Naborscik
March 14, 2026, Photo © Aline Sagrabelny
Naborscik
Naborscik was born in 1987 at the renowned Tersk Stud, where he was registered as Naborshik. His sire was the celebrated chestnut stallion Balaton, a son of Menes out of Panagia by Aswan. Often called the “Horse of the Century,” Balaton became one of the most influential sires of the modern Russian Arabian. Renowned for his balance, strength, and elegance, he passed on powerful toplines, deep chests, and well-set necks. A successful show horse, he earned titles including Dutch National Champion Stallion and European Champion Stallion.
Naborscik’s dam, Nejnaia (also written Nezhnaia), was a daughter of the grey mare Nariadnaia and by the influential stallion Nabeg. Nariadnaia, a daughter by the Egyptian-bred Aswan, represented one of the distinguished maternal families developed at Tersk Stud. She was a full sister to the highly regarded U.S. sire Nariadni and traced in tail female to Mammona, the celebrated “Queen of Tersk,” whose descendants have shaped Arabian breeding for generations. Nariadnaia herself later attracted international attention when she was exported to the United States in the 1970s, where she successfully competed in the show ring and produced several foals. Her daughter Nejnaia also produced Narim, a grey son by Moment, who was exported to Great Britain in 1985 and stood at Al Waha Arabian Stud.
Naborscik was known for his large, expressive dark eyes, well-set neck, and strong bone structure. His movement was fluid and ground-covering. In Russia, he was raced as a young horse before being exported through the Netherlands to Germany in the early 1990s. There, he was awarded Elite Stallion, recognizing his exceptional qualities.
In the early 2000s, Wolfgang Esch acquired Naborscik as an older stallion. Mr. Esch primarily bred him to Polish-Crabbet mares. His daughters, Maharet (out of Masha II by Nehros) and Marka (out of Marrah by Parsek), were both used in endurance. Marka also became part of the broodmare band at Wolfgang Esch's stud until its dispersal in 2018. Despite his notable contributions, Naborscik left no significant male descendant. His final foal crop was registered in 2012.
Naborscik’s dam, Nejnaia (also written Nezhnaia), was a daughter of the grey mare Nariadnaia and by the influential stallion Nabeg. Nariadnaia, a daughter by the Egyptian-bred Aswan, represented one of the distinguished maternal families developed at Tersk Stud. She was a full sister to the highly regarded U.S. sire Nariadni and traced in tail female to Mammona, the celebrated “Queen of Tersk,” whose descendants have shaped Arabian breeding for generations. Nariadnaia herself later attracted international attention when she was exported to the United States in the 1970s, where she successfully competed in the show ring and produced several foals. Her daughter Nejnaia also produced Narim, a grey son by Moment, who was exported to Great Britain in 1985 and stood at Al Waha Arabian Stud.
Naborscik was known for his large, expressive dark eyes, well-set neck, and strong bone structure. His movement was fluid and ground-covering. In Russia, he was raced as a young horse before being exported through the Netherlands to Germany in the early 1990s. There, he was awarded Elite Stallion, recognizing his exceptional qualities.
In the early 2000s, Wolfgang Esch acquired Naborscik as an older stallion. Mr. Esch primarily bred him to Polish-Crabbet mares. His daughters, Maharet (out of Masha II by Nehros) and Marka (out of Marrah by Parsek), were both used in endurance. Marka also became part of the broodmare band at Wolfgang Esch's stud until its dispersal in 2018. Despite his notable contributions, Naborscik left no significant male descendant. His final foal crop was registered in 2012.