Witraz Born 1938 at Janow Podlaski Stud, Poland Bay Stallion Sired by Ofir (Kuhailan Haifi or.Ar. x Dziwa - Abu Mlech) Out of Makata (Fetysz x Gazella II - Kohejlan or.Ar.) Sireline: Kuhailan Haifi or.Ar. imp. 1931 Gumniska Damline: Gazella or.Ar. imp. 1845 Jarczowce Died 1957 |
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Witraz was, together with his paternal brother Wielki Szlem, the most valuable stallions in Polish breeding after World War II. These two bay stallions, both sired by Ofir and with Gazella II as their grand-dam, were born at Janow Podlaski Stud in 1938. When World War II raged over Europe and bombs were exploding around the lands of Janow Podlaski, the horses were to be evacuated to safety. These precious horses were led by their grooms in full bomb attacks. We can't even imagine the fear and panick within these brave people and brave horses. It's said about Wielki Szlem and Witraz that they were led by their devoted groom and had to stand one night under a big tree as the only shelter for the bombings. Witraz's tail caught on fire and he panicked. But the groom, very aware of the value of these horses, didn't let go and got help to put out the fire. In the morning, to be able to release his grip of Wielki Szlem and Witraz, his hands had to be forced open. This is a story that tells a little about how devoted the Poles where, and still are, to their Arabian horses.
Witraz is often compared to his brother Wielki Szlem. Wielki Szlem was, according to Pankiewicz, "a small handsome athlete of very good conformation, general soundness and substance." "Witraz was more of a dandy, who, because of his charm and beauty, was forgiven some minor incorrectness of conformation. When you looked at him, you didn't have that impression of substance - that's the way it was". Pankiewicz also said about Witraz: "Balalajka produced her best foals with Witraz, who had a difficult temper and often passed it on to his get. He was the most handsome of contemporary sires, but, unfortunately, he wasn't too popular with our breeders due to his character. But great people are also a little crazy, aren't they? Witraz, the sire of Bask, was by all means a great horse." Witraz was also the sire of the immortal Bandola.
Witraz was used in the Polish breeding program through 1941 - 1956. He produced 14 stallions, four of them used in Poland: Como (1949), Banio (1951), Muharyt (1957) and most precious Celebes (1941). Witraz was the sire of Nureddin (1953) - sire of Aladdin - US National Champion Stallion. Witraz also sired the most famous of them all - Bask (1956) - 1964 US National Champion Stallion and 1965 US National Park Champion and leading sire of champions.
Witraz also sired 28 outstanding broodmares, 7 of them produced 14 stallions used in Polish breeding. Eleonora (1944) - dam of El Trypoli (1957) and Exelsjor (1963), Bandola (1948) - dam of Bandos (1964), Banzaj (1965) and Banat (1967), Celina (1949) - dam of Chazar (1956), Cosmosa (1950) - dam of Cedr (1958) and Kord (1961), Ellora (1950) - dam of El Azrak (1960), El Paso (1967) and Ellorus (1972), Egeria (1951) - dam of Ego (1959).
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Makata 1931 (Fetysz x Gazella II - Kohejlan or.Ar.) Dam of Witraz |
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1944 (Witraz x Zmora - Caid) Dam of Exelsjor, El Trypoli and El Czort. |
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El Azrak 1960 (Faher x Ellora - Witraz) Sire of Banat - British National Champion Grandson of Witraz |
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Aladdinn 1975 (Nureddin x Lalage - Gerwazy) US National Champion Stallion and grandson of Witraz. |
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Celebes 1949 (Witraz x Canaria - Trypolis) Sire of Algomej - Swedish and Polish National Champion Stallion |
