The video that we make available today is the 4th part of the archive footage from 1985, filmed at Janów Podlaski State Stud, dedicated to Polish Arabian horse breeding. You can see the Polish Prestige Arabian horse sale, which took place in September of that year. Some of the horses shown include the mares Contessa, Harmonia, Fantastka and the stallion Algierczyk. Also featured are words from the then buyers: Robert Magness, Kim Magness i Abdul Wahed Al Sahati. The film, taped by the Arabian Horse Video Magazine (USA) crew, is accompanied by the commentary of Marek Grzebowski (Polish Prestige). “This is the Polish Prestige Sale which took place in Janów in September of 1985”, he explains. “It was held in a circus tent, in front of a large audience. It was very successful – high prices were achieved. One of the horses sold was a Polish National Champion Mare crowned the day before”.
“Beginning from 1980 the sales took place in a circus tent with a stage up front”, he continues. “The idea was brought from the American auctions of Mike Nichols. It allowed the spectators to focus their attention on the stage and the single horse being bid on. In those days it wasn’t possible to simply rent a tent. We persuaded a traveling circus to perform in that area in September and rented their tent in between their performances”.
“In that time, the mid 80s”, he sums up, “the Janów sale was the most important Arabian horse event in the world. The public came in large numbers to see this gala and reacted wonderfully to every fall of the hammer. That “slam” of the hammer marked a moment of incredible enthusiasm for all those present. Even those that lost congratulated the winner – here Al Sahati is congratulated on his winning of Algierczyk. There was an overall feeling of joy and pride. We were proud that Poland’s best export product, Arabian horses, are valued by the whole world”.
The videos available:
Arabian Horse Video Magazine: Polish Prestige Sale 1985
Arabian Horse Viceo Magazine: Polish National Show 1985
Arabian Horse Video Magazine: Breeding
Arabian Horse Video Magazine: Clip
