ABOUT US
Canning Downs was established in 1840 and is the oldest homestead in Queensland. The property’s long standing reputation for raising supreme thoroughbreds has been built on excellent breeding country and a quality over quantity philosophy.
THE BRAND
The Shield brand traces to Henry Barnes of Dyraaba Station in the NSW Northern Rivers where it was applied from 1860 to his stud cattle and horses. Henry was considered a good judge of stock and published comments indicate that the brand was highly regarded:
“Besides these (cattle) were thoroughbred horses, some of which Henry Barnes trained and raced from his own private track. The Clydesdales and ponies were famous throughout the whole of Australia, and the old Shield brand the very hall mark of good stock.”