Phar Lap: Australian Champion Thoroughbred
Phar Lap: Australian Champion Thoroughbred
The Great Depression of the early 1930s did not deter one of Australia's greatest Thoroughbred horses from dominating the race track. The chestnut gelding was foaled in New Zealand on 4th October 1926, sired by Night Raid from Entreaty by Winkie. The local racing scene was child's play for the gelding with 36 wins from 41 starts, which only got better when he won the 1932 Agua Caliente Handicap, North America's richest race.
Phar Lap is a Thai phrase meaning 'lightning', which was not what his stable boy, Woodcock, would have had to say about him in the beginning. The lazy, docile horse was so fond of Woodcock that he refused to eat unless he was present in the stall. However, laziness was not what Phar Lap was really about. All he had to do was hit the turf and the bookies would be off, running for cover.
The gentle giant had a big heart, yes, in the literal sense as well, which is now preserved at the National Museum of Australia, after formerly being held by the Institute of Anatomy in Canberra. Little did Sydney trainer Harry Telford know what the gangly colt, with his face covered in warts, end up being a champion of champions. Owner David Davis was initially furious to see the colt and refused to pay Telford his training fee. However, sheer perseverance made Telford train Phar Lap in return for nothing but two-thirds share of all winnings.
Phar Lap made a cautious start to his racing career, finishing last in his first race. He wasn't placed in the next three races either. However, the 17-year old jockey Jack Baker of Armidale made all the difference, bringing the colt his first win in the Maiden Juvenile Handicap at Rosehill on April 27th 1929, a day which made punters and owners finally take notice of Phar Lap's prowess on the tracks. Even though he did not race for several months, Phar Lap returned with a bang and took second place in the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick, reaffirming his authority in racing and gained the respect of owners and trainers from all over Australia.
Phar Lap couldn't control his thirst for winning with 37 wins in 51 races during his four-year racing career. He thundered home in the Melbourne Cup in 1930, leaving behind Second Wind and Shadow King, only to continue his winning spree by bagging 14 races in a row in 1931. Bookmakers were always on their toes since every time Phar Lap hit the tracks they had to pay out fortunes. Although the colt was known as a stayer, performing well over long distances, there were not many sprint races where he didn't cause an upset. From winning the VRC St. Leger Stakes as a three-year-old until his final outing in Mexico, Phar Lap had an impressive 32 of 35 races to his credit.
Phar Lap developed into a horse with the most powerful leg muscles, a strong heart, and the will to win. His success unfortunately attracted many enemies along the way with the first attempt on his life on Derby Day, November 1, 1930, and was saved by his stable boy, Woodcock, a day which they went on to avenge and bring home the Melbourne Stakes at Flemington.
Phar Lap travelled to America by ship and won his first race ever on American soil, the Agua Caliente Handicap at the Agua Caliente Jockey Club. This was despite the long journey combined with an injured hoof. Sadly, Phar Lap's racing career came to an abrupt end when he took ill at a private ranch near Menlo Park in California, with an inflamed stomach and intestines. This was possibly another attempt on his life through poisoning. However, the debate into the gentle giant's mysterious death continues. Nevertheless, the legend lives on forever. Mobile Phone Comparison - Select the Best Deal with Desired Handset Black Tomato's own travel advent calendar Property Investment in India - Developing Country Thinking Of Buying A Franchise In 2011? 30 Point Check List Modern Christmas Tree Lights Reviewed India Tour Packages: The Summit of Extravagance Cat Halloween Costumes Couple Halloween Costumes Disney Halloween Costumes Timber Flooring to add luster to your property Six Easy Ways In Protecting Your Money While You Travel The Popularity of LED Christmas Light Displays The Most Splendid Elements of Rajasthan Tours