Aurora Stud - the beginnings
(This is an edited version of an article published in the 2017 NZ Arabian Horse Society Yearbook)
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.
Arfaja Rawdon is now with Chris and Mary Tylden at Morrinsville.