When in April our website (polskiearaby.pl) informed about the import of the stallion FS BENGALI from Germany to Poland (to the Podkarpacie region), we became witnesses of a historical moment on our breeding scene. After more than 70 years from the import of a group of desert Arabians (including Kuhailan Haifi d.b. and Kuhailan Afas d.b.) from Arabia by Bogdan Ziętarski for Prince Roman Sanguszko of Gumniska, once again a private breeder turned to breeding material of the world’s highest league.
This occasion prompted polskiearaby.pl to present the achievements of this stallion, as
well as the successes of his parents.
FS Bengali’s sire – the chestnut KUBINEC (Balaton – Kosmetika/Muscat), born in 1987 – is the wielder of the titles of German and European Champion Stallion, as well as All Nations Cup and World Reserve Champion Stallion. Albeit his age, Kubinec has proven himself a typey and outstanding sire, giving better and better offspring with each year. In ECAHO’s sire rating (as of the 31st of December 2005) he was the only “five star” rated sire in Europe, which included 3 stars for the successes of his progeny both in the show and breeding field.
Above all Kubinec became the sire of many superb mares, who gave birth to offspring with show predispositions. Among his “Western European” progeny were many outstanding sons, known for their prestigious show and breeding achievements, as for example the grey KORONEC (European and All Nations Cup Champion Colt and World Reserve Champion Colt); the grey EL NABILA B (2001 Kreuth Reserve Champion and 2004 Brazilian Champion among others), whose frozen semen has been used for the last two seasons by Janów Podlaski and lately by Michałów Stud; the grey DAVIDOFF (a sport and show champion, as well as the sire of champions in Germany); our title hero – the bay FS BENGALI; or the grey KASEEM (champion of licensed sires in Germany), very closely inbred to his sire. Surprisingly none of them possess the chestnut coat color, but do not worry – this trait can be found in the promising Polish (private bred) Kubinec son – SETNIK 2001 (out of Sieć by Europejczyk), who has successfully been used for a second season at Agricola Farm.
What’s interesting, and what should be taken into consideration when analyzing the potential breeding value of Kubinec, is that all consecutive male ancestors in his pedigree were superb sires: his sire BALATON chestnut, out of Panagia by Aswan, his grandsire MENES bay, out of Metropolia by Priboj, his great-grandsire NABEG light bay, out of Nomenklatura by Naseem, his greatgreat-grandsire (Klemensów-bred) ARAX bay, out of Angara by Wielki Szlem and the founder of this line himself – Breniów’s grey AMURATH SAHIB by Amurath II out of Sahiba by Nana Sahib. Unquestionably an important feature in Kubinec’s pedigree is the fact that on the distaff side he stems directly from Janów’s outstanding mare DZIWA 1922 (Abu Mlech – Zulejma / Kohejlan d.b.), dam of LIMBA (by Bakszysz), but most of all OFIR 1933 by Kuhailan Haifi d.b., TAKI PAN 1937 by Kaszmir, SADYK PASZA 1936 by Lowelas, the stylish NIWKA 1932 by Fetysz and MOKKA 1931 by Flisak (dam of the sire LOTNIK 1938 by Opal), whose progeny (through MOKDIARA 1940 by Hadjar), once numerous, is limited to three mares and fillies in elite breeding today (MELONIA by Batyskaf, MILA 2005 by Ararat and MERCJA 2006 by Salar).
Dziwa’s daughter – the bay LIMBA 1930 by Bakszysz – abducted together with most of Janów Stud in 1939 to Caucasia, became the progenitor, through her daughter KANITEL by Korej and her granddaughter KAPELLA by Priboj, of a rather numerous and valuable dam line in Tersk (within the family of Sahara d.b.). Members of this family included: KLIPSA by Pomeraniec, KASSETA by Salon, KROMKA, KARTINKA, KARINKA and KARIATIDA, KALUGA by Aswan, KASATKA by Sport, KOLUMNA by Moment, KARTA by Arax and her daughter KOSMETIKA by Muscat (dam of Kubinec). This line earned merit in Tersk by producing valuable sires, such as: KUMIR by Mak, KILIMANDŻARO and KLARNET by Aswan, KARNAVAL and KOSMONAUT by Naftalin, KAPRAL by Piesniar, KARAVAN by Naslednik, DRUG by Prizrak and KUBINEC himself – by Balaton.
What’s symptomatic is that the Tersk descendants of the Klemensów-bred ARAX by Amurath Sahib (from the sire line of Bairactar d.b.) gloriously wrote themselves down in the history of Russian and world breeding, creating many superbly sophisticated show representatives, displaying huge beauty and excellent charisma. Not to remain groundless, we can mention the stallions PIESNIAR, NARIADNYJ, NEMAN, MENES, VYMPEL, KAPRAL, AMPER, TOP, GUSAR, BALATON or his own son – KUBINEC himself. While in Polish breeding this sire line developed in a completely different way, giving mainly valuable, and stunningly beautiful mares, whereas his male representatives could be characterized quite often with less sophisticated and often “heavy” type. Why, it is difficult to say. Perhaps in some way the decision of placing Gwarny ahead of Arax (among the sons of Amurath Sahib), is taking its toll; or maybe because the most valuable Polish (Janów-bred) mares were seized in 1939 to Tersk, where they fantastically proved themselves in breeding (for the most part with Aswan and Arax). Either way the sire line of Bairactar d.b. did not stand out in Poland in terms of producing “show progeny”, placing far behind the sire lines of Ibrahim d.b., Saklawi I d.b., Ilderim d.b., Kuhailan Haifi d.b. and Kuhailan Afas d.b., besting only the line of Krzyżyk d.b. and the line of Koheilan Adjuze d.b., marginally present in our breeding.
Polish representatives of this sire line – the descendants of Gwarny – as for example GEDYMIN 1968, ENDOR 1965, POLONUS 1968, ARGO 1976, PASAT 1978 or BALON 1979 displayed immense beauty, although it was not superb. While some of them gained the titles of Champion both in Poland (Argo, Balon) and abroad (Polonus, Pasat), they did not gain wider acclaim in that field. The lease of TALLIN 1978 from Tersk and the creation of the bay stallion WOJSŁAW 1986 (out of Wilejka by El Paso) by Michałów Stud changed this situation slightly. And though Wojsław, another alongside Argo and Balon, Polish National Champion from the line of Bairactar d.b., did not make a show career abroad, being only Swedish Reserve Champion Stallion, his Michałów-bred son – EMANOR 1993 out of Emanacja by Eukaliptus, Polish and US National Champion – can be considered one of the most beautiful Arabian stallions ever bred in Poland. Huge beauty is also displayed by other Polish-born offspring of Wojsław: MONAR, WERBUM and DIAMENT (grandson), however they are on the margin of the breeding reserve.
oday’s condition of the ancient line of Bairactar d.b. does not give much optimism and should rather be the subject of particular worry of modern breeders. What’s sad is that both autonomous sublines (of Gwarny and Arax) found themselves in a blind alley. The sons of Gedymin 1968 (Gwarny – Garstronomia / Marabut), which were DYLEMAT grey, 1974 (out of Doliwa by Comet) and the bay WOROBLIN 1977 (out of Warmia by Comet), ARGO grey, 1976 (Gwarny – Arba by Comet) or the grey FALSYFIKAT 1984 (out of Fantastka by Palas) among others, were eliminated from breeding long ago. Unfortunately, all shows that the grey BALON 1979 (Gwarny – Ballada / Partner) did not manage to leave a class, worthy successor in Polish breeding, as the Michałów-bred KULIG grey, 1991 (out of Kawalkada by Penitent) is not such a stallion. Though among Janów’s youngstock by Balon there are male descendants, we can’t count on it that one of them will grow into a quality sire (though it is not impossible). Unable to leave a class sire was also the German-leased grey PASAT 1978 (by Gwarny out of Parma by Aswan), just like his German son PENTHAGON grey, 1985 (out of Panela by Diem), whose best son, the very valiant at the track TAMIL grey, 1996 (out of Tania by Bandos) made his way only to the private sector. In this situation we might be facing the extinction of the subline of Gwarny on our Polish breeding scene in the near future.
Slightly better (at least on the surface) appears to be the current situation of the subline of Arax in our country, as we have at our disposal a rather numerous lot of not-so-bad stallions. The best known among these are: the bay MONAR 1993 (out of Mitręga by Probat), the grey WERBUM 1995 (out of Werda by Piechur) – both by Wojsław – and the bay DIAMENT 2000 (by Druid out of Decyzja by Pamir). Out of them only Werbum breeds regularly, though on a small scale in the homely Michałów, giving good, robust, pretty daughters and (unfortunately) rather insubstantial sons. The lightly built and delicate Monar has been moved away from breeding for over the last couple of years and nearly all his hitherto progeny is being eliminated from elite breeding. The most beautiful Janów-bred son of Wojsław (after having gelded the bay ERROL out of Eria by Europejczyk), the bay BEDUIN 2002 (out of Bogdanka by Europejczyk) was sold to Scandinavia. The future of the track-brave chestnut SABAT 2002 (son of Wojsław and Sarmacja by Gil) is not yet known. The most handsome son of Druid – Michałów’s Diament – did not get a chance to breed in elite breeding and was offered only to private breeders (similar to other sons of the Derby winner – Janów’s: PENTAGRAM bay, 1999 out of Pętla by Visbaden, EUFEMOS bay, 1999 out of Etra by Pepi, or ELMEN bay, 1999 out of Emu by Arbil). Previously a chance in elite breeding was denied to other – besides Wojsław – interesting, domestic sons of TALLIN 1978 (Nabeg – Tallantlivaia by Aswan) (SU) – WAGRAM bay, 1987 (out of Wendeta by Palas) and WIERSZ bay, 1989 (out of Wiorsta by Banat), who were exported from Poland a long time ago.
In this state of things it will be extremely difficult to create worthy male successors of the line of Arax. That’s why the leases or imports of suitable stallions or their semen can have such huge significance. In the 2006 season Janów Podlaski Stud for the first time (which they are continuing in 2007, together with Michałów Stud) used the frozen semen of the grey EL NABILA B 1996 (bred in Hungary) by Kubinec, by whom – among others – 2 interesting colts were born. El Nabila B is a beautiful and impressive stallion with a long, harmonious neck and ideal body, with an exquisite pedigree to match: exotic on the distaff side and charismatic on the spear side. It is quite possible that this international multichampion – Brazilian National Champion Stallion and Kreuth Reserve Champion among others – will make an attempt at producing quality offspring. Whether he will meet the expectations and hopes of creating a class successor of the Arax line (of Kubinec) in Polish breeding, that we cannot foresee today.
The use of frozen semen (incidental and rather expensive) of a stallion (even of such class as El Nabila B) will never replace the benefits resulting from the direct and long-term access to a certain sire. This is not to be underestimated if we are dealing with a stallion of the class of FS Bengali, a figure similar to few in our Arabian horse State Studs.
Let’s take a look at the domestic breeding scene with regard to Polish-bred sires. What do we see? Unfortunately a rather poor list of chief sires, both with respect to show and breeding class. This list does include EKSTERN grey, by Monogramm – an unbeaten world-class champion, but at the same time a non-standard representative of the Kuhailan Haifi d.b. line, a rather unpredictable sire, for whom it is hard to select “optimal mares”. Despite this, he is currently the most valuable and most classy Polish sire – nearing closer to
the 4 star level. Rather far behind are: the retiring, 22-year-old ELDON grey, by Penitent, the progenitor of the Ilderim d.b. sire line and the younger, though also becoming of age (16-year-old) grey EMIGRANT by Ararat, progenitor of the Saklawi I d.b. line. Even due to their age they are being used less and less and produce smaller and smaller lots of class progeny. All these stallions possess the spectacular titles of Polish National and European Champion Stallion, while Ekstern can also add to his credit the title of World Champion Stallion.
Unfortunately, another titled stallion of Polish breeding, the bay GANGES by Monogramm – Polish National Champion Stallion, All Nations Cup and US Reserve Champion Stallion and in addition a typical representative of the male line of Kuhailan Haifi d.b., has disappointed in breeding so far. A couple good and very good daughters: Wieża Wiatrów, Diaspora, Drzewica, Dobra Nowina (unfortunately deceased), Złota Księga, Złota Wieża and Wróżka; Derby-winner Don Carlos or the exported Fryderyk are too few achievements for such a stallion. On the other hand, the Michałów herd for many reasons may not be optimal for Ganges (as once for Fawor) so his true value should show, in my opinion, on Janów’s mares. Let’s wait with a final evaluation of this horse a couple more years.
Out of the other, older (and titled stallions) not much good can be said about the senior (22-year-old) grey ARARAT by Palas. This stallion (boasting a fantastic pedigree) proved to be a rather passive sire, in my opinion not too creative, though he managed to shine a couple of times. A lot more can be said about the current progenitor of the Krzyżyk d.b. line, the dark bay WACHLARZ by Arbil, who reliably fulfills his duties as chief sire in Polish breeding. The point is that due to the decreasing demand in state breeding for “Polish Kuhailans”, especially from the Krzyżyk d.b. line, this Arbil son (and Banat grandson) is being pushed more and more to the sidelines.
Among the middle-aged stallions (born before 2000) definitely shines PIAFF grey, by Eldon – Polish National Champion Colt and Stallion, who I would however define as the best “Kuhailan among the Saklavi”, which he confirms by generally giving (with some exceptions – vide Alert) more typical Kuhailan progeny (Agusta, Miły Pan, Warejka, Zadżal). Without a doubt a total disappointment in breeding so far is GRAFIK grey, numerous Polish National Reserve Champion Stallion and it would seem – the successor of Eukaliptus – presenting himself rather well at international shows. Then the classy and potential-full HARBIN grey, by Eukaliptus is underrated by the most important Polish breeders, so obviously he has a small chance of showing his value. Practically totally left out of the official breeding program was the dark bay WIEK by Arbil – a classic and strong Kuhailan from the Krzyżyk d.b. line, at the same time a close relative (on the distaff side) of the famous Wiking. The only current descendant of the male line of Kuhailan Afas d.b. (and son of Pamir) is the grey PIBER, who is not a favorite of state breeders. He had to wait quite long for his enlistment to the elite stud (Michałów Stud), where he was used rather warily (with good results) in 2004 and 2006, after which he made his way to the breeding reserve. The same can be said about the bay EL VIS by Visbaden (SU) – the only (in state breeding) representative of the valuable line of Koheilan Adjuze d.b. An unknown (he has not been breeding long enough) is the grey
GASPAR by Emigrant – another Polish National Champion, however it doesn’t seem that he will become a huge revelation in our breeding. Lukewarm feelings are stirred by the bay ASLAN by Eukaliptus – Polish National Reserve Champion Colt, who within a Kuhailan package is to represent the Saklavi line of his male ancestors. WERBUM grey, by Wojsław, has proved himself only partly at Michałów – giving barely good and promising daughters. His half-brother, the light bay MONAR by Wojsław, has been withdrawn from breeding almost entirely – it is difficult to say why, as his progeny did not stray too far from the average type in our country.
Among the youngest generation of domestic sires there is truly only one horse –the grey POGANIN by Laheeb (IL), giving Saklavi progeny, which perhaps was not fully visible at this year’s Junior Spring Show in Białka. His 3/4 brother – PERSEUSZ by Laheeb, although weaker, cannot be denied class and sire reliability. In my opinion, ECAHO’s suuccessor – the grey SALAR 1999 – had a rather good debut in Białka – even though Białka’s current herd is not an authoritative material of anyone’s sire value. Soon after his debut at Michałów Stud the very valuable ESCULAP grey, by Primo (SE) – Polish National Champion Colt, representative of the Engano subline (descendant of the superb Engracja), owner of a great movement, made his way to the breeding reserve. This fact is totally incomprehensible, but shows a rather sad manner of our breeders of narrowing down the genetic pool (of the entire herd, as well as of individual sire and dam lines). A very underrated sire on our elite scene is the
promising bay ESTURION by Wachlarz – probably the most pure and classic (besides Wiek) representative of the Kuhailan line and sire line of Krzyżyk d.b. It’s a pity that after two symbolic breeding seasons at Janów Podlaski Stud this sire found his way to the breeding reserve, as all would advise to use him in the Polish breeding program. Also rather passively used (so far) was the chestnut SARACEN – son of Monarch AH (US) and Sarmacja by Gil, a stallion with a splendid racing pedigree, who should be tried at all three State Arabian horse Studs and not only in one – at Janów. Among the youngest generation of domestic sires we should follow Janów’s EOL bay, 2003 by Gazal Al Shaqab out of Eutona by Etogram and of course his Michałów half-brother – the bay DRABANT 2003 out of Demona by Monogramm, who at the last minute was incorporated into the elite “chief” sires for 2007. Here a huge surprise proved to be the son of Gazal, the bay ERYKS 2003 out of Emmona by Monogramm, who was also a “last minute” and surprising addition to the chief sires list.
And this is how – in a nutshell – the modern breeding scene in regard to chief sires looks like, with a lack of sires of Kuhailan origin, color-coated horses (albeit the group of youngest sires) and true class stallions – not only proven by achievements gained in the show rings, but also in the breeding barn.
And in such moment an incredibly active and competitive breeder from the Podkarpacie region – Czesław Witko (previously the importer of the US stallions HF Ontario and Prince Vayu) – purchases from Germany the excellent and titled (4 star) FS BENGALI bay, 1994. The import of a sire of this class to domestic breeding by a private breeder is an event of immense size, as this stallion has all it takes to significantly enrich the domestic breeding scene and restore the diminishing greatness of the sire line of Bairactar d.b., which thanks to Kubinec enjoys its renaissance in breeding barns across Europe and the Middle East today.
FS Bengali – bred in Germany by the well-known show trainer Frank Spoenle – the son of Om El Sanadiva (US-bred, European multichampion, including All Nations Cup & World Champion) is without a doubt quite a figure among the Arabian horse world. Already in the junior category he gained the titles of German, All Nations Cup and World (in 1997) Reserve Champion. In 2000 in the senior category he grabbed the title of German Champion and in 2003 the prestigious title of US National Champion Stallion, where in the finals he bested Michałów’s Ganges among others. His refined type and beauty ideally blends with the characteristics and quality of the line of Arax, who produced such individuals as NABEG, PIESNIAR, NARIADNYJ, MENES, MUSTANG, MAGDAN, NEMAN, PELENG, PRINCIP, GUSAR, VYMPEL, AMPER, TOP, TALLIN, KAPRAL, BALATON, KUBINEC, KORONEC and (in Poland) WOJSŁAW, EMANOR or BEDUIN. The majority of these were bay, robust and beautiful, with a very good and sometimes even phenomenal movement. For the most part all of them could boast quality progeny, especially invaluable daughters. In addition to that the sire line of Arax had the superb ability to create splendid stallions in every generation. FS Bengali is that kind of example and the sixth generation, counting from the legendary Amurath Sahib (through Arax – Nabeg – Menes – Balaton and Kubinec). What’s characteristic is that FS Bengali already proved himself with a group of splendid sons, out of which the best turned out to be the bay AJA SANGALI out of Bey Santeyna by Simeon Sanagor (from the line of El Shaklan), in whose pedigree can also be found the Michałów-bred black FORTEL (Como – Forta/Kuhailan Abu Urkub). This colt fantastically wrote himself down in the history of world shows, gaining as a yearling the three most important titles: All Nations Cup, European and World Champion, joining the very small and elite group of “Triple-Crowned” horses. These prestigious successes effected in his migration (even prior to the success in Paris) to Saudi Arabia, where he became a valued sire (his progeny includes: MOUTAZ AL BIWABIYA, LANA AL KHALIDIAH, ALLIYA and NASHWAT AL KHALIDIAH). Not worse from Aja Sangali turned out to be his own brother – AJA SANAGOR (multichampion, including UK Champion and Supreme Champion) or AJA SVENGALI – UK Champion Colt among other titles.
This resulted in FS Bengali being listed in the ECAHO Star rank as one of seven sires evaluated over 300 points for his own achievements and one of five, who gained four stars for their own achievements as well as their progeny’s.
This particular ability of creating quality sons by FS Bengali is a very favorable trait in the rebirth of the sire line of Bairactar d.b. on our breeding scene. The bay coat color is also a strong asset in our situation, where we lack non-grey sires. Apart from that, FS Bengali, as a classic representative of the “ancient Amurath line”, has the attributes to achieve significant breeding effectiveness. The import of FS Bengali in April of 2007 to Poland is almost symbolic, as at that time Wojsław passed away on US soil the age of 27. With that a changing of the guard on the position of the progenitor of the Bairactar d.b. sire line in Poland was done.
Analyzing the value and class of FS Bengali, there should be no doubt that this stallion has what it takes to get the job done.
