The often repeated saying from “Star Wars”: “May the Force be with you” has been paraphrased oh so many times in everyday situations, so without further ado I shall allow myself to say that the Force at the beginning of the 2024 racing season in Poland is primarily strong with Cornelia Fraisl’s ward, the five-year-young Storm ‘OA’, bred and owned by R.A.G. Kolk van Meerveld from the Netherlands. Unexpectedly, he won in a peerless fashion two category B races: the Comet Stakes over the distance of 2000 metres, and the Bandos Stakes over the distance of 2200 m.

After last season, when he was still a stallion (he was gelded in winter), Storm ‘OA’ took sixth place in the general handicap (81.5 kg), with a slight loss to the ranking leader, Ocean Al Maury (83.5 kg). As a four-year-old, he celebrated one prestigious victory in Wrocław – the President Cup Mondial Europe 2023, (cat. A, 1907 metres). As a stallion, Storm ‘OA’ had an explosive temperament and would push forward as fast he could – it was close to impossible to stop him. Let me give you an example: in Traf Warsaw Mile he raced like a thoroughbred. All this changed when he became a gelding.

Already during the Comet Stakes on 28th April, his jockey Dastan Sabatbekov chose to start slowly at the end of the group. With 300 metres left to the finish line, he was fifth. The ending of the race was absolutely brilliant… as if launched from a catapult. He won by three lengths ahead of the Polish-bred Almared, who immensely surprised the crowds anyway, having defeated the great French-bred Rasmy Al Khalediah by 0.75 lengths. He, in turn, overtook the Derby winner from four years ago, Wielki Dakris, by the same amount, who showed good form at the beginning of the season.

Two French horses trained by Maciej Kacprzyk failed egregiously, especially the afore-mentioned Ocean Al Maury, the favourite of this race, who was merely sixth. Salsabil II, the track record holder for 1400 (1’31.6″) and 1600 m (1’45.5″) was strongly in the lead (second quarter 32.6, third quarter 33.6), so it was no surprise when he gave in to the unbearable speed. The race time is quite noteworthy too – 2’15.3″, and so were the winnings at the racetrack…

COMET STAKES

1. Storm ‘OA’ (NL), jockey D.Sabatbekov (63.0)
2. Almared, jockey S.Mura (59.0)
3. Rasmy Al Khalediah (FR), jockey B.Kalysbek Uulu (63.0)
4. Wielki Dakris, jockey K.Dogdurbek Uulu (59.0)
5. Sharm El Sheikh (FR), jockey T.Kumarbek Uulu (62.0)
6. Ocean Al Maury (FR), jockey M.Srnec (63.0)
7. Salsabil II (FR), jockey S.Abaev (63.0)
8. Ben Mark, jockey K.Grzybowski (62.0)
Withdrawn: Wasmy Al Khalediah (FR), jockey A.Reznikov (63.0)

Ocean Al Maury’s failed rematch

Less than four weeks later, the rematch took place in the form of the Bandos Stakes, over a distance of 200 metres more, for the Cup of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. Considering the previous race, their two major rivals were missing: Rasmy Al Khaledia and Salsabil II. Track conditions also changed. The track during the Comet Stakes was slightly flexible (3.2), while this time it was flexible (3.4). This nuance could have been important, because Storm ‘OA’ carried extra weight (65 kg), and Ocean Al Maury had 2 kg less.

Trainer Maciej Kacprzyk also saw here a chance for his pupil’s success. Especially since he got into a much better shape in the meantime compared to his first start. However, he must’ve realised that he couldn’t leave the Bandos Stakes to fate. This meant that Ocean Al Maury had to dominate from the race from the start. That’s why he signed up the best Polish jockey, Szczepan Mazur. After a magnificent season in Qatar, he might not have had any good wins at Służewiec thus far, but only because he haven’t had the chance to ride the top horses yet. Ocean Al Maury was the first worthy candidate.

The popular “Szczepcio” raced as quickly he could (the first full quarter 32.5, the second 33.5, the remaining two 34.2-34.4), but to no avail. In this thrilling race, Storm ‘OA’, after a short fight, defeated Ocean Al Maury, winning easily by 3 lengths. Wielki Dakris might’ve performed bravely both in the distance and in the finish, but he was no match for Ocean, who confidently finished second, losing 3.5 lengths to the runner-up. The giants shall clash again on 30th June at the Ofir Stakes (cat. A, 2400 m).

BANDOS STAKES

1. Storm ‘OA’ (NL), jockey D.Sabatbekov (65.0)
2. Ocean Al Maury (FR), jockey S.Mazur (63.0)
3. Wielki Dakris, jockey K.Dogdurbek Uulu (59.0)
4. Almared, jockey S.Mura (59.0)
5. Lindahl’s Avatar (DK), jockey K.Grzybowski (59.0)
6. Gensik (FR), jockey A.Turgaev (63.0)
7. Harun RA, jockey M.Zholchubekov (59.0)
8. Ben Mark, jockey S.Abaev (62.0)

Bad Guy Pompadour – lone wolf of the Stanisław Sałagaj Memorial

In the race dedicated to the memory of the great jockey and outstanding trainer Stanisław Sałagaj (six-time Trainer of the Year according to the editors of “Życie Warszawy”), the French-bred Bad Guy Pompadour, trained by Maciej Kacprzyk, turned out to be without equal and simply beyond compare. He won very easily by 7 lengths ahead of two Polish-bred stallions Maximus and Fragnar, and the French-bred mare Aisha Al Shahania, who were fighting for the next three paid places and reached the finish line in this very order.

What the future holds

Unfortunately, it remains unknown when the special races for three-year-olds will start, chiefly from Janów Podlaski Stud and Michałów Stud, and from Białka Stud and private breeders to a smaller extent. There’s approx. 70 horses that qualify, and last season these races were held under the patronage of the National Support Centre for Agriculture (KOWR), a Polish governmental agency, supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Allegedly, they will be continued this season too, but the details are still debated on. The horses are already prepared for their debut and cannot remain in stables indefinitely, so they are entered into open races or PASB races, even though they have little chance of winning.

So it is no surprise that as many as 15 Polish horses were entered in one of the two races for three-year-olds to take place on Thursday in Partynice (apparently the owners and trainers agreed on this), including 11 from Michałów! In the other race, seven domestic-bred and four foreign-bred Arabians (with intriguing pedigrees) will participate, and they will most likely race against each other. What the future holds? We’ll just have to wait and see…

The Polish Arabian Horse Sports League is the first series of events in the history of Polish equestrian sports organised by a private person with the development of sports for Arabian horses in mind. It is the brainchild of Bogdan Maślanka, the owner of the Primastella Stables in Łomianki near Warsaw. The League’s 3^rd edition launched at the end of April with a lot more in store to come in June and after the summer holidays.

The League – what is it exactly?

It is a series of one-day competitions during which equestrians and equestriennes along with their purebred horses compete in such classes as dressage, show jumping, Classic Pleasure, Hunter Pleasure and the most “Arabic” competition of all, that is the Traditional Arabian Riding. During this, in our opinion, the most spectacular competition, riders and their horses have the task to impress not only with their skills, but also with their sense of aesthetics, attention to detail, and creativity in terms of their costumes.

Those who participate in the League earn points over the course of the series, and it is the total number of points that determines the winner in the finals in September.

For the first time evert, the Polish Arabian Horse Sports League took place in 2022. Competitors, encouraged by the excellent organisation and ambiance, would come to individual events with their horses ever more eagerly and their numbers grew considerably.

Ultimately, as many as 19 Arabian horses took part in the “pilot edition”. The winner of the series back then was Karolina Hernik-Jasik on the extremely lively and brave mare Webista (by Perseusz out of Weber by Porto).

Refined sophomore edition

The following year, the competition attracted more people and horses. At the same time, the League caught attention of the media, and as a result the events reached a wider audience.

Moreover, thanks to the support of sponsors, the organisers introduced a special prize, the Niniwa Award, for the best show jumper, funded by the St. Roch Arabians.

Just like a year earlier, the competition took place in an equally wonderful and friendly atmosphere. A total of 28 purebred horses competed in individual classes. Aleksandra Semeryło won the League in an amazing fashion and with a great result, with her mare Encina (by Pesal out of Epoza by Eukaliptus).

The Polish Arabian Horse Sports League is becoming increasingly popular, primarily due to its unique character and atmosphere. The person behind the entire event is a miracle worker – brimming with enthusiasm, an ever-encouraging smile on his face, and helpful beyond measure. Throughout the entire series, he keeps a watchful eye on all that takes place, paying attention to the tiniest detail.

The Leagues times three

We wholeheartedly recommend participation in this year’s competition to all equestrians who ride Arabian horses. We also encourage everyone to cheer on the participants as they try their luck. As the event is getting bigger every year, attracting more attention from the purebred Arabian community, this year’s edition is officially ECAHO-affiliated – testament to the event’s significance.

Detailed information, competition proposals, as well as results are available on livejumping.com as well as on Facebook: Stajnia Primastella and Polska Liga Sportowa Koni Arabskich.

Part 2 of the 2024 series is coming soon – on the Sunday following this year’s Children’s Day, and the organiser accepts applications until the end of May. In turn, the grand finale of the Polish Open Cup together with the Polish Amateur Presenters Championships will take place in the second half of September.

See you on 2^nd June in Łomianki!

For the first time in a dozen or so years, when announcing the season in Służewiec, which is to open this coming Saturday, I am faced with a dilemma. While I would love to give in to excitement, facts and numbers unfortunately won’t allow me. Compared to last year’s season, as many as 52 fewer horses were entered (2023 – 336 horses, including 107 foreign-bred; 2024 – 284, 63 foreign). However, these figures are no longer up to date, as at least a dozen or maybe more horses mentioned in Bulletin No. 1 have not arrive at their stables yet and it remains unknown whether they will join us at all. We also don’t know yet when exactly or how the issue of the series of races, held last year under the patronage of the National Centre for Agricultural Support (KOWR), will be resolved. And there are at least 70 horses meeting the special criteria, i.e. not having at least one of the six stallions in their pedigrees: Amer (SA), Baroud III (FR), Burning Sand (US), Dragon (FR), Saint Laurent (FR) and Tiwaiq (SA) – mainly from the Polish state stud farms: Janów Podlaski, Michałów and Białka. I cite Paweł Gocłowski’s statement concerning this subject at the end of this article. For those who are unfamiliar with him, he’s the new president of the Polish Jockey Club (PKWK).

What a surprise! Cornelia Fraisl is back in Skarżyce, but only training 10 Arabians!

Cornelia Fraisl won the 2022 Trainers’ Championship in great style: with 50 wins, she overtook Adam Wyrzyk, the grandmaster of this competition who had previously won this champion six title times in a row (he had 41 wins that year). Meanwhile, from the beginning of last season, stories were circulating that Janusz and Michał Romanowski were going to sell their stud and the horses in Skarżyce would be trained by Cornelia Fraisl only until the Derby Stakes. And yet she worked until October and was once again among the ranking leaders. Ultimately, after the 2023 season, she was classified ex æquo in third place with Krzysztof Ziemiański – 28 victories each. Adam Wyrzyk won with 61 victories, followed by Maciej Jodłowski with 37.

Come autumn, Cornelia left for her hometown of Vienna and it seemed that her 17-year-long adventure in Poland was over. As it turned out, the Romanowskis would not give up owning horses for good that easily, and therefore… racing. For the 2024 season, they entered four thoroughbred two-year-olds, including three of their own breeding, and 10 purebreds, one of them foreign-bred, the well-known to racing regulars Dutch stallion: Storm ‘OA’ bred and owned by RAG Kolk van Meerveld. The other Arabians include two five-year-olds, the gelding Kito and the mare Kiki, and seven three-year-olds, and they were bred by FORTUM Michał Romanowski and are owned by Aero Pegasus Sp. z o.o.

Maciej Kacprzyk’s stables – a new powerhouse?

Judging by the entries, this might be a promising season for Maciej Kacprzyk’s stables. The older Arabians are particularly strong, of which two horses owned by Rafał Płatek stand out: Ocean Al Maury and Zenhaf, last year’s winners of the Europe and Ofir Stakes respectively, Salasbil II (1st in the Traf Warsaw Mile), and Monaasib who is to compete already at the season’s inauguration in the Skowronek Stakes over a distance of 2000 m, a race advanced for the first time ever to the 2nd group. Ocean and Zenhaf will take part in the most important races over longer distances, while Salsabil II, who is a double track record holder for 1400 (1’31.6″) and 1600 m (1’45.5″), and Monaasib are better suited for races up to 2000 m. Al Jassim can also prove a valuable asset in group races.

The four-year-old stallions Bad Guy Pompadour and Winameer de Thouars, well known to Służewiec regulars, as well as Fifre Al Maury (who is not mentioned in Bulletin No. 1 because he was registered at a later date) should also achieve noteworthy results. Their trainer intends to enter all three to the UAE President Central European Cup Arabian Derby taking place on 7th July during the Służewiec Derby Gala. Azzam Al Khalediah is intended for the Polish Derby, which according to the race calendar will take place on 28th July.

Maciej Kacprzyk is currently training 12 three-year-olds: seven foreign-bred and five Polish-bred (the remaining young horses listed in Bulletin No. 1 have not arrived yet). Among the foreign mares, the ones that stand out are Laas de Faust and Legende du Pouy and the stallion Sahil du Panjshir. When it comes to Polish three-year-olds, the most interesting are three horses sired by the son of the legendary stallion Tiwaiq, the stallion Muqatil Al Khalidiah who won the first edition of the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan – European Award in 2010 from pillar to post, in a record time for 2600 m – 2’56.3″. These are Elnizo out of Elniza and Wiktus out of Wenus GI, bred by Jan Głowacki, and Siscario out of Sabella, bred by Bogdan Maślanka.

Who else has an Arabian trick up their sleeve?

In the group of five-year-old and older Arabians, apart from the above-mentioned racing giants trained by Kacprzyk, there are only two “Alkhalediahs” left, both trained by Janusz Kozłowski: Rasmy and Wasmy who enjoy medium distances the most, Gensik – last year’s end-of-season revelation trained in Wrocław by Michał Borkowski and winner of the 2023 Wielki Szlem and Criterion Stakes, the afore-mentioned Storm ‘OA’ (winner of President Cup Mondial Europe 2023 in Wrocław), and Lex – trained by Sergey Vasyutov, last year’s blue ribbon winner. Sharm El Sheikh (trained by Maciej Janikowski), Almared (Krzysztof Ziemiański), Ben Mark (Kamila Urbańczyk) and the Derby winner from 4 years ago Wielki Dakris (Adam Wyrzyk ) also stand a chance for a number of wins. The last one of that group is a horse full of “character”. If he doesn’t get along with the rider, he won’t want to race. Last season, he only started racing in the autumn in the Wielki Szlem Stakes and he apparently felt like a fish out of water on the slightly flexible track, finishing 111 lengths behind the penultimate horse. However, within six weeks he managed to achieve such high form that perhaps – under a more seasoned than the talented young Kyrgyz Kuma Dogdurbek Uulu – he could’ve even won (he was almost fourth).

Among the four-year-olds, the Danish-bred gelding Lindahls Anakin owned by A. Lindahls and trained by Claudia Pawlak seems to have the greatest chance in battles against older horses. After taking fourth place in his debut, he won three races in a row with a large advantage: Borek, Europejczyk and Białka Stakes. Being a gelding, he couldn’t race in the Sambor Stakes. In Criterion, he was close to third behind Gensik and Zenhaf. His main target will probably be the UAE President Central European Cup Arabian Derby (2000 m).

However, there is no definite favourite for the Polish Derby over a distance of 3000 m. The only horse outside the group (in category B) is Clara Al Khalediah, bred and owned by Polska AKF, trained by Michał Borkowski. As a three-year-old, she won three races (including the PZHKA Award). However, she is a nervous mare who took the last 10th place in the 2023 Criterion. The distance of 3000 m could be too difficult for her to overcome, so she will most likely train for Oaks (2400 m), as she has no dangerous competitors among Polish mares. The Derby favourites should include the stallions that won the first group races: Fragmar (bred and owned by Monika Stelmaszczyk, trained by A. Wyrzyk) and Maximus (bred by M. Żarski, owned and trained by Andrzej Urbanowski).

Sergey Vasyutov trains Tomasz Mikołajczyk’s horses in Służewiec

On 31st January 2024, trainer and still great rider Sergey Vasyutov finished working at the racing stables in Janów Podlaski. Since mid-March, he has been preparing five Arabians bred and owned by Tomasz Mikołajczyk. These are: the revelation of last season, the Derby winner Lex (Sartejano – Lillij Ann / Makfoul du Breuil) and the five-year-old Williams (Sartejano – Wielka Damira / Ontario HF), who has already returned to normal training after a tendon injury; Williams’ four-year-old sister, Wenah, who is yet to make her debut; and two three-year-olds: Lex’s half-brother, Largo Winch (No Risk Al Maury – Lillij Ann / Makfoul du Breuil) and Julius (Murhib – Jaleelat Al Khalidiah / Tiwaiq).

“I hope that I will be able to prepare Lex for the Bandos Stakes in the second half of May, while Williams will run in group races, over medium rather than longer distances. The debutante looks promising, as do the two three-year-old colts Julius and Largo Winch, who have good foreign pedigrees,” told us Vasyutov.

Petro Nakoniechnyi now trains the horses in Janów Podlaski

As of 1st February, Vasyutov was replaced in Janów by the Ukrainian trainer and rider Petro Nakoniechnyi, who previously ran a stables in Wrocław.

“Of the older Arabians, only the good Serafina and the weaker Sofronia remain. Szecherezada on the other hand was sold. I am mainly preparing a large group of three-year-olds, more or less two dozen of them, with show pedigrees, but I also have four horses in my stable, sired by Muqatil Al Khalidiah. The stallions Serir and Wixon currently look better than the mares Wella and Szanti. The mare Emiko also has a racing pedigree, bred and owned by my wife Anna, who helps me work with horses,” commented Nakoniechnyi and added: “I must stress the fact that Arabians from Janów are behind the schedule in training this year and will start competing only in the second half of the season. The only exception may be Serafina, who did well at the age of three.”

Will the series of races under the patronage of KOWR be continued?

Last season, exterior races intended mainly for Polish-bred horses were replaced by races under the patronage of KOWR, or the National Centre for Agricultural Support. Three-year-old Arabians could take part in them if they met certain conditions, that is, they did not have at least one of the following six stallions in their pedigrees: Amer (SA), Baroud III (FR), Burning Sand (US), Dragon (FR), Saint Laurent (FR) or Tiwaiq (SA). We turned to Paweł Gocłowski, the new president of the Polish Jockey Club for the answer to the question posed at the beginning of this article. Below is his statement:

“There are currently talks underway regarding the continuation of last year’s series (then under the patronage of KOWR) of special races for three-year-old Arabian horses. I hope they will be finalised as soon as possible and the series will also be organised in the 2024 season. My opinion on this matter is as follows. Ultimately, I would like to have two types of races for purebred horses in all age groups, namely open and special races intended for horses without specific stallions, currently six, in their pedigrees. However, I do not rule out keeping several non-group races in the annual plan, such as the Janów Stakes, Derby and Oaks, with conditions limiting participation in them to domestically-bred horses entered in the Polish Arabian Studbook PASB. In my view, such a division does not require external financing, hence my proposal to always use the name “special races” described in the regulations. However, if such an opportunity arises, it is worth using it and adding information about the sponsors. I also believe that such a simple and permanent division will satisfy the vast majority of breeders and owners of purebred horses, although certainly not all of them. The number of races in individual age groups and categories would, of course, be correlated with the number of horses entered to run in a given year. I hope that I will be able to convince the organisers of races on tracks in Warsaw, Wrocław and Sopot to adopt this solution.

On 8^th and 9^th October, Michałów State Stud had the pleasure to host the contestants of XIII Polish National Arabian Horse Sport Championships as well as the enthusiasts of this incredible breed of horses however not entirely associated with classic equestrian disciplines. Though Arabians have for years taken part in the races and endurance riding, it is hard to find any representatives of the breed in dressage areas and none are found on show jumping courses. The lack of Arabian jumpers can be justified by the small size typical of the breed, however the lack of horses characterized by amazing appearance and gaits in classic dressage competitions cannot be so easily explained. Therefore, the organizers of the event: National Support Centre for Agriculture, 1st Mounted Rifle Regiment Equestrian Club based in Michałów and Michałów State Stud, made every effort to promote Arabians as ridden and sport horses. The patronage over the ECAHO-affiliated event was taken by Polish Arabian Horse Breeders Association, while Świętokrzyski Voivode Zbigniew Koniusz was the honorary patron of the championships. The in-kind prizes in dressage, show jumping and Polish historical costume were funded by Bogdan Maślanka, the organizer of Polish Sports League for Arabian Horses, Edyta Ciara, the owner of the equine shop 4horse.pl and Blue Arabians Stud owned by Aneta Chrząstek-Szyc. The organization of the championships was also supported by the Mayor of the Municipality of Michałów Mirosław Walasek and the Governor of Pińczów District Zbigniew Kierkowski. Also, fabrykaherbaty.pl belonging to Agnieszka Kowal-Rudzka was the sponsor of additional awards. The difficult task of evaluating the contenders and their horses was done by the following judges: Wacław Pruchniewicz, Józef Zagor and Łukasz Wituchowski in classic competitions as well as Alicja Poszepczyńska and Magdalena Szarszewska in the ‘pleasure’ sections. At the same time, the participants could try their hand at riding Arabians in the novice classes which were for the first time affiliated by ECAHO, yet did not count in the medal classification.

There were thirty-eight couples participating in seven different categories in the National Championships and in the novice classes. As many as thirty-one horses took part in the first competition which assessed type and conformation of the horses. First and second place in the ranking were taken by the horses bred and owned by Michałów State Stud, the stallion ZŁOTY MEDAL (QR Marc – Złota Orda / Pesal) and the mare KARAMEA (Pegasus – Kasjopeja / Eldon). Third place winner was ELGORIUSZ (Medalion – Elgora / Poganin), also bred at Michałów and currently owned by Oliwia Kowal of La Posada stables.

Until late afternoon on Saturday, twelve semifinals took place at both novice and advanced levels, while the finals on Sunday started with the CLASSIC PLEASURE competition for novices. First place was won by Laura Górnikowska of the Zamek Sobków Equestrian Club who rode the gelding MARZYCIEL (Kabsztad – Marzenie Szejka / Wachlarz), bred by Andrzej Borkowski and now owned by Sylwia Górnikowska. Second place belonged to Katarzyna Stawiska-Semeryło of For Pleasure Equestrian Section and the mare EL SHANTIA (Barbarossa – Encina / Pesal), bred by Krzysztof Semeryło and owned by Katarzyna Brokl. The winner of third place was Helena Jankowska who rode the gelding WESSUS (Sus – Westalka / Złotogłów), bred by Krzysztof Jagielski and currently owned by Mariusz Jankowski.

HUNTER PLEASURE was the second final of the day and the first medal competition at the same time. The highest place on the podium was taken by the representative of For Pleasure Equestrian Section Monica Migliorino who rode her own stallion EL DINO (Ararat – Eutina / Eutin), bred by Krzysztof Jagielski. Agnieszka Romszycka who competed on the gelding EDINET (Włodarz – Ellila / Wachlarz) and Marta Matysik who rode the gelding INNER (Gorec – Indonesia / Santhos) placed right after the winning couple. Both geldings that now belong to the competitors were bred by Bogdan Tomaszewski.

The podium of SHOW JUMPING looked similar at both novice and advanced levels. First place in both sections as well as the title of Polish National Champion belonged to Karolina Hernik-Jasik of Hubertus Stud on the mare WEBISTA (Perseusz – Webera / Porto). Gold medalist in show jumping is also the owner of the winning mare, bred by Dariusz Łuczak. Second place on the podium at both levels as well as the silver medal was awarded to Nadia Klepacz, the representative of the Kielecki Equestrian Club, who rode the gelding EDENSON (Eden C – Emiramida / Piruet). The silver medalist in show jumping was bred by Stanisław Sławiński and is now owned by Piotr Lichota. Third place in the novice section belonged to MIRANDA (AR-Rahman – Marabia / Bardysz) ridden by Anna Sala, while the same position at the advanced level was taken by the gelding MOKAR (Wadi-Nur – Marabia / Bardysz) ridden by Oliwia Kurek who also became Second Polish National Vice-champion in show jumping. Both contenders represented Jawornik Squadron Sports Club and both their horses were bred by Józef Babiś.

One of the most interesting competitions is POLISH HISTORICAL COSTUME only held in our country. The win at the novice level belonged to the representative of the 1st Mounted Rifle Regiment Equestrian Club Iwona Sternak on the mare KARAMEA, second place was taken by Anna Sala on the mare MIRANDA, while in the third position placed another contender representing 1st Mounted Rifle Regiment Equestrian Club Marta Jaros, zootechnician at Michałów Stud, who rode the stallion ZŁOTY MEDAL.

Another three medalists were selected at the advanced level of CLASSIC PLEASURE competition. Monica Migliorino riding the stallion EL DINO took the top of the podium. Nikola Stankiewicz of WKJ Lublin who rode the gelding EMIS (Haytham Albadeia – Emdrida / Ararat), bred by Białka Stud, took the second place and the title of Polish National Vice-champion, while Oliwia Kowal on ELGORIUSZ became bronze medalist.

The novice level of the HUNTER PLEASURE contest was won by the gelding MARZYCIEL ridden by Laura Górnikowska. The gelding MINDEN (Perlik – Minora / Santhos), ridden by his owner Edyta Ciara, finished the competition on the second place, while the gelding EDINET ridden by Amelia Wiącek placed third in the ranking. Edyta Ciara with MINDEN also triumphed in DRESSAGE at the novice level. Right after the winners placed Nadia Klepacz on EDENSON and Anna Sala on MIRANDA.

Nikola Stankiewicz on the gelding EMIS was the winner of DRESSAGE at the advanced level as well as Polish National Champion in this discipline. Second place and the Polish National Vice-champion title was awarded to Agnieszka Romszycka on EDINET, while third place and the Second Polish National Vice-champion title belonged to Marta Matysik riding INNER.

Oliwia Kowal on the stallion ELGORIUSZ became gold medalist in the TRADITIONAL ARABIAN RIDING contest, where the riders wear traditional Arabic costumes. The representative of For Pleasure Equestrian Section Aleksandra Semeryło on the Janów-bred mare ENCINA (Pesal – Epoza / Eukaliptus) took second place on the podium, while Monica Migliorino on the stallion EL DINO became bronze medalist in this competition. Katarzyna Stawiska-Semeryło riding the mare EL SHANTIA won the contest at the novice level, Oliwia Kowal on the stallion ELGORIUSZ was second, while Edyta Ciara with the gelding MINDEN closed the podium.

The medals in the POLISH HISTORICAL COSTUME category were awarded as follows: gold – Katarzyna Stawiska-Semeryło on the mare EL SHANTIA, silver – Anna Majcherczyk on the gelding EL SZARMANTI (Barbarossa – Encina / Pesal) and bronze – Marta Matysik on the gelding INNER.

The prestigious title of CLASSIC ALL-ROUND CHAMPION was awarded to Laura Górnikowska with the gelding MARZYCIEL at the novice level and Oliwia Kowal with the stallion ELGORIUSZ at the advanced level. What is more, ELGORIUSZ was honoured with the prize funded by Polish Arabian Horse Breeders Association for the best PURE POLISH horse of the XIII Polish National Arabian Horse Sport Championships.

The promotion of Arabians as sport and ridden horses is of utmost importance at the times when the purebred Arabian horse breeding is mainly focused on the halter show horses. For centuries, Polish Arabian horse breeding has adhered to the idea that Arabian horse should not only be beautiful but also useful, and thus it should be characterized by correct conformation, excellent health and balanced character. Despite the common belief about its difficult-to-tame temperament, the Arabian is one of the most intelligent horse breeds and an extremely loyal human companion. The Polish breeding vision of the bold and beautiful Arabian horse became the guiding idea of the Polish National Championships. Please feel already invited for its fourteenth edition next year.

More photos in >>gallery<< [click]

Arabian racehorses bred in France took a huge toll on the Arabian Racing Day by winning as many as
eight times out of nine races. In the race of the day, the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan – Europa Cup – G3 PA (CAT. A) victorious in great style and time was the six-year-old Amwaj Al Khalediah (Nashwan Al Khalidiah – Assma Al Khalediah by Amer), owned by AKF Polska, overtaking Samonlau ‘OA’ (Al Mamun Monlau – Sadjella by Djebbel) and this year’s Derby winner Alsahr (Mared Al Sahra – Almina by Furiat) by 9 lengths. It was the third consecutive victory for this company’s horse in the run for the Europa Cup, as well as for trainer Maciej Kacprzyk and jockey Szczepan Mazur. Previously the winners were Salam Al Khalediah and Shadwan Al Khalediah.

AKF Polska, Szczepan Mazur and Maciej Kacprzyk are the kings of the hunt

As many as three victories in stakes races (Europa Cup, Sabellina and Emael St.) were secured by Polska AKF horses, trained by Maciej Kacprzyk.

„I was expecting Amwaj to run very well, but I did not think she would be so unrivaled. Meanwhile, she was literally winning as she pleased and would probably have improved the tough track record of 2600 m: 3’56.3, which was set by the Saudi Muqatil Al Khalidiah in the first Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan race in 2010, if she felt any pressure from the competition. She was only 0.4 seconds away, however the goal was not to break the record, but to win this race. I have already agreed with Polska AKF that if the mare wins the Europa Cup, she will perform on the first Sunday of October in Paris in the same Qatar Arabian World Cup (G1), in which Fazza Al Khalediah sensationally won three years ago. I was also counting on a certain victory for Wasma Al Khalediah (Jalnar Al Khalidiah – Chinook de Ghazal by Dormane) in the race for the Sabellina St., but my three-year-olds also did very well. Al Faisal (AF Albahar – Sakina de Faust by Al Sakbe), owned by Sheikh Faisals Hamad Jassim Al Thani, after his winning debut from start to finish, this time proved himself in fight, beating in the race for the Emael St. – Wathba Stallions (1st group) Han Rastaban (Assy – HN Rana by Bengali d’Albret) by a neck, while Athal Bint Gifara (No Risk Al Maury – Giafra by Amer), bested Induriana de Faust (No Risk Maury – Nireiss by Akin de Ducor), also in fight. Also, thrown into deep water, Saden Al Khalediah (Haddag Al Khalediah – Sabbat Al Khalidiah by Tiwaiq), bred by Polska AKF, did very well, taking second place in the race for the Białka St. – Al Khalediah Colts & Fillies (cat. B, 2000 m ). He defeated the higher-ranked horses Al Jassim (Assy – Spiningirl by Dormane) and Suny du Loupa (AF Albahar – Sirene du Loup by Al Sakbe), succumbing only to the very talented Love Awam (Al Mamoun Nolau – Love Abudhabi by Jaafer ASF). Perhaps Nrgizing (Mister Ginoux – Serouda du Breuil by Dormane) would have competed for the win, but he suffered a minor injury on Sunday before noon and I had to withdraw him in additional time,” summarizes the performances of his horses Maciej Kacprzyk.

Szczepan Mazur achieved two victories on the horses of trainer Kacprzyk (Amwaj and Athal Bint Gifara). He was the king of the hunt on Sunday, because he scored a third victory atop Polska AKF’s 4-year-old Rasmy Al Khalediah (Naef Al Kahlidiah – Rajwa Al Khalediah by Tiwaiq). This dark bay stallion trained by Janusz Kozłowski won the Al Khalediah Poland Cup (cat. A, 1600 m) in record time – 1’45.9 “(7.7-32.3-31.7-34.2), which is faster by 0.7 s from the Cakouet de Bozouls record set seven years ago, owned by Krzysztof Goździalski, trained by Maciej Jodłowski.

A breathtaking race

It was to be expected that the strong pace in the Al Khalediah Poland Cup would be dictated by another ace in the AKF Polska deck, Mayar Al Khalediah (Nashwan Al Khalidiah – Assma Al Khalediah by Amer), who was unexpectedly far behind the victorious Rasmy in the race in Sweden on the sand track . And that’s what happened. The pace of the first quarter was very strong (32.3), and it increased even more during the second (31.7). However, Mayar did not manage to escape on the finishing straight (34.2). The focused Szczepan Mazur distributed Rasmy’s strength well and rode him out in the last 100 m, winning by 1.75 lengths. Sanzhar Sabaev had to make a lot of effort to finish second, because Mayar was pushed by Frehel de Bozouls (Divamer – Djellade de Bozouls by Dormane) in the end.

Successful day of trainer Cornelia Fraisl

Trainer Cornelia Fraisl, who had a very good season (only the second in her career), competed with Maciej Kacprzyk in terms of the number of wins. Already in the first large and well-entered race of the Al Khalediah Poland Racing Festival series (3rd group, 2000 m), she scored an unexpected double. After an impressive finish (traditionally from the back of the field), the 11-year-old grey gelding Ouzbeks du Panjshir (Darweesh – Farah du Panjshir by Dormane) won, and second was the strongly favored Purhib (Murhib – Polina by Balaton), who turned out to be slightly better than the highly appreciated by the public Got de Lagarde (Kerbella – Moubaraka by Djouras Tu). The victory of the slightly underrated veteran immediately caused the bets on the consecutive 7 race wins to crash. The payment for this bet finally reached 7 thousand for 1 PLN, although later there were no major surprises, and Rasmy, Wasma and Amwaj were dead-certs. Moreover, other winners for Cornelia Fraisl included: the aforementioned Love Awam in the race for the Białka St. and Honney de Bozouls (Maquet de Pascade – Cherie des Agachiols by Akbar) in the last race for horses of group IV only.

Glimmers of Polish breeding

Only the 5-year-old Musab (Asrra Min Albarq – Muna by Nougatin), bred and owned by Zbigniew Górski, trained by Małgorzata Łojek, stood up to the French horses. He triumphed from start to finish in the Memorial of Bogdan Ziemiański (1st group 1800 m) in an excellent time of 2’01.08, only 0.2 seconds worse than the record set in 2015 on a soft track (2.9) by 2013 Vice-Derby winner Wierzbin. At the end only bearing the highest weight (64 kg) Gatsby de Bozouls (Maguet de Pascade – Bab Al Shams by Barour de Cardonne) tried to come close to him.

Noteworthy Polish bred horses also included the above-mentioned Saden Al Kahlediah and Han Rastaban, the latter bred and owned by Nessa Arabians, trained by Andrzej Laskowski.

Detailed results of non-group races (stakes):

SHEIKH ZAYED BIN SULTAN AL NAHYAN – Europa Cup – G3 PA (CAT. A)

1. Amwaj Al Khalediah (FR) j. S.Mazur (60.0) nr 2
2. Samonlau ‘OA’ (NL) j. V.Popov (59.0) 7
3. Alsahr j. S.Abaev (59.0) 4
4. Hosco de Bozouls (FR) j. D.Sabatbekov (59.0) 5
5. Apollo Del Sol (FR) j. W.Szymczuk (59.0) 1
6. Seiful Muliuk (RU) j. M.Srnec (62.0) 3
7. Dragon j. S.Vasyutov (62.0) 8
8. Wielki Dakris j. B.Kalysbek Uulu (62.0) 6
Withdrawn: Dary Al Khalediah (FR) j. A.Turgaev (59.0) 9

2600 m: 2’56,7” (8,2-34,3-33,3-34,0-32,6-34,3).
Temperature: 20°C, sunny.
Style: freely.
Lengths: 9-¾-head-1-5-4-far (74).
Going: soft (3,3).

AL KHALEDIAH POLAND CUP – LISTED PA (CAT. A)

1. Rasmy Al Khalediah (FR) j. S.Mazur (59.0) 3
2. Mayar Al Khalediah (FR) j. S.Abaev (59.0) 1
3. Frehel de Bozouls (FR) j. D.Sabatbekov (62.0)4
4. Heredia (FR) j. K.Mazur (57.0) 6
5. Najem du Soleil (FR) j. E.Turganaaly Uulu (62.0)
Withdrawn: Hakeemat Muscat (OM) j. A.Turgaev (60.0) 5

1600 m; 1’45,9″ (7,7-32,3-31,7-34,2)
Style: ridden out.
Lengths: 1¾-¾-7-7.

BIAŁKA STAKES – AL KHALEDIAH COLTS & FILLIES TROPHY – (CAT. A)

1. Love Awam (FR) j. V.Popov (56.0) 2
2. Saden Al Khalediah j. K.Mazur (58.0) 5
3. Al Jassim (FR) j. D.Sabatbekov (58.0) 1
4. Suny du Loup (FR) j. S.Abaev (58.0) 3
Withdrawn: Wirgilion j. S.Vasyutov (58.0) 4

Time: 2’24,3″ (40,4-37,8-34,5-31,6).
Style: surely.
Lengths: 2-¾-2½.

SABELLINA STAKES – (CAT. B)

1. Wasma Al Khalediah (FR) j. K.Mazur (59.0) 6
2. General Lady (FR) j. S.Mazur (59.0) 4
3. Djenah (FR) j. V.Popov (56.0) 1
4. Hadjar (SI) j. S.Abaev (56.0) 2
5. Summer ‘OA’ (NL) j. D.Sabatbekov (59.0) 5
6. Wafa Al Khalediah (FR) j. K.Grzybowski (59.0) 3

2000: 2’16,5” (35,6-32,7-32,8-35,4).
Style: easily.
Lengths: 4½-3-1½-7-18.
Going: soft (3,3).

After the race for the Janów St., I wrote that in this year’s Derby Alsahr (Mared Al Sahra – Almina by Furiat) and Kenjiy (No Risk Al Maury – King-Ute by The Wiking) will again fight for victory. Indeed, these two horses again, although not with as much advantage as before, crossed the wire in that order, but this time there was no fight between them.
From the start there was a solid pace and on the final straight the force was with Alsahr. He won under Kirghiz Sanzhar Abaev (he replaced the suspended Aleksander Reznikov), unchallenged by two lengths, while Kenjiy defeated Echaron by just as much, who made a small surprise under his trainer Małgorzata Kryszyłowicz, beating the fourth Celebryk at the finish by 5 lengths (previously he lost to him by 2 lengths).

Compared to the race for the Janów St., held at the end (the last 500 m was hellishly fast for Arabians – 32.3 s), the Derby had quite a strong, fairly even pace dictated by Hazim Al Khalediah (Kasir Al Khalediah – WFA Harmony by Djebbel), so this time the final result was determined by stamina, not speed (last 500 m – 35.4 s). This suited Alsahr best, as Kenjiy, tired of the fast pace, was unable to get close to him. Also the more “strong” than fast Echaron could spread his wings and even for a moment it seemed that he would participate in the fight for second place.

The race time of 3’31.7 on a slightly soft track (3.1) should be considered good, only 3.8 seconds worse than Wares’ sensational record, which was 3’27.9 in 2013 under Aleksander Reznikov.

It was the second victory in the Derby in the last three seasons of a horse bred and owned by Zbigniew Górski (Dragon won in 2019). Maciej Janikowski triumphed in the Arabian Derby for the fifth time. Apart from Alsahr and Dragon, the winners were: Sarenka (1978), Europejczyk (1986) and Wilczur (1987).
“Each Derby is a big event. I expected that in such a small group the race would be calm and that nothing unexpected would happen. I did not give Abaev any strict guidelines. I only told him that he had to keep his head open and to ride with full confidence toward the horse, which has already shown that he is both strong and fast”, emphasized Janikowski.

Let us add that Alsahr has already been entered for the Europa Cup, which will be held during the Arabian Day on August 22nd. Only 13 horses in Polish training were entered: tr Justyna Domańska: Apollo Del Sol (FR); tr Cornelia Fraisl: Hosco De Bozouls (FR), Samonlau ‘OA’ (NL); tr Bartosz Głowacki: Dary Al Khalediah (FR); tr Maciej Janikowski: Alsahr, Dragon; tr Maciej Kacprzyk: Amwaj Al. Khalediah (FR), Nrgizing (FR), Wasma Al Khalediah (FR); tr Małgorzata Kryszyłowicz: Echaron; tr Wojciech Olkowski; General Lady (FR), tr Natalia Szelągowska: Seiful Muliuk (RU): tr Adam Wyrzyk: Grand Dakris.

Arabian Derby (Cat. A)

1. Alsahr j. S.Abaev (60.0) number 2
2. Kenjiy j. D.Sabatbekov (60.0) 1
3. Echaron j. M.Kryszyłowicz (60.0) 4
4. Celebryk j. K.Mazur (60.0) 6
5. Hes j. S.Mazur (60.0) 5
6. Hefira Grand j. M.Srnec (58.0) 3
7. Hazim Al Khalediah j. J.Wyrzyk (60.0) 7

3000 m: 3’31,7″ (36,5-34,5-35-34,3-36-35,4).
Temperature: 29°C, clear.
Style: ridden out.
Lengths: 2½-2-5-12-4-4.
Going: very soft (3,2).

Drugie miejsce zajął również mniej liczony michałowski Dragado (Kurier – De Longa po Da Adios), który mógł sprawić dużą niespodziankę już we wspomnianym wyścigu o Nagrodę Borka, ale wtedy, gdy biegł na drugiej pozycji, 50 m przed metą spadł z niego jeździec. O tym jak niespodziewany był wynik Wirgilion – Dragado świadczyły wypłaty w totalizatorze: 92 zł za stawkę 5 zł w grze na zwycięstwo oraz na porządek: 578 zł za 3 zł! (192,5:1) Choć kolejne miejsca zajęły konie mocno faworyzowane: wymieniona już wyżej Jabet Al Khalediah i półsiostra Dragona – Dalma (Mared Al Sahra – Djaima po Nonius) zakładów trójki i czwórki nikt nie trafił!

Wirgilion’s metamorphosis

Janów’s Wirgilion, the son of the great SS Mothil (he won, among others, the Al Khalediah Poland Cup) and Wira, who did not have a racing career, by the Swedish Portmer, after taking the last place three weeks ago in the Borek St. – Wathba Stallions Cup, 1st group. 1800 m, was reborn three weeks later in a similar race – the Traf St. – Wathba Stallions Cup, 1st group, 1800 m. Then he lost to the second mare Jabet Al Khalediah (Haddag Al Khalediah – Jaleelat Al Khalidiah by Tiwaiq) by as much as 18 lengths, and this time he bested her by 4 lengths. Probably the weather conditions and the condition of the running track contributed to this spectacular change in form. Three weeks ago the track was soft (3.5), last Saturday it was light (2.4). The second place was also taken by the less counted Michałów-bred Dragado (Kurier – De Longa by Da Adios), who could have made a big surprise in the aforementioned race for the Borek St., but when he was running in second position, a rider fell from him 50 meters before the finish line. The unexpected result of Wirgilion – Dragado was evidenced by the payouts: PLN 92 for a stake of PLN 5 in the game for victory and for the exacta: PLN 578 for PLN 3! (192.5: 1) Although the next places were taken by strongly favored horses: the aforementioned Jabet Al Khalediah and Dragon’s half-sister – Dalma (Mared Al Sahra – Djaima by Nonius), no one predicted the three and four top horses!

Traf St. – Wathba Stallions Cup

1. Wirgilion j. S.Vasyutov (58.0) nr 8
2. Dragado j. P.Nakoniechnyi (58.0) 6
3. Jabet Al Khalediah j. A.Turgaev (56.0) 2
4. Dalma j. M.Srnec (56.5) 11
5. Suzana j. K.Dogdurbek Uulu (56.0) 12
6. Atlas j. A.Kabardov (58.0) 3
7. Farhat j. K.Grzybowski (58.0) 7
8. Oficer j. K.Mazur (58.0) 14
9. Escalos j. S.Mura (58.0) 1
10. Pianora j. D.Sabatbekov (56.0) 4
11. Omandor Gal j. S.Mazur (58.0) 9
12. Cyprus j. B.Kalysbek Uulu (58.0) 5
13. Wieża Dumania j. S.Abaev (56.0) 13
Withdrawn: Paquita j. E.Turganaaly Uulu (56.0) 10

1800 m: 2’03,1″ (21,4-32,3-34,4-35).
Temperature: 25°C, Cloudy with clear spells.
Style: easily.
Lengths: 3½-½-4½-3-nose-3-2-2½-6-4½-far (29)-5½.
Going: soft (2,4).

The first performance of three “Al Khalediahs” owned by Polska AKF Polska Sp. z o.o. at the Qatar Derby Pur-Sang – Arab Group 1 in Chantilly (2000 m, total prizes 150 thousand euro), held last Sunday, must be considered successful. Dary, who finished from a farther position (16: 1) took fourth place, and Mayar (22: 1), who lead the way, defended the fifth, last paid place. In total, both colts earned 22,500 EUR (15,000 + 7,500). The highest-ranked horse from AKF Polska, Rasmy Al Khalediah (12-1), fell below expectations. Initially, he ran just behind Mayar, but was eliminated on the straight and finished 12th out of 15 horses.

A certain win was achieved by the second favorite (7:2) Hoggar De L’Ardus (Mister Ginoux – Alfa De L’ardus by Kash De L’ardus), Amer’s grandson, ridden by jockey Maxim Guyon. He overtook the first favorite Abbes (2:1) by 3 lengths. Both horses are trained by Thomas Fourcy and the owner of the winner is H.H. Sh. Mohammed Hammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani. The lowly counted Soko (28:1) finished third, 6.5 lengths behind the winner, ahead of Dary by 1.75, the latter in turn 4.5 lengths ahead of Mayar. The time of the winner was excellent: 2’10.69. Dary and Mayar also had very good results respectively: 2’11.99 and 2’12.67. They are definitely better than the Służewiec record over 2 km, which since 2013 belongs to the French filly Ancelly (Dahess – Djurdjura by Al Sakbe) – 2’14,4. On the spear side she is the granddaughter of Amer, just as the Derby winner in Chantilly.

Congratulations to the trainers: Bartosz Głowacki from Nowa Mała Wieś, who prepares Dary for starts, and Michał Borkowski, who apart from the sensational 2018 World Cup winner Fazza Al Khalediah also trains his half-brother Mayar at Partynice.

As a side note, let us remind you that the term “half brother” refers only to horses having the same dam. It can be expected that in the second half of the season, Dary and Mayar will be competing only abroad, as previously announced on polskiearaby.com by the director of Polska AKF Hubert Kulesza, while Rasmy will most likely be entered for the Europa Cup at Służewiec sponsored since 2011 ( with a one-year break in 2018) by the Jockey Club in Dubai.

Samonlau ‘OA’ better than Wasma Al Khalediah

The prediction of trainer Cornelia Fraisl, who is very successful this season, that the four-year-old Dutch-bred colt Samonlau ‘OA’ (Al Mamun Monlau – Sadjella by Djebbel) will be more suited to the slightly soft track. In the race for the Kurozwęki St. (cat. B, 2600), in which only four horses appeared after the withdrawal of Amwaj Al Khalediah, he was predicted third after French Wasma Al Khalediah (Jalnar Al Khalidiah – Chinook de Ghazal by Dormane) and the Polish-bred Purhiba ( Murhib – Polina by Balaton). First, the favorite led the race slowly with Konrad Mazur and gradually increased the pace. However, he did not manage to develop a clear advantage. During a hellishly fast ending (31.5), the four-year-old colt defeated the two year older mare by 1.25 lengths. The third was Purhi, 3.75 lengths behind the winner and the fourth (last) Alnnajm (Mared Al Sahra – Arwima by Wachlarz) lost by 9.75 lengths. The time of the race on a slightly soft track (3.1) was average: 3’07.2 ” (10.1-39.6-35.2-36.3-34.5-31, 5) worse by 10 seconds than the track record of 2:56.3, set by Muqatil Al Khalediah in the Europa Cup 10 years ago.

Apollo del Sol wins the Stanisław Sałagaj Memorial

The second consecutive victory this season was achieved by the French four-year-old Apollo Del Sol (Al Mamun Monlau – Alloa Del Sol by Darweesh), trained in Wrocław by Justyna Domańska. First, on May 5th, he became the winner of the first race in a series of four races sponsored by Polska AKF called Al Khalediah Racing Festival 2021, and exactly a month later he triumphed in the Stanisław Sałagaj Memorial (1st group, 2000 m), who was first a great rider, and then an even better trainer who won the title of Trainer of the Year six times. The rivalry was very decent. Three horses advanced on the straight, the already mentioned Apollo Del Sol and Hosco de Bozouls (Maquet de Pascade – Jokmee de Bozouls by Jormane de Rouaisse) and the Polish Celebryk (Ontario HF – Cernike by Madaras Kossack) and fought for victory. The lengths at the wire were small. Apollo beat Hosco by a neck, who in turn overtook Celebryk by a nose. Hazim Al Khalediah, fourth on the finish line, lost 18 lengths to the aforementioned three. The time of the race on the 3.7 soft track was very good: 2’18.7 “(34.4-34.4-34.6-35.3). Apollo Del Sol is owned by Firma Handlowa “Paula” P. Szczucka. The very good disposition of Celebryk, trained by Paweł Talarek, makes him the second, next to Alsahr (he was fourth in the Tiwaiq Derby), favorite for the Derby 2021, which will be held on the 25th of July.

First scratches off the Derby line-up

June 16th marked the date of the first scratches from the Derby list. There are now 14 horses left:

Trainer Cornelia Fraisl:
1. KENJIY

Trainer Maciej Janikowski
1. ALSAHR

Trainer Maciej Kacprzyk
1. HAZIM AL KHALEDIAH

Trainer Małgorzata Kryszyłowicz
1. ECHARON

Trainer Andrzej Laskowski
1. EL NASIRA
2. HEFIRA GRAND

Trainer Małgorzata Łojek
1. EDMAR

Trainer Claudia Pawlak
1. TIREX

Trainer Piotr Piątkowski
1. DOBRA DYNASTIA

Trainer Kazimierz Rogowski
1. AL-WIR

Trainer Paweł Talarek
1. CELEBRYK

Trainer Sergey Vasyutov
1. BRAVOS
2. PILARGO

Trainer Adam Wyrzyk
1. HESS

Surprise in the Wathba Stallions Cup

After a very good debut (won easily by 18 lengths), the French Nash du Douze (Assy – Nuitella del Sol by Karbella), trained by Wojciech Olkowski, bred and owned by D. Bories, was a favorite in the first race of the Wathba Stallion Cup series – the Errlis Prize (1st gr. 3 year olds, 1600 m). However, when it came to a fight with his main competitor, trained in Wrocław and also French Suny du Loup (AF Albahar – Sirene du Loup by Al Sakbe), he did not live up to the task. He lost by 3.5 lengths. After the race, Nash’s rider Stefano Mura made a protest against Snazhar Abaev that he had prevented him from finishing around 200 meters before the finish line. Indeed, at one point, Mura theatrically paused his horse, suggesting that Suny was pressing Nash towards the fence. The Stewards decided that this incident had no effect on the result of the race, as Nash had already been defeated and approved the order at the wire. It is worth emphasizing the very good performance of two Polish-bred horses, the third at the finish line Farhat (Wares – Farha by Nougatin) and the fourth Atlas (Westim – Algama by Borysław), which succumbed little to the “French”. On the other hand, the third Polish horse, Omandor Gal (MerciMurhib Kossack – Ofirka Fata by Da Adios), who was leading in the distance, was eliminated. He lost 17.75 lengths to the winner.
Lengths at the wire: (3.5-2.5-0.75-11). The time of the race on the slightly soft track 3.0 was not bad: 1’53.4 (8.5-34.8-34.9-35.2). In less than a week, the main trial before the Derby, the race for the Janów Podlaski (Arabian Produce) St. (category A, 2600 m).

Jan Zabieglik in conversation with trainer Maciej Kacprzyk

Trainer, quick and simple. Should some Arabian races at Służewiec still remain closed according to tradition, or should the existing division into international Arabian-type races for horses entered into the Poland Arabian Stud Book (PASB) and open races be abolished?

Maciej Kacprzyk: I believe that in the discussion on Arabian horse racing in Poland, it is necessary to separate the issues of supporting horses bred in Poland and registered in the PASB from the so-called Arabian-type races. I do not consider the latter to be a justified solution that corresponds to the Polish breeding tradition. In my opinion, this is a missed idea that unfairly tries to fall under the myth of beautiful and brave “Pure Polish” horses. It is enough to look at the pedigrees of the horses running in these races and their subsequent use. In most cases, after a year’s racing career they are sold as geldings. Their pedigree is also not purely Polish, because either the sire is of foreign breeding, or the dam’s sire, or both. Moreover, it is not a performance trial of selective importance and therefore races of this type are should not be recognized as official. A racing career is a test of stamina when its result is taken into account when making breeding decisions. Is this the case with horses participating in Arabian-type races? No! When crossing mice with tails cut off, we won’t breed tail-less mice. Sending show horses to races will not make them more courageous without taking into account their talent on track when breeding. In general, I believe that all Arabian horse races should be open and breeders and owners of Polish bred horses should receive percentage bonuses dependent on the horse’s performance. Current financial support from the Polish Jockey Club for Polish breeders and bonuses for owners of Arabian horses entered in the PASB, is in my opinion a step in the right direction. The situation is similar in France, with the difference that the bonuses are even higher there. I have I hope that also in Poland these bonuses will grow and will support breeding and owners of the best Polish Arabians running on the track.

A separate issue is the discussion on races for Polish-bred old-style horses (“beautiful and brave”), bred not only for shows, but also brave under saddle. I understand this romantic myth because I myself had been raised believing in it. I would just like to remind people who are calling for races for this type of horse that first, there must be breeders who want to breed these horses, secondly, there must be owners who will keep them in training, incurring very high costs. In addition, there is the organizer of the races, which has to provide an appropriate prize pool and a sensible program. Judging coldly and without emotions, these conditions are currently unfulfilled. Such horses are simply not bred in Poland, Arabians are divided into horses for shows and horses for races. Perhaps the role of the state studs is to return to the old traditions, because only here would I see an opportunity to reactivate the breeding of horses such as Batyskaf or Pamir, Derby winners and Polish champions. If we look at modern Arabian horse breeding only in terms of the market, then races for such horses have no right to exist. Whether the role of the state studs to maintain “conservative breeding” with a stamina trial for Arabian horses on the racetrack, that is a topic for a separate discussion. It cannot be reduced to the issue of managing show colts that were born with a straight head.

Polish private breeders have been using the semen of top sires for several years now. First, Nougatin (son of the famous Amer) was fashionable, then Dahess (also son of Amer), then Munijz (who sire the wonderful filly Arwa, who made an extraordinary surprise by beating your Shadwan Al Khalediah), Murhib (son of Amer), and now Mared El Sahra (also son of Amer). Also Janów Podlaski has had a racing path related to Amer for several years. His son, the Swedish Portmer, used at this stud gave two brave stallions: first Bandolero became a vice-Derby winner 2017, and a year later Severus won the blue Derby ribbon. Janów Podlaski, as the only owner in Poland, entered Shahad Atbah for racing, the British daughter of Amer, which Athbah Stud donated to Janów in 2015. It is true that she won only three cat. B stakes (Czort, Kurozwęki and Figaro), but she belonged to the very best, among others second in the Europa Cup (2017) and in the Criterium St. (2018). Janów is also the owner of the French SS Mothill, whose paternal grandfather is the aforementioned Amer. As you can see, this legendary stallion, who has original Arabian parents, is enrooted deeply not only in French, but also Polish Arabian races. For several years, Polska AKF has been sending first or second generation offspring of the original Arabian Tiwaiq to Służewiec. Even in 2010, when the Europa Cup was included in the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Nahyana series of races, the World Arabian Horse Organization (WAHO), had serious reservations about his origin. It was then won by the Saudi-bred son of Tiwaiq, Muqatil Al Khalediah, trained in France, who set a track record over 2600 m: 2’56’3. At that time, he could not race anywhere in Europe, except in Poland. How did WAHO finally solve this problem?

Maciej Kacprzyk: In the memorandum of June 6, 2011, WAHO unequivocally closed the discussion on whether there is any admixture of foreign blood in Tiwaiq’s veins. At a meeting in Warsaw, the WAHO Executive Committee voted to reject all comments about his origin, noting that Tiwaiq was properly entered in the Saudi stud book since 1991, and WAHO stud books have been closed since 2004 and the entry of any horses registered prior to that date can no longer be contested. So a discussion over his purity from the formal side has long been closed. And by the way, I will add that both Tiwaiq and Amer are Saudi Arabians, bred in the same place by the same breeder. Amer was a gift from the King of Saudi Arabia to the Emir of Qatar. The Orthodox are undermining not only the purity of Tiwaiq and Amera, but also the purity of the French Saint Laurent, the French Dragon and the American Burning Sand. It is clearly visible that Służewiec is becoming a place of competition for the offspring of two legendary stallions – Amer and Tiwaiq. In a few years, their descendants born in Poland and entered into the PASB will win the Polish Derby. I do not see anything wrong in it. For several years now, the Thoroughbred Derby has been won by horses purchased at foreign auctions and no one is tearing their robes for this reason. We live in the 21st century. If a racing spectacle is to attract new viewers, the best actors must participate. Of course, in races held in Poland, Polish-bred horses should be additionally supported financially, but these bonuses should depend on the results. The extra money should go to the best horses. This is the healthiest solution, in my opinion, more sensible than closing races exclusively for PASB horses. I do not think that you should criticize breeders who have bet on breeding racing Arabians and use foreign blood for this purpose. There is no other way to appear in the races at Służewiec, as breeding to the best sires. Some of our owners and breeders, such as Zbigniew Górski, Krzysztof Zakolski, Magdalena and Daniel Gromala, are doing great and achieving significant successes. The 2019 Derby winner Dragon bred and owned by Zbigniew Górski, the wonderful mare Shannon Queen bred by Mr and Mrs Gromala, or last year’s Derby winner Grand Dakris of Krzysztof Zakolski, are examples of horses bred in Poland that can compete with horses bred from abroad. I believe that with conscious and consistent breeding decisions in Poland, Arabian horses can be born, which will win the most important races in the world. This is not a fad. Poland may soon become a Mecca for Arabian horses in Europe! It would be a sin not to take advantage of it. Today, the greatest potential for the development of horse racing in Poland lies precisely in international Arabian horse racing.

But are you not a bit biased, because you got some dozen French “Al Khalediahs” horses to train from Polska AKF Sp in the first four years of running the stables, two of which have already turned out to be outstanding for Polish conditions. Salama won the Europa Cup (2019) and G3 in Milan (2020) and Shadwan, winner of the Europa Cup winner (2020). He did not win abroad, but was in the top three several times.

Maciej Kacprzyk: Of course, AKF Polska is the father of my successes from the very beginning of my career. I got horses for training, admittedly without racing careers, but with very good pedigrees with great potential. Trainer Michał Borkowski from Wrocław thanks to the victory of Fazza Al Khalediah in the most important race for Arabian horses in Europe – Qatar Arabian World Cup with a prize pool of EUR 1,000,000 held on the L’Arc de Triomphe weekend at Longchamp in Paris, proved that in Poland it is possible to prepare the best Arabian horse in the world. It was the greatest advertisement that no one even dreamed of. The results of Fazza Al Khalediah, but also foreign starts of other horses of Polska AKF mean that not only the Saudis want to give the horses of their property for training in Poland. I see no threat in this, but an opportunity for development. Middle East owners should not only keep their horses in our country for training, but also keep their breeding mares and youngsters. They will also buy Polish bred horses, if they are appropriate quality. In addition, the most viable option to attract new sponsors for the races, and hence increasing the prize pool, is sponsorship from the Middle East. For them Arabian horses, also the racing ones, are part of their cultural heritage and therefore so they willingly engage in Arabian horse racing. We don’t have to look for a horse market for Polish breeding, look for sponsors, they are clearly interested in cooperating with Poland. We should take this opportunity! Let us not be fooled by the vision of increasing the prize pool from an increased turnover in the mutual bets. The potential that we dream about is not there. Today, we can only achieve a larger prize pool in Arabian horse races thanks to sponsorship from the Middle East.

How do you evaluate this year’s sponsorship offensive of Polska AKF?

Maciej Kacprzyk: I can only applaud it, which proves what I said before. Poland AKF has allocated over 400,000 PLN for basic and additional prizes in Służewiec, Wrocław and Sopot. In addition to the Al Khalediah Poland Cup race held since 2014, it fully sponsors the new Tiwaiq Central European Arabian Derby, which took place on May 29, a series of four races for horses of the third group of Al Khalediah Racing Festival and the Białka Stakes. I think that the most interesting novelty is the race for 4-year-old horses, i.e. the open Arabian Derby. Its distance, date, and I hope that its soon international character is a step into the future. I believe that we will soon have a Polish-bred Arabian who will win the Tiwaiq Derby in May, and then in June will win the French Derby for Arabians. Perhaps this will be the success of Dary Al Khalediah, the winner of the first edition of this race, who was born in France, but is after all the grandson of Savvannah, born in Janów Podlaski, descending from the wonderful line of Sabellina.

What is the current “Arabian” potential in your stable?

Maciej Kacprzyk: I have about 20 Arabians in my training. I’m saying “about”, because this number is constantly changing. Injured and weaker horses leave, and new ones come in their place. I have a limited number of stalls and the stables are practically full all the time. The star of recent seasons, Shadwan Al Khalediah, has already finished his racing career and started breeding duties. In training I have 6 AKF Polska horses, 10 horses owned by Qatar, one from Kuwait and one from the United Arab Emirates, and two horses owned by Polish owners. The best of the older horses, Salam Al Khalediah, suffered a minor injury, but must have a break in training. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation in a center in Belgium, he will not start until the second half of the season. Amwaj Al Khalediah presented herself very well in the Comet St., so as a prize in the second half of June, she will compete in the G2 race in Milan. I am also counting on Wasma Al Khalediah, who won the Skowronek St. in beautiful style. I also hope that four-year-old Nrgizing will quickly advance to A and B categories, after easily winning his debut. These are the promising horses I am counting on this season.

For polskiearaby.com – Jan Zabieglik

Huge interested was stirred among Arabian horse enthusiasts by a new race in the racing calendar at the Służewiec Racetrack – the Tiwaiq Central European Derby, sponsored by Polska AKF, with a prize pool of 119,000 PLN. On Saturday, May 29th, nine horses, eight bred abroad and one from Poland, entered the gates at the starting line.

Dary – a gift to all that placed their bets on Szczepan Mazur!

A sure favorite of the audience (his possible win was priced at 8.20 for 5 PLN) was the trained by Michał Borkowski in Wrocław colt Mayar Al Khalediah (Nashwan Al Khalidiah – Assma Al Khalediah by Amer), half-brother of Fazza Al Khalediah (Jalnar Al Khalidiah – Assma Al Khalediah by Amer), famous winner of the 2018 Qatar Arabian World Cup at Longchamp in Paris. At the beginning of May, he won the Kabaret St. (B cat., 2000 m) freely under Sanzhar Abaev by as many as eight lengths, on a highly good-to-soft track (4.2), where there were splashes of water after heavy rainfall. His time was 2’26.1. A week later, in the race for the Skowronek St. (group I, 2000 m), Dary Al Khalediah (Jalnar Alkhalidiah – Amerah Al Khalediah by Amer), with the same sire as Fazza, suffered an unexpected defeat. His jockey, Szczepan Mazur, took the lead 250 meters before the finish line and fought fiercely against the great six-year-old mare General Lady (General – Rivale d’Enfer by Dormane) who was pressing him. Ultimately, he shook off her attack, but unexpectedly in the last few dozen meters, the six-year-old mare Wasma Al Khalediah (Jalnar Al Khalidiah – Chinook de Ghazal by Dormane) trained by Maciej Kacprzyk, breezed under Konrad Mazur and overtook her close cousin by 0.75 length. The time of this race was 2’20.7 on a good-to-soft track (4.0), i.e. it was better than the Mayar result by as much as 5.7 s, which could give food for thought, but as we know the thinking of racing regulars, caught up in the sheep’s rush that a horse is “a dead cert” (that is, it has to win) until it is proven otherwise at the wire, is turned off.

As a result, the mighty Dary (with measurements resembling a Thoroughbred: 161-180-20), not quite sure why, was considered by some experts to be less talented than Mayar, which was also reflected in the Expert League bets (only one in over 20 chose Dary for first place) and in the mutual bets, where he was counted in third place behind Mayar (for whom the possible payout was 8.20 for PLN 5) and Rasmy Al Khalediah (Nayef Al Khalidiah – Rajwa Al Khalediah po Tiwaiq) – 15.20 for PLN 5.

Meanwhile, Dary’s odds were over 5: 1 (26.20 for 5 PLN). Only those who always choose Szczepan Mazur, even when he rides a theoretically weaker horse, bet on the charge of trainer Bartosz Głowacki. His riding style for 8 years now, when he won the Ruler and Derby St. for the first time as a 17-year-old, is an added value all in itself. Those who counted Dary only for second or third place probably did not take into account the offended ambition of the young jockey, who is already compared with the track legends, Mieczysław Mełnicki, Jerzy Jednaszewski and Tomasz Dul, but they also forgot about his extensive international experience. After all, during his last, fifth trip to the United Arab Emirates, he has won as many as 20 races from November to April, in strong international competition, mainly on Arabian horses. When I asked him why he wasn’t riding Mayar, he replied that trainer Borkowski had decided so. When asked about choosing Mayar’s rider, the trainer from Partynice said that recently, when Szczepan Mazur could not race for a whole racing day due to health problems, he put Sanzhar Abaev atop Mayar and now decided to give him another chance, especially since this outstanding young Kyrgyz is the main, everyday rider at his stable.

As expected, Mayar took the lead right after the start and galloped at a strong pace for a good-to-soft track on a scale of 3.5: 35.1-34.1-34.2. After coming onto the straight, Abaeev picked up the pace and the Arabians took off like Thoroughbreds, covering the last 500 meters in 32 seconds. The first to try to approach Mayar was Rasmy under Turgaev, but he quickly faded out. Meanwhile, in the last 100 m, Szczepan accellerated and Dary, who started finishing from a further position, attacked his rival at the last moment, defeating him at the wire by 0.5 length. Rasmy held third place, and Alsahr was fourth, the only horse of Polish breeding and ownership in this race.

For eight years there has not been such a strong race at Służewiec over 2,000 m – 2’16.1. A record result would probably have been set had it not been for the condition of the track (3.5). Let us remind you that a great record over 2000 m (2’14.4) was set in 2013 by the French three-year-old filly Ancely (Dahess – Djurdjura by Al Sakbe), winner of the Białka St. However, back then the going was good-to-firm on a 2.6 scale.

During the decoration of the winning horse in the paddock the trophy was collected by Hubert Kulesza, General Director of Polska AKF, owned by the Saudi Prince Khaled Bin Sultan Abulaziz Al Saud.

Hubert Kulesza, commenting after the race for polskiearaby.com, said: “I would like to thank the Polish Jockey Club and the management of the Służewiec Track for giving us a chance to fund this new race with the word” Derby “in its name, which is so important for every organizer and lover of races. I think that the lineup, as well as the high level of this race met not only our expectations, but also racing enthusiasts who watched this extremely exciting show on the track or on the Internet. Initially, we had no plans for our three best four-year-old horses to compete, but the two-week delay in the start of the season meant that only two “Al Khalediahs”, Mayar and Dary, could run in early May. Rasmy did not have such a chance, as he was delayed in training due to a minor injury. However, since we also intend to enter him to the French Derby in Chantilly, we wanted to give him a chance to face tough competition. I will not hide that I was hoping that the entire podium would be occupied by three of our horses, but I was not so sure about the order at the finish line. Mayar was a huge favorite of the audience, Rasmy was a great unknown, and Dary, although ridden by such a sophisticated jockey master as 25-year-old Szczepan Mazur, was underestimated by many experts. So I quietly cheered him on, especially since our manager, Szymon Głowacki, brother of trainer Bartosz Głowacki, stated before the race that the best jockey would win this race.”

His opinion turned out to be prophetic. Having many years of experience in racing in the UAE behind him, Szczepan Mazur rode simply sensationally. He spread Dary’s strength so skillfully that although the pace of the last quarter was extremely strong (500 m – 32 s), the strongly driven horse managed to accelerate even in the last meters and overtook Mayar, tired from leading.

“I would also like to congratulate Zbigniew Górski, owner and breeder of the best Polish horse in this race, fourth at the finish line, Alsahr. I think that this energetic, brave grey has a good chance of following in the footsteps of Dragon, who won the first Derby for his breeder two years ago. I would also like to emphasize that we do not want to dominate the races at Służewiec. For our best horses we plan mainly races abroad. Much will depend on where they will be in the Derby in Chantilly. Each “in the money” place in such strong competition will satisfy us. I can unveil the secret that we intend to enter two fillies for the Europa Cup during the Arabian Day at Służewiec. However, I do not exclude that if the need arises, one of the three stallions mentioned above will also run,” – said Hubert Kulesza, ending his statement.

Tiwaiq Central European Arabian Derby – (cat. A):

1. Dary Al Khalediah (FR) jockey S.Mazur (59.0) number 1
2. Mayar Al Khalediah (FR) apprentice rider S.Abaev (59.0) 3
3. Rasmy Al Khalediah (FR) jockey A.Turgaev (59.0) 6
4. Alsahr jockey A.Reznikov (59.0) 8
5. Sjabahar ‘OA’ (NL) jockey V.Popov (59.0) 9
6. No Neveur Saularie (FR) jockey S.Mura (59.0) 4
7. Samonlau ‘OA’ (NL) pr.dż. D.Sabatbekov (59.0) 5
8. Kromvel (RU) jockey S.Vasyutov (59.0) 2
9. Al Ban (FR) jockey M.Srnec (59.0) 7

2000 m: 2’16,1″(35,1-34,1-34,3-32,6)
Temperature 15.0°C, cloudy with clear spells.
Style: strongly driven.
Lengths: 1/2 – 1 3/4 – 3 1/2 – 2 – 1 – neck – 5 1/2 – 2.
Going rating: good (3,5).

Below are the results of stake races held during previous weekends (8-9, 15-16 and 22-23 of May, 2021):

Apollo Del Sol the unexpected winner of the Al Khalediah Racing Festival 2021

The first race of the Al Khalediah Racing Festival 2021 series had a very interesting and unexpected course. Musab was leading with a steady pace, but he weakened in the middle of the straight and then the French four-year-old Apollo Del Sol (Al Mamun Monlau – Alloa Del Sol by Darweesh), trained in Wrocław by Justyna Domańska, delivered a brilliant finish. The second place was also taken by the less counted Kromvel (Venzel – Kasida by Senjermen). The “Al Khalediahs”, the six-year-old Award (Jalnar Al Khalediah – Quesche du Paon by Akbar) and the five-year-old Asrrar, predicted to be second and third behind Musab (Asraa Min Albarg – Muna by Nougatin), took sixth and eighth places, respectively.

1. Apollo Del Sol (FR) jockey A.Reznikov (60.0) 7
2. Kromvel (RU) apprentice jockey S.Abaev (60.0) 8
3. Galito de Bozouls (FR)(-2) D.Sabatbekov (60.0) 6
4. Musab jockey S.Mura (63.0) 2
5. Awrad Al Khalediah (FR) jockey S.Mazur (61.0) 4
6. Djenah (FR) jockey V.Popov (58.0) 1
7. Asrar Al Khalediah (FR) jockey M.Srnec (61.0)3
   Withdrawn: Gabonn (DE) jockey K.Grzybowski (62.0) 5

2000: 2’21,8″(35,5-34,4-35,5-36,4)
Temperature: 19.0°C, sunny.
Style: surely.
Lengths: 3/4 – 3/4 – 1 3/4 – head – 4 – 4
Going rating: good (4,0)

We have already mentioned Dary’s unexpected defeat to his close cousin Wasma above.

Skowronek St. (I gr.):

1. Wasma Al Khalediah (FR) (-1) K.Mazur (57.0) 6
2. Dary Al Khalediah (FR) jockey S.Mazur (59.0) 9
3. General Lady (FR) jockey K.Grzybowski (62.0) 1
4. Hadjar (SI) (-3) B.Kalysbek Uulu (54.5)
5. Mantaa jockey A.Reznikov (57.0) 5
6. Kenjiy (-2) D.Sabatbekov (57.0) 4
7. Eldas (-1) S.Abaev (61.0) 7
8. Guarf de Bozouls (FR) jockey V.Popov (59.0) 11
9. Ehssana (-4) O.Szarłat (55.0) 8
10. Alnnajm jockey M.Srnec (62.0) 3
11. Bravos (-3) K.Dogdurbek Uulu (56.0) 10
12. Pilargo jockey S.Mura (59.0) 2

2000 m: 2’20,7″(35,6-34,6-34,8-35,7).
Temperature 19.0°C, sunny.
Style: driven.

Lengths: 3/4 – 1/2 – 1 3/4 – 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 – 2 – 5 1/2 – 2 – far (23) – 6 – 7.
Going rating: good (4,0).

Purhib scares Dragon

A strong favorite for the Bandos St. for 4 years old and above Arabians was Dragon (Dahess – Djaima by Nonius), who was winning easily down the straight, when he was unexpectedly attacked in the last meters by the high form of trainer Cornelia Fraisl’s charge Purhib (Murhib – Polina by Balaton). However, the experienced Aleksander Reznikov did not allow for a surprise and the Derby winner confidently held off this attack.

Bandos St. – (cat. B):

1. Dragon jockey A.Reznikov (63.0) 7
2. Purhib apprentice jockey D.Sabatbekov (59.0) 1
3. General Lady (FR) jockey K.Grzybowski (59.0) 6
4. Seiful Muliuk (RU) jockey M.Srnec (63.0) 5
5. Wielki Dakris jockey S.Mazur (63.0) 3
6. Echaron jockey M.Kryszyłowicz (60.0) 2
7. Hamal apprentice jockey K.Mazur (63.0) 4

2200 m: 2’38,1”(16,0-35,5-36,5-35,6-34,5).
Temperature: 18.0°C, cloudy with clear spells.
Style: surely.

May 1st marks the beginning of the 76th racing season at the Służewiec Racetrack. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic, races will be held without an audience until further notice, which will hopefully be announced in a few weeks. 159 races for Arabian horses will be held, with a prize pool of PLN 2,542,225.

The biggest novelty in the Arabian racing program is an over six-fold increase in the prize pool in races sponsored by Polska AKF on the tracks in Warsaw, Wrocław and Sopot. In total as much as PLN 448,500, of which 408,500 are meant for Służewiec, and PLN 20,000 each for Wrocław and Sopot. Let us recall that until last year, the aforementioned company, owned by the Saudi Prince Khaled bin Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, sponsored the Al Khalediah Poland Cup (cat. A, 1600 m) since the 2013 season, held during the Arabian Horse Day, the pool of which was recently 70 thousand PLN. This season, it was increased to PLN 129,500. In addition, Polska AKF will sponsor a new race at Służewiec called the Tiwaiq Central European Derby for 4-year-old horses (cat. A, 2000 m) with a pool of PLN 119,000 (it will be held on May 29), the Białka Stakes – Al Khalediah Colts & Fillies Trophy (cat. A, 2000 m, August 22) for three-year-olds, and also four more races under the name Al Khalediah Racing Festival 2021 for 4 years old and older horses with a pool of PLN 9,250 each. Moreover, AKF Polska funds additional prizes, which gives a sum of 408,500. The full list of basic and additional prizes is provided at the end of the article.

Of course, the vast majority of these prizes, especially the races of the 3rd group, as well as the stake races, will be won by horses owned by AKF Polska. It is already possible to predict with almost 100% certainty that the “Al Khalediah Derby” on May 29 will be the fighting arena of primarily two “Al Khalediahs”, the trained by Janusz Kozłowski Rasmy (Nayef Al Khalidiah – Rajwa Al Khalediah / Tiwaiq) and Mayara (Nashwan Al Khalediah – Assma Al Khalediah / Amer), Fazza’s half-brother. The first was undefeated in three races, including the Bask Stakes (cat. B), then won the Premio Casa Di Cura San Rossore in Pisa, the second also won three races, including Białka St. (cat. A) by as much as 23 lengths. The sensational winner of the Sambor St. (cat. A, 2200 m), the trained in Wrocław by Małgorzata Kryszyłowicz, Echaron by Ontario HF (Monarch AH – HF Orzonna / Pepton) from Michałów Stud, should not be a match for them. The Sambor St. is the main race for three year olds, right beside the Białka St., which Echaron won against a weaker field, but in a very good style, beating, among others, the Dutch Sjabahar ‘OA by AF Albahar (Amer – Al Hanouf / Sabaani) and two slightly weaker “Al Khalediahs”, Dary (Jalnar Al Khalidiah – Amerah Khalediah / Amer) and Hazima (Kasir Al Kahlediah – WFA Harmony / Djebbel).

The latter is worth a few words, because he will be the second horse bred by Polska AKF with a top French pedigree on both sides and an open road to the Derby, because due to his place of birth and his Polish owner, he was registered in the Polish Arabian Stud Book (PASB) upon birth. His sire Kasir, the son of the legendary Tiwaiq (Hamdani KS and Hamdanieh KSA, and what comes later is not known), did not live up to the hopes placed in him. He was 7th in the Janów St. and 13th in the Derby. Hazim also did not run in the first year as his pedigree would suggest. However, he won twice, so trainer Maciej Kacprzyk in his pre-season statement for tor.sluzewiec.pl said that he would prepare him for the Derby. Before the Janów St., the trainer plans for him to appear only once in a second group race.

Fazza and Salam will only race abroad

Meanwhile, the two best “Al Khalediahs” which are the international showcase of Polska AKF, i.e. Fazza (the sensational winner of the Arabian World Cup 2018) and Salam (last year’s winner of the Premio Milano Jockey Club, G3, 1800 m), are prepared for performances only abroad. “Fazza is currently in a clinic in Belgium, where he will soon be recovering from an injury he suffered at the beginning of the year. I think he will return to Michał Borkowski’s stable in Wrocław in mid-May and start training. We plan for him, if he reaches a high form, foreign starts in the second half of the season”, says Szymon Głowacki, the representative of Polska AKF.

Trainer Kacprzyk told us about the preparations for Salam: “In January, I took him for three weeks for light training and rest to France. In February, he competed against tough competition in Saudi Arabia. He was even active at first, running in second and third positions. He weakened only in the last 100 meters and he was close to the sixth, last paid place. He was eighth in the end. I am moderately pleased with this performance, because although he had a short period of preparation, he showed willingness to fight, he did not follow the horses like a dog. I originally planned a foreign start for him in mid-May, but recently he suffered a slight injury, but he should return to the training track soon. If he is in good shape, I will enter him in the G2 race in mid-June in Milan, where he won the G3 race last year. By the way, I would like to inform you that last year’s winner of the European Cup at Służewiec, Shadwan Al Khalediah, has already completed a successful career on the track and has been retired to breeding. Currently, he is starting breeding duties at the stud of Magdalena and Daniel Gromala. I know that Polish breeders are interested in breeding their mares to him. And this year in the races at Służewiec I am mostly counting on the very good performances of Amwaj Al Kahlediah (Nashwan Al Khalidiah – Asma Al Khalediah / Amer), who will be thrown into deep water on the second racing day, because her rivals in the race for the Comet Stakes (cat. B 2000 m) will be, among others, two very strong colt, Polish Derby winner Dragon (Dahess – Djaima / Nonius) and Russian Seiful Muliuk (Karmel de Faust – Sjamara / Marwan I). Wasma Al Khalediah (Jalnar Khalidiah – Chinook de Gazal / Dormane) is also an extremely talented filly. Last year she was plagued by injuries. This season she should run much better”, concluded Maciej Kacprzyk.

15 Al Khalediahs at Służewiec

“In total, we have 15 of our horses in training at Służewiec and eight in Wrocław in Michał Borkowski’s stable. We try to cooperate with several trainers. Apart from trainer Kacprzyk (he prepares seven horses), in Warsaw three of our Arabians are trained by Janusz Kozłowski, two by Krzysztof Ziemiański and three by my brother Bartek, at our stud in Nowa Mała Wieś near Leoncin. We are very pleased with this cooperation, because just a few years ago we did not even dream of such significant successes in the country and abroad, emphasizes Szymon Głowacki.

Little protection of Polish bred horses

To make it not too sweet, I have to add a tablespoon of acid. French Arabians, not only those from Polska AKF, but earlier also from Krzysztof Goździalski and Zbigniew Górski, whose Tefkir, purchased in France, as the first Arabian in Polish training (Małgorzata Łojek), defeated Sheikh Mansoor’s horse in the race for the 2016 Europe Cup, as well as from Cornelia Fraisl (who registered 18 “French” Arabians for the 2021 season), have dominated Służewiec for several years. Polish private breeders somehow get through by adding French bloodlines. Horses born from breedings to top stallions (recently fashionable is Mared Al Sahra, son of Amer and Massmarie), in a few years will almost exclusively compete in the Janów, Derby and Oaks St., formally closed to foreign horses. In fact, this process cannot be stopped. But as the writer Fredro saying goes, “know the proportion, mighty lord.” And what about Arabians with typically Polish pedigrees from the three state-owned studs, Janów, Michałów, Białka, and horses from small training centers in the country: Should they not compete in closed races like so far, but only in open races? The matter is controversial and will probably arouse emotions more than once. We asked Jakub Kasprzak, the head of the selection department of the Polish Jockey Club, if the additional bonuses for “Polishness” that were paid to Arabian breeders in previous seasons are maintained: “Yes, but there has been some modification. Polish Arabian horse breeders will have a bonus of 10 percent of the total. For example, if Zbigniew Górski’s Arabians won PLN 100,000, he would receive an additional PLN 10,000. This year, during the season, the owners of Polish-bred horses will also receive additional bonuses, amounting to 40% of each award in races for 3-year-olds, 25% for 4 year olds and 15% for 5 year olds. However, they will be paid only when Polish horses compete in open races. When they race against each other in PASB races, there will be no such bonuses.”

4-5 horses of one trainer in a race

Out of 159 races in total, I counted only 15 Arabian-type races and 25 for horses entered in the PASB. The closed races (except Janów, Derby and Oaks) are intended only for… three-year-olds. There is not a single Arabian-type race or PASB race for 4 years and older Arabians. In practice, this means that purely Polish four-year-olds and older horses can only look for scraps from the table on the racing track. No wonder that trainer Sergiej Vasyutov currently trains only two older horses, four years olds: Bravos and Pilargo. The remaining four older Arabians, the Polish Marakhes (Ontario HF – OM Moksha / Marwan I) and Pressus (Addis – Pisarka / Pesal) and two Dutch stallions, six-year-old Victory Kossack (Marvan I – Vydumka / Madiar) and his brother Vol Gass Kossacka are being prepared by Paweł Wasilewski according to Vasyutov’s training plans. Naturally, there are natural phenomena, such as Dar Duni (Eldon – Decyma / Eurol), who won a race in 2016 at the age of 13 and has finished second four times in the last three seasons. Apparently, trainer Kamila Urbańczyk wants to set a record. When asked last year if she should put a 16-year-old horse to race, she replied: “Why should I forbid him to do so, when he just likes to race.” Let’s add that this veteran of the track was also reported for the 2021 season!

Will Dragon tame the Al Khalediahs and will Wielki (Grand) Dakris be even grander?

The 2019 derby winner Dragon by Dahess (Amer – Danie du Cassou / Dahr) out of Djaima (Nonius – Driada / Demarsh), bred by Zbigniew Górski and trained by Maciej Janikowski, had a great season in 2020. First, he was second four times in stake races (including the Europa Cup), and then two times first in Michałów and the Criteirum St. He won them with great ease. Will he try to tame two strong four-year-olds, about whom I wrote above – Rasmy and Mayar this year? Or maybe these three will be joined by last year’s Derby winner Wielki Dakris by Mared Al Sahra (Amer – Massmarie / Tidjani), out of the mare Wielka Damira (Ontario HF – Wielka Dama / El Amor), bred by Krzysztof Zakolski, who has a brilliant finish, but is difficult to ride. The horses is trained by Adam Wyrzyk, who last year recorded a Derby double (the blue ribbon was also won by the Thoroughbred Night Thunder). He wintered until March at his breeder and owner, currently a councilor of the Serock Commune and Town Hall, Krzysztof Zakolski.

“I have created the best possible conditions for him to be in the fresh air almost all day long. He slogged through the meadows. When I think that I would bring him to Służewiec, where the horses, apart from daily rides, have to stand in the stables for hours, I feel sorry for them. I give my Arabians to Adam Wyrzyk for training, to his center in Podbiel, because there the gallops take place along forest paths. Of course it seems to me that Dakris last year, although he won the Derby and was third in the Europa Cup and second in the Michałów and Criterium St., has not yet shown what he can do. He has great acceleration on the finishing straight. I had the impression that, apart from Derby, he started finishing too late. He is difficult to ride at distance and therefore needs a strong hand. I do not hide that this year I count on great emotions and even greater successes”, said Krzysztof Zakolski to polskiearaby.com.

The best Arabian horses will begin on Sunday!

We will see Dragon on the second day of the season in the race for the Comet St. (cat. B, 2000, 4 years old and above). His main rival seems to be the Russian Muliuk, but perhaps Amwaj Al Khalediah, a mare who is highly praised by trainer Kacprzyk, will try to fight these stallions. “If she is to win with Dragon, it is probably only now, because she will carry not two, but three kg less. I am also counting on a very good ride by Szczepan Mazur, who successfully raced in Dubai in winter”, he assesses.

“Dragon feels the same as he did in the fall. That is why I think that he should also deal with horses with which he has already won easily”, says trainer Maciej Janikowski.
Also on Sunday, in the race for the Cabaret St/ (cat. B, 4 years, 2000), which will be held three weeks earlier than in previous years, my second Arabian and Derby prospect Alsahr (Mared Al Sahra (Amer – Massmarie / Tidjani) bred and owned by Zbyszek Górski. At the age of three he was second four times and won twice. In the last race, from the beginning of the straight, he fought like a lion with the very good Rasmy Al Khalediah. He lost 50 meters before the finish line, by 1,25 lengths. If he does well on Sunday, he will also appear on May 29 in this new “Al Khalediah” version of the 2000 m Derby. He will have very strong opponents in his first start. Fazza’s half-brother, Mayar Al Khalediah, who was the best three-year-old during the last season. But I hope that a 4 kg weight allowance will help in taking a higher paid place. Jockey Aleksander Reznikov, who worked and traveled in Qatar in winter, returned in a good form. I think he will definitely weigh in at 56 kg, and in the future even 55 kg.

SS Mothill makes his debut as a sire on the track

In the 2021 season, the first offspring (three fillies and one colt) of the French sire SS Mothill (Nizam – Bundless / Calin du Loup), owned by Janów Podlaski, will make their debur. Mothill is the male grandson of Amer. He won 6 races in 14 showings at Służewiec. He was most successful when he won the Al Khalediah Cup (category A, 1600 m) at the age of 6. Trainer Sergey Vasyutov highly counts on the grown Wirgilion out of Wira by the Swedish Portmer and Floryna out of Furina by Druid, the other two fillies, out of the capable Janów mares Sabatina and Salsa, will debut later. Trainer Vasyutov does not hide that he counts mount on these three-year-olds. The rest, apart from the Dutch Nestor (Mercimurhib Kossack – Neige Nuit / Dormane), which is prepared outside Janów by Paweł Wasilewski, are Arabian type race horses. There are as many as 37 of them.

Even four or five horses of one trainer in a race

Probably trainer Vasuytov will have to enter four or even five horses for some races in order for them to take place. It happened more than once last season. Not only the trainer from Janów was forced to do similar practices so that even the weaker horses could earn anything. Cornelia Fraisl, who is doing great as a trainer, also entered up to four Arabians. In the 2020 trainers championship, she took second place with 44 victories (Wyrzyk won with a large advantage – 74 wins), third was Krzysztof Ziemiański – 35 first places. Trainer Andrzej Laskowski showed full determination during the first entries this year, when he entered five of his charges for the first open race for debuting Arabians in the season (at least 7 horses must be entered for a race to take place). To tell the truth, I am not surprised at all, but I commend that he saved this race. As he has the most 3 year old Arabians (11) and his stable has a total of 20 horses, any paid place is important to him. Trainer Laskowski also acted as fairly as possible, because atop his best three-year-old, the French filly Aiwa de Limarzel (Neshan – Amwaany / Madjani), he placed the best Polish rider, Szczepan Mazur, who from November to April raced in Dubai and won as many as 22 races.

Szczepan Mazur in the footsteps of the great champions of the track

Szczepan Mazur has had an established brand in the Emirates for several years, and at Służewiec his dominance is growing every year. He is following in the footsteps of the best jockeys in the history of Służewiec: Walenty Stasiak, Jerzy Jednaszewski, Mieczysław Mełnicki and Tomasz Dul. Suffice to say that he won last year’s championship with a great advantage. From May 16 to mid-October, he won 77 times and finished second 45 times, yet he left for another contract in Dubai right after the Wielka Warszawska Race (October 12), while the races ended on November 22. Kamil Grzybowski, second in the championship, ended the season with the result 45:33. You can be sure that also this year Szczepan Mazur (his brother Konrad was third in the championship 36:34) will easily win the riders’ classification, because almost all the trainers (if he does not have a ride at the Wyrzyk stable where he works) will offer him rides on their best horses. He will be able to choose as he sees fit. But he deserves this privilege like no other.

A list of primary and additional AKF Polska prizes:

09.05.2021

AL KHALEDIAH RACING FESTIVAL 2021 (1):
Prize pool 9625 PLN (5500-2200-1100-550-275)
Race for 4yo and above Arabians of the 3rd group (2000m)
Additional prize from the sponsor: 20.000 PLN*
horse owner: 15000 PLN, horse trainer: 3000 PLN, rider: 2000 PLN

22.08.2021

AL KHALEDIAH RACING FESTIVAL 2021 (2):
Prize pool 9625 PLN (5500-2200-1100-550-275)
Race for 4yo and above Arabian horses of the 3rd group (2000m)
Additional prize from the sponsor: 20.000 PLN*
horse owner: 15000 PLN, horse trainer: 3000 PLN, rider: 2000 PLN

22.08.2021

BIAŁKA Stakes – AL KHALEDIAH COLTS & FILLIES TROPHY (cat. A):
52500 PLN (30000-12000-6000-3000-1500)
International race for 3yo Arabian horses (2000m)
Additional prize from the sponsor: 80.000 PLN*
Division of the additional prize:

18.09.2021

AL KHALEDIAH RACING FESTIVAL 2021 (3):
Apprentice race (7)
Prize 9625 PLN (5500-2200-1100-550-275)
Race for 4yo and above Arabian horses solely of the 3rd group. Horses are ridden only by apprentices – riders that have not won 25 races. Weight allowances due to the riding category: riders that have not won a race 2kg, riders that have not won 10 races 1 kg. No whips allowed. (1800m)
Additional prize from the sponsor: 20.000 PLN*
horse owner: 15000 PLN, horse trainer: 3000 PLN, rider: 2000 PLN.

24.10.2021

AL KHALEDIAH RACING FESTIVAL 2021 (4):
Prize 9625 PLN (5500-2200-1100-550-275)
Race for 4yo and above Arabian horses of the 3rd group. (1800m)
Additional prize from the sponsor: 20.000 PLN*

29.05.2021 – Category A races:

TIWAIQ CENTRAL EUROPEAN ARABIAN DERBY – (cat. A):

The cash prize for each place in the race is paid from the funds fully obtained from the sponsor, in accordance with the Organizer’s Regulations for the first 5 places as follows:
85% goes to the horse owner,
10% goes to the horse trainer,
5% goes to the rider.

*the additional prizes will be paid after receiving the funds from the sponsor.

Dates of other cat. A stakes:

19 June – Janów Podlaski St. (Produce), 2600 m
2 July – Ofir St., 4yo and above, 2400 m
22 July – Derby, 4yo, 3000 m
22 August – Arabian Day, stakes: Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan – Europy Cup – G3 PA (cat. A), 4yo and above 2600 m; Al Khalediah Poland Cup – Listed PA (cat. A), 4yo and above, 1600 m; Białka St. – Al Khalediah Colts&Fillies Trophy, 3yo, 2000 m
12 September – Gazella, Mlecha and Sahara St. (OAKS), 4yo fillies, 2400 m
2 October – Sambor St., 3yo, 2200 m
3 October – Michałów St., 4yo and above , 2800 m
24 October – Criterium St. – Listed, PA, 3yo and above, 2400 m

Furthermore 4 Wathba Stallions Cup races are sponsored by Wathba Stallions:
12.06.2021 ERRLIS ST. I 1600m + 5.000 EUR for the winner of the race (owner 85%, trainer 10%, rider 5%)
03.07.2021 BOREK ST. I 1800m + 5.000 EUR for the winner of the race (owner 85%, trainer 10%, rider 5%)
24.07.2021 TRAF ST. I 1800m PASB + 5.000 EUR for the winner of the race (owner 85%, trainer 10%, rider 5%)
22.08.2021 EMAELST. I 1600m + 5.000 EUR for the winner of the race (owner 85%, trainer 10%, rider 5%)

This is the first time that we are presenting a post-season summary of the Arabian competition on Polish tracks (mainly at Służewiec) in the form of horse, breeder, owner, trainer and event rankings. We must note that the final sport and financial results were significantly influenced by changes in the system for holding races for three year olds – the maintaining of a large number of “Arabian type” races (30) and the introduction of an additional 18 races for horses registered in the Polish Arabian Stud Book (PASB). The aim of these changes was to support domestic breeding and those that benefitted were the State Stud in Janów Podlaski (focused mainly on Arabian beauty, carrying out a racing training on the stud’s premises for several years now) and to a lesser degree the second and last State Stud that still sends horses to the track in Warsaw and Wrocław – Michałów. The owners of foreign Arabians were at a loss, because there were only 28 open races for three year olds. However it must be said that all stake races for this age category: the Europejczyk, Koheilan I, Białka, Amurath, PAHBA, Sambor, Bask and Czort St. were open. Arabian-type races were only held in groups II and I (six of the latter were held), similarly with races for horses registered in the PASB (three group I races).

In the competition for 4 year olds and above (78 races) traditionally closed (since 1991) were the following stakes: Janów Podlaski, Derby and Oaks and furthermore only four Arabian-type group races, which appear to be pointless due to a lack of continuity. Horses that in 2016 raced among Arabian-type company at the age of three, at the age of four had to compete in open races (apart from the four mentioned exceptions).

It is the horse that makes a man big or small

Such racing wisdom was often said during various occasions by Stanisław Sałagaj (died in January of 2013), first a great jockey and later an outstanding trainer. It means, no more and no less, that sometimes one outstanding horse can alone give someone fame and fortune. On a side note we should add that Stanisław Sałagaj scored success mainly with Thoroughbreds (he was chosen Trainer of the Year six times, after the successes of Omen, Dietmar and Upsala), but someone decided to remember him through a Memorial which is a group I race for Arabians, though his largest triumph in this field was the victory of Złoty Potok in the first Europa Cup (1985).

In line with Sałagaj’s wisdom the ranking of Arabian horses after the 2017 season has to begin with two racing superstars (considering Polish conditions), that can be compared to the best horses of the past 20 years: Druid, Wienerva, Gorec, Orgia Fata and Marvin El Samawi. The first is the 4 year old Polish-bred Shannon Queen (Ainhoa St Faust – Sasanka Fata/Sam Tiki) and the 3 year old colt Fazza Al Khalediah (Jalnar Al Khalidiah – Asma Al Khalediah/Amer). They brought their breeders recognition and their owners and trainers – large amounts of money, which we write about below.

The “Queen” this year won six stakes in a row (Kabaret, Janów Podlaski, Derby, Europa Cup, Oaks and Michałów St.), matching the record of 12 victories in a row belonging to the Thoroughbred Va Bank. Unfortunately, similarly as for him (he lost in his 13th start to Caccini), her 13th start (Criterium Stakes) was unsuccessful. On a difficult going (6,0) she lost not only to the outstanding three year old Fazza Al Khalediah, but also to Burkan Al Khalediah and Bandolero and finished the race at fourth spot, in a dead heat with Shahad Athbah. If she would not have competed in this race then her first position in our ranking would not have been questioned. However this defeat made us place her at first spot together with Fazza, as placing him at first spot alone seems premature, despite the fact that he outdid the best older horses in an impressive style, with a never seen before in this race advantage of 17 lengths!

Fazza has a marvelous racing pedigree, he is a grandson of top quality racing stallions (Tiwaiq on the spear side, Amer on the distaff side). Just like Shannon at the age of three he ended the season as undefeated in six starts. After winning group races in Wrocław, he triumphed at Służewiec in the Europejczyk St. (B cat.), Białka St. (A), Sambor St. (A) and Criterium St. (A). However there was one important difference. He won all races easily or surely, while she as a three year old won the Białka Stakes with difficulty and the Criterium Stakes after a fierce fight. At the age of four she won easily among her peers, but when she raced against older horses she had to put in some effort to outdo Shahad Athbah in the Europa Cup, while in her next performance (Michałów St.) she was better than her rival only by a head after a fight. Already this race should have given the owners and trainer food for thought that she shouldn’t be exposed to the risk of such a grand defeat. But the sport spirit took the upper hand. The vision of setting a record of 13 victories in a row was tempting. Prior to the Criterium Stakes the undefeated among his peers Fazza did not seem as dangerous as some perceived him to be. How that ended, we already wrote above.

According to their trainers both of these great racing Arabians are being prepared for the 2018 racing season, but of course if buyers appear and offer appropriate sums then the owners may change their minds and sell them with no scruples. From our point of view it would be better if they competed this year at Służewiec, because duels of such equine stars, properly promoted, are a magnet that draws the public to the race track.

From third to fifth spot in our ranking we find: the 8 year old Saudi gelding Burkan Al Khalediah (Khalid El Biwaibiya – Rayyan/Bengali d’Albret), the 5 year old British mare Shahad Athbah (Amer – Kolver/Vert Olive) and the 4 year old Polish Bandolero (Portmer – Botura/Samsheik). Their achievements were similar, proof of which are also their financial results, 68,550, 69,600 and 57,770 respectively. Burkan won two A category races (Ofir and Pierrot St.) and was second in the Criterium St., Shahad won the Kurozwęki St. (B cat.) and was second three times – in the Europa Cup (A), Wielki Szlem (B) and Michałów St. (A). In the first and third mentioned races she strongly pressed Shannon Queen, yielding to her after a fight by 1,25 lengths and by a head, until she finally got her rival in the Criterium St., placing dead-heat with her across the wire. Bandolero, after an unexpected weaker performance in the Janów Podlaski St. (4th place) tried to surprise Shannon in the Derby, but she bested him surely by three lengths. Unexpectedly, this courageous Janów-bred colt was victorious in the Wielki Szlem St. (B), where he took over his stablemate Shahad Athbah by 1,5 lengths. He confirmed his high quality by placing third in the Criterium St.

At sixth place in our ranking we find the 6 year old French stallion SS Mothill (Nizam – Boundless/Calin du Loup), winner of the fourth edition of the Al Kalediah Poland Cup (A). This killer race had a speed rate of 32,8 s over the first quarter and the last 500 m was covered by the winner in… 42,2 s!

Places seventh and eighth go to 3 year old fillies, the French Nesma Al Mels (Akbar – Jelifa Al Mels/Regal de Khan), who won the PAHBA St. (B) and was second behind Fazza Al Khalediah in the Sambor St. (A) and the Polish Almiza (Munjiz – Almina/Furiat), winner of three races in a row, including the Bask St. (B).

Our equine ranking closes off with 4 year old mares: the fourth in the Derby and second in the Oaks Arwa (Munjiz – Amina/Murat-Gazon) and the third behind her in this race by a head Twilight (Murhib – Tajmonia/Madiar). Furthermore both won three group races each.

A special mention among the older horses must go to: the Polish Mogadiusz (Echo Ofira – Mukata Fata/KA Czubuthan), second in the Ofir and Pierrot St., third in the Figaro and Europa Cup, a head behind Shahad Athbah, the French Hanouh (Munjiz – Hafia de Faust/Tidjani), winner of the Figaro St., third in the Al Khalediah Poland Cup and Wielki Szlem St. and the French Salman Al Khalediah (Dormane – Jaleelat Al Khalidiah/Tiwaiq), second in the Kurozwęki and Figaro St. Among the three year olds it is worth mentioning the Dutch MonMurhib Kossack (Murhib – Maringa/Niumarket), winner of the Koheilan I St. and two group races and the Polish Sweet Dream (Murhib – Soleil Kossack/Marwan I), winner of the Czort St.

Without Alladyn and Shadwan Al Khalediah

The above ranking lacks two horses that began the season as stars, but were withdrawn due to injury: the 6 year old Alladyn (Von – Alba Longa/Ostragon) and the 5 year old Shadwan Al Khalediah (Nashwan Al Khalediah – Quesche du Paon/Akbar). Alladyn, after an unexpected poor first performance (Pamir St., where he came second to last), raced better in the Ofir St., but was only third, behind Burkan Al Khalediah and Mogadiusz. In mid-July the Derby winner from 2015 sustained a ligament injury in the walking machine. This injury did not eliminate him completely from racing, but requires a lot of time to heal. So his owners sent him to his home stud in Lutek in the Mazury region so that he could rest and undergo treatments. He is to return to Służewiec in the Spring.

Shadwan, after winning the Pamir St. in great style by 7 lengths in 2’31,8″ (17,2-35-33,6-32,6-33,4) on elastic going (3,4), worse only by 0,8 s from the oldest Służewiec record set by the 5 year old Alabaster in… 1951, was being prepared for a race in France in the second part of June. However he sustained an injury which luckily is not as dangerous as initially deemed. The horse returned to the track in the Autumn and there is hope that he will spread his wings in the coming season.

„Czorty” and Janów lead the breeders’ ranking

The owners of the private „Czorty” Stud in Dąbrowa near Nasielsk, Magdalena and Daniel Gromala, are living off of the successes of Shannon Queen already for a second season. Apart from her the best financial result among breeders (403,050 PLN) was also forged by Twilight – who was first in the II and I group (Sarmacja Prize), second in the Orla Prize (I group), PAHBA St. (B) and Sasanka St. (B); Sweet Dream – three wins, including the Batyskaf St. (group I) and Czort St. (B cat.), as well as Gusa (Murhib – Gusmania/Status), who raced just twice (first in the Comet St., fourth in the Sabellina St.). Furthermore two group races were won by the 4 year old Minastirit (Nougatin – Modessa II/Mohafez) and one race was won by the 3 year old Super Star. This mare and Sweet Dream were sold at the age of two to Tomasz Ruciński. Mr. and Mrs. Gromala kept for themselves two 3 year olds, out of which Myk Myk (NivourGonnaTouchThis – Maciejka/El Bak) turned out to be weak (10th, 4th, 8th place) and Game Ower (Nougatin Kossack – Gusmania/Status) was not entered in any race.

Arabians from Czorty Stud won 18 races, eight times placed second and nine times placed third in 58 starts. In this respect the best was Janów Podlaski: 28-22-24 in 172 starts, which however earned less – 377,790 PLN.

Among horses bred at Janów it was the three year olds that most contributed to the financial result: three wins from Adelita (Kahil Al Shaqab – Altamira/Ekstern), two from Parsek (Kahil Al Shaqab – Pętla/Visbaden), Pio (Kahil Al Shaqab – Pia/Ganges) and Prospero (Kahil Al Shaqab – Perespa/Enzo). The mentioned horses began in Arabian-type races, but later also raced in open races or PASB-type races. Out of the remaining 19 wins only two were provided by 4 year olds: the afore mentioned Bandolero (Wielki Szlem St.) and the Arabian-type Elader (Kahil Al Shaqab – Elima/Eukaliptus). The rest of the wins came from 3 year olds, mostly of the Arabian-type.

The third place in the breeders’ ranking goes to Zbigniew Górski, owner of the stud in Skuły near Warsaw. His Arabians won 11 races, placed second 15 times and third 12 times in 78 starts, which gave a fairly large financial result of 174,860 PLN. Suffice to say that the fourth in this ranking Michałów Stud ended the season with similar results: 11-21-12, but in 250 starts and ended with just a slightly higher outcome: 182,740.

Górski’s best horses were the already mentioned Arwa and Almiza, which won three races each. The one that stood out among Michałów’s group was the 3 year old Echa Wadi (Wadi Nur – Echara/Wiliam), winner of two races.

A strong entrance of Polska AKF (Al Khalediah Stud Poland)

The first place in the owners’ ranking goes to Polska AKF, mainly for placing their foreign bred horses with very good pedigrees, the majority French, in several stables: at Służewiec in the stable of the debuting as trainer Maciej Kacprzyk, in Wrocław with Michał Borkowski, Robert Świątek and Wiesław Kryszyłowicz, and Bartosz Głowacki in Nowa Mała Wieś near Leoncin. The best horse was hands down the above mentioned charge of Michał Borkowski, Fazza Al Khalediah and the second best – Burkan Al Khalediah trained by Maciej Kacprzyk. Furthermore three races (including the Amurath St.) were won by the trained in Wrocław by Robert Świątek 3 year old Saudi Al Khalediah (Jalnar Al Khalidiah – Quesche du Paon/Akbar), while the charge of Wiesław Kryszyłowicz, Rammas Al Khalidiah (Jalnar Al Khalediah – Spleen/Njewman) won twice (both colts are the grandsons of Tiwaiq on the spear side). One victory each was also scored by: the 5 year old Sindjar Al Khalediah (Dormane – Jaleelat Al Khalidiah/Tiwaiq) and 3 year olds Monther Al Khalidiah (Naeyf Al Khalidiah – Rajwa Al Khalidiah/Tiwaiq) and Shelblat Al Khalediah (Nayef Al Khalidiah – Mayasah/Khalid El Biwaibiya). Altogether the AKF horses won 354,020 PLN.

This time Janów Podlaski stands at second place, though its financial result in this ranking is impressive – 491,940 PLN, visibly larger also from the best owner of Thoroughbreds, Plavac Ltd. – 365,550. This was determined not only by the large number of victories of Arabian-type horses, but mostly by very good financial results of Bandolero and the foreign horses, Shahad Athbah and SS Mothill. Others that contributed to this result were 3 year olds registered in the PASB with interesting racing pedigrees: Severina (Portmer – Salsa/Wojsław), Severus (Portmer – Sabatina/Ganges) and Brasilia (Portmer – Botura/Samsheik), which won one race each.

On the podium again at third place we find Zbigniew Górski (175,740 PLN), at fourth place – Magdalena Gromala and Katarzyna Kozłowska (318,340 PLN), at fifth – Krzysztof Goździalski (70,140). Among the horses of Górski the most money was earned by the afore mentioned Almiza and Arwa, which won three races each. The earnings of the two associates, the wives of the Czorty Stud owner and trainer Janusz Kozłowski came mostly from Shannon Queen, who alone made 238,500 PLN. Out of Krzysztof Goździalski’s horses the best was the 4 year old Hanouh, winner of the Figaro St. (B), group II handicap, third in the Al Khalediah Poland Cup and in the Wielki Szlem St.

The unusual debut of trainer Sergey Vasyutov

Although more valuable results were obtained by trainers Janusz Kozłowski (Shannon Queen, Gusa, Twilight) and Michał Borkowski (Fazza Al Khaldiah), the training debut of jockey Sergey Vasyutov must be treated just as high. At the beginning of the season he took over Bogdan Strójwąs’ stable in Janów Podlaski. With 29 wins he placed 7th in the overall ranking of trainers (Thoroughbreds and Arabians). He himself rode most of his horses, out of which the best were Shahad Athbah, Bandolero and SS Mothill.

Good results of Arabians, mostly the “AKFs”: Burkan, Salman and Shadwan had an impact on the successful training debut of Maciej Kacprzyk.

The Trainer of the Year, Adam Wyrzyk, apart from very good Thoroughbred results also had numerous achievements in the Arabian competition. The 4 year old Wielka Dalena (Via Verdi Kossack – Wielka Dama/El Amor) caused a huge surprise, besting Arwa and Twilight in the Sabellina St., while Nesma Al Mels won the PAHBA St. A special mention must also go to Małgorzata Łojek for the results of Almiza and Sweet Dream.

 
Fazza’s knockout the event of the year

As the event of the year we chose the described above victory of Fazza Al Khalediah in the Criterium St. Trainer Borkowski said after the race that he expected his horse to win, but was also surprised with the style and scope of the victory.

Unfortunately much less significance than in previous seasons had the main race of the Arabian Horse Day: the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan – Europa Cup G3 PA (A cat.), which for the first time since 2010 was held only among domestic competition. The trained in France 5 year old Metrag (Amer – Massamarie/Tidjani), representing one of the most richest and most recognized stables in the world – Al Shaqab Racing – ultimately did not arrive. Rumors about the 5 year old grey, who on June 4th won the Sheikh Cup in Rome (in good time 2’45,2 over 2400 m) not competing circulated already on Saturday. As a result he was awaited like Godot. He was not officially withdrawn on Saturday or Sunday before noon. Bets on him stopped being accepted just half an hour prior to the race, when he did not show up at the paddock in regular time.

The American-bred chief sire Ontario HF (Monarch AH – Orzonna/Pepton), standing at stud at Tarnawka (in the Rzeszów district) since 2007, made a splashing entrance at the Warsaw track in the 2012 season as the sire of get registered in the Polish Arabian Stud Book (PASB). According to the official statistics published on the website of the Polish Jockey Club, Ontario placed first in terms of the amount of money won – 17 racing horses won a total of 216,140 PLN. The second spot went to Akbars (Nougatin – Arka/Karnaval) – 151,860 (8 horses) and the third to Ganges (Monogramm – Garonna/Fanatyk) – 119,550 (26 horses).

In the 2012 season victorious get by Ontario HF were the following 4 year olds: Addis – 3, Ekorix – 2, Wasilew – 2, Wielki Damati, Evilla and Mizara – 1 each; 3 year olds: Netka and Migma – 3 each, Wielka Damira – 2 and Wares, Fibia and Auza – 1 each; without victories were Manoria (4yo) and Galaxy, Mohamedia, Elegra and Merlini (3yo). Last year 12 horses by Ontario scored a total of 21 victories.

During two seasons (2011–2012) 19 horses by Ontario HF made it to the start line: in 2011 – 7 and in 2012 – 17. Fourteen of them won a total of 29 victories:
Addis – 5 (2 times as a 3yo, incl. I gr. Pepton Prize, 3 times as a 4yo, incl. I gr. El Ghazi Prize).
Wielki Damati – 4 (3 times as a 3yo, incl. I gr. Eldon Prize and B cat. Piechur St., 1 time as a 4yo – Criterium St., second in the Derby and Bogdan Ziemiański Memorial.
Ekorix – 3 (once as a 3yo and 2 times as a 4yo)
Wasilew – 3 (once as a 3yo, 2 times as a 4yo)
Manoria – 1 (as a 3yo)
Temmuz – 1 (as a 3yo)
Evilla – 1 (as a 4yo)
Mizara – 1 (as a 4yo, in Dąbrówka)
Netka – 3 (incl. B cat. Bask St. and A cat. Sambor St.).
Migma – 3 (incl. I gr. Orgia Prize and B cat. Sasanka St.).
Wielka Damira – 2 (second in the B cat. Sasanka St.).
Auza – 1 (four times second place).
Fibia – 1 (second in the Amurath St.).

Victorious on their debut were only Netka and Wares.
No races were won at the age of 3 by the following horses: Etoria (sixth upon her debut and ended her career), Merlini (once second), Elegra (twice third), Galaxy (sixth and seventh) and Mohamedia (raced once and was last in a field of 8 horses, four times withdrawn due to injury).

The (indeed) great Wielki Damati

The palm with no question goes to Wielki Damati [Great Damati] (out of Wielka Dama/El Amor), bred by Krzysztof Zakolski and owned by trainer Jan Głowacki. He put on a wonderful finish in the Derby, coming in second behind Pirat (Akbars – Parafraza/Arbil), surely besting the weakening favorite Hyaff Al Khalediah, son of the famous Tiwaiq. He confirmed his great racing talent in the Criterium St., stripping Pirat of the victory over the final meters, after a beautiful fight.

Also standing out among 4 year olds was the bred by Zbigniew Górski Addis (out of Amina/Murat Gazon), trained by Małgorzata Łojek. He won three races. Two races were won by the unevenly performing Ekorix (out of Elba/Gabaryt) and Wasilew (out of Warta/Wermut), who likes to push the pace. One victory went to the rather average Evilla (out of Erynia/Ghent).

Wielki Damati will continue his battle against the top racers at the age of 5. We shouldn’t expect a significant improvement from Addis and Wasilew, who was transferred after the season’s end from the stable of Michał Romanowski under the care of Sergiusz Zawgorodny. Ekorix and Evilla have finished their racing careers.

All line up for the Derby!

All appears that the get of Ontario HF will be calling the shots in the Derby run of 2013. Participants will probably include: the best 3 year old of the previous season, f. Netka (out of Nesstika Bint Ness/Gips) and her only slightly less talented stable mate Migma (out of Minorka/Wermut). Both fillies, bred by Tarnawka Stud, are trained by Janusz Kozłowski. They won three races each. In the Sambor St. (A cat.) Netka proved superior to the solid favorite trained by Adam Wyrzyk, Master Bars (Akbars – Mergissa/Ganges), bred and owned by Krzysztof Litwiniak. Aspiring to the Derby are two more horses by Ontario HF: son of the superb Wienerva (a winner of 10 stake races), Wares, bred by Jan Głowacki and trained by his son Bartosz, and the daughter of the Oaks-winning Fiszka – Fibia, bred by Tarnawka Stud, owned by Krzysztof Falba, trained by Dorota Kałuba.

How Tarnawka Stud (previously: Kielnarowa) grew in strength

Life has a funny way of throwing things in your way. Without intuition, a bit of luck, some risk and friendly advice you wouldn’t be where you are now.

Czesław Witko, when establishing his stud in 2001 in the Dynowskie Foothill, had first of all performance and endurance horses in mind. And he bred them for six years, until at the end of 2006, during his trip to the US, where he went to perhaps buy that “something”, he was persuaded by a known breeder and owner of racing Arabians, Longin Błachut, to purchase Ontario HF.

„It wasn’t that easy,” says Czesław Witko. “The owner of the stallion wasn’t sure whether to sell him, but ultimately – thanks to Longin, who is well acquainted with the American market – we sealed the deal. Present during this purchase was also the breeder, trainer and owner of Głowacki Arabians stud, Jan Głowacki. He already had significant racing successes, even greater than those of Błachut, so he also believed that it was best to strike when the iron is hot. Ontario HF lured with a wonderful, 90% Polish pedigree. His parents are American, but the

subsequent generations are pure Polish. The stallion is athletically built, has strong hindquarters, a slanting, long shoulder and solid legs. Despite his conformation of a race horse, he displays Arabian type and Polish beauty” sums up Czesław Witko.

Below is the pedigree and racing record of Ontario HF, as officially given on the website of Tarnawka Stud (www.sktarnawka.com).

Ontario HF is sired by the phenomenal race horse and outstanding sire – Monarch AH, who represents the sire line of Kuhailan Haifi d.b. Monarch AH’s sire – Wiking – represented the splendid racing bloodline from Janów Podlaski, stemming from the Laur (by Lotnik) daughter, Worskla. Among others, Worskla is the progenitor of: Derby winner Wosk, Oaks winner Sanna and her full sister (born in United States, but bred in Janów) AH Rapsodyn Blue, the winner of the IAHA Oaks. Wiking raced with success for 5 years in Poland and in the USA, but most importantly he turned out to be the best sire of racing horses in the US (and possibly in the world). In 1999 the total amount of prize money won by his descendants exceeded 5 million USD. In the same classification he was pursued by his own son – Monarch AH, who was at third place after the 1999 season in the American Evertime Ranking. Possibly this result could’ve been much better, but the stallion was sold in 2001 to the Middle East, and this fact makes it difficult to analyze the achievements of his descendants.

It should be stressed that through his legendary dam Sasanka, Monarch AH represents the marvelous racing line of the family of Sabellina. This one of a kind family was prolonged by Saracen’s dam – the Triple Crowned Sarmacja, winner of the Derby and the Oaks, as before her Sabellina, Santa, Sasanka and Saszetka. A worthy heir to Sarmacja is her daughter Savvannah – full sister to Saracen – who due to a change of trainer and the jockey shortly prior to the Derby didn’t win the blue ribbon, but was definitely the best horse of her crop and not only.

Ontario HF is also a representative of another excellent Polish line, originating from Orla from Janów Podlaski. His dam HF Orzonna was born in the USA, but conceived in Janów and exported in utero. She was a granddaughter of the phenomenal Triple Crowned Orla. HF Orzonna, an Oaks winner in California, finished her racing career with a result of 2/10 (7-2-0) 0+3+1.

As for a horse with such an impressive pedigree, Ontario HF – during his three year racing career – raced 22 times, always placing in the money, and won a total of 137,116 USD. In each of the 8 stakes in which he participated, he placed in the top three (and won four of them). Ontario HF won the prestigious Darley prize in the category of Best Four Year Old Horse of 2003, which is awarded by the Arabian Jockey Club.

After ending his career at the track he commenced duties as a chief sire at his maternal stud. In November of 2006 he was bought by Mr. Czesław Witko, who brought him to his stud at Tarnawka in January of 2007.

A stallion worth his weight in gold

In 2013 Ontario HF had more than 20 mares covered. The breeding fee is 2,5 thousand PLN.
“We haven’t frozen Ontario’s semen yet, but we probably will, as the French have expressed their interest in him. We are very interested what would result from the mating of our stallion and French mares, much better than the Polish ones in terms of racing talent,” says stud manager Piotr Bukała. “In Poland several breeders bought chilled semen from us, but we haven’t yet heard about the resulting foals.”

„The following horses have been entered to race in the 2013 season by Ontario HF: Esponna

(out of Elegantka z Izb/Mocny), Es-Fahan (out of E-Diva/Grafik), Wakat (out of Wiatka/Pamir) and Wespa (out of Wimejka/Wachlarz), but this doesn’t mean that there was a sudden decrease in the interest in our stallion in 2010. Not all breeders and owners send their horses to the track. However this year’s number of breedings shows that results from the track of his older get make the best promotion. We sell a lot of horses, recently a buyer from Morocco purchased a group of 20 Arabians, which included 9 mares in foal to Ontario HF and four foals by him. One thing is sure, this stallion is worth his weight in gold to us. His breedings and semen, as well as his get bred by us, are for sale. But he himself is not!”, sums up Piotr Bukała.

Read more: Wares: Derby winner and record holder!

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