By Jeffrey Wintersteen For over 50 years, Manny Vierra of Valley Oak Arabians has relentlessly pursued his passion: breeding Arabian horses. It is a passion that has taken him to the far-flung corners of the world, importing horses from Europe, the Middle East and South America, in an effort to find that special “ingredient” for his breeding program. Though his is well regarded for his success with certain bloodlines, such as the Polish or Straight Egyptian, he is not held captive to them and is unafraid to chart his own course. He is only bound by his ideal Arabian. “I love their refined heads, their delicately shaped ears, the expressive intelligence of their eyes, the big nostrils, the graceful arched shape of their necks, their abundant charisma, and their elegant yet powerfully engaged carriage,” Manny states emphatically.
One of the mainstays of the Valley Oak program over the last decade was the recently deceased flea-bitten grey, Polish and European Champion Stallion Emigrant (by Ararat), maternal brother to Valley Oak’s first National Champion El Dorada (Sanadik El Shaklan x Emigrantka, by Eukaliptus). “After losing Emigrant, I went looking for another stallion,” explains Manny. “We have several of his daughters, and we wanted to outcross those mares. I had also been able to purchase Qatars Angel and Soleil, and wanted the right stallion to cross on those special mares as well.” Manny campaigned both Aria Qatars Angel (Abha Qatar x BHF Dark Angel) and CW Soleil (Soul Of Gazal SF x MA Sonata) to U.S. Reserve National Championships with Sandro Pinha of Arabians International in Scottsdale. During this time, Manny and Sandro developed a close relationship. “I told Sandro, I need to find a stallion, and it needs to be something really special. I want something typey, that when you look at him you know that is an Arabian horse. Sandro told me he knew where there was one, but didn’t know if he was for sale or not. I told him to find out.”
That special horse was Preludio OSB. Sandro had first noticed Preludio when he took the lead at the Brazilian National Championships in 2017. “The first time I saw him was when I showed him as a 2-year-old in Brazil. He was quite spectacular and went on to win unanimously,” remembers Pinha. “He was a horse that always stuck with me.”
Bred by Olivia Strauch of Uruguay, Preludio OSB was shown to two national championships in Brazil in partnership with Mohammad Hijazi of Alkaisar Stud. Such success is usually followed by calls asking if he is for sale. That call eventually came from Sandro after his second Brazilian National title. “His first national win was a very special moment for me, so when Sandro called about Preludio for his good client and friend, it was not easy. But when he ex-
we breed ourselves into a box pedigree-wise. I knew that outcross blood is the best way forward, something without Marwan Al Shaqab or WH Justice blood. I was very interested in him because of his pedigree; it was a very good pedigree.”
plained who it was and the big plans they had in mind,
Preludio is sired by Dominic M, who, while
I said yes instantly,” remembers Olivia. “As a
bred in states, was sold as a young horse to
tiny breeder, when you’re lucky enough to
Brazil. “Dominic was producing some
breed a horse with promise, you don’t always have the means to do what needs to be done to showcase the horse in terms of its potential. That’s why it’s a blessing when you find a perfect match, and that is exactly what I feel happened
really good horses,” continues Manny,
“I told Sandro, I need to find a stallion, and it needs to be something really special. I want something typey, that when you look at him you know that is an Arabian horse.”
with Manny. It was meant to be.”
~ Manny Vierra
When Manny learned of the pedigree of Preludio, he was intrigued. “I think one of the biggest mistakes that we as breeders make here in the states, is we breed to our own stallions in the U.S. and are not outcrossing,” remarks Manny. “By doing this, I think
“and Preludio was the most winning of those. I like Dominic’s sire Da Vinci FM, by Versace. I saw him in Lexington when David Boggs brought him there for the Egyptian Event. They didn’t show him, just presented him. I was pretty
impressed.” Preludio also has another influence of Versace (by Fame VF) via his son DA Valentino on Dominic M’s dam’s side. “The Mirage sire line, via Fame VF through Bey Shah, just isn’t utilized as much as it should be by today’s breeders. On Preludio’s dam side, I like his dam Partyssima OS, as she is a Sir Fames daughter. In addition, I have always liked the blood of Ali Jamaal, which is further back on his dam’s side.”
It was when Manny saw the pictures and video, however, that he knew he had found what he was looking for. “I loved Preludio’s structure, it is just amazing,” comments Manny. “He is put together so well, and what I like about him the most is what we
have lost as breeders in trying to breed long necks, which usually gets a long back. Preludio’s really short backed, coupled really tightly with a great neck and a lot of shape. Also, his eyes are to die for, has excellent ears and he gives you nostrils all the time. I really like that; he just has a beautifully structured head.”
U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION STALLION
Color is never a pre-requisite for choosing a horse, but Manny admits that he has his preferences. “Preludio has a slight little star
URUGUAYAN NATIONAL CHAMPION STALLION
underneath his forelock. He has no other white and I love that. I
2X BRAZILIAN NATIONAL CHAMPION STALLION
wouldn’t have made any difference if Sandro had said I found this in
MID SUMMER NATIONAL CHAMPION STALLION BREEDER FINALS CHAMPION STALLION
love the dark bay. I prefer bay, but a good horse is a good horse. It
a grey stallion, but I am pleased he is bay.”
Respected breeders in the United States were quick to agree with Manny’s assessment of his new stallion, including Murray and Shirley Popplewell of Rae-Dawn Arabians in Scottsdale and and Saskatoon, Canada. “The first time I saw Preludio was at a presentation at Arabians International,” explains Murray. “I purchased three breedings that night, it took me only 10 minutes to decide. What I liked about him is that he has structure, great legs and a very good neck and shoulder. I think best of all, he has a pretty face with great
Versace Da Vinci FM Full Moon Astar DA Valentino Dominic M Rosa La Valentina Van El Rose Ffamess Sir Fames HBV Cajun Lady HCF Partyssima OS CG Balih El Jamaal Party El Jamaal Fiesta
eyes and eye bone. All around, a solid horse that can add to my program or any program and not take away from the mares.”
At the time, Preludio arrived in the U.S., having never been beat in South America, which included the Punta Del Este Junior Colt Championship in Uruguay and the two National Championships in Brazil. The first test in the U.S. was Mid Summer Nationals where he was unanimous. Preludio OSB also added the Stallion Championship (also unanimously) at the Arabian Breeder Finals, as well as two U.S. National Championships, keeping his show record unblemished. “I am kind of from the old school,” explains Manny, “you need to expose what you have via shows. I think we have done that, now it is time to concentrate on proving Preludio as a sire.”
In this regard, Manny likes what he has seen with his initial foal crops in the U.S. “I have seen so much consistency, huge eyeballs
Region 1 Champion Premaro VO (Preludio OSB x AJS Emara Meia Lua)
Scottsdale Reserve Champion RD Prelinda (Preludio OSB x RD Quianna)
and eye sockets,” shares Manny. “All his foals have well set ears,
Sandro agrees. “They all possess those beautiful black eyes, great
with well-shaped necks and are coupled beautifully, nice square
shoulders and necks, and have a really good show attitude. I love
hips and high set tails. In addition to having good legs and being
that they have great heart; they give their best in the ring. They are
good movers, they also have good dispositions, something that I
always willing and very easy horses to work with. It is very much
hold really dear, something that was special with all my Emigrant
how Preludio was.
foals. Preludio’s foals are social, friendly, easy to be around. They are looking for affection and they
“We are learning how to breed
are giving affection. They also
him,” continues Sandro. “I
have a great show attitude which
think this latest foal crop has far
is a must in the show ring.”
surpassed last year’s, even though that was excellent as well. I have
Olivia concurs with this assess-
already seen three exceptional
ment of Preludio’s foals. “I’ve
fillies this year, all out of national
seen most of the foals by him
champion mares. Preludio’s
born in Brazil and, of course,
strengths are type and beautiful
Uruguay,” she explains. “Preludio
black eyes, something that we
is a completely honest horse that
are losing in our breed. Preludio
will very reliably give you tall,
is bringing that back. He has
good-bodied foals with a perfect
beautiful ears and just a beautiful
topline, and fantastic shoulders
Arabian look.”
with high set and elegant necks. I have also seen beautiful ears
Already the Preludio foals are
consistently throughout, with big
showing incredible promise in
dark eyes, and also very import-
the show ring. His foals on the
ant in our breed, straight tails with natural carriage.”
Scottsdale Winner Prelinka VO (Preludio OSB x Exotica VO)
ground before he left Brazil have already won national accolades. Axell (x RL Alita Mam, by El
Murray Popplewell has also seen consistency with his Preludio
Shakhyr) was recently named Brazilian National Champion Junior
foals. “We used all three breedings I purchased the first time I saw
Junior Colt and Veron Serandella (x Only Serondella, by AAS
him and had three very good fillies. So far the foals that I have
Elishahh) was Brazilian National Silver Champion Junior Colt. The
seen show me that he is stamping them with quality. We are going
fillies LP Elphara (x Stig Zaphyra, by El Tino), and full sisters VV
back to him again this breeding season. I really appreciate all those
Shaffire and VV Yasmin (x Karenina El Madan, by El Tino) have
that were involved in bringing this horse to the U.S.”
also won championships domestically in Brazil.
The first foal crop in the U.S. won straight out of the gate as well. Pilar ENB (x One Last Romance, by El Nabila B) was Weanling Champion Filly at the Breeder Finals, the first foal shown by Preludio in North America. A few months later in Scottsdale, Prelinka VO (x Exotica VO, by QR Marc) won her Yearling Filly section in the Scottsdale International and RD Prelinda (x RD Quianna, by Shanghai EA) won Reserve Champion Scottsdale Signature Yearling Filly. At the Arabian Breeders World Cup, Premaro VO (x AJS Emara Meia Lua, by S.M.A. Magic One) was named AHBA Auction Futurity Champion Yearling Colt.
2022 Filly (Preludio OSB x Black Pearl WB)
For Manny, this is just the beginning of what they have planned for Preludio’s siring career. “He just got finished with quarantine this spring and are collecting him so we can ship frozen semen worldwide,” explains Manny. “We will concentrate on making those connections this year where his semen will be stored around the world. We are excited about that because he has generated a lot of interest globally. There has also been intense interest in Brazil where they know him so well. His foals in Brazil have been doing phenomenal.”
Sandro is not shy about how Preludio will be judged in the Arabian industry. “He has already surpassed my expectations,” explains Sandro. “I am convinced in the next few years this horse will go down 2022 Colt (Preludio OSB x Aria Qatars Angel)
in the history books as one of the great sires of the breed. I have no doubt. It will take some time, but I think over the years you will consistently see great foals by this horse.”
With the arrival of Preludio OSB, Manny is just as engaged as he has ever been in his 40 years in the industry. “I get so excited every time I see this horse, but especially when we have a new foal,” he exclaims. “I am also convinced this horse is the real deal; I’m excited to share him with the rest of the industry and be a part of this. Like influential sires before him such as Bey Shah and Padron—as well as Justice and Gazal—he is going to leave a lasting impact on this breed.” If this comes to pass, it is fitting that Manny Vierra, who has dedicated much of his life to the Arabian horse, will have played 2022 Filly (Preludio OSB x AJS Emara Meia Lua)
such an influential role.
Breeder Finals Champion Pilar ENB (Preludio OSB x One Last Romance)
2022 Colt (Preludio OSB x Afire Chime VO) Prenada VO (Preludio OSB x Ensanada VO)
Proudly imported & owned by Manny Vierra, Valley Oak Arabians 25760 Marsh Creek Rd. | Brentwood, CA 94513 | Manny Mobile: +1.510.325.3974 Email: imannyv45@aol.com | www.ValleyOakArabians.com Multi-Program Nominated Sire | Standing at Arabians International | Contact Sandro Pinha: 480.226.0001