Bengaldesh

photo: Gudrun Waiditschka

The bay gelding Bengaldesh, born in 1998 and bred by Jutta Hell of Gestüt Erlau in Germany, represented a carefully considered blend of beauty, athletic ability, and distinguished bloodlines. Breeder Jutta Hell, known for presenting Arabian stallions such as Sascha and Achmed in public dressage demonstrations, established a reputation for combining classical Arabian type with genuine athletic performance. Her breeding program at Gestüt Erlau reflects this philosophy, producing horses succeeding in sport disciplines such as endurance and dressage.
Bengaldesh was sired by FS Bengali, a bay stallion whose name became synonymous with international success in both Europe and the United States. Bred in Germany, FS Bengali (Kubinec x Om El Sanadiva) became a global ambassador for the German breeding program. In Europe, he earned such titles as All Nations Cup Reserve Champion Colt, Platin Cup Champion, 1997 World Reserve Champion Colt, and German National Champion Stallion. His achievements was topped when he became 2003 U.S. National Champion Stallion, the first German-bred stallion ever to earn this title. His sire, the Russian bred stallion Kubinec was a legend and an excellent sire with an impressive halter show record.
The dam of Bengaldesh, Nena (born 1986), adds more Russian blood to his pedigree. She was sired by Neman, one of the last sons of the great Nabeg, thereby carrying forward the heritage of the renowned Russian performance line known for stamina and substance. Neman’s progeny were notable for their athletic aptitude, particularly in dressage and endurance, fields in which his offspring demonstrated both trainability and soundness. Bengaldesh himself reflected these qualities, accumulating 5,724 competition kilometers by 2010.
Nena’s dam, Nevada, was a chestnut mare born at Tersk Stud in 1970, representing one of the most historically significant combinations of Egyptian and Russian bloodlines. Her sire, the Egyptian-bred Aswan (originally Raafat), was gifted to the Soviet Union in 1963 in gratitude for assistance in constructing the Aswan Dam.
Nevada’s influence extended through her daughter Neschi, and subsequently through the mares Nenija, Nascha, and Menascha, forming a maternal dynasty recognized as one of Germany’s most successful. Notably, four generations—Nevada, Neschi, Nascha, and Menascha—were each awarded the German Elite Mare title, underscoring the line’s sustained excellence in both conformation and production. Menascha, in turn, became dam of Essteema, the first female European Triple Crown winner, cementing the family’s international reputation for exceptional breeding quality.
While Bengaldesh’s career was centered on endurance and athletic pursuits rather than the show ring, his record speaks to the enduring value of balanced Arabian breeding. His lifetime mileage achievement of over 5,700 kilometers reflects not only physical soundness and stamina but also the willing temperament and resilience for which Arabians are celebrated.