The pictures were taken at Branda Arabstuteri when I was 13 yrs. Mrs Töllborg gave us a big welcome and told us to take our time and she would make sure the coffee was ready when we were finished!

Alcazar is a very special stallion, not only because he is by the superstallion *Aladdinn, but also because the polish state stud Janow Podlaski leased him for two years. In exchange Branda got *Aloes.

He belongs to the family of Szweykowska, foaled ca 1800 at Slawuta and considered to be a Saklawi. This family is known for its beauty but also for its good racehorses. There are two major branches of this family, which was almost obliterated during World War II. The full sisters Kalina 1909 and Elstera 1913 by Ibrahim OA out of Lezginka 1895 each founded a branch. Their dam Lezginka was also dam of the stallion Ganges I 1901 by Hindostan II. The branch of Kalina is somewhat larger and a little more covered in glory than the Elstera branch but there are many good horses from this branch as well. Alcazar belongs to the branch of Elstera. His dam Flama was imported to Sweden as a two-year old in 1975 (1973 was a good year! *lol*). Besides Alcazar she has given the stallion Bofors by Bomarc and several mares. Beside Drweca 1922 who was the principal horse to continue the line on the female side, Elstera was also the dam of the stallion Flisak (Derby-winner) and the mare Ikwa 1927. Ikwa was a prolific racehorse that won the Derby, the Oaks and the Criterium. The Ikwa family in the female line is rather small but her blood is widespread since she is the granddam of Lagodna 1939 (the dam of *Naborr).

Flama's greatgranddam was Fanfara 1945 who in turn was greatgreatgranddaughter of Elstera 1913. Fanfara 1945 was dam of two mares, the full sisters Fanfarona 1953 and Fregata 1957 by Rozmaryn. Fanfarona was the dam of Falbanka 1959 imp Sweden, Fanza 1964 (granddam of Farba imp Sweden) and *Fantina 1965 by Negatiw, the dam of Flama. Other horses in Sweden of the Elstera branch are the stallion Fason 1976 by *El Paso who is a grandson of Fregata through her daughter Fladra 1969. His sister Fladra 1979 (confusing, isn't it?!) by *Bandos was also imported to Sweden.