On 7th December 2004 from Saudi Arabia to Poland arrived Galba (Plakat x Gza-Gza/Negatraz) that will be used in 2005 breeding season at Michałów State Stud. Why do the Polish breeders chose Galba amongst all of these successful stallions of the world?

The sire

Probably there would be no Galba in this world without the Aswan Great Dam on the upper Nile. In 1963 Russians were given grey stallion – Rafaat (Nazeer – Yosreia/Sheikh El Arab) as a gift from Egyptian government for financial support in building the dam. That was probably the reason why – when arrived in USSR – Rafaat was named Aswan. His sire was Nazeer – one of the most successful racers in Egypt – that’s why Aswan transmitted to his progeny not only his type and beauty but also great racing abilities. Besides Palas (out of Panel) – widely used in Polish breeding – one of the most significant Aswan’s sons was great mover – Plakat (out of Pchelka – the granddaughter of Janów Podlaski – bred Piołun). Plakat is known as a most successful show horse in Europe bred in Russia. Amongst of his uncountable winnings are All Nations Cup Championships and Towerlands Championships that he won at the age of 22! One of the best Plakat’s products is Galba himself.

The dam

Galba’s granddam (on his dam’s side) was chestnut Gay Zaza (Gaypolka – Muzaa/Comet) born in 1969 at Double U Ranch (CAN). Her pedigree is very interesting (see the original pedigree)– this far away form Poland born mare was carrying the blood of the best Polish ancestors of pure bred. Her sire – Gaypolka (Pietuszok – Caliope / Witraż) born in Albigowa Stud (PL) and imported in utero by American breeder John Rogers in late 1960, was not only athletic and correct but also very typey that was confirmed by his several champion titles (amongst of all: Pacific Northwest Champion, Canadian Breeders Champion. US Top Ten Stallion and Legion of Merit titles). In his outstanding pedigree Gaypolka carried also a braveness – of meritorious Pietuszok and Albigowa-bred Caliope (full sister to legendary horses as Celebes) – the mare who was brave herself as well as was the dam of performance classes’ winners (as Califax or Carinosa) in US.

Gay Zaza’s dam was Muzaa (Muza) bred in 1959 at Nowy Dwor (PL). Her half and full siblings were the most meritorious and successful horses across the Ocean. Her half-sisters were such Witraż daughters as Muszkatela and Mesalina – US Champion Mare and her full brother – Mustafar was 1970 Swedish Supreme Champion Stallion, the same year becoming the most popular show and breeding sire in United States. In 1973 Muzaa’s mission was giving birth to one more Pure Polish Arabian foal – she was sent to Mike Nichols’ farm to be bred to Elkin (Aquinor – Ellenai / Wielki Szlem). Unfortunately she died at the farm due to twisted intestine.

Galba’s dam Gza Gza (Negatraz – Gay Zaza/Gaypolka) was 10th out of 18th foals that Gay Zaza gave birth to. She was born in 1984 at James Ward’s stud (US), then sold to Paramont Arabians – where she was trained and finally won the several regional shows and champion titles. Finally she was sold to Germany during one of the famous Paramont sales – to Gerd Jannsen – Galba breeder.

Gza Gza’s pedigree tracks on both sides to Poland as her grandparents were: Bask (on sire’s side) and Muza – mentioned above, Comet’s daughter bred in Nowy Dwor (on dam’s side) (see the original pedigree).

In Paramont Arabians’ notes about Gza Gza we can read:” Filly by Negatraz out of Gay Zaza; This filly is bred to be a show horse and an exceptional breeding animal. She is so genetically strong in athletic ability she could be an outstanding performance animal in both the show ring and on the racetrack. She should also produce animals of great athletic abilities and correct conformation”. Looking at Galba and his progeny – there is no doubt that American breeders were right…

Galba’s roots tracks then to Egypt, Russia but – first of all – to Poland. Galba is visiting Poland for the second time: in 1997 he was proven on Służewiec racecourse in Warsaw. His racing career is: 1 season, 5 starts (1xI-1xII-0xIII-1xIV- 0xV). After race career Galba was continuing his show successes winnings amongst of all:

1999 – World Senior Champion Stallion
1999 – All Nations Cup Champion Stallion
1999 – European Reserve Champion Stallion
1999 – Kauber-Platte Reserve Champion Stallion
2002 – Middle East Championships Champion Stallion – Amman (Jordan)
2004 – International Arabian Horse Show Reserve Champion Stallion – El Zahraa / Cairo(Egypt)
2004 – Class winner at International Arabian Horse Show – Dubaj (UAE)

What will be the results of breeding this interesting pedigree to Polish mares?
We will see next year. Below we present the past successes of Galba’s progeny:

Laha Al Khalidiah (out of Divine Destinee/Padrons Psyche) born 2002 at Al Khalidiah Stud (Saudi Arabia)
– first at 2004 International Arabian Horse Show in Amman (Jordan),
– 2004 International Arabian Horse Show Junior Champion Mare – El Zahraa/Cairo(Egypt),
– third in class at the 2004 International Arabian Horse Festival in Sharjah (UAE)
– third in class at the 2004 Dubai International Arabian Horse Championships (UAE)
– Junior Reserve Champion Filly at Saudi Arabian Nationals 2005

Al Muntasir (out of Victoria II/RSD Dark Victory) born 2002 at Al Bwuibiyah Farm, in Saudi Arabia
– 2003 International Champion Colt – Amman (Jordan)
– Top Five Junior Male Middle East Championships – Amman (Jordan)

Jouharat Al Khalidiah (out of Azz El Kheil Al Thaniya) born 2002 at Al Khalidiah Stud (Saudi Arabia)
– 2003 International Reserve Champion Filly – Amman (Jordan)
– second in the class at 2004 International Arabian Horse Festival in Sharjah (UAE)
– second in the class at 2004 Dubai International Arabian Horse Championships (UAE)

Amra (out of Allora) born 1999 bred by Gerd Jannsen
– fourth in the class at 2003 Blommerod International Arabian Horse Show (Sweden)

At last – but not least – few words of Mrs. Izabella Pawelec-Zawadzka (President of Polish Arabian Horse Breeders Society) – the first person who “noticed” Galba and – few years ago – recommended him to be used in Polish breeding program: – Galba is a sire of a great charisma and harmony. He is so correct – with beautiful, large eye and nice shaped head on very well arched neck. When you look at the sire like him you know that this is a stallion of great breeding potential. You just can not take your eyes off away from him!

 

Galba
born: 10.06.1994
sire line: Saklawi I
dam line: Gazella or.ar.
breeder: Gerd Jannsen (Germany)
owner: HRH Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud (Saudi Arabia)