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'''Phar Lap''' (1926–1932) was a champion [[Thoroughbred]] [[Thoroughbred horse race|racehorse]] whose achievements captured the public's imagination during the early years of the [[Great Depression]]. Foaled in New Zealand,<ref name="Facts">{{cite web | title = The Facts | publisher = Museum Victoria | url = http://museumvictoria.com.au/PharLap/facts/index.asp | accessdate = 2009-04-24}}</ref> he was trained and raced in Australia.<ref name="TheHorse">{{cite web | title = The Horse | publisher = Museum Victoria | url = http://museumvictoria.com.au/pharlap/horse/index.asp | accessdate = 2009-04-24}}</ref> Phar Lap dominated Australian racing during a distinguished career, winning a [[Melbourne Cup]], two [[Cox Plate]]s and 19 other [[weight for age]] races.<ref>{{cite web | title = Phar Lap | publisher = Thoroughbred Heritage | url = http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/PharLap.html | accessdate = 2009-04-24}}</ref><ref name="TheStory">{{cite web | title = Story of Phar Lap | publisher = pharlap.org.nz | url = http://www.pharlap.org.nz/story.html | accessdate = 2009-04-24}}</ref> He then won the [[Agua Caliente Handicap]] in Tijuana, Mexico in track-record time in his final race.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://museumvictoria.com.au/pharlap/leaving/agua.asp|title=Phar Lap, Agua Caliente|publisher=Museum of Victoria|page=1|accessdate=2009-04-24}}</ref> After a sudden and mysterious illness, Phar Lap died in 1932. At the time, he was the third highest stakes-winner in the world.
'''Phar Lap''' MYLES (1926–1932) was a champion [[Thoroughbred]] [[Thoroughbred horse race|racehorse]] whose achievements captured the public's imagination during the early years of the [[Great Depression]]. Foaled in New Zealand,<ref name="Facts">{{cite web | title = The Facts | publisher = Museum Victoria | url = http://museumvictoria.com.au/PharLap/facts/index.asp | accessdate = 2009-04-24}}</ref> he was trained and raced in Australia.<ref name="TheHorse">{{cite web | title = The Horse | publisher = Museum Victoria | url = http://museumvictoria.com.au/pharlap/horse/index.asp | accessdate = 2009-04-24}}</ref> Phar Lap dominated Australian racing during a distinguished career, winning a [[Melbourne Cup]], two [[Cox Plate]]s and 19 other [[weight for age]] races.<ref>{{cite web | title = Phar Lap | publisher = Thoroughbred Heritage | url = http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/PharLap.html | accessdate = 2009-04-24}}</ref><ref name="TheStory">{{cite web | title = Story of Phar Lap | publisher = pharlap.org.nz | url = http://www.pharlap.org.nz/story.html | accessdate = 2009-04-24}}</ref> He then won the [[Agua Caliente Handicap]] in Tijuana, Mexico in track-record time in his final race.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://museumvictoria.com.au/pharlap/leaving/agua.asp|title=Phar Lap, Agua Caliente|publisher=Museum of Victoria|page=1|accessdate=2009-04-24}}</ref> After a sudden and mysterious illness, Phar Lap died in 1932. At the time, he was the third highest stakes-winner in the world.


His [[Taxidermy|mounted hide]] is displayed at the [[Melbourne Museum]], his skeleton at [[Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa]] and his heart at the [[National Museum of Australia]] in Canberra.<ref name="HallofFame">{{cite web | title = Phar Lap | publisher = The Australian Racing Museum | url = http://www.racingmuseum.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=61&Itemid=253 | accessdate = 2009-04-24}}</ref><ref name="PharLap'sHeart">{{cite web | title = Phar Lap's heart | publisher = National Museum of Australia | url = http://www.nma.gov.au/collections/collection_highlights/australian_society_and_history_since_1788/pharlaps_heart/ | accessdate = 2009-04-24}}</ref>
His [[Taxidermy|mounted hide]] is displayed at the [[Melbourne Museum]], his skeleton at [[Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa]] and his heart at the [[National Museum of Australia]] in Canberra.<ref name="HallofFame">{{cite web | title = Phar Lap | publisher = The Australian Racing Museum | url = http://www.racingmuseum.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=61&Itemid=253 | accessdate = 2009-04-24}}</ref><ref name="PharLap'sHeart">{{cite web | title = Phar Lap's heart | publisher = National Museum of Australia | url = http://www.nma.gov.au/collections/collection_highlights/australian_society_and_history_since_1788/pharlaps_heart/ | accessdate = 2009-04-24}}</ref>

Revision as of 23:55, 12 October 2010

For the film about the racehorse, see Phar Lap (film). For the software company, see Phar Lap (company).
Phar Lap
Phar Lap with jockey Jim Pike at Flemington Racecourse c 1930
SireNight Raid (GB)
GrandsireRadium (GB)
DamEntreaty (NZ)
DamsireWinkie (GB)
SexGelding
Foaled1926
CountryNew Zealand
ColourChestnut
BreederAlick Roberts
OwnerDavid Davis and Harry Telford
TrainerHarry Telford
Record51:37–3–2
Earnings£A66,738[1]
Major wins
AJC Derby (1929)
Victoria Derby (1929)
Linlithgow Stakes (1930)
Futurity Stakes (1930)
Melbourne Cup (1930)
Chipping Norton Stakes (1930)
Cox Plate (1930 & 1931)
Melbourne Stakes (1930 & 1931)
Underwood Stakes (1931)
Agua Caliente Handicap (1932)
Honours
#22 – Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century
1983 Motion Picture – Phar Lap: Heart of a Nation
Australian Racing Hall of Fame
New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame
Last updated on 29 April 2009[2]

Phar Lap MYLES (1926–1932) was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse whose achievements captured the public's imagination during the early years of the Great Depression. Foaled in New Zealand,[3] he was trained and raced in Australia.[4] Phar Lap dominated Australian racing during a distinguished career, winning a Melbourne Cup, two Cox Plates and 19 other weight for age races.[5][6] He then won the Agua Caliente Handicap in Tijuana, Mexico in track-record time in his final race.[7] After a sudden and mysterious illness, Phar Lap died in 1932. At the time, he was the third highest stakes-winner in the world.

His mounted hide is displayed at the Melbourne Museum, his skeleton at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and his heart at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.[1][8]

Name

The name Phar Lap derives from the shared Zhuang language and Thai word for lightning: ฟ้าแลบ [fáa lɛ̂p], lit. 'sky flash'.[6][9]

Phar Lap was called the "Wonder Horse", "Red Terror", "Bobby" and "Big Red" (the latter nickname was also given to two of the greatest US racehorses, Man o' War and Secretariat).[10][11] He was sometimes referred as "Australia's wonder horse".[who?][12]

According to the Museum Victoria, Aubrey Ping, a student at the University of Sydney, suggested "farlap" as the horse's name. Telford liked the name, but changed the F to PH to create a seven letter word, which was split in two in keeping with the dominant naming pattern of Melbourne Cup winners.[13]

Early life

A chestnut gelding, Phar Lap was foaled on 4 October 1926 in Seadown[6] near Timaru in the South Island of New Zealand.[4] He was sired by Night Raid from Entreaty by Winkie. He was by the same sire as the Melbourne Cup winner Nightmarch.

Sydney trainer Harry Telford persuaded American businessman David J. Davis to buy the colt at auction, based on his pedigree. Telford's brother Hugh, who lived in New Zealand, was asked to bid up to 190 guineas at the 1928 Trentham Yearling Sales. When the horse was obtained for a mere 160 guineas, he thought it was a great bargain until the colt arrived in Australia. The horse was gangly, his face was covered with warts, and he had an awkward gait. Davis was furious when he saw the colt as well, and refused to pay to train the horse. Telford had not been particularly successful as a trainer, and Davis was one of his few remaining owners. To placate Davis, he agreed to train the horse for nothing, in exchange for a two-thirds share of any winnings.[14] Telford leased the horse for three years and was eventually sold joint ownership by Davis.[14]

Although standing a winning racehorse at stud could be quite lucrative, Telford gelded Phar Lap anyway, hoping the colt would concentrate on racing.

Phar Lap finished last in the first race and did not place in his next three races. He won his first race on 27 April 1929, the Maiden Juvenile Handicap at Rosehill, ridden by Jack Baker of Armidale, a 17-year-old apprentice.[15] He didn't race for several months but was then entered in a series of races, in which he moved up in class. Phar Lap took second in the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick on 14 September 1929 and the racing community started treating him with respect.

As his achievements grew, there were some who tried to halt his progress. Criminals tried to shoot Phar Lap[16][10] on the morning of Saturday 1 November 1930 after he had finished track work. They missed, and later that day he won the Melbourne Stakes, and three days later the Melbourne Cup as odds-on favourite at 8 to 11.[17]

Racing life

Phar Lap winning the Melbourne Cup Race from Second Wind and Shadow King on 5 November 1930.

In the four years of his racing career, Phar Lap won 37 of 51 races he entered, including the Melbourne Cup in 1930 with 9 st 12 lb (61.5 kg, or 138 lbs).[18] In that year and 1931, he won 14 races in a row. From his win as a three-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 that he did not win, he ran second on two occasions, beaten by a short head and a neck, and in the 1931 Melbourne Cup he finished eighth when carrying 10 st 10 lb (68 kg).

Phar Lap at the time was owned by American businessman David J. Davis and leased to Telford. After their three-year lease agreement ended, Telford had enough money to become joint owner of the horse. Davis then had Phar Lap shipped to America in order to race. Telford did not agree with this decision and refused to go, so Davis sent Tom Woodcock.[14] Phar Lap was shipped by boat to Agua Caliente 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) and was ridden by Billy Elliot for his seventh win from seven rides.[19] 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.

Death

Phar Lap's heart at the National Museum of Australia. It was formerly held by the Institute of Anatomy in Canberra.

Early on 5 April 1932, the horse's strapper for the North American visit, Tommy Woodcock, found him in severe pain and having a high temperature. Within a few hours, Phar Lap haemorrhaged to death. Much speculation ensued, and when a necropsy revealed that the horse's stomach and intestines were inflamed, many believed the horse had been deliberately poisoned. There have been alternative theories, including accidental poisoning from lead insecticide and a stomach condition. It was not until the 1980s that the infection could be formally identified.

In 2000, equine specialists studying the two necropsies concluded[20] that Phar Lap probably died of duodenitis-proximal jejunitis, an acute bacterial gastroenteritis.

However, in 2006 Australian Synchrotron Research scientists said it was almost certain Phar Lap was poisoned with a large single dose of arsenic in the hours before he died, perhaps supporting the theory that Phar Lap was killed on the orders of U.S. gangsters, who feared the Melbourne-Cup-winning champion would inflict big losses on their illegal bookmakers.[21] No real evidence of involvement by a criminal element exists, however.[22]

Sydney veterinarian Dr Percy Sykes believes poisoning did not cause the death. He said "In those days, arsenic was quite a common tonic, usually given in the form of a solution (Fowler's Solution)," and suggests this was the cause of the high levels. "It was so common that I'd reckon 90 per cent of the horses had arsenic in their system."[23] In December 2007 Phar Lap's mane was tested to find if he was given repeated doses of arsenic which, if found, would point to accidental poisoning.

On 19 June 2008, the Melbourne Museum released the findings of the forensic investigation conducted by Dr. Ivan Kempson, University of South Australia, and Dermot Henry, Natural Science Collections at Museum Victoria. Dr. Kempson took six hairs from Phar Lap’s mane and analyzed them at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago. These high resolution x-rays detect arsenic in hair samples, showing the specific difference "between arsenic, which had entered the hair cells via the blood and arsenic, which had infused the hair cells by the taxidermy process when he was stuffed and mounted at the museum".[24][25]

Kempson and Henry discovered that in the 30 to 40 hours before Phar Lap’s death, the horse ingested a massive dose of arsenic. "We can't speculate where the arsenic came from, but it was easily accessible at the time," Henry said.[26]

Cultural impact

Following his death, Phar Lap's heart was donated to the Institute of Anatomy in Canberra and his skeleton to the New Zealand's 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. The hide and the skeleton were put on exhibition together when Wellington's Te Papa Museum lent the skeleton to the Melbourne Museum in September 2010 as part of celebrations for the 150th running of the Melbourne Cup.

Phar Lap's heart was remarkable for its size, weighing 6.2 kg, compared with a normal horse's heart at 3.2 kg. Now held at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, it is the object visitors most often request to see. Several books and films have featured Phar Lap, including the 1983 film Phar Lap, and the song "Phar Lap—Farewell To You".

Phar Lap was one of five inaugural inductees into both the Australian Racing Hall of Fame and New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. In the Blood-Horse magazine ranking of the Top 100 U.S. Thoroughbred champions of the 20th century, Phar Lap was ranked No. 22.

The horse is considered to be a national icon in both Australia and New Zealand.[27][28][29] In 1978 he was honoured on a postage stamp issued by Australia Post[30] and features in the Australian citizenship test.[31] A $500,000 life-sized bronze memorial to Phar Lap and was unveiled on 25 November 2009 near his birthplace at Timaru.[28]

Phar Lap Software, Inc. was named after the horse.

Racing record

1928–29 season as a two year old

Result Race Distance Weight Winner or 2nd Pos'n
– RRC Nursery Hcp 5 1/2f 6.11 Exact 1st
– Hawkesbury Two Year Old Hcp 5f 7.3 Sheila 1st
– RRC Nursery Hcp 6f 6.7 My Talisman 1st
– AJC Easter Stakes 7f 7.6 Carradale 1st
Won RRC Maiden Juvenile Hcp 6f 7.9 Voleuse 2nd

1929–30 season as a three year old

Result Race Distance Weight Winner or 2nd Pos'n
– AJC Denham Court Hcp 6f 7.2 Killarney 1st
– RRC Three Year Old Hcp 7f 7.13 Firbolg / King Crow 1st
– RRC Three & Four Year Old Hcp 7f 7.6 Ticino 1st
– AJC Warwick Stakes (wfa) 8f 7.6 Limerick 1st
2nd Tatts Chelmsford Stakes (wfa) 9f 7.6 Mollison 1st
Won RRC Rosehill Guineas 9f 8.5 Lorason 2nd
Won AJC Derby 12f 8.10 Carradale 2nd
Won AJC Craven Plate (wfa) 10f 7.8 Mollison 2nd
Won VRC Derby 12f 8.10 Carradale 2nd
3rd VRC Melbourne Cup 2 m 7.6 Nightmarch 1st
3rd VATC St George Stakes (wfa) 9f 8.10 Amounis 1st
Won VRC St Leger Stakes 14f 8.10 Sir Ribble 2nd
Won VRC Governor's Plate (wfa) 12f 7.13 Lineage 2nd
Won VRC King's Plate (wfa) 2 m 7.11 Second Wind 2nd
Won AJC Chipping Norton Stakes (wfa) 10f 8.10 Amounis 2nd
Won AJC St Leger 14f 8.10 Sir Ribble 2nd
Won AJC Cumberland Stakes (wfa) 14f 8.1 Donald 2nd
Won AJC Plate (wfa) 2 1/4 m 7.13 Nightmarch 2nd
Won SAJC Elder Stakes (wfa) 9f 8.4 Fruition 2nd
Won SAJC King's Cup 12f 9.5 Nadean 2nd

1930–31 season as a four year old

Result Race Distance Weight Winner or 2nd Pos'n
2nd AJC Warwick Stakes (wfa) 8f 8.11 Amounis 1st
Won Tatts Chelmsford Stakes (wfa) 9f 9.4 Nightmarch 2nd
Won RRC Hill Stakes (wfa) 8f 9.4 Nightmarch 2nd
Won AJC Spring Stakes (wfa) 12f 8.11 Nightmarch 2nd
Won AJC Craven Plate (wfa) 10f 8.11 Nightmarch 2nd
Won AJC Randwick Plate (wfa) 2 m 8.11 Donald 2nd
Won MVRC W.S. Cox Plate (wfa) 9 1/2f 8.11 Tregilla 2nd
Won VRC Melbourne Stakes (wfa) 10f 8.11 Tregilla 2nd
Won VRC Melbourne Cup 2 m 9.12 Second Wind 2nd
Won VRC Linlithgow Stakes (wfa) 8f 8.12 Mollison 2nd
Won VRC C.B. Fisher Plate (wfa) 12f 8.12 Second Wind 2nd
Won VATC St George Stakes (wfa) 9f 9.7 Induna 2nd
Won VATC Futurity Stakes (wfa) 7f 10.3 Mystic Peak 2nd
Won VRC Essendon Stakes (wfa) 10f 8.7 Lampra 2nd
Won VRC King's Plate (wfa) 12f 9.7 Glare 2nd
2nd VRC C.M. Lloyd Stakes (wfa) 8f 9.7 Waterline 1st

1931–32 season as a five year old

Result Race Distance Weight Winner or 2nd Pos'n
Won WRC Underwood Stakes (wfa) 8f 9.0 Rondalina 2nd
Won VATC Memsie Stakes (wfa) 9f 9.8 Rondalina 2nd
Won RRC Hill Stakes (wfa) 8f 9.0 Chide 2nd
Won AJC Spring Stakes (wfa) 12f 9.2 Chide 2nd
Won AJC Craven Plate (wfa) 10f 9.1 Pentheus 2nd
Won AJC Randwick Plate (wfa) 2 m 9.3 Chide 2nd
Won MVRC W.S. Cox Plate (wfa) 9 1/2f 9.4 Chatham 2nd
Won VRC Melbourne Stakes (wfa) 10f 9.1 Concentrate 2nd
8th VRC Melbourne Cup 2 m 10.10 White Nose 1st
Won Agua Caliente Hcp 10f 9.3 Reveille Boy 2nd

Total: 51 starts – 37 wins, 3 seconds, 2 thirds, 9 unplaced

Pedigree

Pedigree of Phar Lap
Sire
Night Raid (GB)
b. 1918 		Radium (GB)
b. 1903 		Bend Or Doncaster
Rouge Rose
Taia Donovan
Eira
Sentiment (GB)
b. 1912 		Spearmint Carbine
Maid of the Mint
Flair St.Frusquin
Glare
Dam
Entreaty (NZ)
blk. 1920 		Winkie (GB)
ch. 1912 		William the Third St.Simon
Gravity
Conjure Juggler
Connie
Prayer Wheel (NZ)
b. 1905 		Pilgrim's Progress Isonomy
Pilgrimage
Catherine Wheel Maxim
Miss Kate (F-No.2-r)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b "Phar Lap". The Australian Racing Museum. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  2. ^ "Pedigree". Pedigreequery.com. 2007-04-30. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  3. ^ "The Facts". Museum Victoria. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  4. ^ a b "The Horse". Museum Victoria. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  5. ^ "Phar Lap". Thoroughbred Heritage. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  6. ^ a b c "Story of Phar Lap". pharlap.org.nz. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  7. ^ "Phar Lap, Agua Caliente". Museum of Victoria. p. 1. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  8. ^ "Phar Lap's heart". National Museum of Australia. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  9. ^ "Lightning". Phar Lap: Australia's wonder horse. Museum Victoria accessdate=2009-04-24. {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ a b "The Phar Lap Story". Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  11. ^ "Phar Lap called Bobby round the stables". Mountainhomeplace.com. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  12. ^ "Phar Lap". Museum Victoria. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  13. ^ Museum Victoria. "Background to the naming of Phar Lap – Museum of Victoria". Museumvictoria.com.au. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  14. ^ a b c "Phar Lap (1926–1932)". Te Papa. p. 2. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  15. ^ Phil Purser. "Jack Baker rode himself into Australian racing history". Retrieved 2007-07-30.
  16. ^ "Shot fired at Phar Lap". Trove.nla.gov.au. 1930-11-03. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  17. ^ Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewar. "Collections:Phar Lap". Retrieved 2009-04-20.
  18. ^ "Phar Lap wins the cup". Trove.nla.gov.au. 1930-11-05. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  19. ^ Moriarty, Richard (2006-10-28). "Blame 'The Brazilian'". News.com.au. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  20. ^ Melbourne Cup 1930. Allen & Unwin. 2000. ISBN 9781741147506. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "Phar Lap poisoned, scientists say". ABC News Online. 2006-10-23.
  22. ^ "Catalyst (2008 report on arsenic death of Phar Lap)". ABC News Online. 2008-06-19.
  23. ^ "Phar Lap arsenic claims premature: expert". ABC News Online. 2006-10-23.
  24. ^ "Sydney Morning Herald: It's official, Phar Lap was poisoned". Smh.com.au. 2008-06-19. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  25. ^ Kempson I, Henry D (2010). "Synchrotron Radiation Reveals Arsenic Poisoning and Metabolism in Hair: The Case of Phar Lap". Angew. Chemie – Int. Ed. {{cite journal}}: Text "http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.200906594" ignored (help)
  26. ^ "Yahoo! Sports: Phar Lap died of arsenic poisoning". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
  27. ^ "Sportsmen and women ( ... and a horse and a boat)". Australian Government. Australian High Commission – New Zealand. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  28. ^ a b "Phar Lap's return to Timaru". The Phar Lap Trust. Retrieved April 25, 2009.
  29. ^ "Minister promotes Spring Racing Carnival in New Zealand". From the Minister for Racing, Minister for toursim. Retrieved April 27, 2009.
  30. ^ http://www.australianstamp.com/images/large/0012460.jpg
  31. ^ "Just how Australian are you?". Democrats.org.au. 2007-10-05. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
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