Famous international champion FS Bengali (Kubinec – Om El Sanadiva/El Shaklan) since April 2007 is owned by Polish breeder! Toady the horse arrived at his new owner’s stables – at Kielnarowa Stud in Southern Poland. This is another (after Ontario HF and MVA Prince Vayu from the US) foreign importation made by Czesław Witko – but the first one of such a value that could turn the eyes of international breeders on Polish private studs.
The list of FS Bengali’s successes as well as his story are very interesting. The stallion was the first foal to be bred by famous German showtrainer Frank Spoenle, one of the top handlers in the world. Frank’s first step into breeding was also a successful one. Though his opinion about Arabian horses selection can be controversial:
– I like a good horse who has a really pretty face. If they don’t have a pretty face, I don’t have them. They are not Arabians for me – he said.
The idea of breeding FS Bengali was to breed the best to the best – a champion to a champion. It was Frank who recognized the potential of both Bengali’s parents, promoted them, and created something special. The future dam – leased by Frank Spoenle Om El Sanadiva (Sanadik El Shaklan – De La Reina by Kaiyoum), that combines the Egyptian, Spanish and American blood was the Euro-Master Fontainebleau Champion as well as All Nations Cup and World Champion in Paris shown by Frank. He repeated this in Paris a year later with the spectacular Kubinec (Balaton – Kosmetika by Muscat), the future Bengali’s sire – descending from Polish stallion Arax and the mare Limba (on dam’s side). This son of famous Tersk-bred Balaton and one of the most beautiful Muscat’s daughters – Kosmetika, today one of the breed’s superstar, was then at the beginning of his illustrious career. Afterwards Kubinec won virtually everything you can win in Europe (German Nationals, European and World Championships, All Nations Cup Reserve). FS Bengali was the first foal of Om El Sanadiva, being on lease from Ralf Heckenbücker and his family. The foal born of this combination easily exceeded the highest hopes set for him. A winner from an early age, he collected ribbons for himself and his breeder throughout Europe – beginning with the gold medal for the best stallion at the German stallion registration show, through the Champion titles of international Platin Cup at Kreuth, German Nationals, twice All Nations Cup Reserve and Reserve World Champion.
– When Bengali was only two years old, tempting offers were made for him from America – reminds Frank. – A partnership of owners was formed by Marion Hönig, Steffen Rak, Malcolm and Jane Hickford, and Sabine Widmayer.
In 2001 Bengali is returning to Britain and in late 2001 goes to the U.S. for the next two years to stand at Michael Byatt’s.
– But America is a different country, where the emphasis was on other things. In the past, Americans sometimes had different ideas on how an Arabian horse was supposed to look. The classic type, the small, fine head and other qualities so important in Europe, were often overlooked in favor of necks and toplines – Frank comments. Though the plan was as simple as it was audacious: Bengali was to compete against the best stallions in America. Just after few months in February 2002 Bengali became Scottsdale Senior Champion Stallion – that was just the preludium for US National Champion title – the first won by a German bred and owned stallion (FS Bengali has beaten Polish bred and owned Ganges at this championships). His US trainer and handler Michael Byatt commented: “I have seen many great stallions of our breed through the years, and from the first moment I saw Bengali, I knew he was one of the greats.“
In the meantime Om El Sanadiva’s owners kept covering the mare to Kubinec. Bengali’s full siblings have also been highly successful. His one year younger full sister Bay Diva won several international championships as a yearling, topping her career with the titles of German National Reserve Champion and European Champion. Bint Sanadiva won the International Championship of Denmark and won her class at the Nations Cup at Aachen. Bay Dream is proving himself as a breeding stallion in England and has already sired winning offspring there. Sweet Sanadiva is National Champion of Germany, also a premium mare, and was Top Five at the Nations Cup, the European and World Championships. Shakaar Ibn Sanadiva won several titles, including Reserve National Champion of Germany. With such a wealth of successful offspring, it is not surprising that the German registry awarded Om el Sanadiva the “Elite Mare” title. All her foals except Bengali have been bred and are owned by Ralf Heckenbücker and his family, who bought Sanadiva in 1991 as a yearling in America.
FS Bengali’s progeny is in the most of the European countries as well as in US now. His son – Aja Sangali (out of Bey Santeyna), bred by Malcolm Hickford, in 2000 became Triplecrowned yearling colt and his sale to HRH Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia shows the interest in his sire from abroad. His full brother – Aja Sanagor as a yearling became international winner at Wels and Towerlands, Reserve Champion of German Elite, as well as Merrist Wood champion, El Ran Cup Reserve, British Reserve Senior Champion Stallion and Supreme Champion. He won German Elite at last as well. Between 2005 and 2006 he was finally sold to Kuwait.
Aja Svengali (out of G Estarreja) in 2001 was Junior Champion Stallion and Overall at HoCon, Towerlands. A year after he won North West championships and became UK Junior Champion Stallion.
– Bengali is very special to me. He was my first foal, and even now, many years and horses later, he remains by far the best horse I have ever bred – points Frank Spoenle.
The transaction with Czesław Witko was made recently, quickly, effectively and – quite rapidly.
– I would like to thank Frank Spoenle for the negotiations that were so effective. Everything was so nice and easy – says the proud new owner of FS Bengali.
FS Bengali is one of the most titled sires in Poland currently, he is also a great chance for using the famous, proven stallion of such a value representing Bairactar db. sire line.
For 2007 Bengali is standing at Kielnarowa Stud and his fresh semen is offered for outside mares. As the 2007 breeding season in Poland is nearly to be closed if the breeding would be unsuccessful the semen costs will be paid back to the mare’s owner.
Contact: www.kielnarowa.com
