Phar Lap
The chestnut gelding Phar Lap was born in New Zealand but raced in Victoria and New South Wales in the 1920s and 1930s. His victory in the Melbourne Cup in 1930, carrying the considerable weight of 65.6 kg, captured the imagination of Australians struggling though the Great Depression.
In a four-year career, Phar Lap came first in 37 of his 51 races, and in 1931 he won 14 races in a row. In 1932 he died in suspicious circumstances in California, having won America’s richest race, the Agua Caliente Handicap.
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Phar Lap being ridden by jockey Billy Elliot in Mexico, 1931
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This portrait of Phar Lap was produced by Stuart Reid, the artist commissioned by DJ Davis to paint the horse from life in 1931.
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This commemorative medal, part of a set produced to mark the 1988 bicentenary, shows that Phar Lap remains an important part of our national identity.
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Ada Whitmore carefully embroidered this cushion cover to commemorate Phar Lap after his Melbourne Cup win in 1930.
See Phar Lap’s heart from all sides