Marketing The Michael Byatt Way...

Marketing Arabian horses must be more than a financial transaction. It must be part dream, part good business, part knowledge, and part futuristic. These, in addition to many others components, are a few of the factors that go into selling horses at Michael Byatt Arabians.

A look back tells a lot about what is in the mind of Michael Byatt when it comes to selling Arabian Horses.

Years ago the Gucci Herd was on the market. 113 great horses, for an enormous price, in a difficult situation. Several National Champion horses were in the herd as well as many great breeding animals. Michael realized the potential and called upon long time friends Fran and Gene Haskins to assist in the purchase and realize a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Included in the package were US National Champion mares, Shahteyna, Kajora, and Padrons Jewel. But equally important were the breeding animals included in the group who did not have the supreme titles. The deal was concluded and the horses began arriving at Michael Byatt Arabians. A financial transaction of this size required utilizing all network resources to recapture some of the investment while insuring the horses were placed, not only would they be loved but also used to their fullest potential.

World Champion Junior Colt 2002: *Marwan Al Shaqab

One of the first calls placed was to Sh. Hamad Bin Ali Al Thani, manager of Al Shaqab Stud in Doha, Qatar. MBA knew the commitment to breeding Arabian horses by Sh. Hamad was sincere and that the mares placed here would be of enormous value. When the deal was concluded US National Champions Kajora, PR Padrons Jewel, and Shahteyna were purchased along with 3 others to add to the domestic breeding program of Al Shaqab. Prior to leaving for the Middle East two important events occurred which have since been monumental in the history of Arabian horse breeding. Kajora was bred to Anaza El Farid (more about this stallion later) and Shahteyna was remarketed to Catherine and David A. Straz Jr of Tampa, Florida. The mating of Kajora and Farid would prove to be of great value to the World of Arabian Horse breeding. The resulting foal that was born is the great, World Champion, Ghazal Al Shaqab. Not only has Ghazal been a great show ring champion but a recognized sire as well. His son Marwan Al Shaqab is the two time reigning World Champion Colt and Ghazal himself has been the head sire at Michalow and Janow in Poland for the last two years. To Michael Byatt Arabians this sale of horses, first through the Gucci herd, and then to Al Shaqab represent the best of the best in marketing. Not only a transaction but a dream realized!

Now, back to Anaza El Farid. At the Egyptian Event in 1993 a quick gathering of 15 breeders having lunch, with Michael Byatt acting as agent put together a group to buy this great straight Egyptian stallion. Not only was Michael Byatt Arabians to be the agent they were also going to be an owner. The deal done the plan enacted -- the first goal of the group was show ring exposure -- and that ended in October with a US Top Ten award in stallion halter. At the same time Championships were being won the group was out getting mares ready to breed. One mare that caught Michael's eye while looking at client mares was the Muscat daughter, Bascata. A breeding was sold and the following year a filly, RF Chatelaine was born. Chatelaine enchanted everyone, she was US Top Ten Yearling filly as well as Egyptian Event Junior Champion filly. But one person she enchanted the most was Count Federico Zichy Thyssen who admired her to the point he had to have her sire, Anaza El Farid. At the Event in 1995, the group joined together for one last meeting, this time to discuss the sale of their great stallion. Once again, with Michael acting as agent the deal was done and Anaza El Farid was heading to Argentina to one of the great breeding programs of the world.

*Besson Carol

Over the last decade many horses have been bought and sold through Michael Byatt Arabians. Regardless of the dollar amount, none to small to be considered important. Unfortunately, space cannot provide for each and every sale that has been concluded. There are a few individuals that stand out in the Michael Byatt family of owners and friends who have made the marketing program so successful. Always trustful and always confident in the choices made by Michael, Ray and Nora Tatum, of Orlando, Florida, have owned, sold, and enjoyed many National Champion horses over the last 15 years of association with MBA. The horses owned and marketed by MBA for the Tatums include National Champions Echo Magnolia, Jackie Monasis, DRA Justawildchild, DRA Equity, plus Reserve National Champions, Parys El Jamaal, Besson Carol, Audacious PS, and Top Ten winners TR Fames Nova and Marakita.

Parys El Jamaal

Of the horses that the Tatums have owned one horse needs more attention, Parys El Jamaal. Parys a son of Ali Jamaal was acquired in the winter of 1997, just before the Scottsdale All Arabian show. It was there he made his debut to American breeders. Although only shown 3 times in North America, Parys was a Regional Champion and US Reserve National Champion Stallion in 1997. But his real contribution was as a breeding stallion. Today, Parys is the leading son of Ali Jamaal as a sire of National winners. His get include Besson Carol, Shalina El Jamaal, The Millennium, Serenata El Jamaal each a National or Reserve National Champion. In addition he has sired Top Ten winners Paryshahn and Paris In Spring. All of this with only 3 breeding seasons in North America. In the winter of 2000 he was purchased by Count Federico Zichy Thyssen where his immediate future found him in Argentina where he would stand at the world famous Zichy Thyssen Stud. Happily for Michael Byatt Arabians he would return in March of 2002 to resume breeding activities in North America.

Over the last decade the Arabian Horse World has seen an enormous resurgence of interest in breeding horses in the Middle East. Breeders in this part of the world have taken a very aggressive role in repopulating their lands with World-Class Arabian horses. Since his first trip to this region in 1985 Michael has enjoyed the friendships and devotion to the Arabian horse from the first Arabian horse breeders in the World. Over the years, visiting many countries, relationships have developed that have been rewarding to all concerned. Offering some of the greatest Arabian horses anywhere, no matter their location, has allowed many area breeders to be on the fast-track to success that otherwise could have taken years longer. Today, Michael enjoys not only showing horses to National and International titles in these countries but also watching the horses that he has marketed make such a contribution in the breeding programs in this historical region. In all Michael and his clients have exported nearly 50 horses to this region.

Michael Byatt showing the international champion filly Venetzia, marketed through MBA, to her win in Borgloon, Belgium. Whether showing or breeding, this is the quality of horse you can expect Michael Byatt Arabians to find for you!

Today, in the World of breeding Arabian horses there have been contributions made in all corners of the globe. Many of the Worlds top horses over the last many years have come from South America. Equally important to the success of these breeders were the horses they bought which allowed them to have the core in which they could succeed. A couple breeders stand out in Michael's mind as not only great clients but successful breeders in today's highly competitive breeding arena. Haras Carol, owned by Ailton Braga has been a client of MBA since their beginning in the business. The "Carol" horses have been a great addition to the Michael Byatt show and breeding programs -- Besson Carol being just one of the many. Years ago Ailton asked Michael to find and buy a mare that he thought could win the Brazilian Nationals. The search ended with the purchase of RD Standing Ovation, a charismatic daughter of the great Bey Shah. History would record Standing Ovation as that years Brazilian National Champion Mare -- part of the objective had been met. Bred to Ali Jamaal, Standing Ovation produced the colt Soho Carol, who has gone on to a great breeding career in the United States. Through Michael, the "Carol" program has gone on to World-Wide acclaim. Winning National and International Championships Ailton and his horses maintain a world-class standing with Michael on the lead. Another breeder of note, Murilo Kammer, owner of Haras Aratinga is producing and exhibiting some dramatic and wonderful Arabian horses. Over a decade ago Murilo made his first ever Arabian horse purchase through Michael Byatt. It was with the purchase of NV Gypsy Wind that a dream began. Other horses were added to the collection - National Champions Liberty Bey C and Keepsake V in addition to others. When the time came to add a breeding stallion to the program Murilo looked to Michael for advice. It was that conversation that led to the purchase of Encore Ali, a National Champion and Scottsdale winner and a son of Ali Jamaal. Through this purchase and careful breeding decisions the colt Borsalino K was born and the Haras Aratinga breeding program, already well known for the mares in their stables, was now to become known as a great source for foals. Both Ailton and Murilo fit the ideal Michael Byatt client profile -- lovers of Arabian horses, students of the breed, and now great contributors to the breed itself.

HW Egyptian Art

The mention of Soho Carol leads into another great success story for Michael Byatt. Through friends Ray and Nora Tatum, an introduction was made to Doug Corp of Sorrento, Florida. Doug was new to the business and needed some advice. What direction to go and where to find the horses he was looking for. First things first, Michael felt Doug should look at more horses before settling in on buying more horses. Tickets were purchased to South America and a tour of breeder farms in Brazil and Argentina. It was there that Doug saw Ali Jamaal and El Shaklan. And with those horses in his mind he began defining the horse he would want. Through further conversations and negotiations Doug added Maya El Jamaal and HW Egyptian Art to his growing band of mares. The next addition was the yearling colt, and as mentioned son of Ali Jamaal, Soho Carol...the program was taking shape. At the 2002 United States Nationals the resulting foal from Maya El Jamaal and Soho, Major Jamaal was US Reserve National Champion yearling colt. The success of marketing horses again is illustrated not only in the financial transaction but the direction and success of the program once the deal is done. One goes hand in hand with the other.

Major Jamaal 2002 Reserve National Champion Yearling Sweepstakes Colt

Buying breeding animals must be the futuristic part of marketing horses. When deciding on a mare or stallion to be used in ones breeding program one must envision what will be. Looking not only at the individual but the family as well are but two of the important components which go into the final decision of to buy or not to buy. In addition to Kajora, Shahteyna and the scores of other mares placed by Michael Byatt, two others are noteworthy. Shahlina, purchased by Lucy Whittier, through the 1996 Arabco Invitational, was bred to Parys El Jamaal and in turn produced Shahlina EL Jamaal who went on to be US Reserve National Champion Futurity Filly in 2001. Another important mare marketed by Michael is Evening Starr. Also bred to Parys El Jamaal she produced National Champion The Millenium as well as Scottsdale Top Ten, Evening Song. (Evening Song now resides at the beautiful Kenelm Arabians in Nantes, France) Additionally, her 2001 filly, Evening Fantasy by ZT Shakfantasy, was 2002 Reserve National Champion Filly of Jordan. These mares well illustrate the hope of Michael Byatt Arabians when selecting breeding stock for their clients and friends.

The Millenium

Whether it has been in the very public venue of the auction or the private transaction Michael Byatt Arabians has tried, and succeeded, in making a difference through the sales they have been involved in. The stories mentioned in this article are but a few of the many that have occurred over the last two decades. Whether you desire a show and breeding horse or the back yard trail horse you are welcome to contact us via email at - ask us your questions. Tell us your mares pedigree. Talk about your search for your dream and we will get back to you. We believe selling a horse is more than a transaction -- it is also a commitment.