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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