Padron (Patron – Odessa), owned by The *Padron Syndicate, bred by Dr J.J.M. Blaauwhof, Holland, exported to the US in 1978, Canadian Champion in 1981, US Champion in 1982, Scottsdale Champion in 1982 and twice Scottsdale Reserve Champion in 1979 and 1981, died on the 30th of June, 2007 due to a heart attack. On the 13th of May he turned 30 years old.
He was born in 1977 in the Dutch stud belonging to the Blauwhoot family, located in the village of Kerkdiel. His sire Patron (thrice Dutch Champion Stallion) lived a relatively short life. Exported from Tersk, he was and still is considered the prettiest and most refined son of Aswan. While the dam – Podruga – was a mare of an athletic pedigree. Her sire Priboj was acknowledged as the best Russian athletic sire. Additionally through his granddam Dikarka he had French origins, which speaks for itself.
Padron began his outstanding career quite early, winning the title of Dutch Champion at the age of 3 months. Later he gained the titles of Champion thrice more in that country, before being exported in 1978 to the US. He was spotted by Robert and Donna Stratmore: ‘Padron had absolutely the most beautiful head that I had ever seen,’ Robert Stratmore was to say, describing his visit to Holland. ‘A large eye and an always proudly arched neck, with a royal trot indeed. He had the ideal presence, such that you at once knew that he was an extraordinary horse. Extremely beautiful. I couldn’t help it… I had to have him immediately.’
Padron arrived in the US on the 11th of February, 1978 at the Make-Believe Farm in Alamo, California. In September of 1980 he landed in the hands of his trainer and future co-owner, with whom he would eventually end his life – David Boggs, who turned Padron into a legend.
Interestingly, also Padron’s sire – Patron – was sold to the US. It turned out however that he had piroplasmosis, a disease harmless to horses, but transmitted onto cattle. The only possibility for transporting Patron to the States was a blood transfusion, which unfortunately he did not survive,
Padorn was considered as being „Russian”, but he was only half that. It has been precisely calculated that his pedigree consists of 50% English, 25% Egyptian, 12,5% Polish and 12,5% French blood. His dam Odessa (Regional show Champion from 1977 with little Padron at foot) was born in Belgium. Her sire was Bright Wings – UK Reserve Champion Colt from 1966 and her dam – Serinda, UK Champion in the foals’ category from 1969. Odessa was of pure Crabbet origin, from the line of Rodania d.b., which Padron was a typical representative of (a chestnut with white markings – a blaze and socks).
At the age of three (already in the US) he was getting ready by David Boggs to conquer the show arenas. Their performances went down in history. In David’s hands Padron won all that could’ve been won in North America, achieving the title of Champion in Canada (1981), in Scottsdale (1982), in the US Nationals (also 1982), Reserve Champion in Scottsdale in 1979 and 1981, as well as Cow Palace Show Champion, Region III Champion and Minnesota All Arabian Supreme Champion. After changing owners, he found his way to Lasma. However he did not fit into their Polish-orientated breeding program. He was used only once, and the foaled colt was gelded. In that same year Padron wrote himself down as the object of the most expensive syndicate in the history of Arabian horse breeding – for the amount of 11 million dollars! The main owners were David Boggs and John O’Brien, who later imported Padron’s dam, Odessa, to the US.
Used widely in breeding, he left 770 pure-bred offspring, including 50 winners of National Shows, 12 international champions and over 180 champions of different rank shows. Bob Battaglia, who trained Padron after the horse became US National Champion, said about him: ‘Padron was pleasant and easy both to ride and train, he had incredible movement. I believe that if he was trained for the performance classes to begin with, even today he could easily become English Pleasure Champion.’
Since 2001 Padron was retired, spending his days at the Jabar Ltd Stud in Georgia, where he died almost 2 months after the pompous celebration of his 30th birthday.
After 10 years his progeny made its way back to Europe. The best include the stallions Lyphard and Padrons Image. Daughters Say You Say Me and Lady Amie won in Aachen, the former in the seniors’ class, the latter in the juniors’ class. The stallion Padrons Kadar won a couple of championships, while his son Padrons Khen Saabi is Austrian Champion and European Reserve Champion in dressage. But Padron’s most significant offspring is Padrons Psyche – foaled on the 28th of May, 1988 at the McPherson Family Trust. His dam Kilika was the daughter of the Tersk-bred Tamerlan (son of the Polish Arax) and the mare Kilifa, and at the same time the granddaughter of the mare Taktika (dam of Pietuszok). Padrons Psyche as a three year old won a Regional Championship and gained the title of US National Reserve Champion. He began his career as sire with immense success. His first get of offspring includes: the mare JBK Mystic Fawn, who at the age of three gained the title of National Futurity and the stallion LD Halston (a sire in Brazil). The first progeny of Padron in Europe were the full sisters – Focus Seneca and Focus Galliana, purchased by Shirley Watts for Halsdon Arabians.
From Padron’s second year get stem: the stallion FS Ritz, Scottsdale Champion, currently covering in Belgium and from his third get – the mare Psyches Amber Gem, exported to Germany, where she has had great success at championships. From among Padron’s sons we must mention Psymadre as well – thrice US Top Ten winner and Magnum Psyche, considered the greatest successor of Padron’s line.
Magnum Psyche, the property of Argentinean breeders, but stationed just like his famous ancestor at David Boggs’, has gained the title of National Champion in three countries: USA (1998, 2004), Canada (1998) and Argentina (2000).
Padrons Psyche began to be used in Europe in the mid-90s. He gave (among others) the stallions Psyches Ambassador, Psynergy, LD Pistal and Ames Charisma and now Janów Podlaski Stud has decided to use the US-born Enzo. While in Polish private breeding this year the Italian WH Justice – Magnum’s son – made his debut as a sire. 2005 abounded in the biggest successes for Padrons Psyche. Enzo became US National Champion, Magnum’s daughters gained the titles of US Senior Championesse and Reserve Championesse. Padrons Psyche himself ranked 7th among the best sires in performance classes, while Magnum turned out to be the best sire in the halter classes. His offspring almost always places in the lead. It is said about Padrons Psyche that he combines well with almost all mares – Polish, Russian, American, Egyptian, as well as Spanish. Although he is still in good health and has a good quality of semen, the stallion was withdrawn from breeding – however the line of Padron fortunately has worthy successors – let’s hope that he will manage to have them in Poland as well.
Considering the dynasty created by Padron almost all over the world it is not surprising that the information about his death deeply moved many breeders. On all the major discussion forums new threads were formed, on which breeders expressed their sympathy and condolences to those who had a share in the breeding and successes of Padron, as well as exchanged photos of owned Padron progeny – and there really are many of those!
A photo gallery of Padron created by his fans:
http://public.fotki.com/Prosmirage/padron-photos/
