Markazi Caspian Stud was established in northern New South Wales, on the east coast of Australia in early 1995.   Due to their rarity, Caspians were very difficult to obtain but with  persistence, Markazi was able to acquire foundation stock with the most varied, highly prized and rarest bloodlines in Australia.  Some of these lines are also extremely rare internationally.  

By 2008 we had exported one filly to the USA and five Caspians to The Netherlands, including 3 in-foal mares, a stallion and a foal at foot.  We have helped establish other Caspian studs in Australia including new studs in Victoria and Queensland.  We are now planning to retire and are offering an unprecented opportunity  for others to  acquire stock suitable as performance ponies or foundation stock for new breeders.

Please see our blog for photos of our Caspians, including The Netherlands exports.

 Markazi is located on 60 rolling acres near Grafton.  All our Caspians are maintained in as natural an environment as it is possible for us to provide.  Our Caspians are not stabled and, as a consequence, are very healthy and hardy.  The mares, stallions and foals usually run in natural herds in the paddock.  Each paddock provides natural shelter and natural obstacles (creeks, gullies, trees etc) that are ideal for developing agility in youngstock. The stallions are  easy to handle, Markazi Mithra is broken to ride, and Chippendale Salaman is broken to ride and drive.

Rare and Varied Bloodlines

Markazi is the only Caspian Stud in Australia to offer stallions with direct male tail lines from three Iranian foundation stallions, Daria Nour*, Ruba* and Aseman*.  The sire lines of Ostad* and Palang* are also available through one or other of the Markazi stallions, through indirect lines.   Whilst the lines of Aseman* and Palang* are extremely rare in Australia, of importance to international breeders, is the availability of lines from Markazi that are very rare   in Europe.  Markazi's foundation lines are based on the lines which are extremely successful in the USA.  The Australian bred stallions Chippendale Bahram and Marida Dadan are considered two of the best stallions in the USA.  Markazi's stock are bred on the same lines as  these stallions with outcrosses to the rare Aseman* line.

In the UK, up to January 1992, of the total Caspian gene pool only 1.7% was contributed by the mare line of Anahita*, yet three of Markazi's broodmares and one stallion, Tandara Daric, and the majority of our  youngstock, have Anahita* in their pedigrees. Our foundation mares, Chippendale Yavash and Marida Shayad, are Anahita* female tail line mares and they have produced two fillies each.

The line of Alamara* contributed just 1.6% to the total gene pool, yet Alamara* is represented at Markazi in the pedigrees of two of our licensed stallions, one of our foundations mares and many of our young stock. The sire line of Palang* contributed just 5% of the total gene pool, and this line is represented at Markazi by the mare Cheleken Avvol Dokhtar and her numerous progeny, including the stallion Telopea Tousan and his progeny.

Crossbreeding Potential

Breeding Today's Performance Horse For Tomorrow's Olympians
Movement Temperament Athleticism -- The Caspian Horse Has It All!

The Caspian has the movement and temperament for dressage, a scopey jump, and the speed, agility and endurance required for cross country and sporting.   We recognise that purebred Caspian mares are becoming nearly impossible to obtain, however crosses with thoroughbred and Anglo Arab mares have produced outstanding performance horses for young riders. Crosses with Welsh and other pony breeds have produced brilliant children's show, show hunter and pony club ponies.

We have bred one outstanding crossbred  filly, Markazi Persian Star, out Larkhill Kastanita.  Kastanita was a show winning,  triple registered mare  (APSB / Riding Pony / Arab Pony)   who was a half sister to one of Australia's most outstanding Royal Show Pony Champions, Larkhill Kerry.   Kerry  was Champion Pony Hack at  Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide Royals, and was Reserve Champion in Perth.  Persian Star herself has now produced two 3/4 Caspian  geldings, one by Markazi Milad and one by Chippendale Salaman. 

"Despite its size, the Caspian can keep up with an average horse at all gaits other than the full gallop. It is a natural jumper of exceptional and extraordinary ability."
"The Ultimate Horse Book", Elwyn Hartley Edwards

Markazi's stallion,
Chippendale Salaman

Kate Hooi of South Carolina USA riding Prince Caspian an Australian bred Caspian  closely related to Markazi's stallion Telopea Tousan .  Prince Caspian is a double in colour and type to Tousan and his licensed son Markazi Mithra.   Prince Caspian was listed for sale in the USA  for US$15,000 and has been sold to a hunter/jumper home.

Seal of King Darius from Ancient Persia