National Support Centre for Agriculture

Polish Arabian horse breeding has a rich history and is part of our national heritage, recognized and appreciated worldwide. During the Arabian Horse Days, Janów Podlaski becomes a venue for the most beautiful stallions and mares of the breed to compete, judged by an international panel of judges.

The event was attended by, among others, the following: the Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska; the Deputy Speaker of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, Dorota Niedziela; the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Stefan Krajewski; and the management of the National Support Center for Agriculture, headed by Director General Henryk Smolarz.

48th National Arabian Horse Show

At the 48th National Show, 102 horses were evaluated, including 25 from Janów Podlaski Stud, 24 from Michałów Stud, 7 from Białka Stud, and 46 privately owned. On Friday, the international jury evaluated 33 stallions in five age classes, and on Saturday, 69 mares in six age classes. On Sunday, the winning horses in each class (the top three from each class) competed for the title of 2026 Polish National Champion in six categories.

Championship results:

• Polish National Yearling Filly Champion – Paralia from Janów Podlaski Stud
• Polish National Yearling Colt Champion – Porfirio from Janów Podlaski Stud
• Polish National Junior Mare Champion – Epiforana from Michałów Stud
• Polish National Junior Stallion Champion – Dytwin from Michałów Stud
• Polish National Senior Mare Champion – Ekarosa from Michałów Stud
• Polish National Senior Stallion Champion – Ptolemeusz from Michałów Stud

The judges then elected Michałów-bred Epiforana as Best in Show out of the six Polish National Champions. She received an individual score of 93.5 out of 100, including a maximum score of 20 for movement. She also received similarly high scores for type and head and neck.

The Michałów Stud Farm was named Best Breeder in Show.

Similar national championships in European countries are much smaller in terms of numbers. They typically showcase a dozen or even several dozen horses. What's also unique is that the event in Poland is open to the public, as other shows around the world only feature horses, trainers, breeders, and judges, with no spectators.

An international jury assessed the horses in 11 classes, based on age – mares and stallions separately. Judges assessed and awarded points for five traits: type, head and neck, and body – meaning body, legs, and movement. The winning horses will likely compete in European shows in the coming months: the Intercup in Prague, the Nations Cup in Aachen, the European Championships in Belgium, and the World Championships in Paris.

This is a scale unheard of in other European countries, where similar events typically feature dozens of horses. Poland is also among the elite group of countries where the state provides patronage for purebred horse breeding, raising its prestige, which translates into the strength of Polish breeding.

– explained Henryk Smolarz.

57th Pride of Poland Auction

At Sunday's Pride of Poland Auction, all 16 horses were sold: eight from Janów Podlaski for €421,000, seven from Michałów for €505,000, and one from Białka for €74,000. The total sale value of the horses was €1,000,000.

The horses were sold to nine countries, including:

• three to Belgium,
• two each to Poland, Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Latvia,
• one each to the Czech Republic, France, and Sweden.

The highest-priced horses sold:

• the mare Pila (Janów Podlaski Stud) – €160,000 – purchased by a Belgian buyer,
• the mare Poganinka (Michałów Stud) – €140,000. Euro – went to a buyer from Iraq,
• the mare Perlita (Michałów Stud) – 121,000 Euro – her new owner is a buyer from Qatar,
• the mare Ejna (Białka Stud) – 74,000 Euro – the buyer is from Poland,
• the mare Efidenia (Janów Podlaski Stud) – 70,000 Euro – will go to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Sunday Press Briefing

After the exciting Pride of Poland Auction, a press briefing was held, attended by: Stefan Krajewski – Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Henryk Smolarz – KOWR Director General, Weronika Sosnowska – President of Janów Podlaski Stud, Monika Słowik – President of Michałów Stud, Jerzy Białobok – Vice President of Michałów Stud, Marek Trela ​​– Advisor to the Management Board of Janów Podlaski Stud, and Anna Stojanowska – Advisor to the KOWR Director Director for horse breeding.

I'll begin with one beautiful Polish word: "thank you". I extend my thanks to everyone who contributed to rebuilding the wonderful atmosphere and the trust that buyers have in us,

– said Henryk Smolarz, General Director of the KOWR, at a press briefing.

Personally, I'm delighted that all the horses offered at the auction were sold. Today, we witnessed great emotion. I'm proud that in just three years, we're returning to the best years of our state stud farms in Janów, Michałów, and Białka,

– added Director Smolarz.

Stefan Krajewski, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, also spoke about the auction and the state of Polish breeding:

The promises have become a reality; we are restoring the proper rank and position of Arabian horse breeding in Poland. I sincerely thank everyone who contributed to this – Director Smolarz, the stud farm presidents, breeders, advisors, and employees who ensured the restoration of the Arabian horse's proper role in Poland.

Weronika Sosnowska expressed her joy:

The success of this auction is evidenced by the fact that I can't recall the year when all the horses were sold at the Janów auction. "It's a huge success, difficult to repeat," she said during the briefing.

Monday's Summer Sale

The Summer Sale took place on Monday, and its financial results confirm the strong performance of horses from state stud farms. A total of 25 horses were presented, two of which were privately bred.

19 horses were sold for a total of €358,000, including:

• Michałów Stud Farm – 10 horses for €257,500,
• Janów Podlaski Stud Farm – 5 horses for €73,000,
• Białka Stud Farm – 3 horses for €17,500,
• privately bred – 1 horse for €10,000.

The average price per horse was €18,800.

The highest-priced mares sold came from Michałów:

• Emrossa – €43,000
• Wenona – €42,000 (both sold to Saudi Arabia),
• Fokaja – €42,000 (sold to Latvia).

Breeding Parades

The Polish Arabian Horse Days concluded with breeding parades:

• on August 10 in Janów Podlaski (immediately after the Summer Sale),
• on August 11 in Białka and Michałów.

These are official open days and live demonstrations of this year's foals, champions, and sires – for breeders, buyers, and enthusiasts of purebred Arabian horses. Some of the foals presented during the breeding parades will be shown next year at the Spring Junior Arabian Horse Show in Białka. Breeders have high hopes for the offspring of the leading Polish and foreign stallions currently stationed at stud farms.

Stefan Krajewski, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Henryk Smolarz, Director General of the National Support Center for Agriculture (KOWR), visited Michałów during the parade. They congratulated President Monika Słowik and the stud farm staff on the excellent results of the Pride of Poland and Summer Sale auctions: Michałów Stud Farm sold a total of 17 horses for a total of €762,500.

Celebrating regional traditions and cuisine

An integral part of the 2026 Polish Arabian Horse Days were the side events organized as part of the #KupujŚwiadomie (#BuyConsciously) campaign, promoting high-quality Polish food and the culinary heritage of the regions.

From August 7-9, participants could visit the stands of Rural Women's Associations and local producers, sample regional dishes, participate in culinary demonstrations and workshops, and enjoy performances by folk groups.

The program of events showcased the rich flavors and culinary traditions of the Lublin, Podlasie, and Mazovia regions, introducing visitors to the specialties and customs typical of these regions. The #BuyConsciously stand also generated considerable interest, encouraging informed consumer choices and supporting local producers through quizzes, guides, and expert interviews.

Event Patronage

The honorary patrons of the 2026 Polish Arabian Horse Days were: Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Speaker of the Senate of the Republic of Poland; Dorota Niedziela, Deputy Speaker of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland; Stefan Krajewski, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; and Krzysztof Komorski, Voivode of the Lublin Voivodeship. Media patronage was provided by TVP S.A., RMF FM, and Farmer.