Wierna

photo: archive

Wierna was a bay mare born in 1938 at the renowned Janów Podlaski Stud in Poland.
Wierna’s sire was the bay stallion Ofir, one of the most celebrated sires in the history of Polish Arabian breeding. Ofir was by the desert-bred Kuhailan Haifi, imported to Poland, and out of the mare Dziwa. Ofir left an extraordinary mark through his offspring. In 1938, he sired a legendary group of colts, often referred to as the four “W” stallions: Wielki Szlem, Witraz, Witez II, and Wyrwidab (later renamed Wind). Each of these stallions went on to shape Arabian breeding worldwide. Witraz, for instance, became the sire of Bask, whose influence in the United States was transformative, while Witez II became a foundation stallion in American breeding following his dramatic wartime rescue. Wielki Szlem established one of the most important sire lines in Poland, while Wind had a lasting impact on the German's post war breeding program.
Ofir’s daughters were also significant, with the most influential being Mammona, foaled at Janów Podlaski in 1939. Taken to Russia as a foal during World War II, Mammona became the matriarch of one of the most important mare families at the Tersk Stud, producing lines that endure to this day.
On her maternal side, Wierna traced to Kamea, foaled in 1929 at Janów Podlaski. Kamea produced four foals in Poland, including Wierna. In 1939, during the upheaval of World War II, Kamea was transferred to the Tersk Stud in Russia, where she foaled Karch, also by Ofir. No further offspring are recorded for her at Tersk, and she died in 1942. Kamea’s pedigree connected her directly to one of the most valuable dam lines in Polish breeding. She was sired by Farys II and out of Elegantka by Bakszysz. Elegantka distinguished herself as an outstanding broodmare, producing nine registered foals, many of whom became influential sires. Among them were Wielki Szlem, Lowelas, and Opal, sire of the renowned Lotnik.
Wierna secured her own place in Arabian breeding history through her offspring and their enduring influence. Following the devastation of World War II, Wierna, together with two of her daughters, Werra and Wierka, was among the group of Polish Arabians taken to the United States in 1945 by the U.S. Army Remount Service.
Wierka, in particular, left a significant mark as the granddam of Bu-Zahr, who became the 1960 U.S. National Top Ten Stallion.
Another of Wierna’s daughters, Angyl, became influential through her son Bay-Abi, the 1962 U.S. National Champion Stallion. Bay-Abi went on to found his own sire line as the cornerstone stallion of Varian Arabians, one of the most respected breeding programs in the United States. Through Bay-Abi and his descendants, Wierna’s influence extended into some of the most celebrated modern bloodlines. Notable stallions in this sire line include Bey Shah, Fame VF, Huckleberry Bey, Versace, RSD Dark Victory or RFI Farid (just to name a few), each of whom has contributed to shaping the phenotype and prestige of Arabian horses word-wide.
Wierna’s daughters Werra, Wierka, and Angyl thus carried her legacy forward, establishing family lines that remain relevant today. Her genetic contribution, enriched by both her illustrious sire Ofir and the strong maternal foundation of Elegantka, ensured that Wierna was not merely a wartime survivor but a true transmitter of excellence to future generations.