Stud Profile:

Lyn Marshall has been breeding Arabian horses in New Zealand since the early 1970s, when the focus was on producing good all-round horses who could perform in a variety of disciplines and she still adheres to this philosophy.

Aurora Stud’s first stallion was the chestnut son of Lysander [*Au], Dellmount Phaeton. He was bought as a weanling in 1974 from the late Brian Ross and was bred on Crabbet and colonial lines - he was out of the Sala mare Adrastea [*Au]. He did it all - competitive trail, gymkhanas, races, cattle work, and trekking and camping, and there was also an occasional hunt and endurance ride - he was a real friend and we lost him at only 19 from liver failure.

There are sadly no purebred descendants of Phaeton remaining at the stud, and none from the first purebred mare, Odette [Waimeha Marendo/Odoweni].

We are still focused on quality riding horses and the purchase of principal stallion, the pure Crabbet Somerled son Silver Omen [*Au], in 2006 has proven to be a masterstroke. Omen was used only lightly in Australia, and few breeders would have been aware of the quality of his progeny and their fabulous movement.

His oldest progeny in New Zealand are three-year-olds. These four - comprising a gelding and three fillies - who will be quietly started this season. They include Aurora Raffeah, the pure Crabbet daughter of Fenwick Regenta [*Au, by Fenwick Phantom], who is the elder sister of the two-year-old Reniah and the stud’s new arrival, Rain Man. Named for the wet weather on the day he was born, Rain Man is a bright and inquisitive young colt, full of beans and very friendly.

Our two-year-olds this season include another pure Crabbet filly, Clouded Moon [iiu Au, by Boomori Finale]. We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a pure Crabbet half-sibling, by Silver Omen and out of the beautiful Silver Crescent [*Au, by Overdale Farm Magic Silver]. We’re expecting this baby to be a moving machine as Cressie moves like a dream and Omen’s stock have thrilled us with their quality in this area. The temperaments are also wonderful - just like dad’s. Silver Crescent’s grandsire Somer’s Magic was a full brother to Silver Omen.

In the past couple of years the stud has gradually downsized its mare band to include only the two pure Crabbet mares and two warmblood mares. Our pure holsteiner mare produced a colt by Omen just before Christmas. See a picture in the foal galleries

We are eagerly awaiting the first of Omen’s progeny to go under saddle and go onto ridden careers.

The stud is also looking to the future and is looking to source another sire who will cross well with the stud’s fillies.

And the winner is

Arabian colt’s arrival a winner for reader.

(article first published on Horsetalk.co.nz on November 5, 2010)

One of the most anticipated foals of the season has been born at Southland’s Aurora Stud, which breeds pure Crabbet Arabian horses.

The foal’s arrival was the subject of Horsetalk.co.nz’s “Guess the foaling date” competition, in which readers were invited to predict when pure Crabbet mare Fenwick Regenta would foal. The prize was a Wee-Foal-Checker, kindly donated by Dr Keith Henderson at ImmunoResearch.

Regenta produced a colt foal by Silver Omen at 4.18am on the morning of November 5, winning the competition for Auckland reader Sue Paterson, who posted her entry on Facebook. She predicted on October 21 that Reggie would foal on November 5, at 4.03am.

Thirteen contestants chose the correct day, but Sue’s guess was the closest.

Studmaster Lyn Marshall reports that mum and foal are doing well. The colt has been named “Rain Man” because of the drizzly conditions in which he greeted the world. “This is the first rain in quite a few days - I thought she would have to wait for the cooler weather,” Lyn said early this morning.

“Reggie is the perfect broodmare, she is a great mum and foals easily.” She said Rain Man is bay in colour, with two socks and a stocking. “He has an unusual blaze, which comes from his sire, Silver Omen. We’ve had similar blazes in other progeny.”

Competition winner Sue Paterson said: “I never thought I stood a chance when I entered and it was a very lucky guess!”

Sue, a List 4 dressage judge, has “two very spoilt equines”. She competes in dressage with her grey NZ Sport Horse mare, and enjoys hacking and some low-level jumping “to keep us both sane”. Her other horse is a 31-year-old who has been in the family for 16 years.

“I have not bred any horses myself so far but would like to breed from Connie one day. Her conformation is very good and she has the most fantastic temperament,” Sue says.

Rain Man is the first pure Crabbet colt to be born at the stud, and is thought to be the first to be born in New Zealand since the 1980s. Three other pure Crabbets have been born at Aurora in the past three years, with two being full sisters to Rain Man. His birth brings the total of pure Crabbets at the stud to seven.

Pages from the inaugural issue of Crabbet Arabian World.

Omen’s superb and tractable temperament has been passed on to all his foals, and we are thrilled with what he left for us.

All of his progeny proved easy to start and are good rides. Several are open endurance horses.

They are good-looking but most importantly are built to be riding horses.

When Omen was with his previous owners in Australia he did two 80km heavyweight rides. We also saw some very nice young stock by him. Omen became Aurora’s main sire after he arrived in 2006.

Omen left several purebred and partbred progeny for Aurora.

In mid-2019, Omen was bred to our pure Crabbet mare Silver Crescent (1996-2022) (Overdale Farm Magic Silver x Overdale Farm Rishalanie). Cressie had already had three foals for Aurora, two pure Crabbet mares - Aurora Clouded Moon (2008 by Boomori Finale) and Aurora Southern Star (2011 by Silver Omen) - and the Crabbet-Polish purebred Aurora Midnight Diamond (2013 by Pilot).

Some months later both Omen and Cressie travelled to the North Island to live at Makahiwi Stud. In March 2020, the stud welcomed the colt Makahiwi Silver Comet.

Another pure Crabbet foal by Omen was also born at Makahiwi Stud.

Temperament

One of the qualities that drew us to Omen when we first saw him in Australia was his wonderful nature. Always easy to handle and manage.

When he arrived on the boat from Australia with Fenwick Regenta, Neil was working in Auckland, and at that time it was possible to get close to the horses being shipped and watch them come off the boat. Being a stallion, Omen was the last to be brought out. While he waited his turn his massive whinny rang through the port and had the horse handler very concerned that he had to bring out a rearing, leaping, and poorly behaved stallion. But Omen walked off like the perfect gentleman he was, much to the surprise of the handler.

Omen would also allow other horses to eat his food when he was running with them. When he was paddocked with his son Rain Man, the pair had to be separated as Omen would miss out.

Below, Omen is pictured sharing his dinner with young Alaska at Makahiwi Stud.

Pedigree

Omen has nine crosses through his sire line to the great Polish-bred stallion Skowronek and three through his dam line.

His pedigree has no Greylight or Sindh blood.

When it comes to the great war mare Rodania, Omen has 12 crosses through his damline and eight through his sire line. This must be the reason he was so athletic.

Aurora Stud was established in 1974 by Colin and Lyn Marshall with their Crabbet-Colonial-bred purebred stallion Dellmount Phaeton, who was bred by the late Brian Ross. Phaeton bred some good horses and ponies during his life which was cut short at only 19 from liver failure.

As well as being ridden in a variety of disciplines, Phaeton was bred to many types of mares to produce good performing horses and ponies. He was also used for a time at Rainbow Stud, which is well known for its coloured showjumpers and eventers. (Phaeton’s pedigree: https://www.allbreedpedigree.com/dellmount+phaeton)

In the early days, Lyn also had a purebred Welsh stallion, Chawton Berwyn, who bred some very nice ponies.

The stud also delved into Thoroughbred and Appaloosa breeding for a few years, but in recent years, Lyn concentrated on breeding 100% Crabbet purebred arabians, as well as some high percentage Crabbets and partbreds.

The stud’s first purebred mare was the Waimeha Marendo daughter Odette (out of Odoweni), who was bred by the Wilsons at Mimihau. Odette was in foal to Touch of Magic, and produced a grey filly, Aurora Corina, who was sold on. Odette then had a grey colt by Phaeton, Aurora El Cid, then Aurora Talaria.

Talaria had a career under saddle, competing at horse trials and pony club competitions, and hunting, before we bought her back as an 18-year-old. Sadly, this lovely mare died without leaving any progeny.

One of Phaeton’s best performing sons was Aurora Bullion, an anglo-arab who was an excellent showjumper until an injury forced his retirement at the age of 10. He also won the Station Hack challenge at Riverton, a one-mile race run over two days at the Easter meeting. He was featured on Horsetalk and in Horse and Pony magazine as a model horse when required. He died only a few months short of his 31st birthday, in 2010.

Phaeton was also used by coloured sport horse breeders Rainbow Stud, and several of his “Rainbow” progeny have proven themselves as jumpers.

In 2006, Dellmount Sudani arrived at Aurora from Brian Ross’s Dellmount Stud at the age of 27. His last two foals were bred at Aurora, with Aurora Sudaar sold on as a stud prospect, and Aurora Shirazzamatazz (2006-2021) remaining.

Feeling that the old bloodlines were still the best for conformation and performance, Lyn decided to follow her dream of breeding pure Crabbet arabians.

Pure crabbet breeding

The breeding of Pure Crabbet Arabians in New Zealand made a return in the 2007, with the first progeny on the ground by Silver Omen. He was imported from Australia in May 2006 and bred the stud many great foals with super temperaments and fantastic paces.

Our aim has always been to breed trainable, well-mannered and good-moving riding horses, and Omen has certainly helped us achieve that.

Our first pure Crabbet mare was Fenwick Regenta, who came from Fenwick Stud in Victoria on the same transport as Omen. Rege gave us five foals by Silver Omen, and is now owned by Louise Raymond.

Her first foal for us was Aurora Raffeah, a grey mare who qualified for open endurance in 2015. Next was the chestnut sabino mare Aurora Reniah who after completing several endurance rides in Southland, moved to the Nelson area where she was for a time, the favourite horse of Louise's mother-in-law. Next was the bay Rain Man, a bay with three socks who Lyn selected as her forever horse.

The bay mare Rose of Aurora was next. She was sold to Crabbet breeder Struan Duncan at Makahiwi Stud, where she is now breeding pure Crabbets.

Last but not least was Aurora Rheemah, another grey who has bred two Pure Crabbet progeny. Before breeding, she was started under saddle.

Silver Crescent was the next pure Crabbet mare to come from Australia, arriving in 2007. After a long wait this beautiful pure Crabbet mare finally arrived at Aurora Stud in mid-November, following delays caused by Australia’s equine influenza outbreak.

Silver Crescent was not bred from before her sale but came to us due to foal to Boomori Finale, whom the Swans still own in Australia.

Cressy, as she is known affectionately, boasts the very strong Silver Family line. She does not have any Sindh or Greylight blood.

Her paternal grandsire, Somer’s Magic, is a full brother to Silver Omen.

Cressy was imported in foal to Boomori Finale only about 12 days after arriving at the stud at Gorge Road in Southland, she had a filly, Aurora Clouded Moon. She is now also at Makahiwi Stud. (Silver Crescent’s pedigree: https://www.allbreedpedigree.com/silver+crescent3)

Cressy’s next foal was Aurora Southern Star, by Silver Omen. Star is owned by Adena Middleton who has ridden her up the endurance ranks.

Crabbets are well known as a fabulous outcross to other arabian "types", crossing particularly well with the Polish Arabians. The earliest example of this cross - Skowronek - needs no introduction, and it has also worked well in New Zealand, with a colt born from Silver Crescent born at Aurora - Aurora Midnight Diamond - via frozen semen by the British-based Polish sire Pilot.

Midnight Diamond and Rheemah were started under saddle together; Rheemah has gone on to be a breeding mare with her North Canterbury owner. Midnight Diamond (Dime) has competed in endurance and Competitive Trail with Magda Dunowska in the Manawatu.

Two of Silver Omen’s other progeny out in the endurance field have included the bay gelding Aurora Kassanova (from Woodlau’s Koa) and the grey mare Aurora Naseebah (Dell Nameera) both rising 10 and both owned by Chris King. Naseebah is Chris's forever horse doing trekking and some endurance as well.

Adena Middleton also developed Aurora Kool Kat, Kassanova's full brother, an open endurance horse who is now owned by Emma Watson.

In 2015, we brought the stunning Rasham son Arfaja Rawdon from Australia. From the Silver Somerio mare Arfaja Laurina, Rawdon has the sweetest temperament and is a treasured addition to the stud, with its many Silver Omen daughters. He also adds another cross to Somerled, Silver Omen's sire and the sire of Silver Somerio.

The intention was to breed Rawdon to Omen’s daughters, but circumstances dictated that this was not to be. He is now with Chris and Mary Tylden at Morrinsville.

Jonesy had a great time, riding with open mare Aurora Southern Star (Silver Omen x Silver Crescent) and Adena Middleton.

Jonesy is 3/4 arabian and 1/4 thoroughbred - he’s pictured below as a foal. He is rising seven years old, being born in June, 2016.

.

Subscribe now

Check out those ears!

I *think* the last PC foal born in the SI was Rheemah herself.

Also below are some pics of Rheem as a youngster and with her mum, Fenwick Regenta.

.

Magda wrote: “Two very unexpected trophies arrived in my home today after WATRC AGM "closest to time" and "the fittest horse". I am not fully convinced that Dime deserves the latter but he seemed pleased when I told him.

“Looking forward to the new season!”

From the ESNZ page:

“2023 National Champion Series, celebrating the winners of each ESNZ Endurance category at the 2023 Championships, from the beautiful Brooksdale Station, Springfield.

“The 120km Senior event was a mix of competitiveness and professionalism with new National Champion Adena Middleton and Aurora Southern Star cantering over the line a couple of seconds clear of second place to take the title out looking as fresh at the end as they did in the early hours of the day!

“Adena and Star looked a picture all day and (were) deserving winners of the title after a successful season.”

“The 2022/23 CTR/endurance season finished with WATRC champs on Sunday. Dime felt great and finished 4th on a score of 91, behind some very impressive scores of the first three (including 73 for Anna and Kat!) so a great finish to yet another successful season. Dime has matured into a pretty reliable horse. I love his confidence and independence – he is never spooky and usually gives out steady, relaxed vibes, making him great company for greener horses (there are still some exceptions to that rule lol). The downside of his relaxed attitude to life is that it is still a challenge to convince him to go at speed over the distance, and he strolls rather leisurely at the walk. He is definitely getting better on both fronts, but still room for improvement

“My goal for this season was to give him more experience at a 40-km distance at the intermediate speed and introduce him to an open speed. Between ESNZ-affiliated and non-affiliated clubs, we have done 520 competitive km including 4 x 40 km (he is an intermediate horse now) and 6 x 30 km rides (3 of those at the open speed). He also did two double-ride weekends (30+20 and 40+20). So, ticks for both aims."

“He placed 1st in CTR five times (one of those with no competition though), and came with a score of less than 90 twice (85 and 88) – funny enough only the 85 was a win! He had no vet-outs and only one non-qualifier due to a course error, so not his fault. The plan for the next year is to go higher in distance and introduce him (and myself) to multi-loop rides, probably just 60 km to start with and see where it’ll take us.”

(pics from Magda)

Rose of Aurora and her Inshallah Colorado filly, Makahiwi Lucilla.

We're thrilled to announce that Rose of Aurora (Silver Omen x Fenwick Regenta), owned by Struan Duncan, has foaled a beautiful filly by Inshallah Colorado.

We believe this is Omen's first grandchild in New Zealand.

Both mum and foal (and the owners) are doing well!

We're pleased to have been part of Makahiwi Arabian Stud's pure Crabbet breeding programme.

Rose of Aurora on the way to Makahiwi Arabians in the North Island.

A lot has been happening in the past few months!

Rose on her way north.

Two of our favourite pure Crabbet girls are off to new careers ... in March the grey six-year-old Aurora Southern Star (Silver Omen x Silver Crescent) went off to her new home with endurance rider Adena Middleton. She will join Adena's team, which also includes a son of Silver Omen, the striking chestnut Aurora Kool Kat.

And in April, the lovely Rose of Aurora (Silver Omen x Fenwick Regenta) went off to join the growing Pure Crabbet band with Struan Duncan at Makahiwi Arabians in Taumarunui. It was Rose's first time in a double float and she loaded beautifully and travelled like a dream.

We wish Adena and Struan the very best of times with these mares ... we miss them very much but are pleased they have gone to such great homes.

Aurora Southern Star has headed south to join Adena Middleton's endurance team near Methven.

We had a great time at the Canterbury Club's Mt Torlesse Ride. With a few rider injuries on board, we decided to ride the 20km CTR.

We had a pleasing day, with Lyn and Aurora Raffeah winning the open class, Viktoria and Aurora Rain Man winning the junior section, and Robin and Razz (Aurora Shirazzamatazz) placing third in the novice section.

It was the first time out for both Viktoria and Rain Man, and it was very memorable for Viktoria, an exchange student from Germany.

The scenery was fantastic and Viktoria captured some great GoPro footage during the ride.

ere are Silver Omen's three rising six-year-olds after their first day "out" and back in work. From left, Rain Man (ex Fenwick Regenta), Southern Star (ex Silver Crescent) - both pure Crabbets; and the infamous Kid Rock (aka Sun Dance, ex Hurlingham Rockabella).

They even said hi to their Dad around the block today!

Kass at Mt Arrowsmith earlier this year.

Aurora Kassanova (by Silver Omen) is the fourth by his sire to achieve open endurance status, after Aurora Raffeah, A. Naseebah, and Kass's full brother, A. Kool Kat.

Kass, who along with Naseebah is owned by North Canterbury endurance stalwart Chris King, has also been enjoying trekking and stock horse training, and it is planned for them both to take part in the FEI 1* at Marlborough early this month.

[gallery columns="5" link="file" ids="998,992,990,997,995"]

Naseebah (centre) with Kass at right, up Mt Arrowsmith earlier this year.

Aurora Kool Kat and Adena Middleton.

Aurora Kool Kat attained his open status this season, plus qualified at the nationals to start in FEI rides.

Kat is ridden by Adena Middleton. He is by Silver Omen and is a full brother to Aurora Kassanova.

Both Silver Omen and Aurora Midnight Diamond departed in the early hours of the morning for their trip north to Rangiora, where they will join Arfaja Rawdon and the rest of the Aurora Stud herd.

Adena Middleton visits Aurora Mr Jones, an Anglo-Arabian colt by Silver Omen and from Aurora Indiana (River Oak Colorado).

He's big - being born on June 12 has given him a big head start!

Lyn and Fea at the Mt Somers Ride.

It was a great day out for the Aurora horses at their first ride of the season, with daughters of Silver Omen, Aurora Naseebah and Aurora Raffeah, first and second in the open 40km.

Aurora Shirazzamatazz (Dellmount Sudani) also qualified in her first official ride, over 40km.

Alice and Aurora Kassanova (by Silver Omen) at the Southbridge ride, 14 Aug 2016.