He was sold as Lot41, Trentham Sales, 24th January 1928 for 160 guineas.
2 weeks after his first race overseas, he died of a massive hemorrhage. John Longden said, "it was caused by DDT sprayed on the Tanforan stable grass. Signs were posted, yet he grazed. What is surely known is that like his name he brought light in the darkest of times and for that he will always be known as Australia's "Wonder Horse".
Phar Lap's untimely death from what was probably a combination of bacterial infection and arsenic poisoning while recuperating from a tendon injury spawned persistent conspiracy theories implicating organized crime.
However laboratory findings released in 2008 indicate that the horse had ingested a massive dose of arsenic 30 to 40 hours prior to his death.
At 3: WON Victoria Derby, AJC Derby, Rosehill Guineas, Craven Plate
At 4: WON AJC Plate, Melbourne S, AJC Spring S, C.B. Fisher Plate, Linlithgow S, AJC ST. Leger S, VRC ST. Leger S, Melbourne Cup, W.S. Cox Plate, AJC Chipping Norton S, AJC Chelmsford S, RRC Hill S, Craven Plate
At 5: WON VATC Underwood S, VATC Memsie S, RRC Hill S, Melbourne S, AJC Spring S, VATC Futurity S, VATC ST. George S, Craven Plate, W.S. Cox Plate
At 6: WON Caliente H. (NTR)
Just 2 weeks after his first race overseas, he died of a massive hemorrhage caused by a large dose of Arsenic. Claims range from Gangster plots to contaminated hay & even an accidental tonic overdose by a handler. No one knows for sure. What is surly known is that like his name he brought light in the darkest of times and for that he will always be known as Australia's "Wonder Horse".
There have been many superlatives used to describe Phar Lap, the giant New Zealand bred gelding which dominated Australian racing and beat the best in the world at Agua Caliente. Phar Lap was more than just another champion racehorse. Phar Lap played the role of hero to a people struggling with the effects of the Great Depression. He lifted their spirits and gave them respite from the difficult times of unemployment and food shortages. Australians love a battler, and here was a horse purchased for 160 guineas not only beating the best, but annihilating them, sometimes by up to 20 lengths.
While best remembered for his wins in the Melbourne Cup and Agua Caliente Handicap, some say his greatest win was in the 1931 Futurity Stakes; a seven furlong race run on a very heavy track. That day Phar Lap carried 10st 3lbs (65kg) and came from last to win against a top sprint field. His 1930 spring carnival form was astounding, as he followed success in the W.S. Cox Plate with wins on all four days of the Flemington Carnival, including an effortless win in the Melbourne Cup carrying 9st 12lbs (62.5kg).
Drama followed the horse, from the attempt on his life before the 1930 Melbourne Cup to his untimely and controversial death. This has been a matter for much conjecture; although recent scientific evidence suggests he died from an overdose of arsenic.
Phar Lap was an inaugural inductee into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2001, and gained legend status in 2007.
Phar Lap, 1926, Thoroughbred
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He was sold as Lot41, Trentham Sales, 24th January 1928 for 160 guineas.
2 weeks after his first race overseas, he died of a massive hemorrhage. John Longden said, "it was caused by DDT sprayed on the Tanforan stable grass. Signs were posted, yet he grazed. What is surely known is that like his name he brought light in the darkest of times and for that he will always be known as Australia's "Wonder Horse".
Phar Lap's untimely death from what was probably a combination of bacterial infection and arsenic poisoning while recuperating from a tendon injury spawned persistent conspiracy theories implicating organized crime.
However laboratory findings released in 2008 indicate that the horse had ingested a massive dose of arsenic 30 to 40 hours prior to his death.
At 3: WON Victoria Derby, AJC Derby, Rosehill Guineas, Craven Plate
At 4: WON AJC Plate, Melbourne S, AJC Spring S, C.B. Fisher Plate, Linlithgow S, AJC ST. Leger S, VRC ST. Leger S, Melbourne Cup, W.S. Cox Plate, AJC Chipping Norton S, AJC Chelmsford S, RRC Hill S, Craven Plate
At 5: WON VATC Underwood S, VATC Memsie S, RRC Hill S, Melbourne S, AJC Spring S, VATC Futurity S, VATC ST. George S, Craven Plate, W.S. Cox Plate
At 6: WON Caliente H. (NTR)
Just 2 weeks after his first race overseas, he died of a massive hemorrhage caused by a large dose of Arsenic. Claims range from Gangster plots to contaminated hay & even an accidental tonic overdose by a handler. No one knows for sure. What is surly known is that like his name he brought light in the darkest of times and for that he will always be known as Australia's "Wonder Horse".
There have been many superlatives used to describe Phar Lap, the giant New Zealand bred gelding which dominated Australian racing and beat the best in the world at Agua Caliente. Phar Lap was more than just another champion racehorse. Phar Lap played the role of hero to a people struggling with the effects of the Great Depression. He lifted their spirits and gave them respite from the difficult times of unemployment and food shortages. Australians love a battler, and here was a horse purchased for 160 guineas not only beating the best, but annihilating them, sometimes by up to 20 lengths.
While best remembered for his wins in the Melbourne Cup and Agua Caliente Handicap, some say his greatest win was in the 1931 Futurity Stakes; a seven furlong race run on a very heavy track. That day Phar Lap carried 10st 3lbs (65kg) and came from last to win against a top sprint field. His 1930 spring carnival form was astounding, as he followed success in the W.S. Cox Plate with wins on all four days of the Flemington Carnival, including an effortless win in the Melbourne Cup carrying 9st 12lbs (62.5kg).
Drama followed the horse, from the attempt on his life before the 1930 Melbourne Cup to his untimely and controversial death. This has been a matter for much conjecture; although recent scientific evidence suggests he died from an overdose of arsenic.
Phar Lap was an inaugural inductee into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2001, and gained legend status in 2007.
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