The champion racehorse Phar Lap was New Zealand-born and bred, but never raced in this country. He won 37 of his 51 races and 32 of his last 35, including the 1930 Melbourne Cup. In the gloom of the great Depression, Phar Lap’s exploits thrilled two countries.
Horse Racing
Events In History
4 November 1930
Ridden by Jimmy Pike, the New Zealand-bred (but Australian-owned) wonder-horse beat Second Wind by two lengths to claim one of his greatest victories.
30 January 1911
A 1910 amendment to the Gaming Act banned bookmakers from New Zealand racecourses, other public places and hotels.
8 July 1893
The New Zealand Racing Conference was formed to control the thoroughbred horse-racing industry in the colony.
Articles
The Melbourne Cup
On the first Tuesday in November every year, at 5 p.m. (NZ time), New Zealand and Australia come to a standstill for about 3 minutes and 20 seconds for the call of the Melbourne Cup. Relive some of New Zealand's greatest triumphs in ‘the race that stops a nation’. Read the full article
Page 1 - The Melbourne Cup
On the first Tuesday in November every year, at 5 p.m. (NZ time), New Zealand and Australia come to a standstill for about 3 minutes and 20 seconds for the call of the Melbourne
Main image: Martini Henry wins 1883 Melbourne Cup
Report of New Zealand's first Melbourne Cup winner, Martini Henry
