Generally recognized as the best American 3-year-old filly of 1927, Nimba was on a par with the best colts of her year. Unfortunately, she was not a successful broodmare and had no lasting influence on pedigrees.
Race record
13 starts, 7 wins, 1 second, 1 third, US$74,075
1927:
1928:
Honors
American champion 3-year-old filly (1927)
As an individual
A bay mare, Nimba was considered exceptionally attractive although she had a bad knee. She had fine natural speed and preferred to control her races from the front end.
As a producer
Nimba produced eight named foals, of which five started and four won. The best on the racetrack was Nimbus (by Stimulus), second in the 1933 Belmont Stakes. Nimba also produced Vaporize (by Jacopo), second dam of juvenile stakes winner Mr. Fog and third dam of the good stakes winner Ginger Fizz.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Nimba was bred by Arthur B. Hancock. She was owned by Marshall Field III and trained by George Odom. She remained in Field's ownership throughout her broodmare career.
Pedigree notes
Nimba is inbred 4x4 to the great St. Simon. She is a half sister to the good handicapper Calumet Dick (by Gallant Fox) and to 1926 Latonia Cup winner Percussion (by Omar Khayyam), dam of juvenile stakes winner Irksome (by Diavolo) and second dam of 1954 Le Compte Handicap winner Futuresque and steeplechase stakes winner Tetrol. Nimba is also a half sister to Concession (by Campfire), dam of multiple juvenile stakes winner Privileged (by Sir Gallahad III), and to White Favor (by Sir Gallahad III), dam of 1936 Withers Stakes winner White Cockade (by Diavolo) and 1952 Everglades Handicap winner One Throw (by Some Chance) and second dam of three stakes winners including 1957 Ashland Stakes winner Jota Jota.
Nimba's dam Martha Snow is by 1908 American champion 2-year-old male Sir Martin (an Ogden half brother to Sir Barton) out of 1915 Oaks Stakes winner Snow Marten (by Martagon). The next dam in the tail-female lineage, Siberia (by St. Simon) won the 1908 Nassau Stakes, Yorkshire Oaks and Park Hill Stakes and is out of Sirenia (by Gallinule), the best Irish juvenile filly of her generation and a notable foundation mare.
Books and media
Nimba is profiled in Chapter 5 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Fun facts
Race record
13 starts, 7 wins, 1 second, 1 third, US$74,075
1927:
- Won Alabama Stakes (USA, 10FD, Saratoga)
- Won Coaching Club American Oaks (USA, 11FD, Belmont)
- Won Lawrence Realization (USA, 13FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Travers Stakes (USA, 10FD, Saratoga)
1928:
- Won Metropolitan Handicap (USA, 8FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Empire City Handicap (USA, 10FD, Empire City)
Honors
American champion 3-year-old filly (1927)
As an individual
A bay mare, Nimba was considered exceptionally attractive although she had a bad knee. She had fine natural speed and preferred to control her races from the front end.
As a producer
Nimba produced eight named foals, of which five started and four won. The best on the racetrack was Nimbus (by Stimulus), second in the 1933 Belmont Stakes. Nimba also produced Vaporize (by Jacopo), second dam of juvenile stakes winner Mr. Fog and third dam of the good stakes winner Ginger Fizz.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Nimba was bred by Arthur B. Hancock. She was owned by Marshall Field III and trained by George Odom. She remained in Field's ownership throughout her broodmare career.
Pedigree notes
Nimba is inbred 4x4 to the great St. Simon. She is a half sister to the good handicapper Calumet Dick (by Gallant Fox) and to 1926 Latonia Cup winner Percussion (by Omar Khayyam), dam of juvenile stakes winner Irksome (by Diavolo) and second dam of 1954 Le Compte Handicap winner Futuresque and steeplechase stakes winner Tetrol. Nimba is also a half sister to Concession (by Campfire), dam of multiple juvenile stakes winner Privileged (by Sir Gallahad III), and to White Favor (by Sir Gallahad III), dam of 1936 Withers Stakes winner White Cockade (by Diavolo) and 1952 Everglades Handicap winner One Throw (by Some Chance) and second dam of three stakes winners including 1957 Ashland Stakes winner Jota Jota.
Nimba's dam Martha Snow is by 1908 American champion 2-year-old male Sir Martin (an Ogden half brother to Sir Barton) out of 1915 Oaks Stakes winner Snow Marten (by Martagon). The next dam in the tail-female lineage, Siberia (by St. Simon) won the 1908 Nassau Stakes, Yorkshire Oaks and Park Hill Stakes and is out of Sirenia (by Gallinule), the best Irish juvenile filly of her generation and a notable foundation mare.
Books and media
Nimba is profiled in Chapter 5 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Fun facts
- The Nimba Handicap was a race for fillies and mares at Belmont Park.
- “Nimba” is the Sanskrit word from which the Hindi “neem” derives and is sometimes applied to the neem tree, Azadirachta indica, which produces drooping panicles of white, fragrant flowers. The name may also refer to the Nimba Range, a mountain chain lying along the border between the African nations of Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire.