State Stud Breeding Parades
The distinct privilege of discovering more about the breeding programmes at the world-renowned State Studs of Poland has long been one of the most anticipated and rewarding highlights of Polish Arabian Horse Days. Documented in the historical record since the 15th century, the Arabian horse has thrived on Polish soil with unrivalled acclaim and unparalleled success under the masterful stewardship of generations of dedicated and visionary horsemen and horsewoman longer than anywhere else outside the Arabian homeland. The royal and aristocratic studs of the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries situated in Polish territory, whose foundation breeding material can all be traced directly back to greatest bloodstock from the desert, are still recognised and respected as the source of nearly every great population of horses in the modern breed, including Crabbet, Spanish, American and Russian.
Once again, the jewels of Polish Arabian horse breeding – Janów Podlaski Stud on Monday the 11th and Michałów Stud on Tuesday the 12th – will welcome guests with a generous lunch prior to showcasing an in-depth presentation of their celebrated breeding programmes. It is a supreme privilege to welcome back Białka Stud to the schedule in 2025, adding even greater gravitas to the Stud Stud visits. Prepare to be enlightened, enriched and inspired as generations of excellence – aspiring youngstock, proven performers and living legends – are presented in family groups with informative commentary by the master breeders themselves. Your favourites, those you have long admired and those yet undiscovered, are certain to be found amongst the dozens of horses presented – you will not want to miss a single transcendent moment.
Participation in the State Stud Breeding Parades is included with every Polish Arabian Horse Days VIP package. Visits are also open to the general public with RSVP recommended to ensure availability. We look forward to welcoming you to the most hallowed addresses in Poland – the State Studs of Janów Podlaski, Michałów and Białka – as the universally admired Polish Arabian breeding programme is brought to life for the enrichment of the Arabian breed worldwide.
Schedule | 2025
Monday 11th August
Stud Visit & Presentation | Time |
|---|---|
Polish Summer Sale | 11:00 |
Janów Podlaski Breeding Parade | with Lunch | 15:00 |
Tuesday 12th August
Stud Visit & Presentation | Time |
|---|---|
Białka Breeding Parade | 10:30 |
Michałów Breeding Parade | with Lunch | 14:00 |
Janów Podlaski Stud
The origins of Janów Podlaski Stud as a breeding centre of monumental importance began more than two centuries ago when Czar Alexander I established an imperial stud farm in Polish territory along the banks of the Bug River in the village of the same name. Almost exactly one century later, when the Republic of Poland emerged from ruins of World War I in 1918, Janów Podlaski Stud became the premier source of Arabian bloodstock for the country, gathering together the best horses and bloodlines from the famed aristocratic studs of the 18th and 19th centuries that had been destroyed or liquidated during the devastation of war and revolution.
Today, Janów Podlaski remains the epicentre of the Polish Arabian horse industry, with bloodstock that has positively and profoundly influenced not only every breeding programme in Poland, but also, unequivocally, the progress, expansion and success of Arabian breeding worldwide. Universally admired amongst the global Arabian community as the ‘Mecca’ to which pilgrims return annually to experience the best of Poland and her beloved Arabian horse, Janów Podlaski continues to be a source of excellence for the breed, perpetually raising the standard with modern-day icons of global acclaim.
We invite you to share with us as the past, present and future come to life during the Janów Podlaski breeding parade. Rest assured, your perspective on, and appreciation for, Poland will forever be transformed.
For more information on Janów Podlaski Stud, please visit:
Michałów Stud
The world renowned breeding programme at Michałów Stud recently celebrated 70 exceptional years of trailblazing achievement in 2023. Established post World War II as one of three Polish State Studs dedicated solely to breeding purebred Arabian horses, Michałów inherited the breeding herd from nearby Klemensów (est. 1947), whose bloodstock had been comprised primarily of Arabian horses rescued from the war of Saklawi type, who were principally grey or chestnut in colour. To the good fortune of both Michałów and the future of the Arabian breed worldwide, the original breeding director at Klemensów – a young, ambitious Ignacy Jaworowski - made the move with the horses and was elevated to the position of Stud Director at what would become his final home for the next 51 years. As a result of his incomparable guidance and extraordinary breeding genius, the breeding herd at Michałów evolved from modest beginnings to become the most famous, accomplished and esteemed breeding programme in the world by the end of the 20th century.
Today, Michałów still remains the brightest beacon of the Polish Arabian horse industry, with homebred representatives still dominating elite show rings internationally as well as persistently producing the most recent generations of excellence for the leading programmes on every continent worldwide. Still home to dozens of iconic international champions and legendary breeding horses, Michałów is a must-visit destination for international breeders, owners, enthusiasts and professionals, where the positive trajectory of the future of the Arabian breed is being created in real-time from the standard-raising triumphs and uncompromising excellence that defined the past and invigorates the present.
As the final 'not-to-be-missed' stop on the six-day Polish Arabian Horse Days itinerary, the Michałów Stud visit and Breeding Parade is a welcome change of pace and venue in the beating heart of ‘Old Poland’, not far from the country’s original capital in Kraków – the famed royal seat and ‘City of Kings’. Modern highway access has made the trip to Michałów from Warsaw quick and efficient, with transportation included for all VIP guests wishing to extend their stay and experience Poland in full. The legends of Michałów – both living and in-the-making – await. You will not want to miss a single inspiring moment.
For more information on Michałów Stud, please visit:
Białka Stud
Picturesquely situated amongst the ancient rolling hills of the Roztocze in southeastern Poland, Białka Stud was first established as one of the most important Polish Stallion Depots in 1928-1930 during the interwar period. In 1981, the historical trajectory of Białka was transformed when it was chosen as the fourth facility in Poland to focus primarily on the breeding of purebred Arabian horses.
The first Białka foal crop arrived in 1982 out of foundation mares from Janów Podlaski, Michałów & Kurozwęki Studs, creating the seedstock upon which the worldwide reputation of Białka has been built for over 40 years. Despite being the smallest and youngest of the State Studs, Białka has consistently earned considerable success with its Arabians across a multitude of equine disciplines and pursuits, including racing, endurance and pleasure riding as well as within the elite international show ring. Global superstar PERFINKA - the most recent record-breaking high seller in the annual Pride of Poland auction - epitomises the Białka brand name of excellence within the modern breed and remains a testament to the genetic promise at the stud.
Since 1996, Białka has also been the consummate host of the annual Polish Spring Show, the only Arabian horse show in Europe dedicated solely to the exhibition of youngstock aged three years and younger. Many of Poland's most famous banner carriers of the last three decades made their show ring debuts on the central oval at Białka, surrounded by the characteristic limestone stables in this historic setting and much-loved destination.
We are thrilled to welcome Białka Stud back to the final day of Polish Arabian Horse Day 2025 activities, with a breeding parade scheduled on Tuesday morning en route from Janów Podlaski to Michałów. Please plan to join us as we reacquaint ourselves with the newest generations at Białka, reestablishing old friendships while discovering new favourites.
For more information on Białka Stud, please visit: