The MURDER of the legendary Phar Lap. by blinkings
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Description
Phar Lap (4 October 1926 - 5 April 1932 - pronounced Far Lap) was a champion Thoroughbred racehorse whose achievements captured the public's imagination during the early years of the Great Depression. Phar Lap dominated Australian racing during a distinguished career, winning a Melbourne Cup, two Cox Plates, an AJC Derby, and 19 other weight for age races. He then won the Agua Caliente Handicap in Tijuana, Mexico in track-record time in his final race (ACTUAL VIDEO OF RACE BELOW)!
Early on 5 April 1932, the horse's strapper for the North American visit, Tommy Woodcock, who was a gentle and sweet man who loved Phar Lap like a friend (pictured below), found him in severe pain and having a high temperature. Within a few hours, Phar Lap haemorrhaged to death. Tommy lived near me until the age of 79, and his final resting place is still near where I live!
Phar Lap was deliberately poisoned with Arsenic.......but I guess like Jack The Ripper we will never really know who did it! This crime was always rumored but was proven recently by scientific tests on his hair. At the time, he was the third highest stakes-winner in the world.
After being mounted, he now lives at the Melbourne Museum. Click HERE to see him actually racing!
Please zoom to see Phar Lap in all his glory! You may well laugh, but I visit him regularly!
Phar Lap was deliberately poisoned with Arsenic.......but I guess like Jack The Ripper we will never really know who did it! This crime was always rumored but was proven recently by scientific tests on his hair. At the time, he was the third highest stakes-winner in the world.
After being mounted, he now lives at the Melbourne Museum. Click HERE to see him actually racing!
Please zoom to see Phar Lap in all his glory! You may well laugh, but I visit him regularly!
Comments (19)
Crabbycabby
Wow! You captured his coat perfectly.
giulband
good information fine horse!!
durleybeachbum
What a nasty death! Most interesting set of pics.
ronmolina
Wow indeed!
jayfar
I have seen cats and dogs die of this horrible death - it's not a pretty sight. He was a super looking horse.
alanwilliams
a very sad story Andrew, and a wonderfully put together potted history
sharky_
Sad Story...Beautiful Horse. Aloha
dakotabluemoon
What a beautiful horse and yet so sad i just got done watch the video on the blue whale awesome piece.
Cyve
Fantastic !
Faemike55
Very beautiful captures sad tale about him
drifterlee
That's just horrible!!!! Beautiful animal. I have owned several Thoroughbreds but never raced them. I used them for jumping.
bebopdlx
Excellent capture and info.
Crudelitas
It really is shocking how bad this great horse died. When I see the Derby as he fought his way from the outer rail all the way forward, I can only say that it was a fabulous and courageous horse. A real exceptional horse. He is one of the greats and stands next to Man O War, War Admiral and Seabiscut in horse heaven. Your photo is fabulous, I can understand it well if you often visit this stallion. As if he were still alive.
MrsRatbag
What a marvelous animal, and so beautiful; it's sad that someone would go so far as to intentionally poison him. I can only hope karma brings it back to the killer in spades!
blinkings
The killer would be over a hundred now so I guess he got away with it! LOL
whaleman
Such a sad tale, and so typical of the bad side of horse racing!
debbielove
There is always someone envious of something else.. Greed mate, nasty thing.. Sad, very sad.. Rob
moochagoo
Poor horse. They are fragile.
jendellas
Very interesting, how on earth could someone do that!!
danapommet
A beautiful horse and a great finish in the video - a shame about the arsenic.