*Naborr

*NABORR — SAGA OF THE SILVER STALLION

by Cassie Parker-Charbonneau

*NABORR — SAGA OF THE SILVER STALLION

by Cassie Parker-Charbonneau

I

International mega-champion *Naborr.

f Walter Farley had written the tale of one horse of a different

young *Naborr was slightly slower to mature than his Kuhailan

color, he would have been hard pressed to concoct an adventure

strain brethren. However, in the words of Dr. Edward Skorkowski,

story to rival the saga of the silver stallion *Naborr, whose life

“The linebred Skowronek, by Ibrahim, a Saklawi Jedran out of

linked Russia with the United States, 1877 Crabbet Park in Sussex,

Jaskolka, a Saklawia Iliniecka, handed down exactly on [to] his

England with 1977 Paradise Park in Arizona, and Lady Wentworth’s

descendants his prominent Saklawi type by which he showed

Skowronek with Doctor LaCroix’s *Bask. This equine liaison

homogenous features of that race.”

deserves a second look — that is, after the initial, stop-you-in-

Director Ignacy Jaworowski of the Michalów Stud wrote: “The

your-tracks eyeful which *Naborr embodied. *Naborr chroniclers

alabaster white, almost silver hair, contrasted with black, expressive,

encompassed a group of cosmopolitan Arabian authorities

lively eyes . . . underline the oriental beauty of this horse.”

including Margaret Greely, the Editor of Arab Horse Society News;

With refined, regal bearing, swan neck and gaily-carried tail,

Patricia Lindsay, a noted Polish linguist and British link to Animex;

*Naborr proved the validity of these Polish pronouncements even

Gladys B. Edwards, long-time Secretary of the Kellogg Arabian

to the extent that he inherited Skowronek’s trait of siring only grey

Ranch and Doctor Edward Skorkowski and Andrzej Krzysztalowicz,

foals as did his sire and sons, *Aramus, Gai-Adventure and

former Director of Janów Podlaski.

*Gwalior — all, in the image and likeness of Skowronek.

Homozygous was a feature recognized as important to geneticists,

A Faraway Eastern Land The Russian Arabian Stud Book (RASB) entry listing *Naborr (Nabor, grey stallion foaled April 13, 1950) itemizes his measurements at 150 centimeters or 15 hands, with a 172

beginning with Charles Darwin, who concluded in 1859 that “Color and constitutional peculiarities go together.”

Pure White, the Fortunate Color of the East

centimeter girth and 18 centimeters of bone as a two-year-old

While sporting a pedigree of champions from around the world,

when he was shipped to Piatygorsk for race training as part of his

*Naborr emerged an international megachampion, not only on

certification for admittance to the breeding program at the Tersk

Russian turf, but in the European bloodstock auction ring and

State Stud. *Naborr passed his test with flying colors by winning

breeding shed. This silver stallion proved to be worth his weight

two out of eight races. In 1954, in Moscow, while representing the

in sterling and engraved his hoof prints in the eternal sands of

Tersk Arabians with his father, Negativ, the stunning *Naborr won

time. Perhaps most astonishing is *Naborr’s record of first-time

the “Certificate of the First Class,” standing second only to his sire

accomplishments.

against all Russian breeds. At the State farm, *Naborr sired four

He was the first Russian-bred stallion imported (via Poland) to

foals in 1955, and five in 1956, for a total of three fillies and six

the United States whose get were registered with the Arabian

colts, of which only one named King was registered in the RASB.

Horse Registry of America (AHRA). From 1962 through 1977, and

None of his fillies were registered. This proved to be the end of the

prior to the Russian Arabian Stud Book’s 1978 approval by the

*Naborr line in the Russia.

World Arabian Horse Organization (WAHO), recognition was

Like the majority of pure-in-the-strain Saklawi Arabians, the

required for registration of imported Russian bloodstock as was

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ARABIAN HORSE TIMES • NOVEMBER 1999

*Naborr — Saga of the silver stallion the case with the Kale imports. *Naborr was the first Arabian to sell at public auction for the sum of $150,000, a feat that occurred in 1969, when he was 19 years old. Until that time, the highest price realized at Arabian auctions in the United States was $25,000 and the public, including successful bidder, Tom Chauncey, anticipated a peak figure of $40,000 to $50,000. *Naborr was the sire of America’s first Arabian Triple Crown mare, the imported *Dornaba (PASB), who, in 1966, won top honors at the Scottsdale All Arabian Show, Canadian Nationals

LEFT: Wayne Newton named his farm after his favorite Naborr son, *Aramus++.

RIGHT: *Dornaba, America’s first Triple Crown mare.

and U.S. Nationals.

variety of disciplines in which they won, the following dynasty

*Naborr was also the leader in commanding a stud fee of five

stars include:

figures in 1970, and inspiring the “Naborr Generation,” as well as the Scottsdale production “Sales of the ‘70s,” which, in turn, led to

*Aramus, (bred by Michalow State Stud, Poland) 1970 U.S. and

further record-breaking prices in the Arabian horse industry!

Canadian National Champion Stallion and Top Ten in Formal Driving, 1972 U.S. National Champion Formal Driving, U.S. Top

The First of Many In 1975, Arabian Exodus was published by British writer/breeder Dame Margaret Greely of the Well House Stud, who devoted one section of the chapter on Great Britain explaining the importance of the immortal Skowronek to Crabbet Park’s eminence. After quoting the account of his sire, the desert bred Ibrahim, and his importation to Poland in1907 by Count Joseph Potocki to the Antoniny Stud, Ms. Greely writes of the serendipitous purchase, in

Ten Park Horse, 1974 U.S. Reserve Champion Formal Combination, 1967 Canadian National Top Ten Stallion,1973 Canadian National Champion Park Horse, and 1974 Canadian National Reserve Champion Formal Driving; The 1974 U.S. National Champion Stallion and 1973 U.S. National Reserve Champion Stallion Gai-Adventure (bred by Dan Gainey) also placed Top Ten at the U.S. Nationals five times and four times at Canada in both halter and

1913, of the classic Skowronek as an artist’s model by the

performance;

expatriate American sculptor, M. Winans who was at that time

Ibn Naborr, (bred by Anne McCormick) 1974 Canadian

working in London; and of Skowronek’s show laurels, while

National Champion Stock Horse and two-time U.S. National

standing at stud for H.V. Musgave Clark as well as his subsequent

Top Ten Stock Horse;

reign at the Crabbet Stud. In a later chapter, the author predicts: “Today, a notable contribution to excellence in Polish-bred horses comes from the Skowronek dynasty through his son Naseem.

Count Naborr,(bred by Guy Stillman) 1980 Canadian National Champion Western Pleasure;

Naseem, bought by Russia from Crabbet, sired Negativ, who sired the

Desert Arrow (bred by Anne McCormick), 1968 U.S. National

Russian bred Nabor [*Naborr]. In the years ahead, Nabor may prove

Top Ten Trail Horse;

to be one of the most significant stallions of our day.”

El Mirage Nabob, (bred by Bill and Dorothy Fisher), 1981 U.S.

This prophecy appears to have been fulfilled as 121 *Naborr

National Top Ten Cutting Futurity and 1982 U.S. National Top

offspring have racked up 569 halter championships and 561 (and

Ten Cutting Novice;

still counting) performance wins for an overall tally of 1,130 and a ratio of more than two wins for every *Naborr son or daughter foaled in the United States (365) or imported here from abroad, which included 14 daughters and 13 sons.

Naborr’s sons and daughters excelled in a wide spectrum of disciplines ranging from halter to stock seat in both open and

*Gwalior, (bred by Michalow State Stud, Poland), 1967 and 1968 U.S. National Top Ten Stallion, 1969, 1970 and 1971 U.S. National Reserve Champion Stallion, 1971 U.S. National Reserve Champion Park Horse, 1972 U.S. Top Ten Park Horse and 1971 Canadian National Champion Stallion;

amateur competition, and they had the national titles to lend

1966 U.S. and Canadian National Champion Mare, 1966 U.S.

credence to his ability to sire a versatile horse. Just to provide a

National Reserve Champion English Pleasure, 1965 U.S.

sampling of the first generation of the *Naborr legacy, and the

National Reserve Champion Mare, and 1964 and 1965 Canadian

ARABIAN HORSE TIMES • NOVEMBER 1999

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*Naborr — Saga of the silver stallion Sir William’s *Gazda, 1973 Canadian Top Ten English Pleasure; WN Winter Park (bred by Wayne Newton) holds three top tens in pleasure driving in the U.S. in 1982 and in Canada in 1981 and 1982; *Eskadra, 1969 Canadian National Reserve Champion Mare, 1965 U.S. Top Ten in Park, 1966 U.S. and Canadian National Top Ten Mare and 1967 U.S. National Top Ten in Formal Driving; LEFT: Riffle, another top winning son of *Naborr. RIGHT: As the first born *Naborr son at Tom Chauncey Arabians, Kaborr went on to win multiple national titles.

Dr. Kale’s Sterling Silver, the 1972 Canadian National Top Ten Mare and 1973 Top Ten Western Pleasure;

Top Ten Mare *Dornaba, (bred by Michalow State Stud, Poland)

Kaborr, the first-born *Naborr son at Tom Chauncey Arabians in

whose full brother, Dardir, was sold to Sweden and became the

1970, went on to win the 1976 U.S. National Top Ten Stallion, 1977

1973 Salon du Cheval Champion Stallion;

and 1979 U.S. National Reserve Champion, 1977 Canadian

*Mirzaz (PASB), a Derby winner in Poland and U.S. Top Ten Park winner; *Galbor, the 1972 U.S. National Champion English Pleasure

National Top Ten Stallion,1978 U.S. National Top Ten Stallion, and 1979 Canadian National Champion Stallion and Western Pleasure Champion, as well as a Salon du Cheval Championship in Paris, France.

AOTR; *Werbor, (bred by Michalow State Stud, Poland), twice a U.S. National Top Ten stallion in 1970 and 1973 and in Canada in 1971; Itsalancer (bred by Don Ford), a three-time U.S. National Top Ten Western Pleasure AOTR and AOTR 17 and under in 1977, 1981 and 1982; *Druzba; the 1965 Canadian Top Ten Stallion; TC Navodka (bred by Tom Chauncey Arabians), 1981 Canadian National Top Ten Ladies Side Saddle;

From Russia with Love In a Journal entry dated April 27, 1900, Lady Anne writes: “Talk about horses at the Paris exhibition, of course I am against sending any but W. [Blunt] has evidently set his heart on some going . . .”

Wilfrid’s promise that, on no account was Crabbet’s prized, senior stallion to be parted with, caused Mesaoud, together with several other of the Stud’s bloodstock, to be shipped to the City of Lights on August 29th. There, the charismatic chestnut was admired by the international set, and serious offers to purchase the Abbas Pasha-bred Mesaoud, who the Blunts had shipped to England

Riffle (bred by Anne Davison) the 1974 U.S. and Canadian

from Egypt in 1891, started to erode Lady Anne’s resistance. “ . . .

National Champion Formal Driving, 1973 U.S. National Champion

Poland and Russia would be a good home for him and he would add

Formal Combination, 1974 Canadian National Reserve Champion

to the C.A.S.’s reputation if placed in one of them.” Russian agent

Park Horse, 1973, 1974 and 1975 U.S. National Top Ten Park

Wladislas Kliniewski paid 240 guineas (big money) for the16-year-

Horse, 1973 Canadian National Top Ten Formal Driving and 1975

old and in 1903, Mesaoud left the Crabbet Stud for Russia. Thirty-

Canadian National Reserve Champion Native Costume;

three years later, Naseem, a grandson of Mesaoud, was sold to

The Phoenician (bred by Lasma Arabian Stud), 1972 U.S.

Russia by Lady Anne’s daughter, the Baroness Wentworth, who

National Top Ten Pleasure Driving and 1972 U.S. National Top Ten

was also responsible, a decade earlier, for securing Skowronek,

English Pleasure AOTR;

the sire of Naseem. Thus, the stage was set for the Saklawi

Naborrin, (bred by Daniel Christy, III), 1982 U.S. National Top Ten Western Pleasure and Canadian National Reserve Champion Western Pleasure and 1983 Canadian National Top Ten Western Pleasure;

Ibrahim male line to come to the USSR and for the Russian-bred Negativ, the premier son of Naseem who was born at Tersk. A total of four Negativ sons stood in Russia. These included *Salon as well as the Grade I-rated *Naborr, a Saklawi Szweykowska, whose dam, Lagodna, had been confiscated by the Russians from Poland

Naborro (bred by Guy Stillman), 1973 and 1974 U.S. National Top

(via Germany), along with Taraszcza (by Enwer-Bey, also

Ten Park Horse;

evacuated), the aged Gazella II, Elegantka, Mammona and more

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ARABIAN HORSE TIMES • NOVEMBER 1999

*Naborr — Saga of the silver stallion winter in a 100 years. Add to the drama a storm-wracked crossing

than 70 treasured Janów Podlaski broodmares.

The time was 1939, the setting World War II, and the Russians,

of the Atlantic, a doldrum in the Horse Latitudes (that’s where

who had previously acquired horses by “honorable” means — the

sailors used to dump the equine loads in those days), hay supplies

purchases of Arabian stock from Hungary and France in 1930’s,

running on “minus empty” and a dockworker’s strike in New York

plus the extraordinary Naseem along with “large draft of her [Lady

harbor, and one has a Walter Farley masterpiece plot. The reality?

Wentworth’s] famous stock . . . to form two new Arab studs in

One mare aborted at sea and died; the fabled *Bask arrived skinny

Soviet Russia . . .” (from The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic

and battered; ditto for a dozen more of Poland’s finest Arabians

News, 1936), reverted to the tactics of their Cossack ancestors.

— except *Naborr. . .

The Polish “war spoils” were literally marched (the mares, some

Harold Dougherty, the McCormick Ranch Manager, traveled to

with foals by their sides, were hand-walked, while the stallions

New York to meet the ship when it docked. Unable to contain his

were trucked) to the border and adjacent Tersk Stud. There

excitement, he hired a launch and boarded the ship in the harbor.

*Naborr’s valued sire, Negativ (Naseem x Taraszcza) was foaled

As *Naborr emerged from his makeshift stall, Dougherty was

in 1945. Following 11 years at stud for the Russians, this three-

thrilled to note the tranquil appearance of the regal Arabian

quarter Polish-bred stallion was then sold to Poland in 1962,

stallion. Unscathed with only a moderate weight loss, *Naborr

where his name was changed to Negatiw. This sale was

had shown himself a true Arabian “war horse” — able to withstand

subsequent to that of his Russian-born son *Naborr, who had

and rise above all physical hardship. Following his quarantine and

been purchased by the Poles in 1955, as the “National Horse Stud”

homecoming, Mrs. McCormick realized ample rewards for her

was intent upon restoring the Ibrahim/Skowronek sire line of its

faith in his value as *Naborr assumed all stud duties at her

Polish program to pre-war condition. With the return of Negatiw

Arizona ranch and produced multi-“Desert” champions for the

to his Polish roots, the way was paved for the release of *Naborr

next six years. With his book closed to all but a few of the

for adventures beyond the Polish State Studs of Michalow and the

Scottsdale favored — Drs. LaCroix and Kale, Emile Goyette, Dan

Klikowa Stallion Depot. Unbeknownst to his many admirers,

Gainey and Bazy Tankersley — *Naborr’s harem averaged a mere

which at this point included the Americans Dr. LaCroix, Dr.

10 foals yearly from 1964 to 1970, which makes his status as a sire

Howard Kale and a Scottsdale contingent headed by Anne

of more than 100 champions even more remarkable.

McCormick (heir to the “reaper” fortune), the elegant, typey white stallion was thrust upon the world market.

The Silver Dealer and the Silver Deal

The Hobo wins the Heiress’ Heart The 1962 edition of Webster’s Dictionary lists hobo as itinerant workman — a definition which fits *Naborr to the degree that he had worked his way through the breeding sheds of Russia, then Poland and was destined to hitch a ride on a “slow boat” to the fabled land of opportunity — America! Actually, what happened in Scottsdale, in late 1962, was that a very wealthy lady, Mrs. McCormick, would not take “No” for a final answer — not from Dr. LaCroix, not from Ms. Lindsay in England, not from Animex in Poland — and her first choice, *Naborr, was added (tres cher) to the shipment of 15 Polish Arabians loaded in January 1963, during Poland’s worst ARABIAN HORSE TIMES • NOVEMBER 1999

In 1969, at the age of 19, *Naborr commanded the highest price ever paid at public auction for an Arabian.

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*Naborr — Saga of the silver stallion Texas and a self-made man in Phoenix. Beginning as an apprentice in the jewelry trade (Arizona’s “silver dealers”), both the storeowner and Mr. Chauncey prospered. Twenty years later, he owned the business and then masterminded and co-owned a couple of broadcasting networks in partnership with Gene Autrey. Later he developed some land near Scottsdale where he raised racing Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses.

Chauncey was a community leader with the wherewithal to reign as a collector of art treasures, which were selected with an appreciative eye for true beauty and value. With this background in mind, one can understand the genuine attraction that the “Master Jewel,” *Naborr, exerted on Chauncey, a connoisseur of all things bright and beautiful. And truly, the singular man and his silver stallion lived happily together — a one-on-one Tom Chauncey with the “Master Jewel” *Naborr.

deal made under Arizona skies by two “originals” who came by convoluted

Upon Anne McCormick’s death in 1969, all of her Arabians were put

ways to share their lives’ adventures.

up for purchase at auction, including her heart’s delight, the 19-year-old

*Naborr. Tom Chauncey, one of Mrs. McCormick’s circle of Scottsdale

In 1973, Wayne Newton took out a two-page “Announcement” in

friends, had fallen under *Naborr’s spell at the McCormick Ranch in

the major Arabian breed magazines that read:

1963 and had convinced his wife, Dee Dee, as well as associates Gene

Autrey (Hollywood’s cowboy) and Wayne Newton (Las Vegas super-

homes, two owners, then surely, “We.” Now at a time in his life when

star) that this was the horse to watch in Phoenix. And the rest,

he deserves the best, he has one home, one “Master,” then surely

as they say, made history.

“you.”

Tom Chauncey’s life reads like the American promise of rags to riches,

Dear Tom — at a time in *Naborr’s life when he had two

Sincerely, Wayne

and he made good in the manner of a true Southern gentleman — born in

*NABORR [NABOR] PEDIGREE

Sire line: Ibrahim (three crosses in pedigree) Dam line: Lezginka (two crosses) PASB, Antoniny, 1895

Ibrahim

Skowronek

Jaskolka

Naseem Daoud

Nasra

Nefisa

Negativ

Abu-Mlech

Enwer Bey Koalicja

Taraszcza Kohejlan

Gazella II

Abra *Naborr

Ibrahim

Posejdon

Sultan

Najada

Nowela

Lagodna

Ganges

Hardy

Gazella II

Obra Koheilan I

Ikwa

Elstera 98

ARABIAN HORSE TIMES • NOVEMBER 1999

*Naborr — Saga of the silver stallion Eugene LaCroix, MD = Scottsdale leader for the 1963 Polish When reminiscing about *Naborr, Tom Chauncey would declare,

importation, which included *Bask, as well as *Naborr. Founder of Lasma

“I’ve never gone out to the barn at any time of day or night that

Arabians, managed by Gene LaCroix, his talented son.

he doesn’t talk to me. . . and it’s always in a very low chortle.”

McCormick Ranch = First home of *Naborr upon his 1963 importation.

“In my mind, Tom and *Naborr are almost synonymous,” Dee

Site of the early 1960’s Scottsdale All Arabian Shows at the Paradise Park

Dee Chauncey stated in a mid-1980 interview. “I’d like to see them

facility, underwritten by Mr. and Mrs. Fowler McCormick.

go down in history as having made an impact on the breed. I

Michalów State Stud = Post WW II Polish Arabian farm, where *Naborr

would like our horses [Tom Chauncey Arabians] perpetuated in a

and his father, Negativ (Negatiw-Polish spelling) were sires.

meaningful way — like the names of Harris, Davenport and

Obra (Hardy x Ikwa) = *Naborr’s Polish grandam (1933) who was

Crabbet.” Dee Dee’s wish was certainly realized as *Naborr

bred to Posejdon (by Ibrahim) and foaled Lagodna (translation

proved himself as a superior breeding stallion. His ability to sire

“gentle”) in 1939.

excellent offspring with mares of diverse bloodlines placed him

Odilgard = Name given Lagodna at German Trakhener Stud, where she

among the Arabian elite.

was evacuated from Poland in 1939. There she was bred to Trakheners,

The Bedouins have a word for an Arabian horse of the highest

which gave *Naborr a few Half-Arabian siblings.

caste —the equivalent of “ultimate quality,” with the docility of a

PASB = The abbreviation for Polish Arabian Stud Book; 1st Vol. published

true desert companion. The term is chandi, and it translates to the

in 1932 by the Arab Horse Breeding Society (Polish & English).

English term “silver” — as in *Naborr, the silver stallion.

RASB = The abbreviation for Russian Arabian Stud Book, whose Volume

*NABORR TERMINOLOGY — WHO’S WHO

I (listing Nabor/*Naborr) was not accepted by WAHO until 1978, when an English translation became available.

Animex = Polish Arabian sales agency operated by the Ministry

Saklawi = Bedouin strain name (generic) denoting extreme

of Foreign Trade, which regulates all export documentation/

Arabian type.

services.

TC = Farm prefix for Tom Chauncey Arabians, a Scottsdale facility

Antoniny Stud = Established 1883 by Count Joseph Potocki upon

custom-built for showcasing *Naborr, until his death in 1977.

his wife’s inheritance of land/1790 Polish Slawuta Stud. Birthplace

Tom Chauncey = A business and community leader, he was also a

of Skowronek, sire of Naseem, sire of Negativ, sire of *Naborr.

connoisseur of quality Arabians, leaving behind a legacy that continues

Autrey, Gene = “The singing cowboy” and silent partner in the

to thrive today.

1969 purchase of *Naborr by Tom Chauncey and Wayne

WN = Farm prefix for Wayne Newton’s Aramus Stud, named after

Newton.

C.A.S. = Crabbet Arabian Stud, established in 1877 with the importation of the Desert Bred filly, Dajania, *Naborr’s great, great, great grandam via Naseem.

DB = The abbreviation for a horse bred in the desert — e.g. Heijer, sire of Ibrahim; also, “or. Ar.” meaning “original Arabian,” desert import.

Dee Dee Wrigley Chauncey = Daughter of chewing gum heir,

his favorite *Naborr son, *Aramus (imported in 1968 by the Burtons of Wisconsin), and sire of champions for Newton at his estate near Las Vegas.

Wayne Newton = Early business associate of Tom Chauncey and an “Arabian Ambassador,” who was given his start to stardom as a teenager on Chauncey’s TV stations. The two were partners with Autrey in *Naborr’s 1969 “Rock-the-Industry” auction purchase. ❑

Philip K. Wrigley, whose horse kingdom was established 1930 on Santa Catalina with Davenport Arabians descending from A. W. Harris’ race-winning Kaaba. Dee Dee’s family visited the Island yearly where she became a knowledgeable rider and Arabian breeder. She married her ardent admirer, Tom Chauncey, in Phoenix, in 1959.

Ibrahim = Progenitor of Skowronek/linebred Saklawi silver stallions; *Naborr, his great grandson, had two extra crosses to him/his dam line.

Janów Podlaski Stud = Established in 1817 near Warsaw, the birthplace of Taraszcza, dam of Negativ, and Obra, grandam of *Naborr, both mares were confiscated by Russia during WWII. ARABIAN HORSE TIMES • NOVEMBER 1999

*Naborr.

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