On the weekend of November 13-14th in Verona – an Italian city known for the unhappy love of Romeo and Juliet – the European Arabian Horse Championship took place. Polish breeding was represented by 24 horses – 5 from Janów Podlaski (3 mares and 2 stallions), 8 from Michałów (6 mares and 2 stallions) and 11 from private breeders (9 mares and 2 stallions).

This time we can’t complain – Polish horses were definitely visible. It was especially noticeable in the age groups – the two-year-old, three-year-old, 4-6-year-old mares and two-year-old stallions classes were won by the representatives of Michałów Stud. They came from the 2018-2019 crops, i.e. from the breeding plan by Hanna Sztuka and Maciej Grzechnik (this is the answer to those who call the older Janów mares “Daughters of Marek Trela” – let’s be consistent, if that’s what we call them, call all of them!). Particularly El Esmera 2018 (Sahm El Arab – Esmeraldia, daughter of Emandoria) deserves special praise, who, apart from winning her class, also won the Junior Mare Championship, with her exceptionally short head and huge eye. And it is not a coincidentally successful pairing, because this stallion has also given such outstanding show horses as the stallion Pointer or filly Florissima, so a positive individual selection took place here. We remember how displeased everyone was at the use of this stallion. I personally am not a fan of the male line he represents, nor was I delighted with his conformation, but it must be objectively said that he mated very well with the mares assigned to him.

Of course, the same phenomenon occurred here that we have seen many times at the shows. Horses win their class with very high scores, but in the final competitions do not make it to the podium or receive a lower position – as if the judges changed their mind overnight. And so, the only participant of this show who, based on the lineage of the male and dam line, could be classified as “Pure Polish” – Michałów’s Protekcja 2017 (Ekstern – Pentra), who in 2019 received the award for the “Best Head of the Show”, and also has a top line like an “ironing board” – although she won her class with a high score of 92.80 points, she did not receive a medal in the finals. However, it should be remembered that in the championships Protekcja had very strong rivals.

On the other hand, the beautiful, dark bay stallion Ferrum 2019 (Morion – Ferrmaria), representing Michałów’s characteristic line of Forta, dry as a pepper, with a “table” top line and a chiselled head, who won both the Yearling and Junior Championships in Białka, Janów and Prague, in Verona won his class with a score of 92.70, but in the Championship he had to give way to a colt presented by a Polish private breeder, Waldemar Bąk – Vinci 2019 (Wadee Al Shaqab – Valencia Al Shaqab), who took second place in the class. This stallion is highly inbred to Marwan Al Shaqab – a 12.5% inbreeding rate as his parents are half-siblings. Achieving “exorbitant” show results is often associated with some risk. In this case, Waldemar Bąk, the owner of Salima Arabians, achieved a spectacular breeding success.

We have definitely moved away from times when private breeders shyly broke the monopoly of state studs, kept by force during the “communism” period, when even Roman Pankiewicz opted for separate shows for them, as it was supposed to last a long time before they could be of “state” quality. Separate shows were organized until 1999, and during 2000-2005, as part of the Junior Spring Show in Białka, a double ranking was used, for all horses and for private horses, to give equal chances. However, it soon turned out to be redundant, because in 2003 the year-old grey colt Girlan-Bey (Pesal – Gracja-Bis), bred and owned by Michał Bogajewicz, won the Polish Junior Stallion Championship and the title of Best In Show not only in the classification of private horses, but also in the general one. Today, such victories are no longer a phenomenon, on the contrary – more and more horses are exhibited by private breeders, who are also prosperous businessmen, so they can afford the best stallions and professional training of their horses, winning against the charges of the state studs.

And so, in the Yearling Fillies Championship, the silver and bronze medals were won by: Psyche Apsara 2020 (Ghaith Al Zobair – Psyche Victoria), bred and owned by Chrcynno Pałac, as well as Bogini Róż PA 2020 (Kahil Al Shaqab – Black Rose), bred and owned by PPH Parys, the first being a daughter of Ekstern and the second being his granddaughter. In the Junior Mare Championship, Michałów mares (golden El Esmera and bronze El Medida) were separated by Melarosa GA 2019 (AV Cloud Dancer – Marwtyna), bred and owned by GA Rancho Artur Gibała, without a drop of Polish blood. So all three medals went to breeders and owners from Poland.

In the Senior Mare Championships, the first and third places were taken by Janów bred mares, which used to win in Polish colours, but were later exported – Primera 2009 (Eden C – Preria) and Alsa 2013 (Kahil Al Shaqab – Alameda), respectively.

The Silver Champion of the Yearling Colts was El Draco RA 2020 (Morion – El Medisa), bred and owned by Regina Arabians, and in the senior stallions, although Janów used to be famous for its sires, even the current Polish Champion, Janów’s Paris 2014 (Kahil Al Shaqab – Palmeta), who brought a medal from almost every show since being a yearling, this time was only second in his class, and no Polish stallion took a medal. Of course, you have to take into account the different tastes of the judges and the changing form of the horses. And so, Janów’s Atakama 2015 (Empire – Atma), with a kilometre-long neck and great movement, reached the peak of her abilities at the age of 3, and now she had to be satisfied with sixth place in her class.

Summing up, it is a reason to be happy that horses in Polish hands are winning international competitions. It is a pity that 91.66% of this “Polish” representation comes from the “non-Polish” family (or, if you like, the male line) of Saklavi I, that is, the entire palette is flooded with one colour, at most in different shades.

On the same weekend, on Friday and Sunday, another show was also held in the same Verona, the international B-rank Verona International Cup. I scrolled through the lists of participants of all ages of this show in search of some “Polish traces”. Out of 57 stallions and mares, I found 5 such traces. They were: SS Rawnag 2019 (Kahil Al Shaqab – ASH Ranya), fourth in the two-year-old fillies class and Juvanda OS 2007 (WH Justice – Shak Lavanda), winner of the seven-year-old and above mares class, as well as the Gold Champion of the Senior Mares. They both belong to the newly established, dynamically developing Lubochnia Arabians stud, located near Gniezno. Winning the championship of such a show is an unquestionable success and the owners deserve congratulations.

The three remaining “Polish traces” are mares: Exposita KA 2012 (QR Marc – Ekina), fourth in the 7-year-old and above mares class; the colt Wiktorino 2008 (Khidar – Wieruszka), fourth in the 7-year-old and above stallions class; and 3-year-old class Persifada (Empire – Panna Cotta). These horses are the descendants of mares purchased in Poland – I remember Białka’s Ekina 2004 (Ekstern – Eklera), an exceptionally charming, small golden chestnut with a tiny head!

The horses participating in the Verona International Cup show are owned by citizens of various Arab or European countries. Their sires are mostly stallions well known in Poland: Kahil Al Shaqab, QR Marc, Wadee Al Shaqab, Invictus, RFI Farid, Ajman Moniscione, Shanghai E.A. or WH Justice, used eagerly in the show breeding direction. So we have full “globalization” – our main export asset, which was the separateness of Polish Arabians, lay in ruins. Some still indicate that the origin of our horses is distinguished by dams coming from strong, well-established Polish dam lines. However, this will also soon become obsolete, as more and more mares by foreign sires are incorporated into breeding. And then what? Who will come to the auction to buy more expensively what they have at home, in the United Arab Emirates or Israel?

The exhibitors in the Verona International Cup are private breeders who have about ¾ of the population in Poland, and at the European Championships they made up almost half of the Polish team. Such breeders often invest considerable money in the maintenance of their horses, special nutrition, the best treatment if necessary, breeding and professional training. Therefore, they hope to achieve results as soon as possible and usually do not care about any “historical mission”. On the other hand, state breeding centres, especially those with a long history and tradition, should primarily cultivate their function as a gene bank so that they can be used, for example, in the event of a change in fashion. However, such a function cannot be performed by companies forced to show revenues, because horses are a species with a slow rotation of generations, and therefore sometimes bring profit, and sometimes loss. Farming in the “from auction to auction” mode brings deplorable results in the long run.

Due to the epidemic the Winter Arabian Horse Auction at Michałów Stud took place online. Michałów Stud sold 11 mares (out of 16 mares and 2 stallions offered) for a total of 99,000 EUR, Janów Podlaski – three out of five for a total of 20,000 EUR, while Białka sold one out of three for just 4,000 EUR. So the prices were similar to those at tenders in years past. The majority of the offer was made up of young daughters of outstanding broodmares, perfect choices for those on the market for breeding material. What’s concerning is that Michałów is clearly letting go of the very highly achieving, valiant and prolific damline of Forta 1943 from the family of Ukrainka – once the stud’s recognizable trademark. The representatives of this line achieved decent prices – Formiss 2013 (Esparto – Formia), which can be described as “Pure Polish”, went for 12,000 EUR and will remain in Poland, while Flaminia 2008 (Gaspar – Filistia) was sold for 10,000. It’s a good thing that the 2019 Yearling Champion Mare, the beautiful Florissima 2018 (Sahm El Arab – Forgissima) with a kilometer long neck, was not sold – such a young and already decorated mare should not leave the stud without leaving produce first!

There are usually not many buyers for stallions, therefore Pointer 2018 (Sahm El Arab – Palanga) and Chimeryk 2008 (Eryks – Chimera) will stay home. In the place of the owners I would not have offered for sale a two year old colt with respectable show achievements, because he may still win some medals for his home stud in the junior and senior categories. His year old half-sister Padrona 2019 by El Palacio VO was sold for 8,000 EUR. Chimeryk would’ve been a great purchase for a good dressage rider, but he was given a name that uncovers his character. His under saddle traits were inherited by his daughter Lakonia 2014 (out of Lawinia), who wonderfully carries her head tucked in, has a dished profile and horizontal topline. Another good under saddle purchase is Emily 2011 (Poganin – Emboria), who has been used in the stud’s riding school for many years.

A (rather) high price of 14,000 EUR, the sale’s record, was achieved by Primrose 2013 (Equator – Primawera), half-sister of the showy Piacenza. For those looking for black coat color Janów provided the young El Faiza 2017 (Ascot DD – El Fatha), who has a chance of passing this color onto her produce, as her dam is also black. All is well that Elsandra 2010 (Polon – Elima) was not sold, a “Pure Polish” mare, tiny, but a good “foundation” – she has proven that if mated correctly she can give valuable produce, such as El Safija 2017 (by Paladid), so she should be given a chance to foal more of them. By the way, Elsandra has been offered for sale without any effect for four years now.

Whether we consider the obtained prices to be high or low – that’s a relative thing. It depends who sets them and who evaluates them. Certainly, in the current situation of state studs, every penny is worth its weight in gold, and in most cases it was the breeding surplus that was sold.

Arabians for the Antipodes

2006 Pride of Poland sale will be the memorable one and however there was no record price for one horse the total amount of 1.599.101 Euro is the spectacular sale record. This years’ sale was dominated by the very active buyers from Australia – they both the most – 13 horses for the total price of 866.000 Euro. Amongst their horses are the highest sold mares Gehenna (180.000 Euro) and Hula (160.000 Euro) and the most expensive stallion – Espadero (210.000 Euro). Only 4 amongst the 36 offered horses came back home unsold. The average price per horse was close to 50.000 Euro. Just to compare with last year: 24 amongst of offered 33 horses were sold for total amount 952.000 Euro and average price per horse “only” 29.000 Euro.

Consistent with the expectations the highest sold mare was Michałów-bred Monogramm daughter Gehenna, but she was far away from beating the success of her half sister’s prices from the past years (Elandra 290.000 Euro, Palestyna 300.000 Euro). Janów Podlaski top rated horse Pepesza came to USA for 135.000 Euro. The higher sold offer was Hula mentioned before. The mare was bred by Kurozwęki stud and owned by Białka. Good point of Pride of Poland was that Polish breeders takes part in the sale together with the foreign guests. The lowest sold mare – Parella (5.000 Euro) will stay in Poland.

Two of the offered horses will go to the Canary Islands – Loretta (20.000 Euro) and private bred stallion Migrant (30.000 Euro). The most exciting was selling of Janów-bred Espadero. This not only beautiful but also very brave racer (amongst the others – Derby winner) was the highest sold horse of 2006 sale – 210 000 Euro. William – with even better racing career but little worse in beauty was also bought by the guests from Australia for 20.000 Euro. Let’s hope that Polish Arabian horses will give a lot of joy to their new owners and will have their contribution to glorify Polish Arabian horse breeding in the world as their predecessors.

Results
(prices in EUR)

Pride of Poland 2006
(32 offered mares, 4 stallions

Gehenna 180 thousand, Australia
Hula 160 thousand, Australia
Fraskata 135 thousand, Belgium
Pepesza 135 thousand, USA
Alegoria 90 thousand, USA
Elganda 75 thousand, Australia
Pilica 65 thousand, Australia
El Minia 55 thousand, USA
Eudocja 49 thousand, Australia
Emantka 42 thousand, Belgium
Entuza 37 thousand, Australia
Esturia 30 thousand, Belgium
Wejmutka 27 thousand, South Africa
Elwira 21 thousand, Australia
Loretta 20 thousand, Tenerife Island (Spain)
Perfazja 18 thousand, Belgium
Eligia 17 thousand, South Africa
Abba 15 thousand, Belgium
Barka 13 thousand, France
Celesta 12 thousand, Canada
Piwnica 11 thousand, France
Tripla 11 thousand, Australia
Gryzetka 10 thousand, France
Piramida 10 thousand, Australia
Esteria 9 thousand, Australia
Nutella 9 thousand, Australia
Elebi 7 thousand, Poland
Marita 7 thousand, Poland
Parella 5 thousand, Poland
Wedeta sold after the auction for a not given publicly amount to Ireland

Espadero 210 thousand, Australia
Migrant 30 thousand, Tenerife Island (Spain)
Wiliam 20 thousand, Australia
Emrod sold after the auction for a not given publicly amount to France

Silent Sale 2006
(15 offered mares, 7 stallions)

Etina 8 thousand, France
Savona 5,8 thousand, France
Porfiria 5,3 thousand, Poland
Antena 5 thousand, Australia
Endywia 5 thousand, Australia
Entella 5 thousand, Australia
Piasta 5 thousand, Tenerife Island (Spain)
Edreada 4 thousand, France

Ennis 6 thousand, Australia
Zygmunt 6 thousand, Ireland
Zakazany Owoc 4 thousand, Spain

You can find the original article with photos here

Polish Nationals 2006 report with photos: J as Janów, G as Gaskonia

The 36th Auction took place on August 14th, 2005. Sold through the Pride of Poland Sale were 22 mares and 2 stallions. The highest price was achieved by the pretty and subtle, though bearing a good racing career (coefficient of success: 2.02), milky-white mare Elandra 1995 (Monogramm – Erlanda/Eukaliptus), bred by Michałów Stud – 290 thousand euro, sold to the US (LLC Piaff Partnership). That was also the destination of another representative of Janów’s A-named equines, with dryness and beauty characteristic for this damline – Amba, grey 2001 (Eukaliptus – Albigowa/Fawor), 85 thousand euro. There were also new buyers – from Martinique and Azerbaijan (countries regaining their independence after the collapse of the USSR began rebuilding their own breeding livestock). And so the client from Martinique bought two mares, Girlanda, grey 1992 (Eukaliptus – Giza/Pepton), bred by Michałów Stud and owned by Leszek Jarmuż, for 10,000 euro and Enisia, grey 1995 (Sinus – Erytrea/Andrut), bred by Jacek Żurowski, for 32 thousand euro. Whereas the buyer from Azerbaijan appeared to focus on racing, since he bought the favourite for the Oaks and daughter of an Oaks winner – the mare Gryzetka, bay 1993 (Wojsław – Garonna/Fanatyk), bred by Michałów Stud, coefficient of success 2.9, for the price of 16 thousand euro (however she was not collected after the sale) and two Derby winners: the stallion Gafal, chestnut 1998 (Pamir – Gratka/Arbil), bred by Jan Głowacki, coefficient of success 11.22 and Ostragon, grey 1994 (Pers – Osełka/Palas), bred by Białka Stud, coefficient of success 10.88, gifted with outstanding movement, as well as willingness to work with man. The overall outcome of the Pride of Poland Sale resulted in 953 thousand euro.

The LLC Piaff Partnership (USA) also leased the new-elected Polish National Champion Stallion – Piaff.

(Fragment of the unpublished book by Prof. Krystyna Chmiel “Two centuries of Polish Arabian horse breeding – new chapters. Years: 1979 – 1989. Years: 1990-2010”)

Results
(prices in EUR)

Pride of Poland 2005
(30 offered mares, 3 stallions)

Elandra 290 thousand, USA
Amba 85 thousand, USA
Larissa 80 thousand, USA
Eberia 54 thousand, Belgium
Celna 36 thousand, USA
Zuzanna 36 thousand, USA
Enisia 32 thousand, Martinique
Eria 32 thousand, South Africa
Eqviria 30 thousand, USA
Ernesta 28 thousand, USA
Pustynna Tarcza 28 thousand, USA
Bajada 26 thousand, USA
Egzyna 22 thousand, Poland
Prawica 22 thousand, GB
Fiszka 21 thousand, Poland
Aleuta 16 thousand, Poland
Frontiera 16 thousand, Poland
Gryzetka 16 thousand, Azerbaijan (not collected after the sale)
Girlanda 10 thousand, Martinique
Wigna 10 thousand, Israel
Elicja 7 thousand, Italy
Fuzja 7 thousand, Poland
Algira sold after the auction for a not given publicly amount to USA
Heroldia sold after the auction for a not given publicly amount to USA

Gafal 35 thousand, Azerbaijan
Ostragon 13 thousand, Azerbaijan

Silent Sale 2005
(17 offered mares, 2 withdrawn, 15 present, 11 stallions)

Balerina 5 thousand, France
Ferri 5 thousand, GB
Zamiana 5 thousand, Sweden
Barba 4 thousand, Poland
Elice sold after the auction for a not given publicly amount to Ireland

Emiliusz 8,8 thousand, Sweden
Wołyń 7,75 thousand, Germany
Arad sold after the auction for a not given publicly amount to GB

The original article with photos can be found here

In 2004 the Janów Sale took place already for the 35th time, so August 15th marked another anniversary. The catalogue issued this year had an experimental character – an A5 format, with a shape of a rectangle lying on its longer side and sepia-coloured photos. The names of the horses were written vertically, by the right edge of the page, which was not very legible.

The prices achieved at this sale reflected the current trends for show horses. Three among four of the highest prices were paid for Monogramm daughters bred at Michalów: Palestyna, grey 1994 (out of Palestra/Penitent) – 300 thousand euro to the US; Eskalopka, grey 1994 (out of Estancja/Palas) 120 thousand euro to the US. The last two were separated by an outstanding racing mare from the famous Janów damline of Sabellina, Savvannah, bay 1997 (Monarch AH – Sarmacja/Gil), winner of the Oaks, Criterium St. and the Europa Cup, inbred to Sasanka, with a coefficient of success of 14.65. For 135 thousand euro she was sold to Saudi Arabia. Such high individual prices contributed greatly to the outcome of the Pride of Poland Sale, which amounted to 1 million and 141 thousand euro, although only 19 mares were sold.

(Fragment of the unpublished book by Prof. Krystyna Chmiel “Two centuries of Polish Arabian horse breeding – new chapters. Years: 1979 – 1989. Years: 1990-2010”)

Results

(prices in EUR)

Pride of Poland 2004
(27 offered mares)

Palestyna 300 thousand, USA
Eskalopka 140 thousand, Sharjah (UAE)
Savvannah 135 thousand, UAE
Ekscella 120 thousand, USA
Ekspozycja 75 thousand, Argentina
Anegdota 70 thousand, Argentina
Enigma 40 thousand, Italy
Aneksja 32 thousand, USA
Pustynna Droga 31 thousand, UAE
Sigma 22 thousand, Norway
Czereśnia 20 thousand, Brazil
Estelka 20 thousand, USA
Wenessa 20 thousand, USA
Promocja 16 thousand, USA
Epifraza 15 thousand, GB
Epoza 15 thousand, Italy
Nitra 14 thousand, USA
Edita 10 thousand, France
Eloida sold after the auction for a not given publicly amount to South Africa

Silent Sale 2004
(20 offered mares, 12 stallions)

Peluszka 12 thousand, France
Algina 10 thousand, Argentina
Basma 10 thousand, Italy
Zefirka 7 thousand, Norway
Aruba 5 thousand, Argentina
Fokida 5 thousand, Poland

Epikrates 35 thousand, Brazil
Euron 8 thousand, France
Emon 7 thousand, Argentina
Epitet 7 thousand, Argentina
Parador 6,5 thousand, USA
Fryderyk sold after the auction for a not given publicly amount to Portugal

The 34th Pride of Poland Sale took place on August 10th, 2003, which marked two anniversaries: 185 years of Janów Podlaski Stud and 50 years of Michałów Stud. As many as 24 mares were sold from the main list. Among them the highest prices were achieved by Embella, grey 1995 (out of Emanacja/Eukaliptus), one of the best Monogramm daughters bred at Michałów, sold for 140 thousand euro to the US*; and Elwia, grey 1996 (Ecaho – Etopka/Eukaliptus), bred by Michałów Stud, who was also sold for 140 thousand euro to the United Arab Emirates. A respectable price of 105 thousand euro was achieved also by the Monogramm daughter Figlarka, grey 1995 (out of Frejlina/Pepton), bred by Michałów Stud and sold to Brazil.

The total outcome of the Pride of Poland Sale resulted in 770 thousand euro and the Silent Sale brought in a further 65 thousand euro. At the Silent Sale good prices (23 thousand euro each) were achieved by two stallions used in Polish breeding: the Michałów-bred Furiat, dark bay 1995 (Monogramm – Furora/Pepton) went to the US and Werter, grey 1996 (Eukaliptus – Walkiria/Mamluk) – to Jordan and later on to Belgium to Jadem Arabians, where he gained great popularity.

(Fragment of the unpublished book by Prof. Krystyna Chmiel “Two centuries of Polish Arabian horse breeding – new chapters. Years: 1979 – 1989. Years: 1990-2010”)

Results
(prices in EUR)

Pride of Poland 2003
(38 offered mares, 1 withdrawn, 37 present)

Elwia 140 thousand, UAE
Embella 140 thousand, USA (*not collected; sold on July 7th, 2007 at a monthly tender to Dubai)
Figlarka 105 thousand, Brazil
Wideta 4 thousand, UAE
Pilotka 44 thousand, Jordan
Aliara 36 thousand, Poland
Promenada 32 thousand, UAE
Ekbatana 26 thousand, Italy
Wega 24 thousand, Jordan
Słonka 20 thousand, Poland
Emiria 17 thousand, USA
Etra 16 thousand, UAE
Osaka 15 thousand, Poland
El Alia 13 thousand, Poland
Erotomanka 13 thousand, USA
Elżunia 12 thousand, Germany
Wybranka 11 thousand, USA
Carina 10 thousand, USA
Edissa 10 thousand, Poland
Marieta 10 thousand, USA
Hossa 9 thousand, USA
Wierzba 9 thousand, USA
Baza 7 thousand, Poland
Ekspertyza 6 thousand, USA
Arabeska sold after the auction for a not given publicly amount to Spain

Silent Sale 2003
(12 mares offered, 10 stallions)

Eskola 6 thousand, Poland
Cydonia 5,5 thousand, Poland
Arga 3 thousand, France

Furiat 23 thousand, USA
Werter 23 thousand, Jordan
Partenon 5 thousand, USA

The clients of the 33rd Sale, which took place on August 11th, 2002, were served a big surprise. At the last moment a new offer was announced, not mentioned in the catalogue. Offered as Lot “0” was… a yearling! It was the freshly crowned Junior Spring Show Champion and Best in Show from Białka, the dark bay Wieża Wiatrów 2001 (Ganges – Wiaźma/Arbil), bred by Michałów. After a fierce bidding her price reached 220 thousand euro and the buyer came from Saudi Arabia. Among the mares gracing the catalogue an impressive price was also given for the beautifully coloured brown mare Elfina 1994 (Pamir – Elektroda/Engano), bred by Janów Podlaski Stud, who joined the collection of Mrs. Watts for 120 thousand euro. Out of the four stallions offered at the main sale only one reached his reserve price: Ekwipunek, bay 1995 (Eukaliptus – Equitana/Aloes), bred by Janów Podlaski Stud, sold to the US. In total 30 mares and 1 stallion were sold from the Pride of Poland Sale for 1.126 million dollars.

It was the last auction when transactions were made in US dollars, because although Poland fully joined the European Union only in 2004, the catalogue prices in 2003 were already given in euro. Starting from 2002 the job of auctioneer was handed over to Todd Watt from the well-known Tattersalls auction house, supported by Scott Benjamin.

(Fragment of the unpublished book by Prof. Krystyna Chmiel “Two centuries of Polish Arabian horse breeding – new chapters. Years: 1979 – 1989. Years: 1990-2010”)

Results
(prices in USD)

Pride of Poland 2002
(32 offered mares, 1 withdrawn, 31 present, 4 stallions)

Wieża Wiatrów 220 thousand, Saudi Arabia
Elfina 120 thousand, GB
Ellada 55 thousand, Katar
Wipera 55 thousand, GB
Hulanka 45 thousand, GB
Zemsta 42 thousand, GB
Escalona 40 thousand, Qatar
Saba 40 thousand, Saudi Arabia
Escalanta 35 thousand, Qatar
Dominika 32 thousand, Spain
Bellona 30 thousand, GB
Ewolta 30 thousand, Qatar
Fargola 30 thousand, Qatar
Siewka 28 thousand, Spain
Epifraza 25 thousand, Qatar
Girlanda 25 thousand, Poland
Perspektywa 25 thousand, Poland
Zamiana 25 thousand, Qatar
Zenobia 22 thousand, Spain
Zguba 22 thousand, Spain
Cygarniczka 18 thousand, Spain
Ekspedycja 16 thousand, Spain
Aruba 15 thousand, Qatar
Makarena 15 thousand, GB
Nostalgia 15 thousand, USA
Barykada 13 thousand, Poland
Dąbrowa 12 thousand, Spain
Torpeda 10 thousand, GB
Emoza 8 thousand, GB
Fawela 8 thousand, USA

Ekwipunek 50 thousand, USA

Silent Sale 2002
(12 offered mares, 6 stallions, 30 horses in racing training)

Chrapka 8 thousand, GB
Ekola 7,5 thousand, Spain
Ferradura 6 thousand, Qatar
Orynia 5 thousand, Spain
Złota Zula 4,7 thousand, Germany
Alauda 4,6 thousand, Spain

Erald 9 thousand, GB
Gładysz 9 thousand, Spain
Euryk 8 thousand, GB
Ferrari 8 thousand, GB
Elton 7,2 thousand, Spain

After the “millennium” auction the State Studs resigned from further cooperation with Polish Prestige and handed the organization of the auction to Polturf. After this change the auction received a new name of the event: Pride of Poland.

Under this new name the 32nd auction took place on August 11th, 2001. Starting from that year various auctioneers handled the auction – in 2001 it was Andrzej Pietruszyński from the former Animex. This time the high-seller turned out to be Egna, grey 1992 (Eukaliptus – Egzotyka/Probat), bred by Michałów Stud. She was secured for 120 thousand dollars by the Danish breeder and manager – Jorgen Fredriksen – who bid in the name of Shirley Watts. For his thrilling bidding he was gifted a huge bottle of Martini Asti!

The second highest price – 70 thousand dollars – was achieved by three mares. The first – Baja, grey 1996 (Pamir – Bajeczka/Batyskaf), bred by Janów Podlaski, full sister to the record price holder from 1997, the stallion Batyskaf – also went to the stud of Shirley Watts. The second – a beautiful mare in the “old type”, Polish National, European and Blommeröd International Champion Esklawa, grey 1985 (Eukaliptus – Ekstaza/Celebes), bred by Michałów Stud – was won by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani from Al Zobair Stud (UAE).

How times have changed could be seen in the fact that a Polish businessman, Krzysztof Goździalski, was able to pay the same price as the oil tycoon from the Middle East for the mare Emanta, grey 1991 (Pamir – Emanacja/Eukaliptus), bred by Michałów Stud from the “production line of champions” – the subline of the mare Emigracja. As a matter of fact many of the higher quality mares at this sale were purchased by Polish private breeders. In total 24 horses were sold from the main Pride of Poland list for 915 thousand dollars with a high average price – 38,125 USD per horse, as there were non lower prices at this auction than 10,000 USD.

(Fragment of the unpublished book by Prof. Krystyna Chmiel “Two centuries of Polish Arabian horse breeding – new chapters. Years: 1979 – 1989. Years: 1990-2010”)

Results
(prices in USD)

Pride of Poland 2001
(39 offered mares, 1 withdrawn, 38 present, 2 stallions)

Egna 120 thousand, GB
Baja 70 thousand, GB
Emanta 70 thousand, Poland
Esklawa 70 thousand, UAE
Garonna 60 thousand, USA
Granada 52 thousand, Poland
Algora 50 thousand, Poland
Grenlandia 47 thousand, GB
Etopka 45 thousand, Poland
Argentyna 40 thousand, Poland
Palestra 40 thousand, UAE
Parana 40 thousand, GB
Elcantara 30 thousand, UAE
Entuza 30 thousand, Poland
Ewoluta 23 thousand, GB
Armenia 21 thousand, Poland
Bogatynia 21 thousand, USA
Ara 15 thousand, Poland
Egejka 15 thousand, Poland
Pescara 12 thousand, Poland
Alberga 10 thousand, Poland
Pelargonia 10 thousand, Poland
Sari 10 thousand, USA
Tamiza 10 thousand, Poland

Silent Sale 2001
(7 offered mares, 15 stallions, 28 horses in racing training)

Escorial 6,5 thousand, Germany
Etyk 6 thousand, USA
Argus 4,6 thousand, Poland

Today a 4 year old stallion, MARAN (FS Bengali – Missouri/Wachlarz), bred and owned by Tarnawka Stud (Poland), medallist from Tulip Cup and Poland, had won his age groups three years in a row – as a yearling and a two year old at the Junior Spring Show in Białka, whereas at the 1st Polska-Arabia Horse Festival in Warsaw he not only won his class as a three-year-old, but also brought home the title of Junior Champion. Upon his debut in Białka in 2010 he gained the exact same total score (41,33) as Janów’s brightest star of today, the stallion Pogrom (QR Marc – Pętla/Visbaden). Noticeable is his beautifully arched neck and horizontal topline, inherited from his dam Missouri b. 2002 (Wachlarz – Mina by Monogramm), bred by M.&J. Pietrzak, who was chosen Junior Champion Mare of the 3rd Summer Show in Warsaw of 2003 (Poland). Maran has already sired some very promising foals, whereas his breeder and owner Czesław Witko – in accordance with Polish tradition – plans to test his stamina in endurance races. All those facts indicate that the sire line, whose founder was imported from the desert long ago as one of the first desert-breds, is doing quite well in Poland and all over the world!

Bairactar and Emir Rzewuski

The stallion Bairactar DB was imported from the Middle East in 1817, to the German stud in Weil, on a special request of Queen Catherine of Württemberg, sister to the Russian Tsar Alexander I. That stallion was the founder of the oldest sire line used later in Poland, although in Polish breeding itself he appeared relatively late. There were, however, some Polish accents bound with his import, because at the same time another lot of horses was brought from the desert by the Emir Rzewuski.

Until the first half of 20th century the sire line was prolonged mainly at Weil, where a kind of specific tradition was created – its male continuers were given the names of Tajar or Amurath, in turns. The most valuable proved the stallion Amurath gr. 1881 (Tajar – Koheil III), nicknamed “Amurath of Weil”. His get included two precious sires: Selim 1896 (out of Selma) – the sire of Nana Sahib I (whose daughter was the first Polish Derby and Oaks winner, Sahiba 1924) and Amurath II b. (out of Fatme DB), born in 1907 at Radautz. Here is where the Polish part begins, because Amurath II was used in a private and small yet very renowned stud at Breniów in independent Poland. Sahiba, related to Amurath II through Amurath of Weil, was bred to him and what resulted from this combination was an epoch-making stallion, the grey Amurath Sahib, foaled in 1932. “It would be difficult to imagine breeding without this stallion – and not just Polish breeding”, wrote Roman Pankiewicz in his book titles “Polish Arabian horse breeding 1918–1939”.

Amurath Sahib’s legacy

Amurath Sahib was both “bold and beautiful” – two traits required from a Polish Arabian. His race career lasted two seasons, with 24 starts and 7 wins. He placed 4th in his age group at the track, with a use value index of 3,37-1,6,II, indicating not only good performance, but also stamina. He was a sizeable horse, with a long neck and level topline, which he passed on to his get. In 1937 he was purchased by the State Stallion Depot at Janów Podlaski and his stamina helped him to survive the evacuation of the Janów horses to Germany, as the mount of none other than Director Andrzej Krzyształowicz himself. He later returned to Janów together with other Janów horses, where he joined the newly established State Stud at Klemensów in 1947.

During World War II Amurath Sahib served mares at private studs and sired such precious daughters as Amneris 1940 (dam of Aquinor) or Bałałajka 1941 (dam of Bandola and Bask). He stood at Klemensów until 1952. In total he sired 49 heads of progeny, including 3 stallions and 16 mares used in post-war Polish breeding. Many of them inherited his racing talents – Adis Abeba ch. 1947 (out of Ofirka) won the Oaks (Coefficient of success 1,49), Estokada ch. 1951 (out of Saga) – the Oaks and Criterium (Cs 4,44), whereas Equifor b. 1951 (out of Forta) – the Derby (Cs 4,28).

The last son of Amurath Sahib used in Poland was Gwarny gr. 1953 (out of Gwara), a poor racer (Cs 0,49), but the longest serving chief sire (standing at stud for about 20 years). He left behind 78 heads of progeny, including one Derby and Criterium St. winner (Badi Szach, gr. 1959, out of Badiara, Cs 3,47). Six of his sons were tested in Polish breeding. Two of them, Gedymin gr. 1968 (out of Gastronomia) and Argo gr. 1976 (out of Arba), gave successors – Woroblin b. 1977 (out of Warmia) and Falsyfikat gr. 1984 (out of Fantastka), respectively. Woroblin was assigned to the newly established stud at Białka, whereas Falsyfikat was used at Michałów, but none of them prolonged their “branches”. The most promising seemed Balon gr. 1979 (out of Ballada), a grandson of the “living legend” Bandola, inheriting after her a beautiful head and longevity, but he, in turn, passed on rather endurance abilities, similarly to his son Kulig gr. 1991 (out of Kawalkada).

The versatile Arax

A much stronger and easier to prolong sub-line was that tracing back to Arax b. 1952 (out of Angara), Cs 2,09. He was sparsely used in Poland, because he caught the interest of Soviet breeders from Tersk. In Poland he left behind only two valuable broodmares (Rokitka and Złota Iwa), whereas Boltonka was quite successful in the US. On the other hand, Tersk mares suited him well and he gained great popularity as a sire. He established a “dynasty” with many generations of representatives all over the world, often distinguishing themselves with great versatility, meeting both show and performance demands. For the time being, this is the most numerous branch of the Bairactar sire line.

The Arax son Nabeg b. 1966 (out of Nomenklatura – a daughter of Naseem by Skowronek and Mammona robbed from Janów Podlaski in 1939) was a very versatile sire. Among 39 heads of his progeny we find US National Champion Pesniar b. 1975 (out of Pesnia), Menes b. 1977 (out of Metropolia) – a father to valuable sires Balaton ch. 1982 (out of Panagia) and Vympel b. 1983 (out of Molva); or the used in Poland Tallin b. 1978 (out of Talantlivaya).

Tallin was an especially good match for mares from the Szweykowska family. Out of such dams he produced two valuable leading sires – Wojsław b. 1986 (out of Wilejka) and Wagram b. 1988 (out of Wendeta). Wojsław, like his grandfather, proved to be a very versatile sire. He was able to sire outstanding progeny with regard to quite extreme traits. For example the crop of 1993 included two of his sons: Emanor gr. (out of Emanacja) – 1998 Polish National Senior Champion and Best in Show, Canadian National Reserve Champion and Scottsdale Champion Stallion, as well as Druid, bay (out of Dalida) – an 11 times winner from 12 starts, including all possible classic races, with a record-setting coefficient of success 20,60. Deserving a separate mention is Werbum 1995 (out of Werda/Piechur), a sire of many remarkable mares in Polish breeding. Representing his sire to this day in Scandinavia is Beduin 2000 (out of Bogdanka/Europejczyk),

a highly decorated equine from European arenas.In Poland Wagram was used only in private breeding. After being exported to Argentina, he became renown as a sire of outstanding endurance horses.

The most highly esteemed representatives of the Arax sub-line west of our border proved Balaton and his son Kubinec ch. (out of Kosmetika), slightly inbred to Arax. Kubinec won the titles of German National Champion, European Champion and World Champion, with his bloodline making its way to Poland through his three sons.

Kubinec’s three sons in Polish breeding

The first of them, FS Bengali b. 1994 (out of Om El Sanadiva by Sanadik El Shaklan), born in Germany, won the National Championship in that country and later the World Junior Reserve Championship, Scottsdale and US National Championship. In Poland he was used from 2007 to 2009, mostly at Tarnawka Stud. His best son proved to be Maran. “When purchasing FS Bengali”, says Maran’s breeder, Czesław Witko, “I analyzed the successes of his get, especially those from Aja Arabians: Aja Sangali and Aja Sanagor. I used him on a wide scale at my stud. With time it turned out that he was best suited with the mare Missouri. Maran is

definitely growing better with each year”. From FS Bengali offspring in Poland distinguished also Eternal 2008 (out of Ewitacja/Ganges), br/o. By Mała Wieś Stud. As a yearling he won the title of Res. Champion Colt twice, at the Junior Spring Show in Białka and Polish Nationals in Janów. A year later he was the bronze medalist of the Scandinavian Open Championships in Blommeröd. He spent the 2012 season as chief sire in Nordlys Araber (Norway).

Second of the Kubinec sons, El Nabila B gr. 1996 (out of Elf Layla Walayla B), bred at Babolna, was represented in Poland only through his semen. Promising progeny by him was born at Janów and Michałów, for example the stallion Almanzor gr. 2009 (out of Alantina).

The third of Kubinec’s sons utilized in Polish breeding, Setnik ch. 2001 (out of Sieć), bred at Tarus Arabians and used there, left some descendants in private breeding.

This shows that there is no reason to worry about the continuation of Bairactar’s sire line in Poland, especially the line established by the stallion Arax. Maran is just beginning his breeding career, but it is already evident that he is a sire that strongly stamps his get. Czesław Witko emphasizes, that Maran passes on a beautiful front end, a fantastic setting of the neck and a proud posture. “He has definitely improved those mares that we selected for him”, says the breeder. “First and foremost he gives a beautiful eye. Maran’s foals caught the attention of a Moroccan breeder. Six of them will soon reinforce the breeding in that country.”

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When fall arrives many horses tend to change owners. For at this time the foals are weaned from their dams, in the cities people return from their vacation and undertake a decision about purchasing, and in the country a flow of cash is to be expected after harvest time… Currently it is much easier to purchase an Arabian than to sell one, as we can observe an excess of supply over demand, thanks to which those willing to buy a pure-bred have a rich offer to choose from, with the prices being lower than even a couple of years ago (of course I’m not talking about the prices achieved by the elite of Polish breeding at the Janów Sales). However no one wants to waste their money – however large the sum – and for that reason it is good to know what to look for during a purchase to minimize the risk of making a mistake.

First of all we must decide whether we need a horse for breeding or for working under saddle. Or perhaps both? Whether we already have other horses or will this be our first one? And whether we had experience with Arabians, or horses of other breeds? Do we have our own stable or do we intend to keep the animal in a livery yard? And do we have any experience at all with dealing with horses? Will we have to rely on ourselves (possibly with our family) or will there be somebody helping us? Finally what are our financial possibilities? The answers to these questions (as well as many others, as one question leads to the next) will determine what we choose from the horses available on the market.

Most important is the source from which we will make the purchase. We can buy a horse at one of the numerous auctions and biddings/tenders organized in the State Studs of Janów Podlaski, Michałów and Białka, or from the private-owned barns, usually advertised in one of the four horse magazines published in Poland or the major horse websites on the internet (polskiearaby.pl among others). We cannot forejudge upfront which source will be better, because here and there likewise we might stumble on our “dream steed”. But if we cannot spend too big an amount on this purchase, and we’re set on a close relation to title-holding individuals, a look at the monthly tenders of the State Studs might be a good idea. At the Studs it is custom to repeat successful matings and it is therefore possible to buy for a rather small sum a sister to a show champion, of less beauty or with an acquired physical flaw, possessing however the same genotype. This is advisable when, while not possessing vast funds, we wish to acquire breeding material.

This way, at one of the first of such tenders in the 90s (known then as „autumn auctions”), I bought a three year old filly with a superb pedigree, retired from racing training due to lameness, for an amount comparable to the price of a good work horse. The mare proved to be a splendid broodmare and passed these traits to her daughter, who still stands at my stable until this day. After two years’ time there was almost no sign of the lameness and I could even present the mare at the Breeding Exhibition in Sitno near Zamość.

When buying from an ad it is good to check whether the seller is a member of the Polish Arabian Horse Breeders’ Association (PZHKA) or at least try to inquire about some references for him (this does not apply to breeders with names widely recognized in the “horse” world). The purpose of this is to avoid buying a horse from a horse dealer, which only leads to problems. Such a horse might have been through a lot – kept in unsuitable conditions, badly fed or mistreated, which might result in consequences with regard to health or character. Even if we buy him cheaper, we might shell out more than we saved. There were cases of sales of horses with skillfully concealed cancer of the frog or sweet itch. The latter ailment does not appear during the winter, so if in doubt whether our contractor is honest – let’s take a look at the horse in the summer.

Most often the dealers try to conceal the defects of the horse’s character. They do so by administering sedatives to an excessively nervous or ill-natured individual prior to an expected visit by the client. If the visit is unexpected or vices cannot be concealed, they can try to use some psychological moves, for example making the client believe that the vices are temporary and they will cease to exist when in good hands (which is nothing but flattery for the buyer)…

The horse’s character and the way it allows itself to be handled are extremely important issues. If we are not a wealthy businessman, who will at once place the horse in the hands of qualified personnel, and especially if we intend to take care of the animal ourselves – let’s check what we are getting ourselves into. For that purpose we can run a small test – let’s try to lift each of the horse’s legs and then grab his ears. If he does not back away from these actions it means he is well mannered and mentally balanced.

A horse purchased from an unreliable seller might not possess full documentation. If he has a passport issued by the Polish Jockey Club then all’s alright, but do not uncritically believe in assurances that “the papers are being prepared”. There have been known cases of sellers trying to thrust a horse which did not fulfill the requirements of the studbooks, because for example he had gaps in his pedigree, was not registered in the regulation time or his blood samples were not sent to the lab for identifying genetic markers and DNA. When in doubt it is best to check with the Polish Arabian Stud Book (PASB) whether a horse of a given name and date of birth was registered there.

As much as it is possible, let’s try to check whether the horse is suitable for what we intend to use him for. If it is to be a broodmare, let’s take a look at her breeding career so far and if a first-time bred – the career of her dam, as the reproductive index is highly heritable in the female line in Arabian horses. If for example a mare is already n-teen years old and her last foal came into this world seven years ago, her incorporation into breeding once again may be hard and might require expensive treatment. When buying a horse with a show career in mind let’s check if he has in his pedigree ancestors with such predispositions (as Monogramm, Laheeb or Gazal Al Shaqab). If we plan a performance horse – for racing, endurance or other sport – we must thoroughly assess the state of his locomotive system and general health, especially the ease of breathing and the ability of the pulse to quickly return to normal after exercise. Let’s check if the tendons are not “hot”, whether there are no swellings on them and no splints on the cannons and whether the soles of the hoofs are well arched. For extra safety it is best to commission a veterinarian to perform all necessary tests. If he should accompany us during the inspection of the horse, the seller will treat us more seriously and will not try to smuggle defects which would otherwise be hard to find by the untrained eye.

Before we undertake a decision on purchasing a horse for under saddle work, a trial ride is vital. We must personally check how the horse responses to aids and the comfort of his gaits, especially if we are looking for a recreational steed. We should put the saddle and bridle on ourselves (even if the owner vows to do it himself) and assess if the horse backs away during this action. Check if he easily accepts the bit, if he is not ticklish, how he reacts to the tightening of the girth, if the pressure on his spine does not cause him pain and if he stands still during mounting (an exception is a horse straight off the racetrack, because the riders are “thrust” into the saddle, so the horse must get used to being mounted via the stirrup).

Some predispositions may be assessed straight away, based on certain features of the horse’s conformation before we mount. And so, a horse with a steep shoulder, especially combined with short and upright pasterns with a high probability will have a hard, bumpy gait, so the ride will be far from pleasant, which is not what we’re looking for! Similarly a horse with long pasterns and a short forearm will be moving with a “parade” walk, from the knee, which results in high action and not a very enjoyable carrying of oneself. While on the contrary, a horse with a soft back and long, soft pasterns does not present much breeding value and will not stand intensive use, but will be just right for light recreation, as such horses usually make for a soft and pleasant ride. Soft, while at the same time effective and purposeful gaits have horses that are well contained with a long, well angled shoulder. Our ancestors were right saying: “He who doesn’t test a horse, will buy a lame one, and who marries without getting to know the girl – is a fool!”

Do not treat the descriptions in ads too literally or rather let’s interpret the text reading it „between the lines”. It is highly unlikely that a three year old could be a “professor horse”, while a two year old or a yearling displayed “incredible jumping predispositions” (the fact that he was able to escape from the pasture once doesn’t mean a thing) or endurance skills. One or numerous acceptance of the saddle by the horse does not make him ideal to work with children and an individual advertised as “only for an experienced rider” is probably so hard to ride that the fact cannot be concealed.

Let’s also remember that a horse is a herd animal and we shouldn’t buy him to keep him alone (unless it is a highly pregnant mare and soon one will become two). Even if we plan to ride him everyday he needs to have some company for the rest of the day, so it is better to place him at once in a livery yard or riding club, especially in one that offers keeping horses in groups in the pastures. A horse standing alone in a box quickly acquires unfavorable vices. The worst that we could do is to buy one foal (because we can’t afford a grown horse) counting on it to grow into a corner stone of our future stud. What we can count on is the foal growing into a nervous adult, not knowing the behavior typical to its kind. A horse is not a dog or a cat and our company is not enough for him! It is better to buy two foals at once, ask a friend to also buy a foal or ask a neighbor with horses to have them raised together.

The likings of certain coat colors are a matter of taste, but it truly made sense only with restocking the cavalry squadrons, where horses were chosen in regard to coat color or when complying a numerous horse carriage. Our ancestors were not very consequent on the subject, as on one hand they had a saying that went: “No one buys a horse for his color, but for his virtue” and on the other hand they knew many superstitions and legends attributing certain traits to various colors, as for example: “Who hadn’t a grey one, hadn’t a good one”, or “Who hadn’t a chestnut, hadn’t a rascal”. I would advise however to act according to the Chinese saying: “Doesn’t matter if the cat’s white or black, what matters is if it catches the mice”.

Surely everyone of us has our own vision of an exemplary horse. However if we raise the standard too high, we might never come around to having the horse of our dreams, so we must decide which flaws are unacceptable and which we can tolerate. Already our ancestors warned us against excessive requirements, cautioning only that: “A horse and a woman with all virtues are hard to get”. Once I had a client from an ad, who seemed to find only defects in the horse I had offered for sale. When I coyly asked whether he ever saw a horse without flaws, he answered that he is looking for one. Well, in this case I could only wish him a long life with many years to come!

At the beginning of the year all breeders ponder on which partners to choose for their mares for the next breeding season. Although it would be best to wait until our mares foal, in order to repeat a successful mating or avoid an unsuccessful one, it is not always that easy. If, for example, we want to lease a stallion, such a decision must be made in January latest, as otherwise the best will be snatched from under our nose. Apart from that, full siblings can significantly differ from each other and just because one of them is outstanding doesn’t guarantee that the others will also be – and vice versa. And of course young mares, bred for the first time, are a huge unknown, although some assumptions can be made based on the reproductive performance of their dams, sisters or half-sisters.

A full list of sires accessible for breeding, both state-owned as well as private, is either already complete or being clarified as we speak, but based on the sires used last season we can already make the first attempts at choosing the right horse. The choice depends on our financial abilities, the number of broodmares and breeding goals that we have set for ourselves. It is obvious that the widest range of possibilities belongs to those that have no limits in terms of stud fees, but we must honestly say that breeding to a major-league sire does not necessarily give 100% certainty of producing a champion. Of course it can increase the probability of desired traits turning up in the progeny, but under the condition that the traits are highly heritable and that the stallion suits his female partners. Because in breeding, regardless of the value of coefficients of heritability of given traits, the selection of individuals and prepotency of a singular sire, commonly called “stamping” has a huge significance.

Unfortunately in the Arabian horse population highly heritable are only height (or strictly speaking – height in the withers) and character and for the mares – also the length of pregnancy and heat. Whereas the desired performance traits, such as racing ability or show predispositions, have a low heritability or at best – an average one. For example, the coefficient of heritability for racing abilities varies from 0,07 (from the sire’s component) to 0,24 (from the dam’s component), while the coefficients of heritability of traits evaluated at shows vary from 0,03 (for the legs) to 0,17 (for head and neck).

The breeding value of a given sire, expressed as the advantage of his offspring over their peers in respect to the level of a certain trait and assessed in the same units, in which we present the value of the given trait, is a different thing. It results from the individual prepotency thus, albeit the low heritability of traits evaluated at shows, we can single out sires whose progeny visibly dominates over the progeny of other stallions. And so among sires with at least 5 offspring participating in the Polish National and Junior Arabian horse shows during the years 1985 to 2000, the largest supremacy in terms of scores for type, head and neck, as well as all traits in total belonged to Emigrant grey, 1991 (Ararat – Emigrantka) bred by Michałów Stud; for body – Fawor brown, 1981 (Probat – Fatma) bred by Michałów Stud; for legs – Eukaliptus grey, 1974 (Bandos – Eunice) bred by Janów Podlaski Stud; for movement – Ernal grey, 1975 (Palas – Engracja) bred by Janów Podlaski Stud. Later, when sires such as Monogramm, Laheeb or Gazal Al Shaqab where used on a large scale, these results changed.

Furthermore, the breeding experiences of the Bedouins, confirmed today by statistical research of a team under my leadership, show that in this breed it is usually the sire that passes on beauty, type and certain characteristic conformation traits, whereas the dam – racing ability, health, fertility and longevity. So if we want to breed valiant horses, we should choose a sire that besides good performance results also distinguishes himself with beauty. Because if we breed a mare to a valiant, but unrefined sire, the progeny might not inherit the racing abilities, but the lack of beauty (and only it) – yes. In such case it is good if the produced horse has a good nature, thanks to which he will be good for recreation riding, but if not? I’m scared to even think…

Considering the specificity of the Arabian breed, a larger probability of passing on performance traits have those sires, that inherited them from their dams or from farther family members on the distaff side. And so, Poland’s record holder in regard to the coefficient of success (20,60!), the stallion Druid 1993 (Wojsław – Dalida), descended from a sire with a moderate performance record, but out of a Derby-winning dam. Polish National Champion and the sire of a Derby winner, the most valiant of his sire’s progeny, the stallion Ganges 1994 (Monogramm – Garonna), was the son of an Oaks winner and among sires born during the years 1959–1977 the highest relative genetic value (437,10%) was achieved by… Bandos grey, 1964 (Negatiw – Bandola), tested on the most number of progeny. Bandos himself had rather mediocre track achievements, but his dam, known for her beauty and longevity Bandola, was also, which not many are aware of, very valiant – 5th among her peers, raced for two seasons, took part in 23 races, out of which she won 4 and her coefficient of success amounted to 2,21. In 2006 the 3-year-old progeny of Gazal Al Shaqab made a splendid debut at the track, who as yearlings and 2-year-olds received high notes at shows. The female line of this stallion can be traced to the mare Edessa (Pietuszok – Ellora), who was sold to Sweden very early on, but her siblings and half-siblings were very valiant at the track.

Followers of Skorkowski’s and Braur’s theory on maintaining the pureness of the Kuhailan and Saklavi types may carry out such matings knowing that the belonging of a stallion to a certain sire line must match with the belonging of the mare to a suitable dam line. The late assistant professor Skorkowski, based on the cranium measurements, assigned the following male lines to the Kuhailan type: Kuhailan Haifi, Kuhailan Afas, Krzyżyk, Kuhailan Adjuze and female lines: Gazella, Mlecha, Sahara, Semrie, Selma, Rodania, Adjuze, Bent-El-Arab; while to the Saklavi type the male lines of: Ibrahim, Ilderim, Bairactar, Saklawi I and female lines of: Milordka, Wołoszka, Ukrainka, Szweykowska, Szamrajówka. However when mating pairs in accordance with the above pattern we must remember that not at once will we receive progeny in the type that it should theoretically represent. For many years in Polish breeding the mating within the pureness of types was not carried out, so the “contents” might not correspond to the “packaging”.

But if we do not abide by the rule of mating within the pureness of type, we should observe certain trends. For example multichampion Ekstern and the typical “Saklavian” Pesal visibly cross better with strong Kuhailans, while Emigrant, who usually stamps his offspring strongly with type, crosses with such mares the worst. Monar, Wachlarz and the late Fawor passed on a good topline with the highest probability, Eldon – tall height usually in connection with beauty and valiance, while Ararat – good temperament.

We should always consider the temperament of both sire and dam, because even though these defects may to some extent be the result of bad handling of the horse by humans, still in 41% it is a hereditary trait. A nasty or untrusting towards humans dam can by way of inprinting pass this trait onto the suckling foal – and easy handling is valued today by every buyer.

Recapitulating – the whole beauty of breeding is based on the fact that there are no formulas, but to some extent we can increase the probability of producing a positive result, if we base the selection of mating partners on a meticulous analysis of pedigrees and breeding careers and not the current trends or snobbery. First of all we must know what traits we would desire most in the upcoming progeny and what the mechanism of their heredity is. Let’s take a close look at the achievements of our ideal sire, as well as those of his progeny and if – for example due to a low stud fee – we decide to use a young, yet unproven sire, let’s take a look at his parents and siblings. Let’s also investigate how the chosen stallion or his sire, sons, brothers or half-brothers cross with mares related to ours or of similar performance. And let’s not be frustrated if the effect will not be the one we expected, because in breeding 2+2 does not always equal 4.