Bel Aresuh
December 28, 2025, Photo © Aline Sagrabelny
Bel Aresuh
Foaled in 2004, the grey mare Bel Aresuh represents a thoughtfully constructed blend of elite Straight Egyptian lineage and proven Russian performance bloodlines. Bred by Karin Merkel of Beluga Arabians, Germany, was sired by Straight Egyptian stallion GR Amaretto (1999–2017).
GR Amaretto was a son of Classic Shadwan, himself by Alidaar, a Russell and Mildred Jameson–bred grandson of the legendary Morafic, with Morafic appearing again on the dam line. Alidaar’s granddam, Magidaa, was a chestnut mare born in Egypt and later exported to the United States, where she became admired for her classic Egyptian type and presence. Classic Shadwan’s dam, Shagia Bint Shadwan, was also Egyptian-born and later exported to Germany, further reinforcing the authenticity of this Straight Egyptian lineage.
GR Amaretto’s dam, Halims Asmara, was by Ansata Halim Shah and born in the United States before being exported to Germany. There she became one of the foundation mares at Rothenberg Stud, owned by the Escher family. Halims Asmara was a prolific and influential producer, foaling fifteen times, among them GR Amaretto and his full sister GR Amaretta. Her dam, Lancers Asmara, was a mare of international renown: a US National Top Ten Mare and twice World Reserve Champion Mare. Her exceptional quality was underscored by her sale price of $150,000 at Donald Ford’s 1980 dispersal sale, where she was purchased by Tom Chauncey.
GR Amaretto himself enjoyed an impressive and sustained show career. In Germany and across Europe, he became a multi-champion stallion, earning titles including German National Reserve Champion Colt in 2001 and later German National Champion Stallion in 2009 as a senior. At the annual German stallion licensing, he was awarded the golden ribbon by the German Arabian Horse Association, a mark of exceptional quality and approval. As a breeding stallion, he was used extensively at Rothenberg Stud and by outside breeders. Later in life, he was exported to Iran, where he established a distinct and influential dynasty before passing away in 2017.
Bel Aresuh’s dam, Maddelena, was a multi-champion mare of the 1990s. She was by the Salon son Moment, a Straight Russian stallion who served as chief sire at Tersk Stud in Russia. Moment’s career and genetic influence were exceptional: he sired six stakes winners and three stakes-placed horses, including Anchar, himself later chief sire at Krenovoe Stud and sire of stakes winners such as Drap, who was imported to the United States. Moment was also the full brother to Muscat, the flashy chestnut US, Canadian, and Scottsdale Champion stallion.
Maddelena’s dam, Giselle was by Kem Safir, registered in Canada as BR Safir, a stallion bred in Germany and imported to Canada in 1972 by Stephen Bonovich. Giselle’s maternal line traces back to Habina, the Canadian National Reserve Champion Mare, whose legacy was further strengthened through her daughter Aethena by The Real McCoy. Habina and Aethena were widely regarded as the “queens of Lasma,” a testament to their lasting influence and quality.
As a broodmare, Bel Aresuh has produced four foals Beluga Arabians, registered in the German Studbook, from which her Shanghai EA son Bel Adeed stands out: Performance tested, he was awarded Senior Male Bronze Champion at the German National Championships in 2024.
GR Amaretto was a son of Classic Shadwan, himself by Alidaar, a Russell and Mildred Jameson–bred grandson of the legendary Morafic, with Morafic appearing again on the dam line. Alidaar’s granddam, Magidaa, was a chestnut mare born in Egypt and later exported to the United States, where she became admired for her classic Egyptian type and presence. Classic Shadwan’s dam, Shagia Bint Shadwan, was also Egyptian-born and later exported to Germany, further reinforcing the authenticity of this Straight Egyptian lineage.
GR Amaretto’s dam, Halims Asmara, was by Ansata Halim Shah and born in the United States before being exported to Germany. There she became one of the foundation mares at Rothenberg Stud, owned by the Escher family. Halims Asmara was a prolific and influential producer, foaling fifteen times, among them GR Amaretto and his full sister GR Amaretta. Her dam, Lancers Asmara, was a mare of international renown: a US National Top Ten Mare and twice World Reserve Champion Mare. Her exceptional quality was underscored by her sale price of $150,000 at Donald Ford’s 1980 dispersal sale, where she was purchased by Tom Chauncey.
GR Amaretto himself enjoyed an impressive and sustained show career. In Germany and across Europe, he became a multi-champion stallion, earning titles including German National Reserve Champion Colt in 2001 and later German National Champion Stallion in 2009 as a senior. At the annual German stallion licensing, he was awarded the golden ribbon by the German Arabian Horse Association, a mark of exceptional quality and approval. As a breeding stallion, he was used extensively at Rothenberg Stud and by outside breeders. Later in life, he was exported to Iran, where he established a distinct and influential dynasty before passing away in 2017.
Bel Aresuh’s dam, Maddelena, was a multi-champion mare of the 1990s. She was by the Salon son Moment, a Straight Russian stallion who served as chief sire at Tersk Stud in Russia. Moment’s career and genetic influence were exceptional: he sired six stakes winners and three stakes-placed horses, including Anchar, himself later chief sire at Krenovoe Stud and sire of stakes winners such as Drap, who was imported to the United States. Moment was also the full brother to Muscat, the flashy chestnut US, Canadian, and Scottsdale Champion stallion.
Maddelena’s dam, Giselle was by Kem Safir, registered in Canada as BR Safir, a stallion bred in Germany and imported to Canada in 1972 by Stephen Bonovich. Giselle’s maternal line traces back to Habina, the Canadian National Reserve Champion Mare, whose legacy was further strengthened through her daughter Aethena by The Real McCoy. Habina and Aethena were widely regarded as the “queens of Lasma,” a testament to their lasting influence and quality.
As a broodmare, Bel Aresuh has produced four foals Beluga Arabians, registered in the German Studbook, from which her Shanghai EA son Bel Adeed stands out: Performance tested, he was awarded Senior Male Bronze Champion at the German National Championships in 2024.