Janów Podlaski National Stud

Janów Podlaski National Stud, formally associated with Stadnina Koni Janów Podlaski, is a historic Polish state-owned horse-breeding institution located at Wygoda near Janów Podlaski in eastern Poland. Established in 1817 after the Napoleonic Wars had severely reduced the horse population in Polish lands, it was created to rebuild a reliable government breeding herd for military, agricultural, and economic purposes. The site was selected because it included the large Wygoda estate and facilities connected with an earlier Austrian stud operation. The farm developed into a major center of equine breeding and knowledge during the nineteenth century. Its facilities included classicist and neo-Gothic stables, a veterinary school, riding and dressage instruction, a specialist library, and a collection of trophies and horse-related art. Arabian horses became increasingly important during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and by 1924 the stud had adopted a clear specialization in purebred Arabian breeding. It also maintained Anglo-Arabian and other sport-horse lines. Janów's history has been repeatedly disrupted by war and political upheaval. In 1914, during the First World War, the herd was moved east and almost entirely lost. Polish breeders began reconstructing the operation after independence, bringing Arabian mares back to the Janów facilities in 1919. The farm regained international recognition during the interwar period, only to suffer another severe loss during the Second World War. Following the Soviet invasion of Poland in 1939, horses were removed or dispersed, with some important animals taken to the Tersk Stud in the Soviet Union. Under German occupation, selected horses were returned and the breeding program was reorganized, but in 1944 a large group of Arabians was evacuated to Germany and suffered further wartime losses. The surviving horses were gradually repatriated after the war. A group returned by sea from Germany in 1946, while additional stallions came back during the following years. Director Andrzej Krzyształowicz, who had been connected with the stud since the wartime period, played a central role in postwar reconstruction and led the institution during its renewed international expansion. He organized the first Janów Arabian auction in 1969, establishing the commercial tradition that later became the Pride of Poland sale. Pride of Poland made Janów a global marketplace for purebred Arabian horses. The sale attracted breeders and buyers from Europe, the Middle East, North America, and other markets, and several Janów horses achieved exceptionally high prices. The farm's international standing was especially strong during the directorship of Marek Trela, who led it from 2000 until 2016. In 2015, the mare Pepita sold for EUR 1.4 million at the auction, while the total sale reportedly reached approximately EUR 4 million. These figures are historical auction results rather than current financial performance. The institution experienced a turbulent period after a 2016 change in management. Several directors followed one another in a short period, and controversies concerning professional experience, horse health, auction strategy, and state oversight damaged the farm's reputation. The deaths of two mares belonging to Shirley Watts, the wife of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, became an especially prominent international controversy. Leadership changed repeatedly through 2023, including terms under Marek Skomorowski, Sławomir Pietrzak, Grzegorz Czochański, Marek Gawlik, Lucjan Cichosz, Hanna Sztuka, and Marcin Oszczapiński. Today, Janów remains a working breeding institution rather than a conventional consumer brand. Its core activities are the selection, breeding, training, promotion, and sale of Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses, together with the stewardship of historic buildings and bloodlines. The farm occupies approximately 2,500 hectares and remains associated with Polish Arabian horse breeding, national equestrian heritage, international auctions, and the broader reputation of the Polish state stud-farm system.

Janów Podlaski Stud Farm was established in 1817 at Wygoda near Janów Podlaski by order of Emperor Alexander I, following a request from the Administrative Council of the Kingdom of Poland. The purpose was to rebuild horse stocks depleted by the Napoleonic Wars. Jan Ritz, a veterinarian, organized the early operation and imported a mixed group of English, Arabian, Danish, Mecklenburg, Caucasian, and Italian stallions, together with mares and foals. The farm developed under government administration and became one of the principal equine institutions in the region. During the nineteenth century, Janów expanded its facilities and educational role. A brick stable designed by Enrico Marconi was built in 1841, followed by another stable with a neo-Gothic clock tower in 1848. The complex also included veterinary instruction and practical riding and dressage training. During the later nineteenth century, additional Arabian and Thoroughbred stock was introduced, and Janów became an important center for breeding knowledge in the western part of the Russian Empire. The First World War brought near-total destruction of the original herd. In 1914, the horses were moved east and most were lost. After the rebirth of the Polish state, breeders began rebuilding the operation, bringing purebred Arabian mares to Janów in 1919. By 1924, the farm was specializing in purebred Arabians, and foreign breeders again regarded it as a significant source of valuable bloodlines. The Second World War caused another major rupture. Following the Soviet invasion in September 1939, horses were evacuated, dispersed, or taken to the Soviet Union. Important animals, including the stallion Ofir and the mare Mammon, became associated with the Tersk Stud after their removal eastward. German occupation authorities subsequently returned some important horses and maintained the farm as a breeding center. In 1944, approximately 300 Arabian horses were evacuated to Germany, where many suffered during wartime bombing and displacement. After the war, horses were gradually returned to Poland. Transport from Germany to Poland took place by sea in 1946, and a group of mares and foals reached Janów in 1950. Some stallions returned only later, while Witez II never came back to Poland and was ultimately sent to the United States. Postwar reconstruction was strongly associated with Andrzej Krzyształowicz, who had been connected with Janów since 1939 and later directed the stud for decades. Krzyształowicz organized the first Arabian horse auction at Janów in 1969. The auction developed into an important international sales event and was eventually known as Pride of Poland. Janów horses achieved notable prices, including El Paso in 1980, Bandos in 1982, and Pencylina in 1985. The farm's global reputation remained particularly strong during Marek Trela's presidency from 2000 to 2016. In 2015, Pepita sold for EUR 1.4 million, and the auction reportedly generated approximately EUR 4 million in sales. A government-directed management change in 2016 ended Trela's long tenure and began a period of instability. Marek Skomorowski, Sławomir Pietrzak, Grzegorz Czochański, Marek Gawlik, Lucjan Cichosz, Hanna Sztuka, and Marcin Oszczapiński held the presidency in succession. During this period, disputes over management expertise, horse welfare, auction composition, and the preservation of breeding lines drew public attention. The deaths of two mares owned by Shirley Watts became the most visible controversy. The farm's reputation and financial condition were widely described as having deteriorated, although a modest improvement was reported during Cichosz's tenure. Janów remains active as a state-owned stud farm. It covers roughly 2,500 hectares and continues to breed Arabian and Anglo-Arabian horses, maintain historic facilities, and participate in international equestrian commerce through the Pride of Poland auction and related activities.

• 2016

  Long-serving director replaced

  [1]Janów Podlaski Stud Farmen.wikipedia.org

  Marek Trela left the presidency after many years, beginning a period of rapid management changes and controversy.

• 2015

  Pepita sets a major auction record

  [1]Janów Podlaski Stud Farmen.wikipedia.org

  The mare Pepita sold for EUR 1.4 million at Pride of Poland, while total reported auction sales reached approximately EUR 4 million.

• 1980

  El Paso sold for a landmark price

  [1]Janów Podlaski Stud Farmen.wikipedia.org

  The Janów stallion El Paso reportedly sold for USD 1 million, illustrating the international commercial value of its bloodlines.

• 1969

  First Arabian horse auction held

  [1]Janów Podlaski Stud Farmen.wikipedia.org

  Andrzej Krzyształowicz organized the first auction that later developed into Pride of Poland.

• 1946

  Postwar repatriation began

  [1]Janów Podlaski Stud Farmen.wikipedia.org

  Horses were transported from Germany to Poland by sea as part of the reconstruction of the national breeding program.

• 1924

  Purebred Arabian specialization formalized

  [1]Janów Podlaski Stud Farmen.wikipedia.org

  Janów began concentrating its breeding program on purebred Arabian horses.

• 1914

  First World War evacuation

  [1]Janów Podlaski Stud Farmen.wikipedia.org

  The herd was moved east during the war and almost entirely lost.

• 1885

  Expanded Arabian and Thoroughbred breeding

  [1]Janów Podlaski Stud Farmen.wikipedia.org

  A new 85-stall stable and imported Western European bloodstock strengthened the farm's breeding capacity.

• 1848

  Neo-Gothic clock-tower stable built

  [1]Janów Podlaski Stud Farmen.wikipedia.org

  A second prominent stable was completed with a neo-Gothic clock tower, becoming part of the historic architectural complex.

• 1841

  First major brick stable completed

  [1]Janów Podlaski Stud Farmen.wikipedia.org

  A brick stable designed by architect Enrico Marconi expanded the permanent infrastructure of the stud.

• 1817

  Government stud farm established

  [1]Janów Podlaski Stud Farmen.wikipedia.org

  A state breeding herd was established at Wygoda near Janów Podlaski by imperial decree, laying the foundation for the present stud farm.

High-end Arabian horse breeding, genetic preservation, and international equestrian sales

• Breeding stock · 1924

  Purebred Arabian horses

  The stud's principal specialty is the breeding and preservation of purebred Arabian horses. Its program is built around carefully maintained maternal families and stallion lines, with horses offered for breeding, competition, showing, and international sale. Janów's Arabian stock has historically attracted buyers from numerous countries and has played an important role in the global reputation of Polish-bred Arabians.

• Sport and breeding horses

  Anglo-Arabian horses

  Alongside its purebred Arabian program, Janów maintains Anglo-Arabian breeding activity. These horses combine Arabian characteristics with selected non-Arabian bloodlines and are associated with riding, sport, performance, and broader utility. The line reflects the farm's older role as a diversified government breeding center rather than a single-purpose commercial breeder.

• Equestrian sales event · 1969

  Pride of Poland auction

  Pride of Poland is the international Arabian horse auction associated with Janów Podlaski and other Polish breeding institutions. It provides a public sales platform for selected mares, stallions, and young horses, and has historically drawn overseas breeders and collectors. Its importance comes from both the prices achieved and its role in promoting Polish Arabian bloodlines.

• 2019

  Controversy over auction selection and breeding lines

  Management under Grzegorz Czochański was criticized for allegedly offering valuable mares at Pride of Poland in a way that could weaken the stud's genetic base.

  Source

• 2016

  Deaths of two mares owned by Shirley Watts

  Two mares belonging to Shirley Watts died at the stud after the 2016 management transition. The incident attracted international attention and criticism concerning horse care, management competence, and state oversight.

  Source

Read more

• 2015Pride of Poland record-sale promotion

  Poland · Europe · Middle East · North America · International

  The 2015 auction used the sale of Pepita and other elite Arabians to reinforce Janów's position in the international high-value horse market.

  Outcome. Pepita reportedly sold for EUR 1.4 million, with total auction sales reported at approximately EUR 4 million.

  Source
• 1969Janów Arabian Horse Auction

  Poland · International

  The first Arabian horse auction organized at Janów created a recurring commercial channel for presenting Polish-bred horses to foreign buyers.

  Outcome. The event evolved into the internationally recognized Pride of Poland auction.

  Source

• 2023

  Installed a new president after multiple transitionsOther

  Background

  The stud had experienced several presidential changes since 2016.

  Action taken

  After brief leadership under Hanna Sztuka, Marcin Oszczapiński became president.

  Aftermath

  The appointment marked the latest listed phase in the farm's post-2016 management succession.

  Source

• 2016

  Changed senior management after Marek Trela's tenureOther

  Background

  The state owner replaced Marek Trela after a period of strong international recognition and reported commercial success.

  Action taken

  Marek Skomorowski was appointed president, followed later that year by Sławomir Pietrzak.

  Aftermath

  The change was followed by controversy, reputational decline, and further leadership turnover.

  Source

• 1969

  Created a recurring international auction channelStrategy

  Background

  The farm needed a structured way to commercialize elite Arabian horses and promote Polish breeding abroad.

  Action taken

  Director Andrzej Krzyształowicz organized the first Arabian horse auction at Janów.

  Aftermath

  The auction later became Pride of Poland and helped establish Janów as a major international Arabian marketplace.

  Source

• 1924

  Adopted purebred Arabian specializationStrategy

  Background

  After rebuilding following the First World War, Janów sought a distinctive and internationally valuable breeding identity.

  Action taken

  The stud concentrated its principal breeding program on purebred Arabian horses while retaining other equine activities.

  Aftermath

  This specialization became the foundation of Janów's modern international reputation.

  Source

1. 1Janów Podlaski Stud Farmen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Janów Podlaski Stud Farm official websiteskjanow.pl