VICTOR HUGO (*Raffles x Gazyya) Photo: Don Davy
*Raffles’ Influence on Canadian Breeding *Raffles get whose progeny are registered in the CAHR, along with the number of progeny, listed in order of their offsprings’ arrival in Canada.
Rasraff (2), Ruffles (6), Hanraff (9), Shayk (1), Aaraf (3), Indraff (10), Tut Ankh Amen (12), Riffles (1), Rafarah (1), Rapture (7), Imaraff (6), Mraff (2), Rifraff (5), Daraff (2), Raffda (1), Hamdan (1), Raffira (1), Azraff (17), Raffranzah (1), Rafeyma (1), Handeyraff (6), Geym (5), Sotep (11), Bamby (4), Rafden (3), Kubriya (7),Indy (3), Aarief (3), Rafla (1), Raffi (1), Wasl Raffles (5), Gida (1), Farraff (1), Garaff (5), Rafaia (1), Rose Marie (1), Charaff (1), Rafferty (6), Rafleyma (1), Raffey (1), Mysteraffles (1), & Rafgida (1). Author’s Note: Not all of the above horses or their offspring are mentioned in the article as it would take a book, but I’ve touched on a few that I hope will pique the interest of readers. Stallions in bold are listed below in alphabetical order. - Jean E.
neck, and the same balanced stance and lofty action. Once seen, word spread rapidly; nearly everyone wanted his get; those that owned his get have allowed the rest of us to be touched by his magic.
*Raffles Legacy in Canada
It didn’t take Canadians long to pick up on the *Raffles vibes emanating from below the border. They quickly learned that these horses were multi-talented, strong and oh so pretty! The *Raffles sweep across Canada was accomplished through one prominent son, Victor Hugo , and through the get of other *Raffles sons and daughters. In his grand-get began trickling in, and in Victor Hugo was delivered by crate via rail from California. They covered all provinces from BC to the Maritimes, and many of their owners played an enormous part in the Canadian Arabian Horse Association, established in (now the Canadian Arabian Horse Registry [CAHR]). George Iverson of Prince, Saskatchewan played an important role in the early importation of bloodstock to Canada. Starting in he imported Kashira (*Nuri Pasha x Korein) and Khivane (*Sunshine x Tebuk) from Albert W. Harris of Chicago, Illinois, a pioneer breeder who got his first Arabian in . Starting in these mares produced fillies year after year, sired by Sibari (Babyat x Ur). When bred to *Raffles-related stallions, their progeny laid the foundation for the spread of *Raffles genes in Canada. In Iverson imported Bitraff (Rasraff x Bitwa), a weanling colt bred by John & Alice Payne of Chino, California. Bitraff had the honour of being the first *Raffles grandson to be registered with CAHR. He grew into a strong, well-built ranch horse and, when bred to some of the above mares, he gave people in the west a great start in Arabians. Well-known sons of Bitraff include Red Blaze (Khivane), a
AARAF (Aarah) was bred by Blanche Tormohlen, Portland, IN, as was AANDRAFA #90 (Aandra) 1951 M owned by Max H. Campbell of Toronto, ON. Her first foal was champion RAFARIN (Naharin), purchased by W. P. Harrison, St. Clair Arabian Horse Farm, Locust Hill, ON. The progeny of Aandrafa carry the farm prefixes Aramere, Neden and Arabi. Aaraf’s son AAFDUR #102 (Aadura [by Indraff]) 1951 St, also Tormohlen bred, was raised as an orphan by owner Mrs. Adela Kasper of Assiniboa, SK. He was special, being double *Raffles, but due to being geographically isolated left only 3 purebred mares. Two of these went to George & Philip Kaiser of Pyramid Arabians, Hussar, AB, owners of the stallion Tsatyn (Tsali x Nehessa) 31.25 % *Raffles. Aafdur’s last owner was Irvine W. Bishop of Verwood, SK. AARIEF (Aarah) bred by Blanche Tormohlen. Sire of LASMA STAR 1965 U.S. Nat. Ch. Eng. Pl. His son THE REAL McCOY (Fersara), was just that; with over 400 get his name decorates national show pedigrees time after time. Son AUTHENTICITY and owner-rider the late Jack Teague were frequent Nat. champions in Stock Horse & Working Cow Horse classes. In Canada RIEF #5604 (Aarief x Bint Holoo) 1956 St bred by Lasma Arabian Stud, AZ was already 18 when attained in 1974 by R. W. & Myrtle Thuler of Aldergrove, BC. AAYA #573 (Nejd Beneya), Lasma-bred 1957 mare, sold in 1959 to Ann Simmons, Scarborough, ON. Her progeny carry the prefixes Aramere, Neden & Willoral. She had 13 foals.
BITRAFF (Rasraff x Bitwa) Photo: Don Davy AZRAFF (*Raffles x *Azja IV) AZRAFF (*Azja IV) was bred by Mr. & Mrs. A.J. Boyt of Altoona, IA. Garth Buchanan of Story City, IA acquired Azraff in 1949; Azraff made her Comar Arabians one of the most sought after breeding establishments in the US, siring over 500 get. He was honoured as a “Living Legend” at the 1970 US Nationals. This amazing stallion, but for Indraff, would be the leading *Raffles son in National pedigrees. Here are his champions: COMAR BAY BEAU 1968 Can. Nat. Ch. Stallion, GALIZON 1969 Continued on page 54...
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