The Arabian Horse Days, which take place in August, are the crowning event of a year’s – sometimes more – worth of breeders’ work. Considering that the event coincides with the harvest, a certain analogy comes to mind, as in both cases it is the time of reaping the results of hard labor. We have become used to blaming the changeable weather for crop failure, but let’s not forget that a properly prepared soil can to a large extent prevent against temporary unfavorable conditions… Have the breeders prepared themselves for the unfavorable aura, which has come upon us with the economic crisis and did they manage to reap such crops as they have hoped?
Białka
Last year Białka Stud put up six mares on the main auction list (one was ultimately withdrawn), with only two of them finding buyers. The bay Perita (Ekstern – Perforacja/Ernal) was sold to France for 22 thousand euro, while the grey Natea (Gazal Al Shaqab – Nutella/Pers) headed to Kuwait for the price of 23 thousand euro. The aggregate amounted to a rather small sum of 64 thousand euro, out of which just 45 thousand was paid for horses off the main list. This year the decision was made to decrease the number of horses and to increase the quality of the offer. And so only three mares were chosen to represent Białka at the 2011 Pride of Poland. The first of these, the grey Fabryszka (out of Fula/Partner), a true daughter of Gazal Al Shaqab who proudly displayed a long arched neck and struck a statue-like pose, became one of the stars of the auction. After a fierce bidding she achieved the third highest result of the sale – 150 thousand euro! With that she wrote herself down in history, beside the sold in 2006 for 160 thousand euro to Australia Hula (Penthagonn – Hulanka/Eukaliptus), as one of the highest price-fetching graduates of the youngest Arabian State Stud.
The second of the offered mares, the gifted with outstanding Arabian type and a beautifully carried swan-like neck Camilia (Piaff – Calineczka/Metropolis NA) was the youngest of the mares appointed for sale this year (Piacenza is 20 days older), but one that could already boast successful show starts. Her young age gives reason to hope that there are more of those still ahead of her. She will soon travel 15 thousand kilometers to her new home, as she was sold for 60 thousand euro to Australia. The third, Hulala, did not achieve her reserve price.
The offer from Białka was complemented with the Polish National Junior Champion from 2007, the expressively moving Celsjusz (Ekstern – Carina/Pesal). The stallion was purchased by Mohamed Omar from Egypt for the price of 20 thousand euro. This may not seem like a stunning amount, but in these times it is difficult to sell a stallion. Summing up, Białka Stud earned a total of 230 thousand euro, which is an almost fourfold increase as compared to last year.
Two days earlier, during the National Championships, Białka’s Director Marian Pacewski also had reasons to be proud. His colt Peron (Esparto – Perolia/Gazal Al Shaqab) won the B series of the yearling colts’ class with a score of 92,5 points. Thanks to his carved-like head and very good body and topline (19-18-18,5) he bested the reigning Junior Spring Show Champion, Janów’s Pomian (Gazal Al Shaqab – Pilar/Fawor), who was evaluated at 90,83 points. Additionally on Sunday afternoon Peron proved superior to the reigning Reserve Champion from the Białka show, Michałów’s Equator (QR Marc – Ekliptyka/Ekstern), becoming Polish National Reserve Junior Champion and yielding only to the robust Pogrom. With that Peron has become the third stallion in Białka’s 30 year history to gain a title at the Polish Nationals. So far this feat has only been accomplished by Pesal (Junior Champion in 1993, Reserve Senior Champion in 1996, Senior Champion in 1997) and Celsjusz (Junior Champion in 2007). Whereas Peron’s dam, the beautiful Perolia (Gazal Al Shaqab – Pereira/Eldon), placed
5th in the 8-10 year old mares’ class, with a high final score of 92,17 points. Among the junior females a satisfactory presentation was delivered by Egema (Esparto – Egira/Emigrant), who lacked some luck, as her final score of 92,83 was just barely not enough to qualify for the championships – the filly had to settle for third place. However her charming, dished head, broad forehead and large, black eyes, for which she was awarded with high marks (20-20-19,5), secured her the title of Best Head on Sunday, which surely pleased her new owner from Sudan.
Janów Podlaski
The host of the Arabian Horse Days also did not score a win in the junior female classes. The champion from last year’s Junior Spring Show in Białka, the chestnut Palatina (QR Marc – Palmeta/Ecaho), was second in the two year old fillies’ class, achieving the same result as the winner, the grey Waranga (QR Marc – Wilga/Ekstern) – 92,67 points. In the finals she wrestled out the title of Top Five (being a fourth overall spot in the championships), so she literally brushed against obtaining a medal for Janów Stud. But this was not the first time that the winners of the Junior Spring Show in Białka didn’t repeat the same success two months later at the Polish Nationals, and definitely not the last.
More luck had the colt Pogrom (QR Marc – Pętla/Visbaden), who last year had to yield to the dainty Empire (Enzo – Emira/Laheeb) from Michałów. This time he was in great form and presented himself very well. He stood out as the favorite from the very beginning and the results confirmed that assumption. He won his class with the highest score among the entire junior males – 92,67. On Sunday he gained that what eluded him last year – the gold medal.
In the senior classes Janów Podlaski Stud put up a group of charming mares, which resulted in a great success. The first class, which encompassed mares aged 4-6 year old, was dominated by the hosts. During the class’ decoration ceremony Director Marek Trela walked out to collect the ribbons as much as five times! What’s interesting is that three of the top five mares are the daughters of Altona (Euakliptus – Albigowa/Fawor), sold in 2007 to Belgium for 180 thousand euro. Two of them – Alabama (by Gazal Al Shaqab) and Altamira (by Ekstern) qualified for the championships on Sunday, in which they furthermore secured a bronze medal
and a Top Five, respectively. Competing in the same class was the chestnut Cenoza (Ekstern – Celna/Alegro), evaluated at 92,33 points. She placed fourth and furthermore received the trophy for Best Racehorse of the Show. As a reminder – in her two season racing career the mare achieved a decent coefficient of success of 1,39.
Whereas in the 7-10 year old mares’ class we had a chance to see the grey Etnologia (Gazal Al Shaqab – Etalanta/Europejczyk), who this time seemed to be slightly out of form. She did not
resemble the charismatic, tail raised high, flying through the air mare, whom we admired last year (at that time she was awarded with as many as three “20s”). This mare seems to be contending with bad luck for some time, as first she was in the shadow of Pianissima, later Emandoria and last year Pinga. And now, unexpectedly, it turned out that her star has faltered, placing just 6th with a score of 91,83 points (last year – 94).
Janów’s stallions claimed two medals this year. The silver went to the grey Equifor (Gazal Al Shaqab – Eqviria/Pers), who won the 7 years old and above stallions’ class. Whereas the
bronze was awarded to Polish National Junior Champion from 2009, presented for the first time in the senior category – Albano (Enzo – Alena/Emigrant). The stallion qualified for the championships from second place in class, gaining 91,67 points, including as many as three “19,5s” for impressive movement. He was only bested by the later-to-be gold medalist Kabsztad, whose marks for movement seemed a bit stretched.
Last year Janów Podlaski Stud was the only one that had fended off the crisis, earning as much as 560 thousand euro. This year the financial result is even better! The stud’s treasury will collect a total of 749 thousand euro, due mainly to the spectacular sale of Palabra (Enzo – Palmeta/Ecaho) for 400 thousand euro to Saudi Arabia.
A round sum of 100 thousand euro was paid by Athbah Stud from Saudi Arabia for the dam of last year’s Polish National Senior Champion Stallion, the grey Andaluzja (Sanadik El Shaklan –
Antwerpia/Eternit). A large surprise was also the extremely good sale of the black Ekstern daughter Sarbia (out of Samura/Ararat) for 85 thousand euro. The mare was purchased by Shirley Watts from Halsdon Arabians, perhaps because of the mare’s future offspring by HS Etiquette. Below expectations was the price achieved for the dam of Poganin, the grey, flea-bitten Pohulanka (Pepton – Pestka/Probat), who brought just 35 thousand euro for her home stud. The mare will head for France, to Lutetia Arabians.
Michałów
The largest takings can be boasted by Michałów Stud, who sold 9 out of the 12 offered mares for the sum of 779 thousand euro and an additional 61,5 thousand euro from the Selection Sale. The total of 840,5 thousand euro, as compared to last year’s 368,7 thousand euro, must be considered a very good result. Although there were times when that result was even greater, as two years ago the aggregate amounted to more than one million euro and a year before that, thanks to the sale of Kwestura, this sum reached nearly two million euro!
The star of the 42nd Pride of Poland Auction, the grey Piacenza (QR Marc – Primawera/Emigrant), was ultimately secured by Greg Gallun for Al Shahania Stud,
who paid 475 thousand euro. A decent amount of 125 thousand euro was collected for the 15 year old Panika (Eukaliptus – Plisa/Probat), whose characteristic mark on her head makes her a one of a kind – unique and recognizable. She will take up her new home in Saudi Arabia. A certain disappointment was the bidding of Wieża Babel (Laheeb – Wiaźma/Arbil), which will now call France (Lutetia Arabians) her new home. This mare, boasting both show and breeding successes, was sold for 20 thousand euro without any fight.
Michałów also returned home with many tremendous results from the National Show, for which they were awarded with the Best Breeder of the Show trophy. They collected half of the show’s medals, including the Best Mare of the Show, which was gained by the freshly crowned Senior Champion Mare and Best in Show, the grey Emmona (Monogramm – Emilda/Pamir). This mare won the 11 years old and above mares’ class with a high score of 94 points, which was made up of as many as five “20s”, including three for movement. For that reason it was also her who grabbed the trophy of Best Movement. Whereas the class of 7-10 year old mares’ was won by her stablemate, the bay Ejrene (Gazal Al Shaqab –
Emocja/Monogramm), who later went on to become Reserve Senior Champion Mare. This mare received as much as three “19,5s” for her beautifully set head with a perfect throatlatch, which translated to a high total score of 93,67 points. The title of Senior Champion Stallion also went to Michałów by means of Kabsztad (Poganin – Kwestura/Monogramm), who, although lacking any “20s”, gathered a high total score of 92,5. This correct though petite in size stallion, despite a pretty head, lacks expression in my opinion. He especially lacks movement, without which it is difficult to speak about being charismatic.
In the junior classes we had the opportunity to see the reigning Junior Spring Show Reserve Champion, the bay Equator (QR Marc – Ekliptyka/Ekstern), who won his class with a score of 92 points. However in the championships he had to settle for the bronze medal, behind Janów’s Pogrom and Białka’s Peron. Fortunately the gold did not elude Wieża Mocy (QR Marc – Wieża Marzeń/Ekstern), who, having thrown her tail over her back, danced in front of the judges like a ballerina. The plate with the “20” mark flashed before the eyes of the spectators three times for movement, which gave her a total score of 93,33 and allowed to take the lead. Second came her stablemate, the robust Dama Pik (Enzo – Dama Kier/Gazal Al Shaqab), who received the highest marks (ex aequo with Pustynna Malwa) for body and topline (19-18,5-18,5), which translated to a final result of 93,17 and later a bronze medal. The afore mentioned Pustynna Malwa (Ekstern – Pustynna Róża/Emigrant) in turn won the class of the three year old fillies’ with a total score of 92,67, besting by 0,17 points the well-known regular of show arenas, El Piatzolla.
Private breeding
El Piatzolla (WH Justice – Enya/Ekstern), bred and owned by ZPH Strusinianka, ultimately bested Pustynna Malwa in the finals and grabbed the honor of Polish National Junior Top Five. The silver in turn was obtained by the winner of the yearling fillies’ class, the feminine, steel-grey Echo Aurora (Eternity Ibn Navarrone-D – Echo Afrodyta/Piaff), bred and owned by Chrcynno-Palace Stud, evaluated 92,33 points.
In the junior males category three private-bred horses earned qualifications for the finals. The handsome yearling Simon Bey (Psytadel – Sarahbi Bay/Kubinec), bred and owned by Nazaret Arabians, once again exhibited beautiful movement and placed second in class with a score of 90,8. The year older Maran (FS Bengali – Missouri/Wachlarz), bred and owned by Kielnarowa Stud, also placed second in his class, with a final score of 91. The stallion appeared to look ponderous and did not make a good impression in movement. His weaker form resulted in his not making the Top Five in the championships. That feat in turn was accomplished by another
FS Bengali son, the chestnut three year old Eternal (out of Ewitacja/Ganges) of Jan Głowacki. Two years ago this colt won the title of Reserve Champion in Białka and not long after – the Reserve Champion title at Janów Podlaski. This year he won his class in great style with a score of 91,33 and later took the fourth spot in the Polish National Junior Stallion Top Five Championships. Second place in the three year old colts’ class and the chance to compete in the finals went to the grey El Dino (Ararat – Eutina/Eutin), bred and owned by Krzysztof Jagielski, who achieved a score of 89,17 points.
The best performance among the senior stallions was delivered by the bred by Stanisław Redestowicz bay Etnodrons Psyche (Padrons Psyche – Etnografia/Aloes), who achieved a high score of 91,5 points, besting with that three acclaimed Gazal Al Shaqab sons – Drabant, Eryks and Pegasus, yielding only to the fourth of them, Equifor. During the Sunday championships he placed fourth.
The private breeders put up a group of highly decorated young mares for the 2011 auction. The average age of the three offered horses was 5 years and is 3,5 lower than that of the representatives of the Agricultural Property Agency which amounted to 8,5. The total outcome of
the “private” sales amounted to 118 thousand euro, out of which half of this amount was made by the wielder of an international pedigree Kashira (Magnum Psyche – Kahila IV/Ibn Bint Inas), bred by Stanisław Redestowicz and owned by Bełżyce Arabians. A champion from the Drammen, Casino Cup in Baden and St. Petersburg shows displayed top form and an additional treat in the shape of a confirmed pregnancy to Ajman Moniscione. This undoubtedly encouraged the buyer from Australia, who paid 57 thousand euro for her. Kashira will be
accompanied on this long journey by Lot 3, the also much decorated Bajaderka (Złocień – Bagatela/Pesal), bred by Agricola Farm and owned by Monika Luft, who was sold for the price of 30 thousand euro. The Autumn Show Junior Champion from 2008, Pasterna (Ekstern – Pasywa/Wachlarz), bred and owned by Lech Błaszczyk, will not have to travel as far, as for the amount of 31 thousand her destination will be the Czech Republic.
Whereas the Selection Sale saw 7 private-bred mares change owners, for the total amount of 57 thousand euro. The highest price, 14,5 thousand euro, was fetched for the mare Waresa (Empres – Włócznia/Borek), bred and owned by Falborek Aabians, which will make her way to France. Her good result probably stemmed from the fact that she is a proven broodmare, having foaled the 2007 Junior Spring Show Reserve Champion Wasa (by WH Justice).
Summarization
In 2008 the auction’s aggregate amounted to 3 million euro, a year later to 2,5 million and in 2010 – just a little above 1 million. It was speculated that the slump in the market might last several years, but as we can see, a diligently prepared offer can prevent a crisis growth to a large extent. There will always be those eager and willing to pay for beautiful and highly decorated horses and the auction’s stars will draw masses of clients. This year’s result nearing 2 million euro shows that the concept of decreasing the number of offered mares to 30, offering younger, already highly decorated horses, as well as setting reasonable reserve prices for the older horses, can bring an intended result. It would perhaps be a good idea to increase the amount of private-bred mares boasting breeding and show successes to at least five in the place of weaker State Stud horses, which have been previously offered at the regular monthly tenders. That would change the atmosphere which to some of us resembles the former political system, when goods had to be rationed.
Results of the Polish National Championships
Senior Mares
Gold & Best in Show & The Highest Scored Mare & The Best Mover
Emmona (Monogramm – Emilda/Pamir), br/o. SK Michałów
Silver
Ejrene (Gazal Al Shaqab – Emocja/Monogramm), br/o. SK Michałów
Bronze
Alabama (Gazal Al Shaqab – Altona/Eukaliptus), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski
Top 5
Wkra (Gazal Al Shaqab – Wyborna/Monogramm), br/o. SK Michałów
Altamira (Ekstern – Altona/Eukaliptus), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski
Junior Fillies
Gold
Wieża Mocy (QR Marc – Wieża Marzeń/Ekstern), br/o. SK Michałów
Silver
Echo Aurora (Eternity Ibn Navarrone-D – Echo Afrodyta/Piaff), br/o. Chrcynno-Palace
Bronze
Dama Pik (Enzo – Dama Kier/Gazal Al Shaqab), br/o. SK Michałów
Top 5
Palatina (QR Marc – Palmeta/Ecaho), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski
El Piatzolla (WH Justice – Enya/Ekstern), br/o. ZPH Strusinianka
Senior Stallions
Gold
Kabsztad (Poganin – Kwestura/Monogramm), br/o. SK Michałów
Silver
Equifor (Gazal Al Shaqb – Eqviria/Pers), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski
Bronze
Albano (Enzo – Alena/Emigrant), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski
Top 5
Etnodrons Psyche (Padrons Psyche – Etnografia/Aloes), br/o. Stanisław Redestowicz
Junior Colts
Gold & Izabella Pawelec-Zawadzka Challenge Trophy
Pogrom (QR Marc – Pętla/Visbaden), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski
Silver
Peron (Esparto – Perolia/Gazal Al Shaqab), br/o. SO Białka
Bronze
Ecuator (QR Marc – Ekliptyka/Ekstern), br/o. SK Michałów
Top 5
Eternal (FS Bengali – Ewitacja/Ganges), br/o. SK Mała Wieś
Pomian (Gazal Al Shaqab – Pilar/Fawor), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski
The Best Racehorse of the National Show
Cenoza (Ekstern – Celna/Alegro), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski
The Best Head
Egema (Esparto – Egira/Emigrant), br. SO Białka
Annual WAHO Challenge Trophy
Piaff (Eldon – Pipi/Banat), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski
The Best Trainer & Handler
Paweł Kozikowski, Janów Podlaski State Stud
The Best Breeder
Michałów State Stud
Results of the Pride of Poland Sale (prices in euro)
Piacenza (QR Marc – Primawera/Emigrant), br/o. SK Michałów – 475 000, USA
Palabra (Enzo – Palmeta/Ecaho), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski – 400 000, Saudi Arabia
Fabryszka (Gazal Al Shaqab – Fula/Partner), br/o. SO Białka – 150 000, Saudi Arabia
Panika (Eukaliptus – Plisa/Probat), br/o. SK Michałów – 125 000, Saudi Arabia
Andaluzja (Sanadik El Shaklan – Antwerpia/Eternit), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski – 100 000, Saudi Arabia
Sarbia (Ekstern – Samura/Ararat), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski – 85 000, Great Britain
Camilia (Piaff – Calineczka/Metropolis NA), br/o. SO Białka – 60 000, Australia
Kashira (Magnum Psyche – Kahila IV/Ibn Bint Inas), br. S. Redestowicz, o. SK Bełżyce – 57 000, Australia
Forminga (Laheeb – Figlarka/Monogramm), br/o. SK Michałów – 46 000, Australia
Bohema (Ekstern – Bogini/Arbil), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski – 42 000, Australia
Egzonera (Monogramm – Egzotyka/Probat), br/o. SK Michałów – 40 000, USA
Pohulanka (Pepton – Pestka/Probat), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski – 35 000, France
Pasterna (Ekstern – Pasywa/Wachlarz), br/o. Lech Błaszczyk – 31 000, Czech Republic
Bajaderka (Złocień – Bagatela/Pesal), br. Agricola Farm, o. Monika Luft – 30 000, Australia
Entima (Ekstern – Etalanta/Europejczyk), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski, 28 000, Great Britain
Luanda (Emigrant – Loretta/Wojsław), br/o. SK Michałów – 25 000, Poland
Ebora (Ekstern – Eberia/Ecaho), br/o. SK Michałów – 20 000, Czech Republic
Wieża Babel (Laheeb – Wiaźma/Arbil), br/o. SK Michałów – 20 000, France
Grobla (Wachlarz – Gryzetka/Wojsław), br/o. SK Michałów – 20 000, Great Britain
Celsjusz (Ekstern – Carina/Pesal), br/o. SO Białka – 20 000, Egypt
Watra (Metropolis NA – Wanilia/Alegro), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski – 10 000, France
Cisowa (Ararat – Cerinola/Ecaho), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski – 8 000, Australia
Adelina (Grafik – Anakonda/Monogramm), br/o. SK Michałów – 8 000, Australia
Cetula (El Nabila B – Celta/Pasat), br/o. SK Janów Podlaski – 8 000, Australia
Photo gallery by Ewa Imielska-Hebda – Pride of Poland Sale
Photo gallery by Marta Baranowska – Pride of Poland Sale
Photo gallery by Sylwia Iłenda – Polish National Championships
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