by Evie Tubbs Sweeney
B
razil’s vibrant urban epicenter of São Paulo is to South America what Paris is to Europe. The creative energy, vibrant arts scene,
bustling urban tension, and hustling financial districts are home to some of the most progressive minds in the southern hemisphere. Marcos Tinoco and his family are one of São Paulo’s ten million residents who proudly call it home. But every weekend, the family looks forward to their 200-kilometer trek to the small countryside town of Itatinga, where traffic noise is replaced by soothing nature sounds; where concrete jungles are traded for wide open, sunlight-filled spaces. It is paradise. Their paradise. Haras Dharamsala, a 600-acre “piece of heaven,” was purchased by Marcos’ father 35 years ago as a weekend retreat for his family, and future generations to enjoy. It is truly a family expression of love, as his father planted every tree and built every building on the property. “It is a simply magical place for me and my family,” said Marcos. Years have passed since its initial days as an active dairy program for the Tinoco family. Marcos and his family—lovers of all animals—continued with the agricultural component, but brought in an element of living art, Marcos being a lover of all art, when the family began breeding Arabian horses. It has been a journey of undying enthusiasm and passion for the highest standards. And today, Haras Dharamsala is one of the most profound Arabian breeding programs not only in South America, but unequivocally, around the world.
Photos from Left to Right: The house at Haras Dharamsala; The Tinoco Family (Ana Carolina, Maria Victoria, Roberto, Marcos and mother, Anamaria); A spectacular view of the 600-acre farm.
Ar abian Horse Times | 126 | Volume 48, No. 5A A
“Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow know what you want to become.� | Steve Jobs
Ar abian Horse Times | 127 | Volume 48, No. 5A A
The Haras Dharamsala Story With frequent visits to the farm each weekend, it was seemingly
Simultaneously, he sought out the prudent mentorship of respected
only a matter of time when horses would enter the picture. Their
breeders around the world, such as Dr. Nigel, Chen Kedar, and
journey started out in the hunter/jumper world, purchasing quality
perhaps most of all, master breeder Lenita Perroy, whom Marcos
horses from several of the area’s respected equine auctions.
credits as their inspiration to become breeders.
However, it wasn’t until they attended the all-breed Hippus
When a sharp decline in the business made good stock available,
Auction in São Paulo that they would first encounter an Arabian
Marcos recognized the opportunity and acquired the Muscat
horse, thereby changing their lives forever.
daughter, Baressa, who became their program’s foundation mare, and later gave them the exquisite Ali Jamaal son, Ivory RT.
“We were enchanted with an Arabian stallion named Hamadan FA,” recalled Marcos. “Looking back, purchasing a stallion for our
An exceptional broodmare band had now been formed that
first chapter was the most mistaken way to begin. But his beauty
primarily reflected the bloodlines of Ali Jamaal, Ludjin El Jamaal
and charisma won us over.”
and Bey Shah.
And their love affair with the Arabian horse began. A larger-thanlife journey of epic magnitudes was about to commence. But it did not start smoothly. In fact, it was a difficult time to enter into the Arabian horse industry in Brazil. Stratospheric prices made it challenging to purchase quality mares in both America and Brazil. And like so many others, Marcos struggled in his journey for many years, purchasing horses of inferior quality for excessive prices. In spite of the wearisome experiences, Marcos never stopped learning; he never lost his passion. Slowly and methodically, through inspiration from horses like El Shaklan, Padron, Amber Satin, Penicylina, and his favorite, Muscat, Marcos began to form his own ideals for what an Arabian horse should be.
Ivory RT, sired by Ali Jamaal, Out of Haras Dharamsala’s foundation mare, Baressa (by Muscat).
Ar abian Horse Times | 128 | Volume 48, No. 5A A
Haras Dharamsala Makes History The investment of building the broodmare band were happen-
Amazingly—and perhaps to his own sur-
ing in an orderly way, with the primary objective of assembling
prise—the journey of Haras Dharamsala was
a world-class herd that was instantly recognizable for its quality.
still unfolding. During a search to further
For Marcos, it was only natural to begin a search for a stallion that
diversify the broodmare band with the arrival
would complement these mares, in blood and in quality.
of Veraz, Marcos was introduced to yet another ground-shaking
In 2015—a landmark moment in Marcos’ life—he would
world-class stallion: Da Vinci FM.
knowingly take his program to a truly global level, igniting in “I was extremely impressed when I
him and his family a vision for what could be.
saw him,” Marcos recalls. “I got Marcos found himself at the feet of the one and only SF Veraz,
the same feeling as when I first
unarguably one of the leading sons of the Great Gazal who
saw Veraz … that feeling of
demonstrates such a breathtaking level of type, presence and
‘must have.’ And once I have
genetic potency, that he has taken the world by storm. And on
this feeling, that’s it. Oh,
September 16, 2015, in a moment of historic poignancy, SF Veraz
how my wife dislikes
was acquired by Haras Dharamsala … a move that
this feeling!”
not only made history for the great breeding stallion, but also sent a bold statement about the leadership and direction of Haras Dharamsala, now playing on the world stage. “This horse is going to change the history of the Arabian horse in Brazil,” Marcos coolly states. “To the same level as El Shaklan and Ali Jamaal, I believe SF Veraz is at the same level of importance for the future of Brazilian breeding.”
Top: Da Vinci FM (Versace x Full Moon Astar) Bottom: SF Veraz (Gazal Al Shaqab x Veronica GA, by Versace)
Ar abian Horse Times | 129 | Volume 48, No. 5A A
PALAWAN (Padrons Ghibli | Petreena), dam of the
Kamil Al Cape (Shanghai EA x Tressor of Marwan EA, by Marwan Al Shaqab)
unforgettable Panarea by Palawan; imported from Europe.
BARAAQA AA (Laheeb | Al Baraqai AA), the straight Egyptian broodmare extraordinaire, bred by master breeder Chen Kedar, and mother of the exquisite stallion, Baha AA.
ZAHARA EL MARWAN by Marwan Al Shaqab and out of the incomparable Zagrobla, who has already given them two exceptional foals by SF Veraz that will debut in show rings next year.
CHAMMYRA EL RYAD (Ryad El Jamaal | Chammur), Brazilian National Champion Filly.
JULLYE AL GAZAL XX (SF Veraz | Beautiful Juell V), an exquisite Scottsdale Junior Champion Mare who brings in added lines of Ali Jamaal and will be competing in the Brazilian Nationals next year.
RYWANNA another beautiful daughter of Ryad El Jamaal and out of Marwan Cristal RCA, who is herself the 2016 Brazilian Da Vinci, along with the beautiful mare, DD Crown Jewel (Magnum Psyche | Crown Victoria), were added to the rousing and growing herd of Haras Dharamsala.
National Champion Bronze Mare and will be returning to the show ring next year.
QYETTE MRT (Nyhl El Jamaal | BF Beyonette), a homebred
With two global superstars now standing at the farm in breathtaking fashion, it was nearly unsurpassable when the announce-
black beauty, who has already given two exceptional fillies by SF Veraz that will be shown in 2018.
ment was made in Spring 2016 that the dazzling Kamil Al Cape
VALLERINA SRA, a daughter of DA Valentino, and
(Shanghai EA | Tressor of Marwan EA), would be joining their
therefore, the same blood as Da Vinci FM, purchased to cross with
impressive stallion roster as the program’s European representative.
SF Veraz, and will be representing Haras Dharamsala in show rings next year.
And yet, even more breathtaking was the fact that the royalty lied not just in the stallions arriving to the farm, but an around-theworld adventure led a glorious and unsurpassed group of royal mares to Haras Dharamsala at the same time. The list is nothing short of remarkable:
GAILLYE, the incredible daughter of Jullyen El Jamaal and out of the U.S. National Champion mare Gaishea, by Bey Shah. Gaillye represents the same lines as Jullye Al Gazal, thereby doubling up on that precious coupling.
“Marcos chooses good horses,” said Lenita Perroy of her good friend. “He now has excellent stallions and a beautiful group of mares. The future is very bright for Haras Dharamsala.” Ar abian Horse Times | 130 | Volume 48, No. 5A A
PALAWAN
BARAAQA AA
CHAMMYRA EL RYAD
JULLYE AL GAZAL XX
RYWANNA
QYETTE MRT
VALLERINA SRA
GAILLYE Ar abian Horse Times | 131 | Volume 48, No. 5A A
“Veraz is an extremely correct stallion of rare beauty and with an enormous capacity as a progenitor...�
Ar abian Horse Times | 132 | Volume 48, No. 5A A
An Embracing of Diversity Much has been made about the historic “buying spree” of
If the young foals resulting from these crosses are any indica-
Marcos Tinoco. The important stallions and the breathtaking mares
tion, Marcos is not only right … he has hit the bull’s eye, creating an
brought to Haras Dharamsala have certainly caused a global stir
evolved definition of beauty and balance in the modern Arabian horse.
not having gone unnoticed.
SF VERAZ
But there is a fascinating underling to the entire endeavor that suggests a greater story at play. In a world where phenotypes and styles ebb and flow, rotating in and out of time, mass breeding toward a certain look in herd-like mentalities, the horses chosen for Haras Dharamsala are perhaps one of the most eclectic, diversified and courageously bold breeding programs in some time. Its lines represent old and new, historic and modern, American/ Brazilian/ European; a creative inclusivity honoring a vast palate of beautiful bloodlines: Marwan Al Shaqab, Ali Jamaal, Bey Shah, Gainey lines, Varian lines, Egyptian lines, Padron, WH Justice, Laheeb, GG Samir, Al Ayad, Versace, Gazal Al Shaqab, and more. Like a timeless patchwork quilt, Haras Dharamsala stands for the whole Arabian horse. And in doing so, it just might be responsible for progressing the global ideals of the Arabian horse in fresh, new archetypes.
He is a towering example of soulful masculinity, astonishing beauty, and noble presence, with a heritage that precedes him and defines his future concurrently. Though not widely shown (he was named 2015 Scottsdale International Egyptian Heritage Gold Champion Stallion as a 9-year-old), SV Veraz’s legacy would lay in the breeding shed, where he quickly sired (and continues to sire) national champion sons and daughters, including the achingly beautiful Jullye El Al Gazal XX, who is now an important part of the Haras Dharamsala broodmare herd. SF Veraz accomplished a nearly impossible feat: to achieve international acclaim as a breeding stallion with very little show ring experience. That feat is only possible with individuals who have such haunting qualities that they leave an indelible mark on every person they encounter. “Veraz is an extremely correct stallion of rare beauty and with
For those who were lucky enough to breed mares to SF Veraz and Da Vinci FM prior to their Brazilian arrival, it is a privilege that will likely not be seen again, as the stallions are now closed to outside mares not at Haras Dharamsala, whose progeny will be like objects of art valued for their quality and exclusivity. “I am a breeder of proven and exceptional maternal lines,” said Marcos, “but I seek to breed and create an animal stamped with ‘the Haras Dharamsala look,’ as other respected programs such as Om El Arab, Lenita Perroy, Chen Kedar, Dr. Nigel and others have done. To achieve this goal, I need to open my range of stallions … thus the investments in Veraz and Da Vinci, and soon Kamil Al Cape as well. I do not know why, but I can see perfection resulting from Veraz and Da Vinci. We will soon know if I am right.”
an enormous capacity as a progenitor,” Marcos remarks. “His sire, Gazal, and his dam, U.S. National Champion Futurity Filly Veronica GA, are both exceptional individuals who have handed Veraz the ability to reproduce his most important qualities: incredible bodies, beautiful heads, outstanding eyes and athletic quality. I know exactly what to expect from his products, and now he is having the opportunity to cover specially selected mares for him … mares that are national and international champions. I believe he will do incredible work for our breed. The quality of his first generation in Brazil is stupendous, far exceeding my highest expectations. And the world will also see it next year in the show ring.” SF Veraz’s undeniable siring giftedness is only truly understood when considering parallel to his sire, Gazal Al Shaqab. Gazal gifted the world with two things: the embodiment of the now-cemented
Ar abian Horse Times | 133 | Volume 48, No. 5A A
Egyptian/Polish cross, which has become the phenotype standard for today’s Arabian halter horse; and, perhaps more obviously, a handful of epic progeny that shot him to the top of the chart as a leading sire of the 21st century … most notably, Marwan Al Shaqab and SF Veraz. The powerhouse siring abilities of both Marwan and SF Veraz beg the question, is it possible that the genetic potency of this line only gets stronger with each generation? Herein lies the true gifts of SF Veraz as a multi-generational sire, with a legacy still being written.
DA VINCI FM Just as it is necessary to reflect on Gazal to fully understand the legacy of SF Veraz, it is equally necessary to consider Versace in order to understand the impact of his son, Da Vinci FM. Versace’s influence on the global halter arena is nearly unparalleled. He reenergized breeders’ thinking—much like Bey Shah did before him— resulting in not one, but two generations of individuals profoundly influencing the next chapter of the Arabian halter horse. Versace is widely considered the culminating standard of breed phenotype in the 90s, igniting the world’s obsession for type, which continues to this day. Interestingly, Versace represents a combination of historic lines represented elsewhere in the Haras Dharamsala program: that of the unequaled Bey Shah combined with the glorious and sensual curves of El Shaklan. The potency behind these two horses is incontestable, resulting in a handful of proven producers. His foremost producing sons include an elite group of three legacy stallions: the late DA Valentino, the late Vervaldee, and Da Vinci FM. Da Vinci is the last of a generation. And yet, even at eighteen years old, he is still crafting his ongoing story, in which his best days are to come.
Ar abian Horse Times | 134 | Volume 48, No. 5A A
Da Vinci FM
Ar abian Horse Times | 135 | Volume 48, No. 5A A
The Beautiful Viewpoint of Haras Dharamsala “Not many people come along in this business with the passion
committed to constant learning and not being dissuaded by bumps
that Marcos has,” said Jeff Wallace, international consultant.
in the journey.
The Haras Dharamsala story is layered with fresh perspective. First,
Whatever the source of its burgeoning, successful empire, Haras
the foundational element behind all of it is family. Creating
Dharamsala stands as an emerging leader, not as a standard-setter
memories, providing the opportunity for their children to not only
for the horses it is creating, but also for the philosophy on which it
love and care for animals, but to appreciate beauty and understand
stands on behalf of the Arabian horse.
our role to preserve and protect it. For Marcos and Anamaria, married now twenty-five years, and their four children, Ana
It truly is about the journey. And when the journey parallels this
Carolina (studying at university in Paris), Maria Victoria and
magnificent ancient creature, the joy and satisfaction discovered
Roberto (both studying at university in São Paulo), and youngest
offers adventures unknown down roads less traveled.
son Marcos (in high school), Arabian horses enhance the journey of life … and life together.
In this case, it leads to the picturesque Brazilian countryside known as Haras Dharamsala.
Perhaps it is this perspective, rooted in family, that is blessing this vibrant program. Or, perhaps it is the balanced approach of Haras Dharamsala that honors the past while continually looking
Evie Tubbs Sweeney, owner of EvieInc Marketing Agency, is a 15-year mar-
forward. Even more, it could be the dynamic combination of
keting & communications veteran in the Arabian horse industry. She resides in
someone who is passionate and intuitive, coupled with the mindset
Santa Ynez, CA with her husband, Bob, and two-year-old son, Henry.
Marcos Tinoco marcostinoco@ymail.com 55 11 99488-2209
Rua Dr Melo Alves , 640 9.andar São Paulo / SP 01417-010 Brasil