PHAR LAP DEAD

Patea Mail, Volume LIII, 8 April 1932, Page 3

PHAR LAP DEAD

SUDDEN ATTACK OF COLIC. FRUITLESS FIGHT FOB LIFE. Phar Lap died on Tuesday at Mr. E. Perry’s stock farm, near Menlo Park, California, from colic, due to indigestion. The horse became ill in the morning and the symptoms developed so rapidly that the veterinarians were unable to counteract them, and Phar Lap died at 2.20 in the afternoon. News of his death was withheld for an hour 1 .

Phar Lap was brought to Mr. Perry’s farm for the forthcoming race at Tahferan, and at the same time to treat his bruised hoof. Dr. Neilson directed the efforts to save his life. He was visibly moved by the horse’s death, as were the attendants.

Trainer Woodcock, who slept soundly only a few feet away from the thoroughbred, entered Phar Lap’s stall upon awakening. The animal was lying down and was flightened. He summoned Dr. Ncilson, who had no difficulty in diagnosing the ailment. The veterinarian then plunged into the task of relieving the animal. With other veterinary assistance he worked on his charge all the morning and into the afternoon. Ho bowed his head when Phar Lap drew his last breath. RUMOURS OF POISONING.

Later rumours wore current that the horse had been poisoned, but Dr. Neilson, Woodcock, and Elliott, the jockey, emphatically discount them. In order to remove all suspicion the authorities announced that they would make an investigation of the horse’s oats, of which 20 sacks remained of the original consignment brought from Australia. Little if any American food had been given-the racer since his arrival.

An affecting scene occurred when after the confirmation of the death the restraint was lifted. Woodcock giving away to his emotions, threw his aims round the horse’s neck and wept unrestrainedly. Mrs. Davis, wife of the part owner, was hurriedly called to the ranch and tried to comfort Woodcock, but without avail. Friends were finally compelled to drag the trainer away from the horse and the stable.

phar Lap’s death occurred the day after Mr, Davis had contracted with the Mctro-Goldwyu-Maycr Film Corporation to bring the horse to Hollywood to make a series of short films depicting a phase of turf sport. Menlo Park trainers said Phar Lap had been permitted occasionally to nibble at a tuft of grass while exercising in an adjoining field, and veterinarians expressed the belief that foxtail, alfalfa, or barley sodden with dew brought on the colic that finished his life.

Mr. Davis said he valued Phar Lap at £IOO,OOO.

An autopsy was performed by two veterinarians after rumours that Phar Lap had been poisoned had gained wide circulation. The examination showed that the stomach was in a highly inflamed condition, and the veterinarians said the irritation was caused by food. When the rumours continued to circulate that the horse’s death was due to unnatural causes the attendants pointed out that he was under constant guard. The trainer slept in the stall. Mrs. Davis revealed that her husband had refused an offer of £60,000 for Phar Lap. “We never considered the commercial aspects of Bobby,” she said, using the stable name of Phar Lap. “With us the sporting phase was everything. That was why we never insured him. ’ ’

AUSTRALIAN FOLK STUNNED.

THE HORSE NOT INSURED

Pliar Lap’s death stunned racing folk in Australia. Mr. Colin Stephen, chairman of the Australian Jockey Club, said it was very bad news and, scarcely realised. Dr. W. Stewart McKay, the veterinary surgeon, declared that Fhar Lap must have been poisoned. He added that colic and indigestion were only symptoms of something more serious. Dr. McKay was very upset and declined to say more.

George Price, F. Williams, and other prominent Kandwick trainers were astounded and deeply grieved. They emphasised that Phar Lap was the greatest advertisement Australia ever had.

iThe jockey Pike, who piloted the horse in many races, almost collapsed with shock. He had formed a great attachment for the champion.

Mr. H. Telford, part owner of Phar Lap, -was in the country duck shooting when the news of the horse's death reached him. He was amazed and declared he had received no cablegram from either Woodcock or Mr. Davis. He had been much opposed to Phar Lap going to America. He expressed the opinion that Australia and New Zealand would never sec another like him. The horse was not insured as insuiance could not be effected on a trip over water.

Leading veterinarians at Melbourne agree that all animals were profoundly affected by going from one hemisphere to another.

WINNER OF £66,738,

I’HAK LAP'S CHEAT CAREER

Pliar Lap was bred at the Seadown stud, Timaru, in 1026, by the late Mr. A. L. Roberts, and was by Night Raid from Entreaty, by Winkle —Prayer Wheel, by ‘Pilgrim’s Progress —Catherine Wheel, by Maxim—Miss Kate (imp.), by Adventurer. He was bred on exceptionally stout lines, there being a great sequence of the Hruco Lowe Nos. 1 and 3 families. This pedigree greatly appealed to the trainer, H. R. Telford, who was part-owner pf the gelding, and a keen student of

thoroughbred pedigrees, and he induced Mr. D. -J. Davis, who has business interests in Australia, to allow him to purchase Phar Lap on his behalf. The commission was entrusted to his brother, Hugh Telford, at Trentham, and he fell for a modest 160 guineas. His sale was made late in the day, which may have contributed to the lack of 'competition, and it is not generally known that the 150 guinea bid, the next ■best, was that of S. J. Reid, private trainer to Mr. .V, Riddiford. Earlier in the day Mr. Riddiford had been the nndcr-biddcr for a colt who eventually reached top class —Pink Coat so he had a remarkable experience of just missing two of the greatest horses that have been sold in New Zealand during recent or any other times. Mr. Riddiford was not present when Phar Lap paraded, and went at 160 guineas, or he may possibly have become possessed of the champion. He was not well that day, and had left for home, leaving Reid to go up to 150 guineas for the Night Raid colt. On arrival in Sydney Telford obtained a lease of Phar Lap, which did not expire until the spring of 1930, after the gelding had won the Melbourne Cup, among many other races, and his stake winnings amounted to £-16,862. Afterwards Telford bought a half-share in the gelding. PATIENT POLICY.

Pluu Lap’s rise to fame was due in no small measure to Telford’s patience and care, stated a writer in the ‘Australasian’ recently. As a two-year-old the gelding ran four times unplaced before he earned his first winning bracket in a division of a Juvenile Handicap at Rosohill, and that was very late in the season, April 27, .1929, to be exact. Having been allowed plenty of time to develop, it was not until Phar Lap's fifth start as a three-year-old that he began to show ■the form which was to carry him through his career almost with an unbroken succession of victories.

Phar Lap won 39 firsts, 3 seconds, 2 thirds, and was 9 times unplaced, and in all won £66,735.