Today, the traditional "Windsor Royal Horse Show - 2026" is being held in Great Britain. The event, organized annually around Windsor Castle, is considered one of the most prestigious equestrian festivals in the world. Members of the royal family, professional jockeys, horse breeders, and thousands of spectators gather here.
Modern.az investigated why the Karabakh horse, which went all the way to Windsor Palace, was sent to the Queen.
Although this event is now considered one of the symbols of British aristocracy, its foundation was laid in 1943. The purpose of the first show, held during the most difficult period of World War II, was to raise funds for the army. The income from that race was used to purchase fighter planes for the British military aviation. In subsequent years, the event became a tradition of the British monarchy.
One of the greatest figures of this tradition was Elizabeth II.
Queen Elizabeth II grew up with horses from childhood. She received her first pony at the age of 4. She traditionally visited the horse farm with newly elected Prime Ministers, showing them her horses. The Queen was knowledgeable about the bloodline, character, and endurance of racehorses at the level of professional breeders.
The USSR tried to emphasize its superiority in this field by sending the Karabakh horse to the Queen:
In 1956, the Karabakh horse named "Zaman" presented to Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain was a special diplomatic gift during the Cold War. At the same time, this horse was also considered a demonstration of the cultural and historical heritage of the USSR. During that period, symbolic gestures were of particular importance in international relations, and states tried to present themselves not only with political power but also with cultural elements.
By gifting the Karabakh horse to the Queen, the USSR also carried a political and ideological message. At that time, British equestrian traditions had a special prestige in the Western world, and the royal family was considered one of the main symbols of this field. By presenting the Karabakh horse, Moscow not only demonstrated an exotic and rare breed but also tried to show that the horses bred in the USSR were not inferior to the Western equestrian school in terms of quality. This, in a sense, is considered one of the cultural and symbolic competition elements of the Cold War.
Although there was serious geopolitical competition between the USSR and the West during the Cold War, gifts given during mutual visits of leaders carried a political message. The gift of a Karabakh horse by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev to Elizabeth II is also considered one of the notable events in this context.
The choice of the Karabakh horse for Khrushchev's special gift was not accidental. Because at that time, among the horse breeds bred in the USSR, the Karabakh horse was considered one of the oldest and most prestigious breeds. Historically, these horses, bred in the herds of Karabakh khans, were distinguished by their speed, endurance, and appearance. Especially their golden-colored hair was one of the main features that distinguished Karabakh horses from other breeds.
"Zaman" was one of the selected representatives of this breed.
From Aghdam to Windsor
"Zaman" was bred at the Aghdam stud farm. During the Soviet era, this institution was considered one of the main centers of Karabakh horse breeding, and systematic selection work was carried out here to preserve the breed. Specialists implemented special programs to maintain the genetic characteristics of Karabakh horses, preserve their endurance and appearance.
One of the main features that distinguished Karabakh horses from other breeds was their appearance. Although these horses had a delicate p structure, they showed high endurance and agility. The most striking feature was that their hair took on a golden hue in sunlight. Foreign equestrian experts described this effect as "golden shine".
"Zaman" was one of the stallions chosen precisely for these qualities. One of the main goals in presenting it to the British royal court was to demonstrate the distinctive features of Karabakh horses.
The appearance of "Zaman" aroused special interest in British equestrian circles. Information circulated at that time noted that the Karabakh stallion differed from classic European racehorses in both p structure and behavioral characteristics. Its more compact structure, unique head shape, and calm temperament were cited as key features distinguishing it from other breeds.
Elizabeth II showed particular interest in rare and distinctive horse breeds. For this reason, the Karabakh horse "Zaman" quickly attracted the attention of the royal family.
Later published materials in the British media stated that the Queen was closely interested in the history and origin of the Karabakh horse. She specifically asked which region the horse came from and what distinguished this breed. She kept that horse on her personal farm.
Historical sources note that Karabakh horses had a special status. During the era of the Karabakh khans, these horses were used for military purposes and were also considered one of the most valuable gifts. Presenting a Karabakh horse in diplomatic relations and important meetings was considered a sign of prestige.
In the 19th century, Russian military personnel, travelers, and European researchers who visited the region also made notes about Karabakh horses. These sources particularly emphasized the speed, endurance, and appearance of this breed. Some authors described Karabakh horses as one of the most beautiful horse breeds of the East, comparing them to Arabian horses.
However, the wars, political changes, and conflicts in the Karabakh region in the 20th century seriously affected the preservation of this breed. During the Soviet era, the Aghdam stud farm, considered the main center of Karabakh horse breeding, was destroyed, and many rare bloodlines were attempted to be lost. For this reason, "Zaman" is also considered a preserved element of cultural memory. Because that horse has become one of the rare symbols of the Karabakh equestrian tradition recognized worldwide.
"Zaman", presented to Elizabeth II in 1956, remained for many years one of the main internationally recognized symbols of Karabakh horses. 66 years later, the Karabakh horse returned to Windsor Palace. In 2022, the gift of a Karabakh horse named "Shohrat" by Ilham Aliyev to Elizabeth II carried a special symbolic meaning after the liberation of Karabakh from occupation...
