PHAR LAP'S OWNER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 288, 5 December 1932, Page 8

PHAR LAP'S OWNER.

MR. DAVIS RETURNS.

AMBITION UNFULFILLED.

CAUSE OF HORSE'S DEATH.

I "Well, it gets into the blood; I started a job which I feel that I did not finish," remarked Mr. D. J. Davis, part-owner of PhaivLap, who is homeward bound on the Monterey, when asked this morning if he would take another horse over to meet the American champions.

Since the death of his great horse in April last, Mr. Davis bas been living in America, and he was keen during his short stay in Auckland to-day to "o out to Takanini and see for the first time his three-year-old Pillow Fight, which j.has given evidence of developing into a brilliant horse.- Mr. Davis is indefinite as to his plans, but said that he would probably make further visits to America, and provided that he had a horse of sufficient qualifications he would take it there. Phar Lap's one victory gave him greater pleasure than any of his many successes in Australia, for the mission to the United States had been undertaken against considerable practical advice. Naturally lie wished Phar Lap had had further opportunities of competing against the best thoroughbreds of America. Though it was too early for him to express any opinion as to the' likelihood of Pillow "Fight being chosen, to fulfil Mr. Davis' ambition, it was fairly evident that Mr. Davis had such hopes for his three-year-old.

Americans' Sympathy. American sympathy with Mr. Davis in the death of Phar Lap was expressed in a remarkable manner. "The people in all parts of the great continent sent messages expressing their regret, and many of them had never been on a racecourse in their lives," Mr. Davis said. "Phar Lap's visit created national interest greater than any other horse in the history of American racing." Among the thousands of messages of sympathy were ■ many-'-from school children in whoin

the love of a fine animal is inherent. Typical of the messages-sent was one from a lady to the trainer, Tommy Woodcock. Tn it she stated that she had never seen a horse race, but whoa

she read from a street car the billboard announcing Phar Lap's death she had burst into tears. ■ : Regarding the death of Phar Lap Mr. Davis refuted any suggestion that the horse was deliberately poisoned. He inclined to the opinion that the. hordes dramatic end was caused by the eating of alfalfa grass on which the morning dew had fallen, sufiicleut ill itself to cause poiic, and the fact that the Wiji'J had carried leaves from trees sprawl with arsenate of lead into the paddock where Phar Lap was grazing.