WAHO Memoriam
28 November 1929 – 17 March 2011
Perhaps best known as Director General of El Zahraa Stud in Cairo during the years 1967-1984, he followed in the footsteps of his Egyptian Agricultural Organization friends and colleagues Dr. Ameen Zaher and Dr. Mohamed Marsafi as a highly valued WAHO Executive Committee member. He was appointed as a Consultant in 1988 and moved to full Executive Committee membership in 1990. For the next 21 years he served WAHO and the Arabian horse community worldwide with his time, his knowledge, his integrity, and especially his sincere depth of commitment to the Arabian horse. He was known and loved by so many Arabian horse breeders and owners all over the world, whether their original interest was in Arabian horses from Egypt, or in other bloodlines. In 2009, although suffering from back problems, he joined us at the WAHO Conference in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, an event he was determined not to miss.
Many of WAHO’s members will remember the wonderful Conference held in Cairo in 1992. What they may not know is that this event was arranged by Dr. Ibrahim at very short notice when the original host country had to withdraw. This was a typical example of his energy, enthusiasm and enormous dedication to WAHO and its membership, combined with his eternal loyalty to his country and its famous Arabian horses.
For many years Dr. Ibrahim was also an international judge, bringing his expertise to major shows all over the world, from Paris to Australia.
Dr. Ibrahim’s long career bears testimony to his love for the Arabian horse. He qualified as a Veterinary Surgeon at Cairo University in 1952 and until 1955 he was a Veterinary Inspector at the Ministry of Agriculture, Amman, Jordan. From 1955-1960, back home in Egypt, he was the Director of Animal Health Administration in the Agrarian Reform Ministry. From 1960-1967 he was the Director of Animal Breeding Administration at the Egyptian Agricultural Organization (E.A.O.) in Cairo. From 1967-1984, as mentioned above, he was Director General of Arabian Horse Breeding & Manager of El Zahraa Stud, Cairo. He also worked during 1973-1981 at the National Arabian Horse Centre of Dirab in Saudi Arabia and from 1982-1983, on loan to Khartoum, Sudan, he was Chairman of Arabian Experts of the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development doing studies in Arabian horses. From 1984-1994, he held the positions of Under-Secretary of State for Arabian Horse Breeding, and Manager of El Zahraa Stud, at the EAO. From 1994-1996 he was the Arabian Horse Breeding Expert at the EAO. More recently, prior to his retirement, he spent several happy years as a Consultant at The Royal Stables in Bahrain.
He was also honoured with a Medal of Honour from the Republic of Egypt, awarded to him by President Nasser, and a Medal of Honour from the Kingdom of Bahrain, awarded to him by King Hamad Bin Issa Al-Khalifa.
After his retirement, Dr. Ibrahim still visited El Zahraa Stud a few days a week, never losing his love and commitment for this historic and important State Stud. On several occasions he was invited to present the WAHO Trophy to various annual winners, both in Bahrain and in Cairo.
His son, Mr. Alaa El Din Zaghloul, has asked that any WAHO members who have photographs of his father to please send them to the WAHO Office, either by airmail or email, to be forwarded to him.
Dr. Ibrahim Zaghloul, may he rest in peace, will never be forgotten and even though we will all miss him greatly, he will stay in the memories of his hundreds of friends in every corner of the world. We all extend our sincere condolences to his family at this sad time.
