To commemorate the 74th anniversary of the untimely death of *Phar Lap, we salute the mighty performer whose exploits gripped much of the English-speaking world. Because the colt was already rather big, Telford had him gelded. Regarding the signing of this limited edition of 5000 prints, only those numbered 1 to 1000 have been, and only will be, signed by me (Tommy Woodcock). The American expatriate Davis, who had agreed to let the trainer buy a share of the horse after the lease expired, insisted on an American campaign for his star. On Friday 20 November 1931 Phar Lap sailed from Sydney Harbour, on a six week journey, which included a break in Auckland. Phar Lap: Bobby and Pikey make history. The mystery surrounding the death of Phar Lap, Australia's greatest racehorse, has deepened with the discovery of an 85-year-old article written by the horse's former trainer. Moreover, in winning the Melbourne Cup under 138 pounds, he did what even Carbine failed to do when he was a four-year-old. During this summer of rest and recreation in the country, Woodcock later said, Phar Lap strengthened up magnificently. Reveille Boy, carrying only 118, loomed up boldly entering the stretch and may have just poked his head in front, but as soon as Elliott asked for a second burst, Phar Lap responded, striding right away to post a 2-length victory in a track-record time of 2:02 4/5 for 1 1/4 miles. Elliott then tapped the breaks to give him a breather on the far turn. Phar Lap was then freshened over the summer. Horse Racing, Horses, Racecourses, Racing Industry, Recreation, Sportsmen, Making History - Phar Lap, Museums Victoria Collections https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/248867Accessed 15 October 2020, We support the open release of data and information about our collections. His final time of 3:49 1/2 shattered the Randwick track mark by 6 1/2 seconds and took a full second off the Australian/New Zealand record for the distance. Woolf went on to become one of America's greatest riders, using the saddle on his favourite mount, Seabiscuit (2003), who, like Phar Lap, captivated a nation in the midst of the depression. Horse racing was a hobby. Written in ink on front: 10/ 3.20.32/ Phar Lap/ Wm Elliot up/ A.C.Hdcp.50,000 Added. It was an electrifying performance, as the unearthly chestnut had sprinted from the start, setting an impossible pace that ran his foes ragged, with even his split-times reportedly breaking records. The painting was commissioned by Wing Commander E.A. While the 1931 BBR dismissed the incident as a journalists’ prank that was never a serious criminal enterprise, it was unnerving for the gelding’s connections, who surrounded him with armed guards, and the public. Images marked with a Creative Commons (CC) license may be downloaded and reused in accordance with the conditions of the relevant CC license. One story has it that his charge wouldn’t eat without Tommy. The American media now raved about the Australian superstar. In a case of famous last words, the BBR suggested that, in light of his Cup defeat, “There is the possibility he is not a true stayer.” This embarrassingly off-base conjecture should remind us that it’s not wise to make pronouncements about a horse’s ability or aptitude before he is fully developed and physically mature. Hailed as the best horse to race in Australia for decades, perhaps for all time, Phar Lap successfully invaded North America and thrashed a solid group of rivals in the 1932 Agua Caliente H. The strapping chestnut never got the chance to build on this sensational debut or face the cream of America’s crop, as he tragically died just two weeks later in circumstances that many regarded as suspicious. Lobbing along toward the rear in the early going, Elliott steered his mount to the far outside to keep him in the clear. Appropriately, the heart of the Australian hero lies in repose in Australia’s capital. An unfurnished two-year-old, Phar Lap did not make his debut until the fall and finished off the board in his first four starts, finally breaking his maiden in an ordinary six-furlong handicap. May you enjoy many hours admiring 'my Par Lap';  I certainly shall! The next chapter in Phar Lap's life would consolidate his status as a national icon. In the late 1920s he developed an association with the ... Tommy Woodcock, Race Horse Strapper & Trainer (1905-1985). A. Estes was moved to verse as well. After flashing talent in the Warwick and the Chelmsford, Phar Lap finally put it all together with four straight scores in six weeks, all dominating victories in major contests. The jubilant Davis entered into negotiations for a movie deal, and racetracks were clamoring to host specials pitting the Australian wonder against the best America had to offer. Returning to action in the fall, he narrowly dropped his first start off the layoff, but Phar Lap then reeled off nine prestigious stakes wins in a row in a span of about 10 weeks. Phar Lap amazingly kept motoring until his rider wrapped up on him, and he sauntered through the stretch. The film overlay was good to see                                           as well...So I am a happy chappy today and thank you very much...", Tommy tells Ern about Phar Lap's Agua Caliente Handicap race as we watch the actual race, Film foootage courtesy of The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA), Copyright Ern Browne 1982 and Copyright Robyn Browne McIntyre 2019. At four, he reached the peak of his powers, stringing together 14 consecutive stakes victories. “Kildare” penned a poem for the The Thoroughbred Record — “Two weeks ago in Mexico / We saw him canter in, / And now to think that he is dead, / It almost seems a sin.”, In The Blood Horse, turf writer J. Elliot gave Phar Lap no more than a nudge and in a couple of his giant strides Phar Lap put himself two, then three lengths in front to win the race. Before that setback, he had won his other eight starts as a five-year-old and established another Australian/New Zealand record of 2:02 1/2 for 1 1/4 miles. Soon after, Phar Lap traveled back to Menlo Park, California, for a break. yearling, Phar Lap went through the sales ring at Trentham in New Zealand. Features, Longform, Racing History, Racing News The race was scheduled for late in the day and Phar Lap, from an outside barrier, was one of the last away. Despite his charge’s backward phase, Telford sensed something special in Phar Lap and believed that he could have uncommon ability. Phar Lap followed up four days later with a stunning success in the 10-furlong Craven Plate against older horses. In part, his poem reads, “I never saw one like him; never one / That looked like Phar Lap; that could run / And break their hearts, and run again, / And come home fresh as summer rain.”. His father was a coach driver with the firm Cobb & Co, which gave young Tommy first-hand experience ... By 1931, Phar Lap had won virtually every major Australian race, many of them twice. Billy Eliot, Phar Lap's jockey at Agua Caliente had been devastated by Phar Lap's mysterious death, gave his saddle to George Woolf as a gesture of friendship. He had formed a profound personal attachment to his stable boy and constant companion, “Tommy” Woodcock, and there is no shortage of vignettes about their poignant relationship. I know of no other print or painting which so strikingly recaptures the superb muscular power of Phar Lap, with four feet off the ground, being driven to yet another victory by his great heart. Present that day were two future Hall of Famers, both awe-struck — jockey Eddie Arcaro and astute horseman Charlie Whittingham. Tick. Copyright © 2020 | Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions, Venetian Harbor headlines a deep edition of the Raven Run, North American Non-Graded Stakes Results Oct. 14. He captured the nine-furlong Rosehill Guineas by three emphatic lengths, equaling the race record time, “with consummate ease,” in the BBR’s phrase. I am pround to be associated with this promotion and feel sure you would agree with me when I say 'you now own a piece of Australian history'. After compromising his chances with the early tussling, Phar Lap had nothing left when the classy older closer Nightmarch attacked, and the young three-year-old wound up third. His exotic name, Thai for “lightning,” aptly summed him up, for his sheer power suggested a force of nature. Spanish Play, who finished eighth, was a multiple stakes winner whom esteemed turf authority John Hervey regarded as “high class.”. The Thoroughbred Record recap was glowing. Expand . While it is often noted that his phenomenal career coincided with the bleakest days of the Great Depression, giving the proverbial man on the street an underdog to cheer, it should also be remembered that Australia was still a relatively new nation at that time. This letter was signed by Tommy Woodcock, Phar Lap's Strapper 1928 to 1931 and Trainer November 1931 to April 1932, in the presence of Ern Browne (Phar Lap Promotions) Tommy tells Ern about Phar Lap's Agua Caliente Handicap race as we watch the actual race Writing in The Thoroughbred Record, “Roamer” questioned Phar Lap and opined that the Agua Caliente publicity department was hyping the horse in advance of the track’s marquee race. January 15, 2020 “Truly a super-horse is Phar Lap,” it said, adding, “only a prejudiced judge…would fail to admit Phar Lap is a horse of the highest class.”, The Blood Horse summary struck the same chord. By 1931, Phar Lap had won virtually every major Australian race, many of them twice. The Melbourne Museum has been the home of Phar Lap, since his mounted hide first went on permanent display in January 1933. Agua Caliente, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, 20 Mar 1932. His wishes prevailed over the trainer’s uneasiness about a trans-Pacific assault, and his first target was the rich Agua Caliente H. in Tijuana. The American racing press was not altogether overcome with enthusiasm for the invader. Although the Agua Caliente did not feature such American heavyweights as the brilliant champion Equipoise or reigning Horse of the Year Twenty Grand, Phar Lap had well and truly dusted a couple of stalwarts in the handicap ranks.

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