Arabian Archives 1209

CRABBET SUPER SIRES:

*SERAFIX, *SILVER VANITY, *RAFFLES

by Georgia Cheer

*Serafix

*Silver Vanity

*Raffles

CRABBET SUPER SIRES:

*SERAFIX, *SILVER VANITY, *RAFFLES

by Georgia Cheer

*Serafix

*Silver Vanity

*Raffles

E

ver wondered what’s so special about the Crabbet Arabian?

Their desert acquisitions began to number, and soon many

Could it be their wonderful dispositions, their tractable minds or

horses were shipped back to the Crabbet Park grounds, near

tremendous athletic ability, their prepotency for passing these

what is modern-day Crawley, in Sussex. After generations of

characteristics through several generations, or that they excel in

breeding Arabians, and selling their horses to many private

everything they are put to? While that could be said about nearly

breeders and foreign dignitaries, the Blunt’s stock was soon

all Arabians, in the United States, Crabbet Arabians were some

carrying the Crabbet name and qualities throughout the world.

of the earliest and largest imports to our country, dating back to

The breeding program eventually passed onto the Blunts’

1893 when the bay stallion *Bedr 239 (Azrek x Bozra) was

daughter, Judith, better known to the world as Lady Wentworth,

imported by W.H. Forbes. Altogether, about 145 Crabbet Arabians

who is still, to this day, arguably the most intelligent and widely

were brought to the United States from 1893 to 1976. But from

admired Arabian horse breeder of all time.

where did the Crabbet Arabian originate?

The Early Beginnings of Crabbet Park Stud

The First U.S. Importations W.R. Brown of Maynesboro Stud made the first major importations to America. He imported 18 Crabbet Arabians in

Wilfrid Scawen Blunt and Lady Anne Isabella Noel King were

1918, although several individual breeders had imported one or

married in London on June 8th, 1869. The Blunt family had been

two Crabbet Arabians earlier. In 1926, W.K. Kellogg purchased

landowners in Sussex, in southern England, since the middle of

16 Arabians from Crabbet Park Stud (including *Raseyn, a half

the 17th century. Wilfrid and Lady Anne’s early travels to the desert were made to seek “some of the true breed of Arab mares ... ”1

brother to *Raffles by Skowronek). Another significant

On December 14th, 1877, Lady Anne Blunt wrote in her

importation came in 1930, when Roger Selby of Ohio brought nine Crabbet Arabians, one the famous *Mirage.3

journal, “We have made a plan ... of importing some of the best

After the death of Lady Wentworth in 1957, Bazy Tankersley of

Anazeh blood to England and breeding it pure there ... it would

Al-Marah Arabians purchased 16 Crabbet Arabians, which were

be an interesting and useful thing to do and I should like much to try it.”2 On Christmas Day in 1877, the Blunt’s purchased their

imported later that year. Most of these Crabbet Arabians

first mare, Dajania, in the desert city of Aleppo. By the following

which the most notable Polish import was *Bask. *Bask received

year, Crabbet Park Stud was founded by the Blunts.

considerable success as a sire when bred to Crabbet mares.

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preceded the popular importations from Poland in the 1960s, of

ARABIAN HORSE TIMES • MARCH 2000

ARABIAN ARCHIVES: CRABBET SUPER SIRES However, in this article I will focus on three influential Crabbet stallions who were prepotent sires of champions — *Serafix, *Silver Vanity and *Raffles. In my opinion these three Crabbet stallions have had the most influence on the breed, although there are many other Crabbet stallions and mares that have also made their substantial mark. The Right Honorable Lady Wentworth bred each one of these three stallions at Crabbet Park. (Additional information about Crabbet Park Stud is available from the book The Crabbet Arabian Stud, It’s History and Influence, by Archer, Covey and Pearson. This book is a must for every Crabbet Arabian owner, and is quoted in this article.)

A Writer’s Perspective How is it that I have been asked to discuss this fascinating subject? I’m the publisher of The Crabbet Influence in Arabians Today magazine, which I started in 1983 based on my interest in

*Serafix at the Crabbet Stud in England.

Arabians of Crabbet lineage. Throughout the years of publishing

percentage of 46 percent. At one time, *Serafix was the leading

this magazine, I attended many of the largest shows in the

sire of champions in the United States.

United States as well as the British Nationals. Over the years, I

To quote Jim Panek, a Nationals judge and Arabian horse

have become well acquainted with many Crabbet breeders in the

breeder, “*Serafix was truly a magnificent specimen. At that time

U.S, England and Australia, where I traveled extensively in all

I didn’t know or care how good an Arabian he was; it was his

these countries evaluating horses, attending seminars, studying

magic, his charisma, his bloom, his attitude, his indescribable

horses, both at farms and in the show ring, and writing articles.

‘noblesse oblige’ that, in my eyes, has yet to be duplicated. It was

Naturally, I have owned Crabbet Arabian broodmares, chosen

only later, after I became a more serious student of the breed,

stallions for them, raised their foals and have shown them. I

that I realized that, along with all of the things that tugged at

have also judged horse shows arranged by Crabbet clubs.

one’s heart, *Serafix was truly everything one could want in a breeding stallion. He was beautiful, typey, and refined. He had

*Serafix 8955

excellent conformation. He had so much quality that his skin

The chestnut *Serafix 8955, was foaled in 1949. His sire was Raktha, and his dam was Serafina. Raktha was a prominent sire

were meant to be studied. He seemed a tall horse — with substance, masculinity, and power.”4

at Crabbet, and was also the sire of Indian Magic, Rithan, and

*Serafix had an incredible impact on the Arabian breed, and

*Serafix’s full brother, *Silver Drift. Serafina was also the dam of

this was because he sired so many champions from all the

Oran Van Crabbet. John Rogers of Walnut Creek, Calif., imported

different bloodlines that were bred to him, whether it was Polish,

*Serafix in 1954.

Egyptian, Russian or American. This is a true mark of a breeding

*Serafix sired 119 champions, 41 of which were national

stallion — to sire consistently and better than he is the majority

winners from among his 257 registered foals for a champion

of the time. *Serafix was known to have a fiery presence,

was like tissue paper, and his veins showed through as if they

Ben Rabba 29921: An American-Bred Stallion with International Status

1964 and owned nearly his entire life by the

Rabba died in 1990 at the age of 26, and is

late Ed Hubbert. Upon the passing of Ed

buried at Cantrell Arabians.

Hubbert in 1989, Ben Rabba became the

Ben Rabba had a lovely head and large

permanent property of Jewell Cantrell of

expressive eyes with a neck that was

Ben Rabba was a blend of Davenport,

Gridley, Calif. Jewell had admired Ben since

naturally long, dry and arched — a neck that

Kellogg and early American lines and was

he was 2, bred many mares to him, and had

is not often seen in Arabians of his particular

bred by K.D. Mathiot of Carmel Valley, Calif.

stood Ben Rabba on several occasions at her

lineage. He possessed a beautiful strong

All told, he was 53.5% Crabbet blood. He was

farm. It was a natural and right choice that

topline, with a long hip and level croup. I was

a 15.1 and a half-inch chestnut foaled in

Ben live out his life in her loving care. Ben

particularly impressed by the way Ben Rabba

ARABIAN HORSE TIMES • MARCH 2000

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ARABIAN ARCHIVES: CRABBET SUPER SIRES and a regal, dynamic way of going that made an impression

Some *Serafix sons that sired national winners include Nafix,

on all who saw him.

Seraj, S.X. Saladin, Rakafix, Royal Gold, S.X. Conquistador, Ibn

Some stallions sire better quality females than they do males,

Chimena, Travaleer, Muskateer, S.X. Cantrez, Witezfix, Serad,

or sometimes the reverse. It is not often that a stallion can sire

Serasun, Royal Magic, Serad, Aseyr and Mystr-Fix as well as

outstanding quality of both sexes. It is always better, in my

several others. *Serafix’s get dominated the show ring for many

opinion, that a stallion sire better females to truly make a

years, and they themselves went on to produce champions. His

substantial contribution to the Arabian breed. This is because

show impact is still relevant to this day.

most stallions can only make their reputation by the quality of

There is one, possibly two *Serafix sons still alive today. I had

females they are allowed to serve. The mares that were bred to

heard of one living in Idaho, and it is amazing to know that there

*Serafix were approved mares, as John Rogers did not stand

are some living get of Crabbet legends still alive.

*Serafix to outside mares. Serafix finally stood at public stud for only two years, from 1971 until his death in 1973. *Serafix daughters have long held a reputation as outstanding broodmares. Some of the *Serafix daughters that produced national winners include5 Seranada, Jalana, Virginia Belle, S.X. La Quinta, Tisera, Chlosina, and Serafina. Other *Serafix daughters that are credited with producing multiple champions are S.X. Daphne, Serafilia, S.X. Suretta, Seraphima, Blue Angel and Carinosa, a *Serafix daughter, the dam of nine champions.

Several *Serafix daughters nicked particularly well with the Polish stallions *Karadjordje and *Bask, and the Egyptian stallion El Hilal. Others, when bred to Khemosabi, *Padron and *Ansata Ibn Halima, have produced champions.

*Silver Vanity 22555 *Silver Vanity 22555, foaled in 1950, was imported by Bazy Tankersley and Charles Prange in 1962 (the same year Dr. H. F. Kale imported *Serafix’s full brother *Silver Drift 23494). He was a gray son of Oran (Riffal x Astrella) and Silver Gilt (Indian Gold x Silver Fire). Oran was the principal stallion used after the Second World War, and was actually bred by Hanstead Stud out of entirely non-Skowronek blood. Silver Gilt (*Silver Vanity’s dam) produced 13 registered foals in England, five of whom became British National Champions. To quote from the Archer book, “Silver Gilt, one of the loveliest of Silver Fire’s offspring, produced stock of the highest quality, of which the best was the unforgettable Silver Vanity, who was considered by many to be one of the most beautiful stallions ever bred at Crabbet. He had all the qualities associated with the Silver Fire line, not least being his superlative head.”6

*Silver Vanity’s Worldwide Influence Silver Vanity made a profound mark not only on the American Arabian breed, but also in both Australia and his native country of England. *Silver Vanity was twice British National Champion in 1958 and 1962, and left 18 registered get in England prior to his importation to the United States. In England, his son Hanif (x *Silver Vanity at the Crabbet Stud in England.

Sirella by Dargee) sired Haroun, who was Reserve Supreme

would gaze over the throngs of people

sire. They all had incredible toplines,

wherever he was presented, as if he was

wonderful hips and sweet dispositions.

surveying the situation, ever confident that

Although he started as a man’s backyard

together they covered many trails in northern

he was the center of attention, but

riding horse, Ben’s future was not to be

California, rode in many parades and were

magnificently serene as he took everything

denied. At first, his destiny was as a sire used

constant winners in the show ring. Ben

in. I was even more impressed with the

primarily on grade horses, and he has left

Rabba’s show career included over 100 first

quality of his stock; each one of his young

many wonderful Half-Arabian get. However,

place ribbons in halter and performance. He

weanlings that I saw during a visit to Cantrell

as fate decreed, one day English breeder

was the 1972 Pacific Slope Reserve Champion

Arabians in 1985 proved his prepotency as a

Beatrice Paine saw him on a visit to California,

Stallion, 1975 Region II Champion Stallion,

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which forever sealed his destiny.

Ed and Ben were a riding team, and

ARABIAN HORSE TIMES • MARCH 2000

ARABIAN ARCHIVES: CRABBET SUPER SIRES Champion on three occasions before becoming Supreme Male

sold to F. Lynn and Barbara J. Artress of California. They relocated

Champion in 1974.

to Georgia where *Silver Vanity died in 1979 at the age of 29.

Hanif, when bred to his half-sister Sirella, sired *Shatir Ahs

*Silver Vanity sired 206 get in the United States, 41 of which

305929, who went on to become an Israeli champion stallion

became champions. Some of his most notable daughters include

before his importation to the United States. On this continent, he

*Al-Marah Silver Silwa (x *Silwa), a halter champion; *Sharafa

was a 1984 Canadian National Top Ten Stallion, and 1984

(x Sharfina) who produced six champions, notably *George

Scottsdale Top Ten Stallion. I saw Shatir shortly after his arrival

Washington; *Silver Pearl (x *Perle D’or), a halter and English

at the 1983 World Crabbet Symposium in Denver, Colo., and

pleasure champion; and *Silvanetta, twice British National

remember him as a tall, reachy, liver chestnut stallion with a

Reserve Champion (1962 British Reserve Champion Foal and

beautiful face and lovely movement.

1963 British Reserve Junior Champion Female), who in turn

Hanif’s presence in the aged stallion class at the British Nationals

produced three champions in America, including the U.S.

was for years a tradition that many will remember, as he strutted

National Top Ten Pleasure Driving Mare Baskanetta (by *Bask).

and “roared” his presence on the grounds, always to the admiration

Other notable Silver Vanity sons include the 1967 U.S. National

and applause of the crowds. I was fortunate to witness Hanif in

Western Pleasure Champion Al Marah Silver Sparrow (x *Blue

this display at each British Nationals that I attended.

Millet); Royal Vanity (x Al-Marah Rallentando), the 1973 Canadian

*Silver Vanity’s daughter, Silver Ripple (x Risseefa), produced

National Reserve Champion Western Pleasure and Top Ten

the 1982 British National Reserve Champion Silver Flame, and

Native Costume Horse; Vanity’s Count (x Perihan Bint Dorsaz), a

Silver Vanity’s son Shalwan (x Shalina) was Supreme Champion

1976 U.S. National Top Ten Western Pleasure Horse, and BL

in South Africa.

Majestic Gold (x Al-Marah Sola Mia), the 1984 U.S. National

In the United States, *Silver Vanity alternated stud seasons

Reserve Champion in Native Costume.

between Charles Prange’s farm in Pennsylvania and Al-Marah,

In turn, Vanity’s Count sired over 38 Class A champions, 11

which was then located in Barnesville, Maryland. In 1970, he was

Regional top fives and, for years, was the leading sire of winners

LEFT: Ben Rabba and Jewell Cantrell. RIGHT: Ben Rabba displaying the charismatic attitude that endeared him to his legions of fans.

1975 Region II Top Five English Pleasure

1977, and saw Aurab, the sire of Ben Rabba,

purchase or lease him. To make a long story

Horse, 1975 Region III Reserve Champion

short, it was at considerable sacrifice to Ed to

Reserve

she proclaimed Aurab the “most nearly perfect Arab” 1 she had ever seen. When she

Champion Native Costume, 1975 Region III

returned to England, she related her feelings

a two-year breeding lease.

Top Five Western Pleasure Horse and 1974

to other Arabian breeders. The following

As a result, Ben Rabba was bred to some of

U.S. National Top Ten Side Saddle. All

spring, in 1978, Mrs. Beatrice Paine of

the nicest English mares of the time with

amateur shown!

Bowdell Stud in Kent, England, came to see

outstanding results and produced the 1986

When Lady Anne Lytton (daughter of Lady

Aurab and some of his sons. It was upon

British National Reserve Champion Junior

Wentworth) had traveled to California in

seeing Ben Rabba that she asked if she could

Stallion Aurelian (who in turn sired the 1990

English

Pleasure

Horse

and

ARABIAN HORSE TIMES • MARCH 2000

let his beloved companion go to England for

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ARABIAN ARCHIVES: CRABBET SUPER SIRES at the Ohio Buckeye Show. Royal Vanity went onto sire the 1983 U.S. National Reserve Champion Western Pleasure Horse JOTR RV Golden Vanity. The Silver Vanity son Indian Silver (x *Taheki) sired the 1984 U.S. National Top Ten Informal Combination and Pleasure Driving BL Indian Velvet.

Although I never saw *Silver Vanity in person, I’ve had the privilege to own one of his daughters. This wonderful mare produced two foals for me, always produced better than herself, and passed down the unique elegant qualities known in the Silver line.

I did have the good fortune to see several Sindh (*Silver Vanity x Silfina) sons during my visit to Australia in 1991. They were remarkably similar and of good quality. Sindh sired more purebreds than any other horse in Australia at that time, a record he may still hold. Through Sindh alone, Silver Vanity’s influence in Australia will never be outlived.

*Raffles 952 *Raffles 952, foaled in 1926, was imported by Roger Selby in 1932. *Raffles is considered one of the most important stallions

*Raffles, the grand old man himself.

ever to come to the United States. His prepotency was due to the fact that he was inbred, a product of his sire, Skowronek, bred to

Poland, it wasn’t until Lady Wentworth obtained him at the age

his own daughter *Rifala.

of 12 and used him on her Crabbet mares that his breeding

Inbreeding often leads to a loss in size, but it also tends to

reputation was made.

concentrate the best features (and sometimes worse) of an

However, *Raffles didn’t start out as a successful sire. In fact

individual. In *Raffles case, he stood 13.3 hands while his dam

Crabbet Park sold him because he proved sterile. He was still

*Rifala was 13.2. His prepotency to pass on his inbred qualities

sterile five years after arriving at Selby’s. It was Mr. Selby’s stud

made him a highly successful sire.

manager, Jimmy Dean, who is credited for reviving Raffles’s

*Rifala was a daughter of Rissla, a chestnut Crabbet broodmare

fertility at the age of 11, primarily through the use of exercise.

whose success included two sons — the beautiful Irex and the

*Raffles sired horses of beauty, particularly in the head, with

action sire Rissalix and her daughter Risslina (grandam of Abu

overall refinement, good movement (some were brilliant movers),

Farwa). Rissla was double Mesaoud and inherited action from

and very good dispositions. His get were not usually known for

her sire *Berk, who was famous for his outstanding trotting

their size, but many were taller than their sire. Often their one

ability.

drawback was that they tended to lack defined withers.

Skowronek, the sire of *Raffles, was a cornerstone sire of the

*Raffles blood nicked well with many other Arabian bloodlines.

Arabian breed and considered quite prepotent as a sire. Although

However in the United States there were many breeders who

Skowronek was bred by Count Jozef Potocki’s Antoniny Stud in

carried on intensely linebreeding *Raffles. Many times *Raffles

British National Junior Champion and

1990 British National Purebred Ridden

Upon his return in 1981, Ben Rabba’s

Supreme Champion Filly Aureme); the 1984

Champion and Supreme Ridden Champion of

popularity grew, and he acquired a full book

British National Champion Junior Broodmare

the Show. The Ben Rabba daughter Abbah (x

of mares and a strong following of admirers

Silver Aura; the 1985 British National

Azeme Bint Gleam, who was also the dam of

that exists to this day.

Champion Junior Stallion Aurabba (who in

Aureme) was sold to Israel where she was

Ben Rabba’s notable show get in this

turn sired Aukubra, World Champion as a

Israeli National Champion mare before being

country include Benraz (the 1978 Canadian

yearling in Paris, nearly unheard of at that

sold to the United States. I have seen Abbah,

National Top Ten English Pleasure and

age!). The Ben Rabba son Al Maurab has

who resides now in Virginia. She is a

National Champion Side Saddle Horse, 1979

been a multi-ridden champion and was the

gorgeous mare who is sadly not being bred.

U.S. National Top Ten Native Costume and

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ARABIAN HORSE TIMES • MARCH 2000

ARABIAN ARCHIVES: CRABBET SUPER SIRES was put to *Mirage daughters (another Crabbet stallion that was

contribution to the success of the Arabian breed in this

imported by Roger Selby and had enormous influence on the

past century.

breed), and *Mirage to *Raffles daughters, producing some of

As you can now see, the Crabbet lines are still very predominant

the breed’s best quality Arabians.

in pedigrees of today’s champions, usually in the tail female line.

*Raffles blood is still a very positive influence through

These lines successfully passed qualities of Arabian type and

pedigrees to this very day. Several well-established breeding

performance. I hope you can now begin to realize the tremendous

herds such as Al-Marah Arabians, William Munson’s Shalimar

impact and value of the Crabbet Arabian Stud. These Crabbet

Arabians, Dr. Robert Dryden’s Fable Arabians, and many more

Arabians and so many others are the cornerstone of our fine

have intense *Raffles bloodlines. There is also a strong group of

American Arabian heritage. ❑

Azraff/Ferzon breeders carrying on this cross. *Raffles sired 61 sons and 62 daughters, a total of 123 get.

Most of his get had enormous influence in either the show ring or in the breeding barn, and are much too numerous to mention

1. Archer, Pearson, Covey, The Crabbet Arabian Stud, Its History

individually. Some of his best known sons are Geym 2363 (x

and Influence (Irthingborough: Alexander Heriot & Co. Ltd,

Rageyma), a very successful son; Indraff 1575 (x *Indaia), the

1994) page 33.

foundation sire for Al-Marah Arabians; Aarief 3717 (x Aarah), a foundation sire for Lasma Arabians; Rasraff 2365 (x *Rasmina), who did well as a stock horse; Sotep 8385 (x Zareyna), a very popular sire; Rapture 3783 (x Rafla); Handeyraff 3940 (x Hanadina); Azraff 5596 (x *Azja IV), one of his best known sons; and Tut Ankh Amen 3830 (x *Roda).

Some of his best known daughters are Cassandra 3831 (x Rodetta); My Bonnie Nylon 3832 (x Joharah); Rose Marie 4168 (x Rodetta); Aarafa 2872 (x Aarah); Flaia 3378 (x *Indaia); and Scheraffa 3938 (x Scheherazade). *Raffles survived a broken leg in 1949 at the age of 23, and after his recovery, was sold to Alice Payne of Whittier, CA. *Raffles died May 11, 1953 at the age of 27.

I had the privilege of owning the *Raffles granddaughter Mira Raffa, sired by Mraff, a multi-champion park horse son of *Raffles. She was a prolific broodmare, had the bravado bold trot

2. Archer, page 33.

3. Carol Mulder, “The W.K. Kellogg Arabians Horse Ranch Part II, Crabbet Background,” The Crabbet Influence in Arabians Today, January-February 1987: page 13.

4. Jim Panek, “Serafix Remembered,” The Crabbet Influence in Arabians Today, March-April 1986.

5. Arlene Magid, “Serafix: Premier Crabbet Broodmare Sire” The Crabbet Influence in Arabians Today, March-April 1986, and, Arlene Magid, “The Sons of Serafix” The Crabbet Influence in Arabians Today, May-June 1986.

6. Archer, page 187

of her sire, and the beautiful white coloring of her grandsire *Raffles. Her disposition was the trademark of many *Raffles horses, sweet, good natured and easy to handle. She was a comfortable ride and produced several wonderful foals for me. *Raffles, the small, inbred son of Skowronek, made a huge

Side Saddle Horse and 1981 U.S. National

Ten Halter and 1988 Region III Reserve

winners. Ben Rabba has proven himself as a

Champion Native Costume); Courabba (the

Champion Stallion); and his daughter,

sire of multi-talented horses, and his get and

1986 Canadian National Reserve Champion

Rabbiana ( the 1994 Open Western Pleasure

grandget are still accomplishing great feats

Working Cow Horse and Top Ten Stock Horse

winner at the Cow Palace Grand Nationals).

in this country and abroad.

and 1991 and 1993 U.S. Top Ten Working

Not a bad siring record for a backyard

Cow Horse); In Bens Image (the 1992 U.S.

horse!

1. Carol Mulder, “Ben Rabba,” The Crabbet

National Champion Working Cow Horse and

There are many other Ben Rabba get who

Influence In Arabians Today, May-June 1985.

1991 U.S. National Reserve Champion

have accomplished much, including Tevis

Working Cow Horse); Arribba (Scottsdale Top

Cup endurance winners and flat track race

ARABIAN HORSE TIMES • MARCH 2000

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