Galinka El Sheik

photo: Aline Sagrabelny

Galinka El Sheik, the elegant grey stallion born in 2002 and bred by Franz Rongits of Selimah Arabians in Austria, carried a pedigree that combined the charisma of El Shaklan’s dynasty with the long-established Spanish dam line descending from the excellent broodmare Arilla by Malvito.
Galinka El Sheik’s sire CH El Brillo (El Shaklan x AZH Basknaborra), a grey 1985 stallion, represented one of Austria’s rare direct sons of the legendary El Shaklan. Though CH El Brillo was only lightly shown, he became known for producing exceptionally showy offspring. His genetic composition— Egyptian and Spanish through El Shaklan, balanced by the predominantly Polish heritage of AZH Basknaborra—gave him both refinement and substance. CH El Brillo sired several notable show champions, including Reza El Bri, All Nations Cup Champion Filly and European Reserve Champion Filly in 2003, as well as Adriann El Bri, Silver Champion Stallion at the Emerald Trophy in 2010.
On the dam’s side, Galinka Rougelais (Pintor x Mel Galinka), a 1984 grey mare of predominately Spanish bloodlines, served as one of the most influential matriarchs at Selimah Arabians. Her full sister, Mel Lianka, earned the title World Champion Filly in 1985, underscoring the quality of this family. The dam line traced back to Sambry, a desert-bred mare born in 1904 and imported to Spain in 1908 who became Spanish foundation mare. Galinka El Sheik was full-brother to Galinka Brio Shaklan, who was lost as a yearling, and to full-sister Galinka De La Rouge.
Galinka El Sheik proved himself a competitive show horse. As a yearling, he earned the title Junior Male Champion at the Austrian Nationals in 2003, confirming his breeder’s expectations of him. As he matured, he developed the presence and masculinity that would sustain a long show career.
He returned to the Austrian Nationals in 2008 to claim the Senior Male Champion title and did so again in 2010, reaffirming his dominance on home ground. His international appearances included a noteworthy performance at the Arabica Show in Frankfurt, where he was named Senior Male Silver Champion in 2010.
In 2012 he was acquired by Ahil Arabians in Germany, who presented him that same year at the annual German stallion licensing, where Galinka El Sheik became one of only two stallions to receive a Gold ribbon. He later passed to the ownership of Marion Hönig in Germany in 2017.
After his halter show career, he was transitioned to work as a Western riding horse, and eventually retired at Samsara Arabians in Belgium.