A private Russian Arabian stud in the Kuban steppe.
43 mares, three sires (one of them a Nabeg son!)
Racing yards at Piatigorsk and Rostov–on–Don
n 1993 we, Alexey
Logachev and Nikolay Samovolov, started a private Arabian stud. We hoped that the private
nature of our business would allow us to be more flexible. Our objective was to breed the
best of what is available in the Russian Arabian, the recognized all–rounder.
In 1996 the stud was registered and certified by the Russian Ministry
of Agriculture to become the first officially registered private stud in Russia.
Siting
All Russian Arabian breeders remember the precepts of Count Stroganov, the founder of the Russian Arabian breeding program, who maintained:
"The local conditions, i.e., climate and soil, are the most important factors in horse breeding, and so especial attention has to be paid to choosing a proper site for the stud. You can never count on retaining in the progeny of imported Arabians the truest of their inherent qualities in conditions that are far too different from those of Northern Arabia."
We did want our Arabians to "retain the truest of their inherent qualities," and hence were looking for ideal conditions. And we believe we found such a place in the Kuban steppe (Northern Caucasus). The climate there is hot and arid in the summer and fairly mild in winter. Good evidence of the quality of the climate is the fact that the world–famous collection of the seeds of plants from all over the world was moved from Leningrad to a place that is only several kilometers away from the stud. The composition of the soil in the region is ideal for the development of the strong bone structure of the young horses. There are good steppe pastures and plenty of space for exercise.
Foundation stock
We were selecting our foundation stock extremely carefully, mainly from Tersk, however some good individuals, especially representatives of good racing lines, were purchased from other studs (Khrenovoye, Teberda, Ptichy, Tischenskoye), and also from several private owners. The most sought–after racing line was that of Kann. Now we have 43 broodmares.
Stallions
We have three sires representing different sire lines and dam families.
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Nagan, 151 cm, b. 1988 |
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NAGAN (Nimroz x Vspyshka) is a silvery gray, foaled in 1988 at Tersk. He stands 151 cm. For his ourstanding racing performance Narmat was awarded the title of "Russia's Arabian horse of 1991". Nagan is an outstanding representative of the Naseem line and of the Risala dam family. A stunning mover, he was remembered for his fiery storms at finishing poles. Nimroz's son, he has retained his father's presence and willingness, excellent topline and strong sound legs, powerful shoulders and excellent neck. Robust and elegant, he has a luxurious growth of mane and large velvet eyes. He is a prepotent sire and has been heavily used at Oros. Now he is offered for sale or exchange.
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Narmat, 159 cm, b. 1987 |
NARMAT (Mukomol x Nevesta) is a large magnificent chestnut with an impressive sheen, foaled 1987 at Tersk. He represents the Korej line. Narmat has an impressive presence, excellent neck and head carriage. He is a good mover and sire of good racers.
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Paladin, b. 1977 The last Nabeg son in Russia! |
PALADIN. In 1997 we found the gray (flea–bitten) PALADIN (Nabeg x Panagia). His pedigree is just stunning. To begin with, he is the last Nabeg son in Russia now and is out of one of the best Tersk dams. He is closely related to Menes, Balaton, and Peleng.
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Paladin has enriched enormously Oros's genetic potential. Time will show how well Nabeg blood crosses with other lines. Paladin's 1998 crop gives us grounds for optimism. Paladin is now the most treasured sire at Oros. If used sparingly and properly looked after in the healthy climate of the arid Kuban steppe, that fantastic horse will produce many good progeny.
Facilities
We bought an ex–chicken farm and worked hard to convert the facilities into proper horse–breeding facilities. Now we have comfortable stables with 160 boxes, a gallops for training and ample steppe ranges. We plan in time to purchase more land to grow lucerne and other fodder.
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Breeding
We abide by the Russian tradition to breed for
conformation and athleticism. We have started our breeding program with a fairly good
stock representing many Russian lines. We immediately set out to select for an ideal
Russian Arabian, culling out rigirously in the process to consolidate in our Arabians the
best qualities.
Here the decades of breeding experience of Nikilay Samovolov came
in handy — each new get has been a noticeable improvement in terms of both type and
racing performance. The intervening years have seen much work, a sea of problems and rare
successes.
Keeping & conditioning
Our young spend most of the time in the steppe carefully exercised by herdsmen, so that by the age of 2 they all have strong tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
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/p>Mares at steppe
We pay much attention to regular worming and other vet treatments, especially inoculations. We are happy that the stud area is not piroplasmosis infested, and so nearly all of our stock are piro–free.
Racing
We established our racing stable yard at Piatigorsk in 1996. The first season were not very successful. But gradually we picked up steam, and now we go from strength to strength, winning more and more Russian Classics. It is safe to say now that ours is one of the most successful yards at Piatigorsk. This year we came close to winning the Derby.
Shows
For several years there have been no Arabian shows in Russia. In 1999 a fairly modest show of young racing horses was held at Piatigorsk. Our entries, quite unexpectedly, were a resounding success with two fillies becaming 1999 Russian champions and two colts reserve champions.
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 Grim 1999 Russian Champion Colt (3 yrs) Owner Oros |
 Toshiba 1999 Reserve Champion Filly (3 yrs) Owner Oros |
 Gam 1999 Reserve Champion Stallion (4 yrs) Owner Oros |
Marketing
Being a private company, we have to be
market–oriented. Now that endurance rides are gaining popularity in the world, we are
considering breeding and training for endurance as well. After all, the legendary stamina
of Russian horses is common knowledge, a prime example being Persik, a European endurance
star.
At the moment, we work hard to stimulate home market for Arabians, and to
promote Russian Arabians internationally. We have established marketing ties with other
Russian Arabian studs to be their marketing outlet, especially in international markets.
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We co–foundered a horse
marketing center Troika in Moscow, which is becoming quite popular with Russian and
international horsey community.
We plan it to be a real gateway to Russia's equine world, an encyclopaedia and a shopping place. |
Plans
When we plunged into this enterprise back in 1993, we could foresee neither the financial crises, nor the amount of post–Soviet red–tape we would have to muddle through, nor other hardships. But we have weathered through all that and have ambitious plans... to outperform in time Russian Arabian grandees and become a major Russian Arabian stud with an elite dam stock of around 50 and a constellation of sires
We are on the move!
Cooperation proposalsWe will consider WIN–WIN proposals from international Arabian breeders and brockers:
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