USA Breed history
The American Bombay was "masterminded" in 1958 by Nikki Horner of Shawnee Cattery of Louisville, Kentucky who at the time was breeding both American Shorthairs and Burmese, the two breeds used to develop this distinctive black cat. Horner's declared mission was to create a new breed by combining the two breeds and described her vision of a mini Black Panther resembling the indigenous Panthers of India, with the well developed musculature of the Burmese and a glossy black coat with a "patent-leather" sheen and, eyes that shone like "new-pennies".
In an article published in the Cat Fanciers Almanac of 1991, Horner writes of her early frustrations when she was unable to find a ready market for her first generations of "half-breeds". Cat fanciers were reluctant to support a new breed that did not have the blessing and recognition of the powerful registering bodies in the USA. Her breeding programme from 1966 to 1972 produced twenty seven litters with a total of 106 kittens. What she was unable to sell, Horner gave to friends and to good homes as pets.
The American Bombay was founded on the following stud cats: sable Burmese, Shawnee Cassius Clay, Shawnee Little Brown Jug and Shawnee Col. Casey. The black American Shorthairs studs introduced the desired coat colour and eye colour and were: David Copperfield and Shawnee Shot in the Dark. The queens included Esquire Escapade, David's Black Onyx and Shawnee Obsidian.
Nikki Horner worked diligently to get the Bombay recognised by exhibiting them at various shows and displaying them at Annual Meetings of various associations and cat clubs. In 1970, at the Annual Meeting of the CFA in Niagara Falls, Jean Rose moved that the Bombay be accepted for registration which was apparently carried unanimously. Eventually in 1976, the Bombay was formally recognised by the CFA and given championship status.
For more information see The Cat Fanciers Web Site.