Sirella (UK)

Distinctly Crabbet: Sirella and Hanif

Shortly after he won the Supreme Male Championship at the Arab Show in 1962, *Silver Vanity 22555, was exported to America. It was a great los to England as much of the little stock he left behind was also exported. However, the year that *Silver Vanity left, a colt was born to Sirella who was to become an all-time favourite of breeders on both sides of the Atlantic – Hanif. Hanif was one of only two pure Crabbet stallions left by *Silver Vanity in the UK, the other being Rayyan out of Risseefa.

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Rissla (GSB) Chestnut Arabian Mare at Crabbet Park, England

Rissla – The Legacy of Crabbet

From the Crabbet Convention Organisation. Continuing the series begun in the March issue we feature this month the most famous mare of the great RODANIA female line – RISSLA. RODANIA was a celebrated mare in Arabia and the Blunts first heard of her on a journey through the Nefud two years before they saw and bought her. Lady Anne Blunt described her as “having extraordinary strength and style of going” and the mare had been so much sought after that she became the object of a feud between the Sheykh of the Roala and his kinsmen.

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Irex, head study

Irex – An Appreciation

By Margaret Greely. Irex died on April 28th, 1955, aged 28, yet already he is a legend in the Arab world. An ‘Irex head’ has become a phrase to express perfection; to measure excellence; to sum up all that is meant by ‘classic beauty’. Irex was bred at Crabbet Park, sired by the magnificent Naseem out of that lovely mare Rissla, from whom he inherited his golden-chestnut color.

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The Silver Drift Influence in Australia

By Joan Flynn. After Lady Wentworth’s death in 1957, when the stud was being partly dispersed, Mrs. Mary Leitch of Sydney saw the young colt, SPINDRIFT, in a paddock there, fell in love with him, and bought him. Having retired from Arabian breeding and disposing of her entire stud to the Queensland Agricultural College, SPINDRIFT joined the New South Wales Department of Agriculture College for several seasons and in 1963 he went to the Queensland Agricultural College where he remained until his death of an apparent heart attack in 1978.

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*Silver Drift: Sire Supreme

By Arlene Magid. To many American breeders, *SILVER DRIFT is a familiar name to be found a few generations back in pedigrees today. Some may recognize him as the only full brother to *SERAFIX, or as a noted broodmare sire in his own right. There is a great deal more to be learned about this fascinating stallion who left his stamp on the horses of Europe, Australia, and North America.

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Alla Amarward 1140 and H.H. Reese

By Carol W. Mulder © 1986. In some circles, at various times, Alla Amarward has been considered a controversial horse who was owned by a controversial man, H.H. Reese. However, in his prime at the peak of his immense popularity there was nothing controversial about Alla Amarward, although his owner was controversial even then. Yet this man owned the three leading American Arabian sires of their time, and Alla Amarward was one of the three (the other two were Ferseyn 1381 and Abu Farwa 1960).

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Ben Rabba 1964-1990

By Jewell Cantrell. August 6, 1990, was perhaps the saddest day of my life; it was the day I had to have my dear old friend of many years put to rest forever. BEN RABBA, who lived to be 26 years old, was a charismatic stallion who became a legend in his own time. He was the most magnificent, arrogant, loving and gentle horse I have ever had the privilege of knowing. He touched the lives of many people and everyone who ever came in contact with this great horse was absolutely captivated by him and loved him. BEN RABBA was responsible for many people becoming involved with Arabians.

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Fadjur: The Story of a Breed Legend

By Arlene Magid. Anyone who was fortunate enough to see Fadjur in person never forgot him. He epitomized the Arabian breed both in appearance and temperament. His huge dark eyes, tiny muzzle, wedge-shaped head with large nostrils, extremely arched neck, and high-flung tail (no ginger needed!) drew admirers to him. More importantly, Fadjur was a good horse as well as a fine example of the breed, with great strength of loin and correct legs (two traits that can be lacking in today’s halter horses).

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*Serafix: Premier Crabbet Broodmare Sire

By Arlene Magid. The story of *Serafix’s importation and subsequent success as a sire has often been told before. He sired 119 champions (43 of them National winners) from his 257 registered foals, a champion percentage of 46%. Now, thirteen years after *Serafix’s death in 1973, it is time to examine the success of his grandget in the show ring and the breeding barn.

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Phara Farm: Golden Horses of the Sun

By Faye Ahneman-Rudsenske. Their eyes met across the crowded space, his dark and liquid hot. He was young with a serene, regal air that hinted at royalty. The sunlight illuminated his golden hair and outlined the sculptured, aristocratic features of his face. His sleek, smooth body was not quite fully mature, but handsome, nevertheless, with a promise of impressive maturity.

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