Kallisto 1997

photo: Aline Sagrabelny

The striking black stallion Kallisto, born in 1997, represented one of the excellent horses bred by Walter Koch's Saalegrund Stud. Combining the proven strength of the foundation sire Mansul with the rare black bloodlines of Khemala, Kallisto stood as a testament to the German-Cross concept: Tracing back in all lines to post-war German foundation Arabian horses.
Kallisto was sired by German Elite stallion Mansul. The chestnut Mansul was born in 1975 and became the foundation sire of Saalegrund Stud. He was bred by Edmund Schendel of Rosdorf, Germany, and was sired by Sawih Ibn Wisznu out of Mekka. Mansul was not only typey but also had excellent riding horse conformation. He was state licensed in 1978 and, in 1979, he became the best Arabian at the stallion performance test in Munich-Riem. Acquired by Walter Koch at the age of two, Mansul proved to be an exceptional sire for his stud. His progeny included the mares Jaszerah, Jarissah, Jarikah, Jamilah, and the stallions Mansuhri, Jericko, and Janosch. His most celebrated offspring was the German Elite mare Jassrah, German National Reserve Champion and All Nation's Cup Champion Mare. Mansul passed away in 2000, leaving a lasting legacy in German Arabian breeding.
Kallisto's dam was Khemala, a black mare of exceptional type, carried historically significant bloodlines. She was a product of a half-sister mating. Her sire was the black stallion Mouka-Tuam out of Khamala, both by Joka-Tuam. Her dam line traced back to 74 Tifle db through Kho-Rha, a mare bred at Babolna, Hungary, who became a foundation mare at the Achental Stud of Gertrude Griesbach.
Khemala not only produced Kallisto but also other important offspring, including Kardinal, a bay stallion and older full brother to Kallisto, and Kyros II, a black stallion by Janosch (by Mansul). Through her foals, Khemala contributed significantly to the black Arabian breeding program at Saalegrund.
Kallisto was used at Saalegrund Stud between 2001 and 2005 producing 17 foals among them the mare Nerah who became broodmare at Saalegrund Stud.
In 2009, Kallisto was exported to France, where he sired an additional 15 foals. Among them is Soltan El Mektoub (out of EM Selma), a black stallion born in 2018 who went on to achieve success in regional halter competitions.
Kallisto was recorded as deceased in October 2017, according to the French studbook.