The 'Red Terror' enthralled racegoers in the 1930s, and was a legend in life, in passing, and still is nearly 100 years on

Phar Lap, an iconic Australian thoroughbred racehorse, achieved legendary status during a long period of economic hardship. His remarkable physical attributes and dominant performances on the racetrack captivated audiences, elevating him to a symbol of national pride. However, his untimely and enigmatic demise, which remains a mystery to this day, further cemented his place in history as a beloved figure in the equine racing world. The beginning of Phar Lap's story was hardly the stuff of legends. His parents were well-bred, but lowly underachievers. As a foal and yearling, Phar Lap was a large, ungainly specimen, seemingly more well suited to steeplechasing than running on the flat. He was sired by the imported stallion Night Raid out of the broodmare, Entreaty.

Phar Lap, a globally renowned equine athlete, emerged as an exceptional contender among thoroughbred champions in the late 20's and the very early 1930's. Born in Timaru, New Zealand, in 1926, he was acquired for a modest sum of 160 guineas by trainer, Harry Telford on behalf of a buyer. Upon his arrival in Australia, his new owner, Mr. David J. Davis, an American national, expressed initial reservations regarding the horse's physical attributes, calling the imported equine, a “Dog Kangaroo.” Phar Lap presented as slender and ungainly, with noticeable sores adorning his head. Davis conveyed his gross displeasure to the Telford, who had initially convinced him to invest in the purchase of the horse. Unwilling to incur further financial outlay for training expenses, Davis opted to lease Phar Lap to Telford for a period of three years. Under this arrangement, Harry Telford assumed responsibility for the horse's training, feeding, and retention of any winnings. Mr. Telford, possessing extensive knowledge of racehorse lineages, firmly believed that Phar Lap's pedigree destined him for championship status.

Despite being named Phar Lap, which translates to 'wink of the skies' or 'lightning' in Thai, the horse was affectionately known as 'Bobby' around the stables. Tommy Woodcock, a young and dedicated stable boy, assumed the primary role of caring for Phar Lap, and his name is forever linked with the legend. The horse exhibited a docile and playful nature, often engaging in playful antics with Woodcock. Their bond grew so strong that Phar Lap refused to eat unless Woodcock was present in his stall. Phar Lap's initial racing endeavours in 1929 yielded modest results, with no notable placements in his first four races. However, his fortunes turned on 27th April, when he secured his maiden victory at Rosehill near Sydney. Despite subsequent unplaced finishes in four more races, he achieved a commendable second-place finish in the Tattersalls Chelmsford Stakes on 14th September. Remarkably, he only experienced one more unplaced finish throughout his illustrious career, which occurred in the prestigious Melbourne Cup of 1931.

Phar Lap demonstrated exceptional prowess on the racetrack, achieving remarkable victories in some of Australia's most famous races. Notably, during the Spring Racing Carnival of 1930, he accomplished an extraordinary feat by winning an impressive four races within a single week. From September 1929 onwards, Phar Lap consistently held the favoured position in nearly all of his races, a testament to his exceptional talent and dominance on the turf. Phar Lap possessed impressive physical attributes, standing at 17 hands high with powerful leg muscles and a robust heart, which, upon his passing, was discovered to be one of the largest ever found in a racehorse. While primarily known as a stayer, excelling in races over extended distances, he also demonstrated remarkable success in sprint races, showcasing his versatility and athleticism.

The champion's success did not garner universal acclaim. Due to the significant financial wagers placed on Phar Lap, his victories resulted in substantial payouts for bookmakers. On Derby Day, November 1, 1930, an attempt was made to shoot the horse, potentially by a disgruntled bookmakers connection to criminals. As Tommy Woodcock escorted Phar Lap back to the stables after track work at Caulfield Racecourse, a vehicle approached them. Woodcock swiftly positioned Phar Lap against a fence, using himself and his pony as a protective barrier against the gunshots fired from the car. Despite being thrown from the pony, Woodcock maintained his grip on Phar Lap as the assailant's vehicle sped away. Fortunately, Phar Lap remained unharmed and proceeded to secure victory in the Melbourne Stakes at Flemington that very same day. Regrettably, the identity of the perpetrator remained unknown.

Three days later, Phar Lap achieved a remarkable victory in the Melbourne Cup, despite carrying a substantial handicap of 62.5 kg, exceeding the weight carried by any other four-year-old horse in the history of the Cup. In the subsequent 1931 Melbourne Cup, he carried an even greater weight of 68 kg, which proved to be an insurmountable challenge, resulting in an eighth-place finish in his final Australian race. Subsequently, Phar Lap embarked on an international journey to participate in the Agua Caliente Handicap held at the Agua Caliente Jockey Club near Tijuana, Mexico. Under the guidance of Tommy Woodcock, Phar Lap undertook a long transatlantic voyage by ship, equipped with a dedicated exercise enclosure and sand-box to ensure his well-being during the extended sea journey. Despite the rigors of the voyage and the ailment of an unfortunate hoof injury, Phar Lap demonstrated exceptional resilience and determination by securing a victory in the Agua Caliente Handicap, setting a new track record in the process.

On the morning of April 5, 1932, Tommy discovered Phar Lap in distress. The horse's temperature was elevated, and he was in evident discomfort. Tragically, Phar Lap suffered a hemorrhage and passed away by midday. Mr. Woodcock was deeply affected by the loss and expressed his grief openly. The Australian community were also deeply affected by the untimely passing of the people's champion. An autopsy revealed inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to speculation of potential poisoning. Rumours circulated that the champion horse had been deliberately targeted. An investigation of the ranch revealed that certain trees had been recently treated with a lead arsenate insecticide, raising the possibility that toxic residue may have contaminated the grass consumed by Phar Lap. Despite these findings, many individuals remain convinced that the horse was intentionally poisoned. The circumstances surrounding his death continue to be a topic of debate and conjecture.

A modern publication challenges the notion of Phar Lap's mysterious poisoning. The authors sought the expertise of equine specialists from the University of Melbourne to analyse the two autopsy reports. Their findings suggest that Phar Lap likely succumbed to a bacterial infection commonly affecting horses that have undertaken extensive, long distance travel. This type of infection, only recently identified, would not have been diagnosable at the time. Following Phar Lap's passing, his heart, remarkably twice the size of an average horse's, was donated to the National Museum in Canberra, while his skeleton resides at the New Zealand National Museum in Wellington. Phar Lap's full body is on display in the Australia Gallery at Melbourne Museum.

His race record was supreme, even for the era. It reads as, 51 starts for 37 wins, three 3rds and two 2nds with total stake earnings of £66,738, about $1,218,893 today. His accomplishments can never be superseded by the modern thoroughbred as they are managed more carefully and run far fewer races, however it is still amazing to line up the victories. He will always be remembered as a great legend of the Australian turf.

RACE RECORD - 51: 37-2-3
EARNINGS - £66,738

Rosehill Guineas (1929)
AJC Derby (1929)
Craven Plate (1929, 1930, 1931)
Victoria Derby (1929)
AJC St Leger (1930)
VRC St Leger (1930)
Chipping Norton Stakes (1930)
AJC Plate (1930)
Chelmsford Stakes (1930)
Hill Stakes  (1930, 1931)
W. S. Cox Plate (1930, 1931)
Melbourne Stakes (1930, 1931)
Melbourne Cup (1930)
Linlithgow  Stakes (1930)
C.B. Fisher Plate (1930)
St George Stakes (1931)
Futurity Stakes (1931)
Underwood Stakes (1931)
Memsie Stakes (1931)
Agua Caliente Handicap (1932)