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From
our Arieana Notebook: Rahas has become for us the word synonymous
with the sire line for our breeding program here at Arieana Arabians. Linebreeding on this stallion
through his sons Roabrah, Tahas,
Rahmoun, and
Rabiyas, along with his
daughter Wadi-Sirhan (see her son Zarouf), the Rahas influence permeates throughout our
pedigrees, and it is with great pride and joy that we present his page on our
website.
Purchased by William Randolph Hearst in 1935 from William Robinson
Brown during the dispersal of Brown's celebrated Maynesboro Stud, Rahas became one
of the leading sires of the Hearst Family breeding program at their ranch in San Simeon,
California. Rahas was admired both for his gentle disposition
and for his ability to sire foals with exceptionally
high action. Gladys Brown Edwards in her book The Arabian: War Horse
to Show Horse mentions that Rahas was described by W.R.
Brown in the Maynesboro dispersal catalogue thusly: "A proven sire of big, able,
well-built foals. Ride and drive. I kept this stallion as superior to
Champion Bazleyd."
Gladys Brown Edwards goes on to describe Rahas "...as standing 15 hands and
weighing 1,000 pounds. He was a good saddle horse, and a characteristic
of his get is a fast flat-footed walk with lots of impulse." (p.
232)
Also in our Notebook is mention that Rahas was of a
very calm nature, not flighty or nervous, and naturally gaited. We quote Richard Skinner, Manager of the Hearst
Ranch, as saying (in quite a disgusted tone of voice): "We could be
sure that every time Rahas entered the show ring, he was sure to gait and get the gate."
What a pity that such a soft
and easy riding gait is not recognized in the Arabian Show Ring.
~Suzi Morris
(Revised
and updated 01/20/06)
Bibliography:
Edwards, Gladys Brown, The Arabian War Horse to Show Horse,
Arabian Horse Trust, Denver, Colorado. 1980. p. 231-233.
Hearst, Jr., Mrs. William Randolph, "Chapter 11/The
Arabians," The Horses of San Simeon, San Simeon Press, San Simeon,
California. 1985. pp. 180-201.
Personal communication with Richard Skinner, San Simeon, California. November, 1983.
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Rahas 