Phar Lap at the Melbourne Museum (Image appears courtesy of the Melbourne Museum website)
An unsightly colt from New Zealand arrived in Sydney for the ripe old price of 160 guineas. Not known for his abilities, he started off with an early lack of form. However, it wasn't long before the feisty 17.1-hand chestnut started his winning streak.
He continued on win an amazing 37 of his 51 races (including the Melbourne Cup). Today, you can bring the kids and visit this amazing horse at the Australia Gallery at the Melbourne Museum, and it is still a safe bet his sheer size will amaze you.
Phar Lap - Australia's onder horse. During the Great Depression of the early 1930s, a hero was needed by the people of Australia, Phar Lap triumphed and became that hero.
Conquering the local racing scene, he had 36 wins from his 41 starts. Going on to win North America's richest race, the Agua Caliente Handicap, in 1932. Just a fortnight later, he contracted a mysterious illness that many suspected was the work of gangsters - and joined the great "racehorses of the skies."
Click here to watch a video of Phar Lap's amazing story.
You can still visit his body at The Melbourne Museum and revel in this amazing horse. For more information on this exhibition, please
see here.
