The Pride of Poland auction, once a symbol of excellence in Arabian horse breeding, has seen a notable decline this year. At the 55th edition held in Janów Podlaski, only 10 horses were sold for a total of €637,000—a stark contrast to previous years.
Falling Prices and Unsold Horses
In 2024, 15 mares and three stallions were put up for auction, with 12 from state-owned studs. Unfortunately, eight horses failed to meet their reserve prices and remained unsold. The highest bid was for the 15-year-old mare Zigi Zana from Michałów, sold for €145,000 to a Belgian buyer.
Last year, 14 horses were sold for over €2.1 million, with one mare alone fetching €810,000. This year’s disappointing figures, particularly compared to the era of the United Right’s governance, highlight the current administration’s struggle to manage the state studs effectively.\
This year’s auction results underscore the challenges facing Poland’s horse breeding industry under the current leadership. With sales dwindling and top horses failing to attract high bids, the situation appears dire.