Philip and Mrs. Irene Boyazoglu their children: Anna, Maria, Eleni, Harry
as well as their seven grandchildren. "Having completed 48 years of successful Arabian horse line-breeding, one should pause and reflect on the successes which have resulted from a carefully selected gene pool. One must acknowledge that the English Arabian “Crabbet Stud” legacy has been, and still is recognised today for its
type and standard globally". This statement was made by Prof. Philip Boyazoglu, who with his wife Irene, and the input of their children and grandchildren own and operate the Al Gamila Stud in Centurion near Pretoria. Al Gamila has proven beyond any doubt to portray the desirable characteristics of the Crabbet breeding lines, started so long ago by Lady Wentworth in England. The inspiration of the Al Gamila Purebred and Anglo Arabian Stud took place in the 1960s, when Philip, who at the time was highly influential at the University of Pretoria, visited the Jamani Stud in Villiers together with a sizeable group of veterinary students. The effect of the visit was the purchase of the beautiful liver chestnut yearling c**t, Jamani Prince Zayani. He was as a gift requested by Irene for her 21st birthday, from her farther Harry Constantinedes. Zayani thus became the founding sire of Al Gamila, and subsequently forged another link in the chain of Crabbet studs world-wide. Jamani Prince Zayani was schooled and ridden by Philip. He proceeded to become S.A. National Junior Champion Stallion in 1966 and later S.A National Champion under saddle. He excelled in the show-ring and exceeded all expectations. Due to his numerous Championships and legendary successes he retired from the show-ring at the age of seven and was put to stud. The first pure-bred filly purchased was Jamani Lineze, who in turn produced Haneef. He too won numerous championships. Lineze proved to produce top-quality horses with impressive achievements in-hand as well as under saddle. Appropriate line-bred females were always few and far between….therefore, when the opportunity arose, Philip and Irene purchased Chenous Shaneen, whom despite being in her senior years, was invaluable to the stud because she produced a series of good tempered, well-conformed performance horses. Her progeny, Shana (schooled and ridden by Maria and later Harry) and Shazun, displayed excellent temperaments and conformation and performed successfully under saddle. Shazun later owned by J. Neuhoff, not only became a champion under saddle, at the National Championships in Bloemfontein, but also a devout companion to his proud owner. It became apparent after 15 years of breeding that the stud was ready for new stock of similar origins in order to maintain its line-breeding programme at a professional level. The opportunity arose in l980 whilst Philip was judging horses in England, he and Irene set eyes on a yearling filly, Bint Chantarella, by Orion out of Chantarella. She was classically bred and beautifully developed. It took a year to finalise her purchase. She was then simultaneously imported with her younger brother, Ibn Chantarella from the Briery Close Arabian Horse Stud in the British Lake District. Their respective breeding proved to be ideal for the South African programme. With the onset of time, Ibn Chantarella exceeded all expectations and took over stud duties from Prince Zayani. He became Al Gamila’s proud senior sire, after Jamani Prince Zayani relocated to start the MEDUNSA Stud which was the initiative of Philip. Ibn Chantarella quickly formed an affinity and emotional bond with Irene, whilst she facilitated his transition from the UK to his new home at Al Gamila. She spent many hours training and transforming him from a c**t to a magnificent stallion. Ibn became spectacular due to Irene’s great insight and skill as a rider. The pair soon became a well-known force to be reckoned with in the show circuit. They were selected and competed in the Transvaal Dressage team at the Arab National Championships in Bloemfontein. They were seen winning many first places and championships which translated to several Legions of Merit. Due to his magnificent temperament, Ibn was later ridden by Eleni, Philip and Irene’s youngest daughter. History was made in 1989 when together they, on the one hand won the Pure-bred Victor Ludorum whilst her father Philip, riding Al Gamila Nelia simultaneously won the Parts and Anglo Victor Ludorum at the prestigious annual Rand Show at NASREC. This exceptional highlight was documented in the newspaper of the day. Ibn Chantarella later passed away as a dignified old stallion at the age of 32 peacefully in his own camp, the territory he had known and earned, ever since he arrived from the UK at seventeen months of age. Ibn Chantarella contributed to the much needed South African English Crabbet blood-line and his legacy goes on. He has now been succeeded by his sons Al Gamila Rezon, Axios.and grandson Kriton. Other Special Al Gamila purebreds, to mention but a few are;
Al Gamila; Haneef (Stallion ridden by Eleni)– Hagar – Shazun – Alexis (Trained by Eleni: exported to Zambia) – Lara (Ridden by Anna)-Shana (ridden by Maria and later Harry)-Sophron – Copelia – Leza- Lorna (Trained by Irene: ridden by grandchildren: Christos and Stephanie) – Neraitha – Plato – Rothos (who won the 2006 Fauresmith Endurance Race, and subsequently was exported for Endurance to Dubai)- Neena (Champion Child’s Riding Horse winner- trained and ridden by Eleni aged 9)- Miranda (Trained by Irene and ridden by grandchildren: Nicola, Stephanie and finally she excelled under saddle with grandson, Christos who achieved Guteng North Provincial colours for several years in dressage and show jumping) – Marmara (a first- mount for grandson:Philip) -Renata- Atlanta - Kahzantipi- Lorthos (who has bred several top Endurance horses) - Artemis – Remos (who now happily stands under new ownership at Mooikloof and competes at SANESA) and Rezon (A dignified seasoned champion in his own right-schooled by Irene). Part bred and Anglo-Arab horses have been an integral part of the stud from its inception;
The Al Gamila Anglos have proven to be exceptional multi-purpose sport horses. They have achieved in the disciplines of;
Armature horse racing , Show jumping, Dressage, Equitation, Showing, Performance riding
Al Gamila Marina- Excelled in the 2.2km longer distances- trained and ridden by Irene and later Eleni (aged 12) was unbeaten at the amateur horse races at Randjesfontein, Donkerhoek as well as Kyalami respectively. Her brother Mabruk ridden by Philip, was always placed first in his respective short distance race. Mabruk was versatile and furthermore proved to be a top show horse. He won numerous championships and awards. He was trained and ridden primarily by Philip and later was enjoyed by Maria. Al Gamila Bismark, an exquisite eye-catching bay stallion, was trained, produced and ridden by Eleni Aposoris (nee Boyazoglu) and later Philip. Bismark, due to exceptional training, genetics and beauty was a “show stopper”! In the show-ring he achieved numerous Legions of Merit. Some high-lights over the years are his: Numerous overall championships, several Victor Ludorums and finally, the Jerry Bernstein award winner. His defining moment, however, was when he ultimately achieved the prestigious overall Interbreed Championship trophy. Al Gamila Nelia like Bismark was an Interbreed Champion, Victor Ludorum, and Legion of Merit recipient and General Breed award winner. She was a 16.2 hand very special bay mare who was dear to Philip’s heart. We are fortunate that she is the dam of Al Gamila Nearchos- a big bold talented yet compassionate chestnut Anglo who displays impeccable manners due to his even temperedness. Nearchos, an exquisite big and bold anglo sport-horse who enjoys to jump, is three quarters Arabian. He too was trained, shown and produced by Eleni, and won numerous championships in showing and dressage. He was later very successfully ridden by Philip Aposporis, Eleni’s youngest son at SANESA league, and earned the Junior Rider of the Year school award in 2012 due to achieving the highest league season cumulative category score. Now under new ownership, he remains much loved and happily stands at Mooikloof. Al Gamila Patmos- a big 16.2 hand hack, mainly trained ridden, shown and produced by Christos Aposporis (grandson) has been awarded numerous inter-breed championships, as well as SANESA Gauteng A and B team colours across the disciplines over the years. A highlight for Christos is that they qualified for the National Championships in level 7 Performance in 2012 and successfully competed for Gauteng B team in Christos’ matric year. Christos and Patmos, have over the years been recognized as an exceptionally talented pair. They have excelled in private competitions as well as through SANESA where they qualified and rose quickly and systematically through the rankings. In 2014 Christos and Patmos earned and were ultimately recognized with Equestrian honors. Bismark, Marina, Mabruk, Alpha, Patmos and Nearchos (until recently) were kept at Al Gamila Stud where they were loved, ridden and enjoyed by the Boyazoglu family at large. According to Fay Clayton’s article published in the 2013 The ArabMag, “The Boyazoglu’s have continued to breed top-class breeding and all round performance horses right up to the present day. My own personal feeling is that they are a role model for any Arab breeder - they have supported the S.A.A.H.S for many many years and are always the same, pleasant, helpful and absolutely unchanging in their production of horses for the show-ring - and everywhere else for that matter! Good luck for the future with your lovely horses!”
