He triumphed during the Great Depression of the early 1930s, when a hero was most needed by the people of Australia.He conquered the local racing scene—36 wins from his last 41 starts—and then won North America's richest race, the Agua Caliente Handicap, in 1932.
A fortnight later he went to the great equine heaven in the skies, struck down by a mystery illness that many suspected was the work of gangsters. The horse traveled with security guards to protect his safety. Gunshots were allegedly fired at the champion after one morning gallop.
For the history of Pharlap, click THIS LINK, complete with 1930's music, you will see the amazing horse that once stopped a nation.
His heart has been on display for many years in a museum. Why, I hear you ask? Because a normal horses' heart weights approximately 4 kilograms and Pharlap's was 6.2 kilograms. So amazing!For a look at the film starring Pharlap, you can watch this clip also, accompanied again by wonderful music.
