Phar Lap

Phar Lap was also the name of a computer software company

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Phar Lap was a thoroughbred horse who is considered by many to be one of the world's greatest racehorses. Although Phar Lap was bred in New Zealand, he was very much a part of the Australian racing scene during his long and distinguished career, and was sometimes called "Australia's wonder horse". He was also called "The Red Terror" and "Big Red" the same nickname as the two greatest racehorses ever, Man O' War and Secretariat.

Related Topics:
Thoroughbred - Horse - Racehorses - New Zealand - Australian - Man O' War - Secretariat

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• Sire: Night Raid - (United Kingdom), b. 1918
• Dam: Entreaty - (New Zealand), b. 1920

Phar Lap was foaled in Timaru, New Zealand in 1926. The name Phar Lap derives from the shared Zhuang and Thai word for lightninghttp://www.museum.vic.gov.au/pharlap/horse/lightning.asp (Thai: ?????? {{IPA|fáa l??p}}, lit. 'sky flash'). He was purchased for 160gns and taken to Australia by the new owner, American-born sportsman, David J. Davis.

Related Topics:
Timaru - New Zealand - 1926 - Zhuang - Thai - Australia - American

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In his four years of racing, Phar Lap won 37 of the 51 races in which he was entered, including the prestigious Melbourne Cup in 1930. In that year and 1931, he won 14 races in a row. From his win as a 3 year old in the VRC St. Leger Stakes until his final race in Mexico, Phar Lap won 32 of 35 races. In the three races which he did not win, he ran 2nd on two occassions, beaten by a short head and a neck, and in the 1931 Melbourne Cup he finished 8th when carrying 10 st 10 lbs (68 kg).

Related Topics:
Melbourne Cup - 1930 - 1931 - VRC

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In 1930, someone (alleged to have been a bookmaker losing vast amounts of money) tried to shoot the horse.

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For his final race in 1932, Phar Lap's owner shipped him by boat to a racetrack near Tijuana, Mexico to compete in the Agua Caliente Handicap, which was offering the largest purse ever raced for in North America. Phar Lap won in track-record time while carrying 129 pounds (58.5 kg). From there, the horse was sent to a private ranch near Menlo Park, California while his owner negotiated with racetrack officials for special race appearances.

Related Topics:
1932 - Tijuana - Mexico - North America - Menlo Park - California

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Early on April 5, 1932, the horse's trainer found him in severe pain, carrying a high temperature. Within a few hours, Phar Lap hemorrhaged to death. Much speculation ensued, and when an autopsy revealed that the horse's stomach and intestines were inflamed, many believed the horse had been deliberately poisoned. There have been alternate theories, including accidental poisoning from lead insecticide and a stomach condition. At any rate, he never had the opportunity to confront the great Equipoise, the so called Chocolate Soldier by his fans, and the dominant American thoroughbred racehorse of the day, horse of the year in 1932 and 1933 and an exceptional performer in his own right.

Related Topics:
April 5 - 1932 - Hemorrhaged - Poisoned - Equipoise - 1933

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Following his death his heart was donated to the Institute of Anatomy in Canberra and his skeleton to the Te Papa New Zealand National Museum in Wellington. After preparations of the hide by a New York City taxidermist, his stuffed body was placed in the Australia Gallery at Melbourne Museum.

Related Topics:
Canberra - Te Papa - Wellington - New York City - Taxidermist - Melbourne Museum

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When news of Phar Lap's death reached Australia, many sporting champions paid tribute to the great horse, including Australia's leading cyclist, Hubert Opperman who said, "I am not a follower of horse-racing, but like every Australian with red blood in their veins, I have followed with close interest Phar Lap's gallops to world fame. Even during the Tour de France, I've had strangers ask after our champion racehorse, and had it been possible for him to visit the Continent, he would have been received with royal honours. He was truly a great boost for Australia and, like every other Australian, I mourn his passing. In my opinion, there is nothing maudlin in a nation mourning the loss of a racehorse when that horse is Phar Lap."

Related Topics:
Hubert Opperman - Tour de France - Continent

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Several books and films have been written about the horse, including the 1983 movie, Phar Lap or Phar Lap: Heart of a Nation. A song, "Phar Lap—Farewell To You", was also written.

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In the Blood-Horse magazine ranking of the top 100 U.S. thoroughbred champions of the 20th Century, Phar Lap was ranked #22.

Related Topics:
Blood-Horse magazine - Top 100 U.S. thoroughbred champions of the 20th Century

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Phar Lap: Racing Record ►