Polish Arabian
Sire Lines
© 1996 Roxanne Rogers
In order to talk about prominent Polish sires in a coherant fashion
it is necessary to look at the sire lines these stallions represent.
To a breeder, the value of the mare is utmost but the stallion
imparts those overall characteristics that indicate prepotency.
A stallion is judged by the stamp he leaves on his offspring and
this stamp is generated through the male succesors of a pedigree.
That is why the Poles kept very careful records and also why to
this day we can trace characteristics back through
the generations. When the Poles first began breeding purebred
Arabians they had a large number of sire lines - 29 or more. All
but 12 of these lines are extinct due the ravages of war. It is
a testimony to the tenacity and dedication of the Polish people
that there are even 12 lines available today. I will address 9
of these lines, two of which exist only on the distaff side of
the pedigrees they are found in.
Line I ABU ARGUB II 1882 Slawuta.
This line is represented only by the excellent stallion Rozmaryn
(born 1935). Rozmaryn was a noted sire of correct, athletic and
"skookum" racehorses. His most famous daughter, Druchna
produced three sires: Druzba, US & Canadian Top Ten Stallion,
*Druch and Dampol. Rozmaryn also sired *Bandera, a Polish race
winner and Top Ten Park horse, and Znachorka, who produced one
of the most athletic Comet sons, *Zbrucz. The only son of Rozmaryn
used at stud was the stakes winner, Dramat (born 1958). To my
knowledge this line exists only through female lines today.
Line V BAIRACTAR 1813 Weil.
This is a most distinguished sire line and is greatly represented
amongst some of the best Polish Arabians. Amurath Sahib (1932)
is the main representative of this line and as a broodmare sire
he dominates Polish breeding. Among some of his reknowned daughters
are: Adis Abeda (dam of *Ardahan), Amneris (dam of Aramis and
Aquinor), Balalajka (dam of*Bask, who still dominates the show
ring), Arfa (who produced the 1st Dbl. Nat'l Ch.,*Arwistawa.),
Bandola (who produced *Bajram, Bandos, Beatrice etc.), Darda (who
produced *Dar, Druchna & Dbl. Nat'l Ch.,*Dornaba), Epigona
(who produced Eunice, the dam of Eukalyptus & Europa, dam
of undefeated racehorse, Europejczyk), and Estokada, his fastest
daughter, 2/10 (8-0-0) Oaks, Crit.+5, who produced *Eter, *Esterka,
*Edycja, Eskapada, &Estebna. The last daughter listed of Amurath
Sahib is Gwadiana who is a full sister to his most famous son,
Gwarny and the dam of *Gwalior.
The sons of Amurath Sahib are equally as distinguished as the
daughters. Arax was lost to Russia as a 6 year old but permeates
many Russian pedigrees today. Zlota Iwa was the only daughter
of Arax left in Poland and is responsible for the lovely "Z"
line which produced 1984 European Supreme Champion mare, Zazula.
Another son of Amurath Sahib and the great mare Forta, Equifor,
set an unbroken 1955 Derby record. However the best son of Amurath
Sahib (so say the Poles) was Gwarny. He sired many wonderful broodmares
and the prominent sires, Gedymin, Argos, *Polonus, Ballon, Pasat,
*Perkoz (Can Top Ten Eng. Pl.), *Kirkor and *Falat (US Top Ten
Eng. Pl. and Polish race winner).
Line XV IBRAHIM 1900 Antoniny.
This is a very popular sire line in North America and has been
propagated mostly by the famous stallion, Negatiw (born 1945).
There are many sons of Negatiw being used today. In fact one farm
in the US devotes their entire program to Negatiw and line breeds
extensively so there is no fear that this line will ever die out.
The most famous son of Negatiw is probably *Naborr (born 1950).
He was owned by Wayne Newton and Tom Chauncey and was a huge sensation
when he was imported in 1963. Among his best offspring are *Dornaba
(dbl. Nat'l Ch.),*Aramus (also Dbl. Nat'l Ch.) and Nat'l Ch. *Gwalior.
Besides *Naborr, Negatiw also sired the prominent stallions *Bandos,
Wist, Buszmen (Nat'l Ch.), Cebion, Tinian, *Etiw (US Top Ten)
and *Figaro (Polish Stakes winner). Negatiw stood at both Janow
(1962-1968) and Michalow (1969-1973) Stud Farms and sired 19 sons
and 54 daughters including Negotka, Bufa (dam of *Hal Gazal) and
Piersnica.
Line XVI ILDERIM 1896 Slawuta.
This line is largely carried on through the stallion Miecznik,1931
and his sons Doktryner (x Blaga by Kuhailan Zaid) and the prepotent
Aquinor (xAmneris by Amurath Sahib). Aquinor, though at stud only
two seasons, sired some very lovely and noteworthy horses: Elkana,1
972 US Nat'l Ch, & *Elkin an outstanding double Nat'l Ch in
1971. *Eleuzis, Elf, Excelsjor and Tryptyk are all very good sires
and sons of Aquinor also. This line is noted for the combination
of beauty and quality.
LineXVII Koheilan Adjuze 1924 Babolna.
Noted for big valiant racehorses this line is quite restricted,
unfortunately, coming through mainly one horse, the magnificent
*Pietuszok (born 1954). *Pietuszok stood at Albigowa Stud from1958-60
and at Janow from1961-62 & also in 1968. The influence of
this horse is greatly appreciated by today's breeders as it manifests
itself in quality, beauty and speed. Notable sons of *Pietuszok
(pronounced Pee-a-too-shock) are *Wosk, Derby winner, *Bajram,
NatlCh., *Orzel, Nat'l Ch. Racehorse and showhorse and the ever
influential *Gay Polka+++, Nat'l Top Ten Halter, West. Pl. etc.
and sire of countless champions and excellent broodmares. *Pietuszok's
daughters are among the finest in Polish breeding, notably, Orla
who won the Polish "Triple Crown"(Oaks , Derby &
Criterium) and then distinguished herself as the dam of the phenomenal
race mare *Orgia. Also sired by *Pietuszok are Eliza (dam of Elf),Wilma
(dam of Wist), Beatrice (dam of *Beander ) and *Harpia (Halter
Ch. and dam of the excellent producer, Harpona).
Line XVIII KRYZYK 1876 Jablanow.
This line is the oldest extant Polish sire line and is represented
through two major stallions: Kaszmir (born 1929) and Trypolis
(born 1937). Kaszmir was a most astonishing racehorse winning
all but one of his 18 races plus six stakes races. Unfortunately
the only son of his to be used at stud was Geyran . Geyran is
famous for siring the first Double National Champion, *Arwistawa.
*Arwistawa also equaled a track record in Poland and won the Oaks.
The better known Trypolis sired many wonderful stallions and broodmares.
His famous sons are: Faher (sire of Banat, Almifar, El Azrak &
*Barysz), El Trypoli, the unforgettable *Mohacz and the very influential
sire of Patterson Arabians, *Cytrys. *Cytrys' impact in North
America has been very strong through such sons as, Starguard,
Cygan I and Boccacio, all Champions and sires of Champions into
four generations.
Line XX KUHAILAN AFAS 1930 Gumniska.
Stallions used to continue this line are Arcus, a great racehorse
and sire of *Branibor (who in turn sired the stakes winner *Dunajec)
and *Bigotka a prominent broodmare at Patterson Arabians who produced
six champions including *Bihar, Boccacio, and Negotka, the dam
of Negatraz.
The most famous stallion of this sire line, however, is the ever
popular, Comet (1953). Comet stood at Nowy Dwor 1958-59 at Janow
in 1961, and at Michalow 1962-64. He died prematurely in 1964.
The noteworthy sons of Comet are *Bajdak, Can &US Top Ten,
*Carrador, Top Ten Park, *Czester+, *Meczet US Nat'l Ch. Park,
*Wiraz US Nat'l Top Ten Park, *Zbrucz, US Res. Ch. Park, Ego,
*Dar, *Flis and *Elaborat a race winner. As noted from all of
the Park victories Comet horses have extremely lovely natural
movement at the trot, but they are not noted for racing ability.
Comet also sired 23 broodmares among whom are *Gydnia, *Halali
Enchanted, *Bryzieda, Eunice, *Muzaa & Warmia.
Line XXI KUHAILAN HAIFI 1923 Gumniska.
This sire line is represented by the immortal Ofir and appears
at least once in all Polish Arabian pedigrees. The two main representatives
of this sire line are Witraz and Wielki Szlem. These two stallions
are the lions of Polish Arabian breeding & their influence
cannot be overemphasized.
Wielki Szlem (born 1938) was the stronger of the two stallions
for racing. He sired such greats as Omar - Derbywinner, Czardasz
- Derby, Dyska - Oaks, Kochana - Oaks, Don Lambro - Derby and
the fabulous Czort (x Forta) 4/19 (13-5-1) Crit.+6. Czort's racing
ability and beauty lives on through his sons, *El Paso, *Etan,
*Czortan, *Krezus - Derby, Elfur - Derby and the magnificent *Sambor
who has founded a racing dynasty in North America. Wielki Szlem
sired 51 broodmares among whom are: Mira (dam of Mir Said), Gwara
(dam of Gwarny, Gahdar (dam of Abu Afas who sired Comet), Angara
(dam of Arax), Bint Munira (dam of Badr Bedr), Dyska (dam of *Dunajec)
and Ellenai (dam of Eleuzis, Elf and Elbrus).
Witraz, (born 1938), though almost identically bred to Wielki
Szlem was a completely different type. He sired 27 broodmares
six of whom became dams of leading sires: Eleanora (El Trypoli),
Bandola (Bajram, Bandos and Banat), Cosmosa (Cedr and Kord), Ellora
*El Azrak, Elfur, *El Paso & *Ellorus), & Egeria (Ego
).
Celebes is one of Witraz's noteable sons. He sired the stallions,
*Druch, Etap (his best son according to the Poles), *Rezus and
*Mellon 3/24 (8-10-2) AP. 2x +1 leading sire of many noted racehorses
worldwide, *Algomej - Polish Nat'l Ch., and *Aloes. Celebes left
44 broodmares including four Polish national champions: Algeria,
Ekstaza, Elewacja & Mitra). Celebes is a full brother to the
legendary mare *Caliope.
The most famous and wildly prolific son of Witraz is the leading
show horse sire, *Bask, himself a National Champion in 1956. *Bask
sired over one thousand foals and remains the leading sire of
showhorses in North America. It is interesting to note that over
25% of all Arabians registered in North America have *Bask in
their pedigrees.
Another highly successful showhorse and prolific sire of this
sire line is the famous *Aladdin, 1975 US Nat'l Ch. and sire of
many National Champions, and a grandson of Witraz.
*Witez II , also a son of Ofir is the sire of Wiertez who can
be found in the pedigree of DWD Tabasco.
Though not as successful on the racetrack as Wielki Szlem's descendants,
the descendants of Witraz dominate the showring.
Line XXIII Kuhailan Zaid 1923 Babolna.
This sire line is noted for strength, speed, substance and soundness.
The stallion who represents it is Kuhailan Abu Urkub who sired
two stallions at stud: Gabor and Grand. However, Kuhailan Abu
Urkub is most famous for siring the immortal broodmare, Forta.
Gabor sired Bajdara who produced *Branibor and *Bajdak. Gabor
is also the sire of the Derby winner, Mir Said. The other son
of Kuhailan Abu Urkub, Grand sired Kord (the sire of *Escudo)
and his full sister Czadra.
This line finds prominence today, only through the females Forta,
Mantyla (dam of *Mellon), Mira and Bajdara.
The Polish Arabian has survived through the hardship of two wars,
a restrictive Communist regime and now economic disaster. Add
to this the rigorous test of the racetrack and an unrelenting
culling process and you have a recipe for a truly great Arabian:
superior in conformation, athletic ability, and representative
of any and all Arabian types, whatever you perceive them to be.
Bibliography:
The Breeding of PureBlood Arabian Horses in Poland.
Roman Pankiewicz
The Pure-Bred Arab horse in Poland
Issued by Animex 1964
A Photographic History of the Polish Arabian
Gladys Brown Edwards
Tanglewood
Breeders of Polish and French Arabian Horses and Thoroughbred
Racehorses
RR1
New Noway, Alberta
Canada T0B 3L0
Tel (780) 352-6413
roxannerogers13@gmail.com
This document © 1996 - 2009
Roxanne Rogers, all rights reserved.
