Famous Racehorse Profile: Phar Lap

Known as the Red Terror

As America had Man o’ War and England had Red Rum, so Australia had Phar Lap, its most famous racehorse.  A 17 hand red chestnut gelding, Phar Lap won 37 or 51 starts, including Australia’s most prestigious race, the Melbourne Cup.  He was set to conquer the North American turf in 1932 after winning the Aqua Caliente Stakes in Mexico when he suddenly died due to mysterious circumstances, but could have been from poisoning.

Phar Lap’s obscure beginnings, rise to fame and tragic death at the age of 5 was the subject of a blockbuster film, Phar Lap (1983.)  His unusually large heart, weighing 14 pounds (6.35 kilograms), may have been one reason why he became a champion.  It was originally donated to the University of Sydney and then had a home in the Australian Institute of Anatomy.  It can now be seen in the National Museum of Australia’s Landmarks Gallery.

Humble Beginnings

Phar Lap was foaled in New Zealand on October 4, 1926, the son of Australian Leading Sire, Night Raid.  He was a gawky, uncoordinated, ugly-looking yearling with warts when he went up for auction.  Australian trainer Harry Telford admired Phar Lap’s pedigree, even though most of the horse’s half-brothers and sisters were doing poorly at the track.  He talked his boss, American businessman David J. Davies into buying the yearling for the very low price of 160 guineas.

When Davis saw Phar Lap, he wanted nothing to do with the horse and sold part-ownership to Telford.  In addition, Davis did not have to pay any training fees for Phar Lap.  The yearling was soon gelded and did very poorly his first year on the track, winning only one race.  It looked as if Phar Lap was a dud.

The Champion

Phar Lap had a much better three-year-old season and buy the time he was four he was on his way to becoming a legend.  In 1930, he won four races in four consecutive days, including the Melbourne Cup, where he went off as the favorite.  He won the race despite carrying a very heavy 138 pounds (9 stone 12 lbs.)  From September 13, 1930 to March 4, 1931, he won 14 races in a row.  This feat was not matched in Australia until 2011, when the spectacular mare Black Caviar brokeit.

Phar Lap won many of his races with a sudden come from behind move, even when he broke slowly and pushed to the extreme outside.