Patron 1966

photo: Balaskhin Collection

The chestnut stallion Patron, foaled in 1966 at Tersk Stud in the Soviet Union, represents a critical link in the evolution of the modern Arabian horse. Sired by the influential Egyptian import Aswan and out of the Straigth Russian mare Podruga, Patron embodied the Soviet strategy of combining type, structure, and athleticism. While not among the most numerically prolific sires of his generation, Patron’s impact was profound—most notably through his son Padron, whose influence would come to define modern halter type around the world.
Patron’s sire, Aswan (Nazeer × Yosreia), was gifted to the USSR by the Egyptian government in 1963 and stood at Tersk Stud for two decades. Aswan became the most widely used stallion in Soviet breeding history, siring over 270 foals. His get were consistently marked by refined, dry heads, large eyes, and high tail carriage, introducing classic Egyptian type into the Soviet gene pool. Aswan was a son of Nazeer, one of the pillars of modern Egyptian breeding, and Yosreia, dam of both Aswan and Morafic—two highly influential sires.
Patron's dam, Podruga (Priboj × Dikarka by Korej), was bred at Tersk, though her dam line traced back to desert origins. Podruga’s tail-female line descends from Emese, a desert-bred mare imported into France. Emese’s great-granddaughter, Carabine, was later exported to Tersk, where she became a foundation mare and established one of the stud’s enduring mare families. Podruga’s sire, Priboj, was one of the most influential early sires at Tersk. He was a son of Pomeranets, but equally important is his dam, Rissalma, a Crabbet-bred mare by Rissam out of Selma. Through Rissalma, the British Crabbet influence—renowned for producing sound, athletic Arabians with exceptional movement—entered and strengthened the Tersk breeding program. Priboj passed on his substantial frame, powerful trot, and deep girth, all of which were evident in Podruga and her offspring.
Patron developed into a refined, chestnut stallion of medium stature with correct, well-balanced conformation. He had a sculpted, dry head with large, expressive eyes, set on a well-shaped, moderately long neck. His withers were well-defined, his back strong and short-coupled, and his hindquarters muscular with good angulation. His legs were straight with strong joints and clean tendons.
Although Patron stood at Tersk for several years, he sired no influential foals in Russia. He was sold to the Netherlands in 1972 where he became more noticed. He was 3times Dutch National Champion. It was also the Netherlands where his most significant contribution to the Arabian breed came through: His 1977 born chestnut son Padron, out of the mare Odessa (Bright Wings × Serinda), a mare of English/Crabbet lineage.
Padron was bred in the Netherlands and quickly rose to prominence after his export to the United States. In 1982, he became U.S. National Champion Stallion, cementing his place in Arabian breeding history. Padron became a major sire of halter horses, producing over 700 registered offspring worldwide. He is remembered for passing on extreme type—particularly a sculpted head, upright neck, and elegant front end.
His most famous son, Padrons Psyche, extended the line’s dominance globally. Padrons Psyche’s own sons—including Magnum Psyche, Psymadre, and Enzo—helped define the look of the modern show Arabian in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Many of today’s most competitive halter horses trace to Patron through this line, making him a vital genetic influence in contemporary breeding.
Another Patron son of significance was World Champion Stallion Abdullahh. All in all Patron sired 94 foals in the Netherlands.
He was later sold to the United States. Patron had piroplasmosis, a disease harmless to horses, but transmitted onto cattle. The only possibility for transporting Patron to the States was a blood transfusion to threat him against that disease. Unfortunately he did not survive.