The 2016 Polish National Gold Champion Mare Palatina was the 4th offspring of the great Palmeta to claim the National Champion title of Poland, and everyone knows that this title is not easy to achieve. Looking at some of the greatest mares in the history it was easier for them to be US National or World Champion than to win the title at the Polish National Show, so for Palmeta to not only claim the title herself as a Junior and as a Senior but also to produce 4 Champions has for ever placed her among the Supreme broodmares in Poland and she is a worthy Queen of Janów Podlaski.
Palmeta was born at Janów Podlaski in 2001 and she is a daugther of 1995 Polish National Champion Stallion Ecaho.
Ecaho was sired by the Bandos-son Pepton (out of Pemba/Czort), a great race horse who in total won 8 Stakes, the Criterium and 3 Group races. Pepton raced 16 times during 1980-1981 with 11 firstplaces, four 2nd (Criterium and Derby) and one 4th place and these great results made him Race Horse of the Year. Pepton started out his breeding career at Michalów Stud in 1982 where he stood at stud for two seasons, after that he moved to Kurozweki State Stud in 1984-1985 before he was leased to USA for two years. Returning to Poland Pepton claimed the title Polish National Champion Stallion in 1989. Pepton´s offspring has also been very good race horses with his daugters Geneza and Estepona winning the Oaks and Geneza and Elein won the Criterium.
In 1990 the legendary Etruria (Palas x Etna/Faher) had a grey colt by Pepton on the 1st of March. The colt Etruria had was considered to be the most promising heir apparent to the most valued sire line of Ibrahim db. Everyone knew that the choice of name for this great colt was of great importance and it would turn out that later that spring Poland hosted the Annual General meeting of the European Commission of Arabian Horse Organizations (ECAHO). As a part of the schedule included a visit to each of the State Studs so that they could present their finest horses in breeding parades. Izabella Pawelec-Zawadzka, the Polish Inspector of Arabian Horses at that time, recalls that the weather during the Janow Podlaski stud visit was very cold, grey and damp and the horses were not at their best. After the formal presentation of the chief-sires, the group continued down to the stables where the mares and foals were housed. Some of the best mares were shown and the selection included Director Krzystalowicz favourite mare, World Champion Etruria. She came out of the stable into the paddock showing off her incredible movement and at her side was this “frosty-grey” colt with his tail on his back. He had a tremendous presence with an extraordinary head and neck and great movements, with no problem keeping the pace with Etruria´s powerful animated trot stride for stride. The group was in awe by this fantastic colt and they quickly broke into enthusiastic and spontaneous applause at the sight of him and his famous dam. “He is like a swan” Mrs. Zawadzka said about the confident colt.
As this was the time for naming all the foals, Izabella Zawadzka suggested that as a tribute to the special event, to allow the Congress to propose a name for the colt. Director Krzysztalowicz agreed upon this and in a moment of inspiration, the Arabian Horse Society of England´s President Joan Ratcliff suggested ECAHO, in honour of the commission´s acronymic designation. It was perfect as the Polish tradition of naming the foals in honour of their dams by prescribing the first letter of the dam´s name to the foals and the name was approved by the esteemed gathering with more applause. Later that fall, the colt by Pepton and out of Etruria was registred as number 5161 in the Polish Arabian Stud Book as Ecaho.
Ecaho raced for two seasons competing in 20 races (2-4-7-2). He started out his breeding career at Michalów and at the end of the season he was shown at the Polish National Show where he got four perfect scores of ten for type and head and neck, incredible two tens for body and the highest leg score among all his competitors. Ecaho scored a total of 46.33 points (out of 50) and was awarded with the title Polish National Champion Stallion.
Palmeta belongs to the highly valued family of Szamrajówka, born about 1810 at Biała Cerkiew. This family has vanished from Poland twice but was restored when Piewica (Priboj x Taktika) was purchased in 1956 and moved to Albigowa after her race career in Wroclaw. In 1962 she moved to Janów Podlaski bringing this family back to Janów.
Hadrja (Hamdani I x Hesperia) born in 1898 at Uzin was 7nd generation from the mare Szamrajówka. Hadrja was exported to Yugoslavia and the only female of this family left in Poland was Hama 1913 (Pielgrzym x Hami), but none of her offspring would carry on the legacy.
In 1930 the grand-daughter of Hadrja – Kewa (Siglavi-Bagdady-11 x Kalga) was imported from Inocenzdvor to Janów Podlaski to restore the damline. Kewa was a great broodmare and she arrived with a colt Kaschif (Ali-Pasza 1909) at side and in foal to Koheilan IV-3 producing the daughter Mewa in 1931. Kewa produced a foal every year except in 1936 but in 1939 she was taken by the Russians and moved to Tersk together with her daughters – Oaza 1933 (by Kuhailan Haifi db.), Troska 1937 (by Enwer Bey), Włodarka 1938 (by Ofir) and Użimka 1939 (by Ofir).
Włodarka had two daughters exported to Poland – Prowierka 1948 (by Priboj) was imported to Albigowa in 1958. She was in foal to Korej (Kann x Rixalina) and produced the daughter Prowarda in 1958. Unfortunately Prowierka died in 1959 and Prowarda left only one offspring before she died young at 9 years of age. Prowarda was raced for two seasons and she was the 1962 Triple Crown winner winning the Derby, the Critierium and the Oaks. In total she raced 11 times with 7 wins and 1 second place. Prowarda had the bay daughter Prowizja (by Ego) in 1964. She was sold to E. J. Tweed as a 3-year old and was exported to USA. Prowizja would also proof to be a great athlete although it was not at the race track. She was named US National Champion Park Horse and her four sons by Bask – Ibn Prowizja, Cometego, Pro-Fire and Promotion were all US National Champion in Park.
Piewica (Knippel x Włodarka) was sent from Tersk to the racetrack in Wroclaw, Poland, as a 3-year old and she raced 3 times (2-1-0). She never returned to Tersk as she was sold in Poland to restore the damline of Szamrajówka and she arrived at Albigowa at the end of 1956. Piewica had 13 offspring in Poland before she was exported to France in 1973. Her daughters would carry on her legacy and today the Szamrajówka-family is the most successful family at Janów Podlaski.
The daughters that carried on Piewica´s legacy in Poland were Penza (by Faher) – the dam of Pemba (by Czort, the dam of the stallions Pepi and Pepton) and Penitent (by Partner), Polish and European Champion Stallion; Pierzga (by Negatiw), the dam of Pierzeja (by Bandos, the dam of Polish Race Horse of the Year and European Champion Stallion Piechur by Banat), Pilarka (by Palas), Pieczec (by Palas, the dam of 2xWorld Champion Stallion Piruet by Probat); Pentoda (by Bandos), the dam of US National Champion Mare Penicylina (by Palas), Pentoza (by Ellorus), the foundation mare at Bialka, and the by many considered to be the most beautiful Probat-daughter Pestka.
Piewica also is the dam of Pieśń (by Sedziwoj), exported to USA and dam of Piersnica (born at Janów Podlaski by Negatiw and later sold to Patterson Arabians in USA; Pika (by Bandos) was sold to Blommeröd Arabian Stud in Sweden as a 4-year old and she is the dam of two Swedish National Champions – Piwosz (by Bomarc) and Pionier (by Probat).
Some years are just golden and in Poland 1975 was such a year with a foal crop with fillies like Pilarka, Etruria, Arra, Europa and Fantastka.
Pilarka had only 5 offspring before she was sold to Paolo Gucci at the Polish Prestige Auction, but they were all daughters and her first daughter Pipi (by Banat) would be a remarkable producer. Pipi produced 15 offspring between 1986-2003 and among them were the beautiful Probat-daughter Pistacja – Polish National Reserve Champion in 1991 (junior) as well as in 1993 and 1994 (senior). Unfortunately she was sold to Zichy-Thyssen Arabians in Argentina before she left any daughters in Poland, but her legacy is strong in Argentina where she left 9 daughters.
Pipi was bred to Pepton twice producing the daughters Pytia in 1990 and Pigwa in 1991, Pytia was sold to Belzyce Arabians in Poland and Pigwa was sold to Onsala Arabians in Sweden.
Pipi also produced Preria (by Ararat, sold to Halsdon Arabians, the dam of Primera by Eden C) and Pomerania (by Gazal Al Shaqab, sold to Athbah Stud).
With Eldon (Penitent x Erotyka) Pipi produced the successor to Eldon – 2005 Polish National Champion Stallion Piaff. He has been a very good sire and his son Alert (out of Andaluzja) was 2010 Polish National Champion Stallion and is together with his sire chief-sire at Janów Podlaski.
But the perfect match for Pipi would be the Probat-son Fawor. She was bred to him the first time in 1986 producing the son Pilot the following year. Pilot was named 1988 Polish National Junior Champion just like his sire who was the first colt recieving that honor in 1983. Pilot was sold after his racing career to Paolo Gucci with the plan that he would come back to breed in Poland. And luckily he did, but through his new owner Shirley Watts of Halsdon Arabians. She was gracious to send this valuable stallion twice to stand at Janów Podlaski, in 2000-2001 and just recently in 2010-2011. Unfortunately Pilot passed away on the 23rd of August this year and it is a huge loss not only for the people at Halsdon that loved him, but for the whole breed.
Pipi was bred back to Fawor and produced a bay filly in 1994 who was named Pilica and a grey filly named Pilar in 1996. These two daughters would turn out to be extremely valuable in the breeding program of Janów Podlaski and even if both of them today have been sold, their legacy at the farm is solid and strong.
Pilica produced one foal every year since 1999 up until she was sold to Australia in 2006, leaving 2 sons and 6 daughters. Her first daughter was Palmeta and a proof of Palmeta´s immense value is that she was awarded with the 2015 WAHO-trophy for her achievements as a showmare but foremost as her value as a brood mare.
Palmeta is one of 3 horses that won the Polish National Champion title and Best in Show both as a Junior and a Senior horse, the other two being Pianissima and Pinga – all three has the legendary Pilarka in third generation! Palmeta was also named European Senior Champion Mare in Verona 2005.
Pilarka´s second daughter was the beautiful Bandos-daughter Pianola. She was 1983 Polish National Junior Champion Mare but unfortunately Pianola died young before she had any foals.
In 1984 the Probat-daughter Pinia was born and she had only two daughters, Pinerola in 1992 (by Pepton) and Pianosa in 1998 (by Eukaliptus) out of totally 6 offspring. Pinerola was sold to a private breeder in Poland and Pianosa was retained by Janów Podlaski as a replacement for her mother who passed away too early. Pianosa started out her breeding career in the best possible way producing the amazing Pianissima in 2003. She was also the dam of Polon (by Ekstern), Passionaria (by Gazal Al Shaqab) and Paladid (by Al Adeed Al Shaqab) before she passed away much too early not long after Paladid was born.
Palmeta was bred to the stallion Pesal (Partner x Perforacja) after her racetraining, a stallion also belonging to the Szamrajówka-family tracing down to the Bialka foundation mare Pentoza (Ellorus x Pentoda). The resulting foal born in 2006 was a grey colt named Palatino. Like many of the Ilderim-colts he needed time and Director Marek Trela saw the potential in him and waited for him to come out in the show ring.
In 2010 he was named Autumn Show Senior Bronze Champion Stallion, the year after he claimed the same title at the Prague Intercup and was at the end of the year World Senior Top 10 Stallion. In 2012 he impressed with his great movements at the Polish National Show and was named Polish National Gold Champion Stallion, the same year as his mother Palmeta was awarded with the Gold Champion title and Best in Show.
Palatino has also been 2013 All Nations Cup Senior Bronze Champion Stallion, 2014 Prague Intercup Senior Silver Champion Stallion, Prague European Cup Senior Gold Champion Stallion, European Senior Bronze Champion and 2015 Al Khalediah European Horse Festival Senior Silver Champion.
Palmeta was bred to Enzo (Padrons Psyche x RD Bey Shahmpane) twice, producing the grey Palabra in 2007 and the chestnut Palamina in 2008. Palabra followed her mothers footstep and became Polish National Junior Champion Mare and Best in Show in 2008. Earlier that summer she was Bialka Junior Spring Show Champion and Best in Show.
She was put in race training as a 3-year old with 6 starts (1-0-1-1) and the following year she was bred to Ekstern and offered for sale at the Pride of Poland auction. Palabra went on to be the high-selling lot when she sold for 400.000 Euro. In 2012 she had the filly Mahat Al Jalawiya for her new owners Al-Jalawiyah Stud, Saudi Arabia. In 2013 Palabra had another filly, the bay Paris J (by Emerald J) for Christine Jamar-Demeersseman, Jadem Arabians.
In 2009 Palmeta had a chestnut filly by QR Marc – Palatina. She would just like her mother and her sister Palabra win the Bialka Spring Show Junior Gold Champion title and it was clear that Palmeta yet again produced a star.
Later in the season Palatina was named Prague Intercup Junior Silver Champion. As a 2-year old she returned to Prague and then she claimed the Prague Intercup Junior Gold Champion title as well as the Prague European Cup Junior Silver Champion.
As a 4-year old Palatina was bred to Kahil Al Shaqab and was sold at the Pride of Poland auction for 90.000 Euro to PPH Parys Ltd, so this promising young daughter of Palmeta would stay in Poland.
In 2014 Palatina had a bay filly, Piwonia, by Kahil Al Shaqab for her new owner.
In 2015 Palatina returned to the showring adding more titles to her show record: Al Khalediah European Horse Festival Senior Silver Champion Mare, Warsaw Arabian Show Arabia-Polska Senior Gold Champion Mare and Best in Show, Buksza.
In 2016 Palatina would be historical when she was the first private-owned mare ever to win the title Polish National Gold Champion Mare. And her title made Palmeta the dam of 4 Polish National Gold Champions – Palabra, Palatino, Paris and Palatina.
In 2011 Palmeta had a grey colt, Palatynat, by Ararat (Palas x Arra) and in 2012 another chestnut, charismatic filly was born, Patria, this time by the Enzo-son Eden C.
Patria was as a yearling named Polish National Junior Silver Champion Mare.
In 2015 she was Al Khalediah European Horse Festival Junior Bronze Champion and the most impressive thing with that win was that Patria was standing in race training and only a week prior to the show was out for the morning exercise with the other race horses when I was photographing.
Palmeta was bred to Kahil Al Shaqab twice producing two colts. The first one, Piaget, was not one the perfect match and here we can see the greatness as a breeder of Director Marek Trela who bred Palmeta back to Kahil as he really believed in the combination.
And in 2014 Palmeta got another grey colt, but this one captured everyones attention and had superstar written all over him. He was named Paris and everyone had high expectations on this charismatic colt with the special name.
Paris made his debut like the Polish yearlings always do at the Bialka Spring Show and he was the first horse shown Saturday morning, but that did not stop him from getting the highest score of the colts and later being named Bialka Spring Show Yearling Gold Champion.
In August he was named Polish National Junior Gold Champion Stallion, adding another Polish National Champion title to Palmeta´s offspring. One week later he was shown at the Al Khalediah European Horse Festival and was named Yearling Bronze Champion and later in the fall he was named European Yearling Bronze Champion.
In 2015 Palmeta had a grey filly by Pogrom and she was named Panacea.
The same year Palmeta was awarded with the prestigious WAHO-trophy and during the award Director Marek Trela walked in with Palmeta and you could tell that she knew her value and Director Trela was the proudest man alive walking in with the mare he bred and managed in the best way possible, making sure that the Szamrajówka family will stay succesful in Polish breeding.
