DA Valentino (2003 - 2011) by Linda White We crowned him with many crowns. He broke show ring records right and left, winning six national championships along the way. He became history’s most decorated Arabian halter stallion in only 14 outings. millions of dollars have been exchanged in buying and selling his offspring, but just as he was becoming a sire for the ages, DA Valentino died. And yet, while he is no longer among us—at least not in the physical sense—the extraordinary stallion will never really cease to exist. in fact, so much do his 218 registered progeny mirror their sire’s good looks and unique character that his influence should be easily identifiable for several generations. Dr. Dan and maureen Grossman purchased DA Valentino from his breeders, Dolorosa Arabians, as a yearling. “our favorite horses have always found us,” says maureen Grossman. “That was true of DA Valentino. one August day, a video arrived from David boggs concerning a 15-month-old colt he thought would interest us. We looked at the tape and instantly fell in love with DA Valentino, and the rest is a fast and furious history of his winning national championship after national championship. on each occasion he was shown, when he entered the ring, the competition seemed to vanish. “We have never been so enamored of a horse,” she adds. “our love and pride for this beautiful horse have always been immense. He left us such great memories that have filled our hearts with joy.” DA Valentino was Arabian Horse Times’ march 2011 cover star. The accompanying article reflected his owners’ high hopes for the stallion that had given them glimpses of greatness, even as a yearling. He had won six national championship trophies, and the young purebred and Half-Arabian DA Valentino offspring they had seen all replicated his most soughtafter qualities. several already had won national halter honors, and his performance prospects soon would be debuting under saddle and in harness. The Grossmans were elated. 148 | A r A bi A n Hor se T i mes
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