VERSACE
Style Icon of the Arabian Breed
By Beth Ellen Hunziker

Click here to view full story

 
VERSACE!  In mainstream society today, this name immediately brings to mind images of modern fashion design that incorporate edgy, exciting, vibrant colors with elegant, classical elements. The name of Versace has become an icon for a very specific style, a look that is both current and timeless. How appropriate that in the society of Arabian horses, the name of Versace is also an icon for the timeless style, beauty, and exotic look sought after by breeders around the world.

Much has been written about Versace, as well as his breeders and owners, John Brown and Dr. Robert Williams of Rojo Arabians. However, a short synopsis may be helpful. Versace was born on March 11, 1995. His sire was Fame VF, a U.S. National Champion and Canadian National Reserve Champion Stallion, and a son of the legendary sire Bey Shah. In addition to his show ring success, Fame VF was a sire of numerous national champion sons and daughters in both halter and performance. His pedigree is a blend of Polish and Crabbet breeding; a combination that is historically proven to produce high quality individuals. Over the years, this sire line has become globally influential and it continues to expand with every foaling season. Fame VF sired over 80 breeding sons and without a doubt, Versace was the most beautiful. Many breeders believe it was Versace’s dam who contributed the “X” factor that made him extra special and set him apart from his other male paternal siblings.

Versace’s extraordinary dam was the priceless El Shaklan daughter, Precious As Gold. Through El Shaklan, Versace inherited his aristocratic Spanish and Egyptian heritage, including one of the most famous dam lines in the history of the breed through his great granddam - Estopa. To know Precious As Gold was to love her. Her beauty was breathtaking and her almost human capacity for showing love and affection charmed everyone she met. Precious As Gold seems to have passed these qualities on to her children, including Versace, and in turn, he passed them to his children.

Precious As Gold was out of the Classy McCoy daughter, Autumn in Gold. This dam line provided links to Crabbet, Polish, and Egyptian breeding. Autumn In Gold was a marvelous representation of her pedigree. She was a mare of tremendous substance with a very good body and top line. She had a feminine face, a long, fine neck, and she had good movement. Autumn In Gold contributed many of these fine qualities to her daughter, Precious As Gold.

No horse is perfect, but Precious As Gold was one of the most exotic Arabian mares the breed has ever known. In fact, Precious As Gold has attained an almost cult-like following because of her extraordinary beauty and charm. Precious As Gold’s offspring are highly sought after. A knowing comment such as, “This horse is double Precious As Gold,” hold immense significance for many breeders primarily because her descendants – especially through her son Versace – are so beautiful and they produce that beauty with amazing consistency.

National and international championship titles are extremely impressive. Never the less, a successful show career does not guarantee a successful breeding career. Although Versace earned two U.S. National Top Ten awards in halter, his ultimate destiny was to become one of the most important sires the breed has ever known.