Nicknamed the “Wonder Horse”, Phar Lap was one of Australia’s most famous racehorses of the Depression era. The Champion Thoroughbred dominated Australian racing during his four-season career winning the Melbourne Cup in 1930, the Cox Plate twice and the AJC Derby. From 1928 to 1932 he won 37 out of 51 races and became the most famous horse in Australia.

 

Phar Lap was born in New Zealand in October 1926 and despite a distinguished pedigree, including 1890 Melbourne Cup winner Carbine, wasn’t a promising yearling. Gangly and with an awkward gait he came last in his first race and was nicknamed the “ugly duckling of the racecourse”.

 

After running only five times as a two-year-old, his form improved during the next season and he narrowly lost the Melbourne Cup in 1929. He soon hit a winning stride and between September 1929 and March 1932 won 36 out of 41 races. Phar Lap’s success and Melbourne Cup win in 1930 made him a household name in Australia, where horseracing was, by far, the biggest sport of the period.

 

After conquering the tracks of Australia his owner, American businessman David J. Davis turned his attention to the United States. Phar Lap was taken to the U.S. in 1932 and won his first race, the Agua Caliente Handicap in Tijuana, in track-record time. It was to be his last race as well, as shortly after returning to his stables in California he died in mysterious circumstances.

 

There have been claims Phar Lap was poisoned and several investigations have attempted to establish a cause of death.