Menah II
July 22, 2026, Photo © Aline Sagrabelny
Menah II
The dark chestnut mare Menah II was foaled in June 1996 and bred by Reinhard Sax of Sax Arabians in Bavaria, Germany. Standing just 14.1 hh according to the German Studbook, she combined two distinguished Russian bloodlines that had already established themselves in Germany. Although she was shown at regional halter competitions, her lasting contribution came as a broodmare after her acquisition by Birgit Schiffl of Alcazar Arabians, where she remained for the rest of her life.
Menah II was sired by the legendary Kubinec, one of the most influential Russian Arabian stallions ever to stand in Europe. A World Champion and European Champion Stallion, Kubinec became renowned not only for his own achievements but also as the sire of numerous international champions, including El Nabila B, FS Bengali, Koronec, and AJA Sangali. Through Kubinec, Menah II traced to Balaton, the outstanding son of Menes and the stallion widely regarded as the defining representative of the Bairactar sire line in modern Russian breeding. Balaton consistently transmitted his distinctive type, athletic movement, and prepotency to his offspring, establishing a dynasty whose influence continues throughout Europe.
Her dam, Menora by Naturel, represented another valuable branch of Russian breeding. Bred by Gut Alemich, the compact 14.2 hh mare later became part of the broodmare band at Sax Arabians before moving to Fischer Arabian Stud. Through her dam Marei, Menora descended from the renowned Mammona family, one of the cornerstone maternal lines developed at Tersk Stud.
Menah II was a compact, feminine mare with a refined head, expressive eyes, an elegant neck, and a strong, well-balanced body. Her athletic build and energetic, elastic movement reflected many of the qualities for which her sire Kubinec became renowned. Kubinec, in turn, inherited many of these characteristics from his sire Balaton.
Rather than the more extreme refinement seen in some contemporary show horses, Menah II exemplified the harmonious proportions, substance, and functional conformation that have long been hallmarks of the Russian Arabian.
At Alcazar Arabians, Menah II became part of a small, family-run breeding program where the emphasis extended beyond beauty to include good temperaments and practical riding qualities. Psyches Ambassador served as the stud's principal breeding stallion, explaining the repeated cross that produced four of her seven foals. Her seven registered foals included Scarlet (by FS Bengali), PA Nobless, PA Arabella, PA Ashanteji and PA Voltair (all by Psyches Ambassador), Manolo (by FS Eternal Flame) and PA Mavayan (by AKA Gavayan). Although only Scarlet continued the female line—and only briefly through a single colt—Menah II consistently produced correct, attractive horses that reflected the philosophy of the stud.
Like many broodmares, Menah II lived largely outside the spotlight cast on famous show horses and breeding stallions. Yet her pedigree tells an important story. She represented the successful blending of two proven Russian families at a time when German breeders were helping preserve and further develop these bloodlines. While her direct legacy remained modest, Menah II exemplifies the many broodmares whose quiet contribution forms the foundation of every successful breeding program.
Menah II was sired by the legendary Kubinec, one of the most influential Russian Arabian stallions ever to stand in Europe. A World Champion and European Champion Stallion, Kubinec became renowned not only for his own achievements but also as the sire of numerous international champions, including El Nabila B, FS Bengali, Koronec, and AJA Sangali. Through Kubinec, Menah II traced to Balaton, the outstanding son of Menes and the stallion widely regarded as the defining representative of the Bairactar sire line in modern Russian breeding. Balaton consistently transmitted his distinctive type, athletic movement, and prepotency to his offspring, establishing a dynasty whose influence continues throughout Europe.
Her dam, Menora by Naturel, represented another valuable branch of Russian breeding. Bred by Gut Alemich, the compact 14.2 hh mare later became part of the broodmare band at Sax Arabians before moving to Fischer Arabian Stud. Through her dam Marei, Menora descended from the renowned Mammona family, one of the cornerstone maternal lines developed at Tersk Stud.
Menah II was a compact, feminine mare with a refined head, expressive eyes, an elegant neck, and a strong, well-balanced body. Her athletic build and energetic, elastic movement reflected many of the qualities for which her sire Kubinec became renowned. Kubinec, in turn, inherited many of these characteristics from his sire Balaton.
Rather than the more extreme refinement seen in some contemporary show horses, Menah II exemplified the harmonious proportions, substance, and functional conformation that have long been hallmarks of the Russian Arabian.
At Alcazar Arabians, Menah II became part of a small, family-run breeding program where the emphasis extended beyond beauty to include good temperaments and practical riding qualities. Psyches Ambassador served as the stud's principal breeding stallion, explaining the repeated cross that produced four of her seven foals. Her seven registered foals included Scarlet (by FS Bengali), PA Nobless, PA Arabella, PA Ashanteji and PA Voltair (all by Psyches Ambassador), Manolo (by FS Eternal Flame) and PA Mavayan (by AKA Gavayan). Although only Scarlet continued the female line—and only briefly through a single colt—Menah II consistently produced correct, attractive horses that reflected the philosophy of the stud.
Like many broodmares, Menah II lived largely outside the spotlight cast on famous show horses and breeding stallions. Yet her pedigree tells an important story. She represented the successful blending of two proven Russian families at a time when German breeders were helping preserve and further develop these bloodlines. While her direct legacy remained modest, Menah II exemplifies the many broodmares whose quiet contribution forms the foundation of every successful breeding program.