Punjab: Be patient, Marwari horse available for Rs 21 crore
Punjab: David, the Marwari horse displayed at the ongoing Maghi Mela in Muktsar, has become a major attraction for all the horse riding lovers visiting the “Ghoda Mandi”. This 42-month-old horse, standing 72 inches tall, is one of the tallest horses here and is reportedly worth Rs 21 crore as it is the tallest Marwari horse in the country. Vikramjit Singh Vicky Brar, manager of Sanjam Stud Farm in Badal village, who owns the horse, says that he will not sell the horse for less than this price. “When the horse was born, it was worth Rs 1 crore. A lot of horse breeders approach us to mate their mares with David, and we charge Rs 1.25 lakh for each mating,” he says proudly. This horse was put on display at the livestock market in Lambi from January 12 to 15. David is no exception at the Ghoda and Ghodi Mandi in Lambi Dhabh, Muktsar. Apart from this, there are many other horses, like 69-inch tall Bilawal, a horse of Nukra breed, whose owner Jaspal Singh of Tarkhanwala village of Muktsar is asking a price in crores for this white horse.
Another mare Noori is also attracting people for its beauty, while its owner Gurmel Singh Patwari is looking at a price of Rs 67 lakh for his 66-inch tall mare. The livestock market at the Maghi fair has brought the growing trade of horses in Punjab to the attention of the people. This time, not only beautiful horses, but the owners of stud farms, mostly located in South Malwa, are displaying the beauty of their horses, they are also attracting the attention of the people. There was a time when the horse trade in South Malwa was dominated by the family of former Chief Minister Harcharan Singh Brar, although his own horses did not participate in the fair. They were sold directly to enthusiasts in Pune and Mumbai. However, the family of another former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal used to display their horse riding skills at the fair till a few years ago. Sukhpal Singh Bhati, a contractor in charge of the Ghoda Mandi, told the Tribune that this time 2,800 to 3,000 horses and mares have been brought to the mandi from across India. Stud farm owners have brought their animals from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh as well as neighbouring Haryana.
“The average studs are selling for Rs 2.50 to Rs 3 lakh. However, there are some whose ears, teeth, ghungroos and body shape, mainly height, are perfect, which is adding to their price. This time, sales have picked up since yesterday. However, most people bring their horses here to show them off, and not to actually sell them. “The sales happen clandestinely, as any sale here requires us – the organisers of the Ghoda Mandi – to pay a 4 per cent commission,” he said. Inquiries made by the Tribune to the rural development and panchayat department reveal that several cattle mandis are held in the state, including at Killianwali, Khanna, Jagraon, Kurali, Dhanaula, Rampura Phul, Subhanpur and Maur. The state government had awarded contracts worth Rs 93.90 crore last year to run cattle mandis (referred to as dangar mandi in the local language). “The contractors hired through competitive bidding last year pay a monthly instalment of Rs 7.8 crore. Though the contract expired last year, we have given a two-month extension to the contractor. Fresh bids will be invited soon. There is certainly a lot of money in the business. In 2023, the contract was worth Rs 72.46 crore per annum. This year we are hoping to get contracts for an amount far higher than Rs 93.90 crore,” said rural development and panchayat secretary Dilraj Singh Sandhawalia.
