever and highest placed NZ combination at any World Endurance Championship at the 2005 World Championships in Dubai. Naaddel proved himself time and time again.

With the introduction of the Egyptian blood of Nazeer to Holly Farm through Aswan Lester's appreciation for their type and qualities had cemented while the rest of the world were still coming to terms with them. Morafic (Nazeer) in particular was the horse that impressed. Lester was entranced by a photo of this Egyptian stallion, the same captivating head study that inspired many Arabian enthusiasts all over the world. The poignantly fragile, fine skinned, 'extreme', was so different to the more robust examples that most were accustomed to seeing. It was still in the early 1970's and availability of Egyptian horses was rare. However, a son of Shaikh Al Badi (Morafic), out of a maiden Ansata Ibn Halima (Nazeer) daughter, was purchased sight unseen. Lester's intuition proved abundantly correct. His name was Saracen Karim, bred by Helmit and Helgret Hepner of Ontario, Canada. Karim won many, many titles and a public following not seen. Some titles were won numerous, some even six times. He was 1980 All Breed NZ Grand Champion Harness Horse. He won Halter, Ridden and Costume Championships and was among the first four horses in New Zealand to be awarded their Roll of Merit for Showing. As a sire he is still highly treasured. His classical beauty and fairytale image was simply magic His influence will be with those who experienced him in person and on through his growing family.

David Marshall was the youngest member of Lester and Georgina's family of six and was not at all interested in ponies, but came to be inspired by the Arabian horse and its origin. On leaving school, David had the very great opportunity to take off to the United States and stay with the Thorndike family in Washington State. The Thorndike's had visited Holly Farm while traveling and were the formative owners of the great Egyptian sires, El Hilal (Ansata Ibn Halima) and The Egyptian Prince (Morafic). Working on their apple orchard was David's ticket to his American experience. A visit to Vantage Point, home of El Hilal was to be a turning point. Ron and Joyce Palalek kindly offered David a place to learn the training and showing of Arabian horses which stretched into a six-month experience during the highs of 1983/84. This included the Northwest show season, the Egyptian Event through to the US Nationals. Not ready to go home, an approach to Stanley Snr and Kitty White landed David a position working at their Grandeur Arabian facility for the Florida Winter show circuit and the Scottsdale Championships.
Enjoying the knowledge and experience so freely offered, David continued on his way. He rounded off his time visiting many of the great Arabian breeding programs of the time throughout America and returned back to Holly Farm 12 months later.

It was an exciting time, new knowledge and inspiration to put into action. Certainly there was a lot that could be done now back at Holly Farm. During this time David made an addition to Holly Farm with the purchased of Shaaltarah, a stunning daughter of Nahda (Mustafa) who has built her own dynasty. Unfortunately shortly after, Lester Marshall fell ill and passed away in 1986.

Zaddam

To allow time to catch his breath, David leased Saracen Karim to Fairview Arabian Stud in Australia where he added to his illustrious show career and sired more 'A' class Champion progeny. On his return to New Zealand, Karim continued to attract titles. He bought his show career at age 21 to a finale, where he was 'Supreme In Hand' at the 1992 “A” class Canterbury All Arab Show for the sixth time but even better was that he achieved the 'High Point Horse of the Show', one title that had eluded him in the past. He passed away along side the accidental death of “Diana-Princess of Wales”.

David made a further addition in the Holly Farm breeding program in 1989. A syndicate was formed and Kandahar Ibn Kazra was purchased from the North Island. He was another Morafic grandson and out of Kazra, the foundation mare of Maxwell's renowned Lodge Farm in England. His full sister was the British National and International Champion, Kazra El Saghira. Our Kazra proved to be the right choice as a sire for Holly Farm as well as a successful syndicate for its members. Kazra was an unshown, unbroken 10 year old when he was purchased and in a short time was a multi Supreme Champion, Ridden Champion as well as competing in Endurance. He was also one of the first Roll of Merit recipients. Kazra was sold in partnership with Holly Farm to Applegum in Australia where he competed under saddle with excellent results into his later years. Three daughters were retained at Holly Farm.

While showing horses for the Kelly Brothers at the 1992 Australian Championships, David took the opportunity to visit Simeon Park. Imperial Maadar (USA) had just won Australian Champion and was of the bloodlines David had admired while in America. Simeon had started weaning and an exceptional son from Madaar's second foal crop was available. Simeon Sadir was duly purchased. He was out of Simeon Shirli, a significant producer and dam of US National Top Ten Stallion, Simeon Sanegor. David’s brother Murray bought a new tractor while David bought this new colt..!

Simeon Sadir was brought to New Zealand as a yearling and finished his first show season with 1993 NZ Supreme National Champion. The bottle of Bollinger Champagne was won in the first season to his first foal to win "A" class Junior Champion and Supreme. A very dominant sire and exceptional individual, Simeon Sadir achieved three National Championships and become a CEI*** 160km Endurance horse. He traveled to United Arab Emirates for the 2001 UAE World Endurance Cup and while there was used by The Royal Stables of HH Sh. Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan, The President of UAE before being sold to Jane Kadri to add to her breeding program in England.

After a judging appointment at the 1997 East Coast Championships David took another look at Simeon Park. This time he came away with a Straight Egyptian colt by Anaza Bay Shahh (3/4 blood brother to Saracen Karim) and out of a full sister to the black Simeon Sadik owned by Halsdon Arabians of Charlie Watt's (Rolling Stones) fame.

David's focus turned to Endurance competition during the late 1990s which propelled a change in activity and further utilized the obvious qualities prevalent in the horses of Holly Farm. David managed Holly Farm from afar after representing New Zealand at the 2000 World Endurance Championships in France and while based with the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, the Ruling Family and HH The President of United Arab Emirates.

Pradaa

Continuing the breeding program, Pradaa was bred during the new millennium in Australia. With the assistance of Camille Alexander and the lease of a Straight Russian mare GG Sasha. It was decided to breed to Naaddel's half brother Naazim which resulted in a hugely athletic colt. Pradaa's first progeny are confirming the confidence required to procure this genetic match for the broodmares of Holly Farm.

On a return visit to New Zealand in 2003, David found a rather exciting colt running with the Holly Farm weanlings. Zaddam, a grandson of Saracen Karim, Sarah (full sister to Jabal), Kandahar Ibn Kazra and leased outcross Colonial-bred mare Whitestones Crystal Princess was very exciting. After a five year absence, this colt inspired a return to the show ring which resulted in two “A” class Supreme Championships. This is the first home-bred colt to be kept for breeding since Jabal (Silver Sparkle). Zaddam's influence will be known soon enough but it is hard to wait.

While focused on preparation for the 2005 World Endurance Championships a rare occurrence and most significant development yet ... meeting Sandie MacLean. Sandie has her own talent in Equine Photography and her own Arabian horse aspirations. Her influence and subsequent contribution to David in particular and Holly Farm are well under way.  The bringing together of a family has seen the birth of the next Marshall generation who will undoubtedly add a wider flavor to life at Holly Farm.

Regardless of the success and future, Holly Farm will continue to build. Sandie and I have added to the plan and we have formed Al Zayd Straight Egyptians from a combined passion for the Arabian horse in what maybe arguable but what we consider the original source without equal of Arabian bloodlines.
2006 saw the huge privilege to purchase Imperial Maakir (USA) (Imperial Mahdeen) from Sylvia Archer in Australia. Along with Simeon Sapar, he compelled us to dig deep into our resources and bring together a small but exciting foundation to establish the Al Zayd breeding program.

As this is a story beyond explanation here, we invite you to visit the Al Zayd section of our website. We encourage discussion and education to appreciate the preservation and mystical qualities we find absolutely represents the very reason for being part of breeding Arabian horses. As we head towards 50 years and into the third generation of Marshall’s breeding Arabian horses at Holly Farm proves as relevant today as it was at the very beginning. To ensure that a suitable horse is maintained for the pleasure and use by anyone who appreciates the highest unique qualities found in the Arabian breed.