by W.P. Howey

Nabinabah the Gun – FS

Nabinabah the Gun – FS

Acknowledgement to the Australian Stock Horse Society, Scone

Featured Image:  Nabinabah the Gun – FS with David Archibald

He was always used as a paddock sire at ‘Nabinabah Stud’ in Gundy NSW

David Archibald was a polo enthusiast and always tried to breed the ultimate polo pony. In the 1940s the Finlays of Thornthwaite Station, Scone were renowned for their polo ponies with many of them carrying the Gibbergunyah line.

David began to build his stud in the years following World War II, and tried to tap into recognised breeds. He was extremely lucky to obtain from Thornthwaite an outstanding mare, Serene. Serene was out of the Gibbergunyah mare Brown Girl. Serene’s sire Pantler was a winning TB by Pantheon, an outstanding racehorse and sire. Pantheon produced 26 Principal Race winners, with his most famous being the great Peter Pan, winner of the 1932 AJC Derby and the VRC Melbourne Cup in 1932 and 1934.

David joined Serene to Bob Mackay’s great polo pony and sire, Panzer (See: https://sconevetdynasty.com.au/panzer-foundation-sire/ ) to produce Nabinabah the Gun – FS in 1957. Panzer played polo for Bob Mackay winning some of the biggest tournaments of the time, before it ill health forced Bob Mackay to retire from playing. Panzer was only 11 years old when Bob Mackay retired, and at that time he felt that Panzer was still reaching his peak, as every chukka he played was better than the last.

Panzer was by Panthom, who was by Pantheon, so Nabinabah the Gun – FS had this great sire on both sides of his pedigree. Panzer’s dam Nellie was by Kangon, whose dam Diffidence had won the Sydney Cup. Diffidence was also the grandam of Nellie’s dam Gooralai. Panzer is also the sire of another Foundation Stallion, Myra Bronze – FS.

The descendants of Nabinabah the Gun – Fs have proved wonderfully adaptive horses, not only now starring on polo fields but also excelling in campdrafting, polocrosse and show work. These horses are renowned for their beautiful shoulder, rein and headset. With over 8,000 descendants, Nabinabah the Gun – FS is the seventh most influential sire in the Australian stock Horse stud Book.