Waiuku, Auckland, New Zealand

 After the Crous family immigrating to New Zealand from South Africa a few years ago and established a horse stud in the Land of the Long White Cloud, Rhodium Arabians has expanded exponentially in a very short period of time. The initial property at Whitford soon became too small and the Isola Equestrian Centre in Waiuku was subsequently purchased. Owner Fanus Crous is a retired geo-scientist but is still involved with numerous other business ventures all over the world. Stud Manager Hugh Kelly hails from Ireland and keeps a tight reign on Rhodium’s day-to-day affairs, whereas Jessica Main, a Massey University graduate very competently fills the position of Events- and Training Manager. Both Fanus and Ria’s children, Sharné and Arno are devoted horse enthusiasts and ardent riders.

Rhodium Arabians specializes in the breeding of Straight Egyptian (SE) Arabian horses and is a life member of the Pyramid Society and the World Arabian Horse Organisation (WAHO). Global Arabian horse bloodlines and strains were carefully researched prior to making any acquisitions, with the intention to adopt a very scientific and dynamic approach throughout.

Rhodium’s three principal stallions at present are Rajah KA (Makhnificent KA x Rahimah KA by RA Jahim), Simeon Saraaf (Anaza Bay Shahh x Simeon Setavi) and Simeon Shatul (Asfour x Wed Albadeia). Another exciting addition to the Rhodium breeding program is the acquisition of the 14-year old SE stallion, Royal Phariel (Royal Jalliel x Royal Pharriel by Nabiel). Phariel boasts a double Pharrah in his pedigree and was bought in partnership with HN Rifat Arabians in Australia. . In addition, frozen semen of two well-known stallions in Europe, DF Malik Jamill (Hafid Jamil x Amouva) and the Ansata Halim Shah grandson, Radames II (Salaa El Dine x Ansata Rebecca) were purchased from Birkhof Stud in Germany, as well as two breedings to the Belgium stallion Shahim Al Nakeeb (NK Hafid Jamil x Shameerah by MFA Mareekh Amir) and will be used on selected mares this forthcoming season.

During the Egyptian Event in Lexington, Kentucky, two EBC breedings were purchased to the US stallion Ansata Nile Prince (Ansata Malik Shah x MB Adallah by Imperial Madheen) and Etaya Amaar (Ansata Iemhotep x Abitibi Fleur) from Canada. The SE mares Mouna IASB (Malik x Malika by Fikri) and WF Eternal Flame (El Halimaar x WF Sapphyre by Anaza El Nizr) will be bred to these stallions respectively.  WF Eternal Flame was specifically purchased for breedings in the USA and will remain there for quite some time. Mouna IASB was the 1993 Israeli reserve National Champion mare and is on lease to Rhodium.

The 17 existing mares and fillies, together with future imports from abroad will constitute the foundation and nucleus of Rhodium’s breeding program. The growing number of geldings is primarily utilized for riding purposes and some are earmarked for the endurance discipline. Three SE mares were imported from Rothenberg Stud in Germany. The very exotic Nasha Bint Shadwan (Classic Shadwan x Nejdschah by Malik El Nil) forms an integral part of the breeding program. The two black German SE mares GR Marja (Prince Shetan x Malinah) and GR Maraya (Madallan-Madheen x Maria Halima by Haziz Halim) were acquired specifically to initiate a black SE breeding program on a boutique scale, in tandem with the mainstream breeding agenda. Three young fillies were recently imported from the USA. Two of the latter, Hu Shameer (Hu Shameer x WF Fyre Storm) and Hu Alimaana (Hu Shaikh Ali x Hu Dalimaana) are part of the future black SE program, whilst the grey import Aishah Azimah (Makhnificent KA x Myjuel El Jahaara) will eventually also join the broodmare band after a stint in the show ring. The MB Mayal (El Halimaar x Imperial Maysamma by Imperial Madheen) daughter Loubna (MB Mayal x Dowling Enayat by Akid Geshan) is presently in foal to the US-imported stallion Sundance KA (Marquis I x KA Namirah).

Four foals were born for Rhodium this past season. The SE mare Nora (Akid Geshan x AP Devotion) foaled a beautiful grey filly RNZ Halite, sired by Halimas Desert Jamill (Royal Jamill +US x Joda Desert Temptation by Desert Shaikh), whereas Tallelee Mahrousha has produced a stunning colt, RNZ Bornite to the Australian stallion Baarafic (Imperial Baarez x Azaamah by Tammen). A chestnut filly, RNZ Amethyst (Asfour x Simeon Shashua) was the first to be born for Rhodium in 2007.

Each year Rhodium competes in selected Arabian shows but the main emphasis will be focussed on the breeding of world-class Straight Egyptian Arabian horses.