Phar Lap, known as the “Wonder Horse”, was a legendary Australian racehorse who dominated Australian racing in the early 1930s. He won the prestigious Melbourne Cup, Australia’s most famous annual Thoroughbred horse race, not just once but twice during his illustrious career.
When did Phar Lap win his first Melbourne Cup?
Phar Lap won his first Melbourne Cup in 1930 at the age of three. The race took place on November 4, 1930 at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria. Phar Lap was ridden by famous Australian jockey Jim Pike and started as the 13/8 favorite in a field of 24 horses.
Phar Lap won the 1930 Melbourne Cup by three lengths in a time of 3 minutes and 27.25 seconds while carrying 9 stone 12 pounds (62.5kg). He set a new race record, beating the previous record set by Nightmarch in 1929 by 1.25 seconds. Phar Lap’s victory made him the eighth horse at the time to claim both the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup in the same year, cementing his reputation as the nation’s dominant racehorse.
Phar Lap’s Performance Leading up to the 1930 Melbourne Cup
In the lead up to the 1930 Melbourne Cup, Phar Lap was already establishing himself as a champion racehorse. Earlier that year as a three-year-old, he had won several top races including the Rosehill Guineas, AJC Derby and Victoria Derby.
Just a few weeks before the Melbourne Cup, Phar Lap won the Cox Plate by eight lengths, breaking the track record. He had continued his stellar form leading into the Melbourne Cup and was sent out a clear favorite by punters despite carrying the top weight.
How Phar Lap Won the 1930 Melbourne Cup
Phar Lap drew barrier 13 of 24 horses and was ridden patiently by Jim Pike, who held him towards the rear of the field for much of the 3200 meter race. As the field approached the home turn, Pike started to make his move pushing Phar Lap around the field. Phar Lap responded and unleashed his trademark blistering acceleration to take control of the race.
He swept past the leaders and careened away down the long Flemington straight to win eased up by three lengths in Australian racing’s most famous event. Second place went to Shadow King, with Frankel tiring to run third after setting the early pace.
Phar Lap’s wide margin victory led many to call it one of the most dominant Melbourne Cup performances they had ever seen. The win also silenced some who were critical of Phar Lap for not having contested the Caulfield Cup, the other major lead-up race.
When did Phar Lap win his second Melbourne Cup?
Phar Lap won his second Melbourne Cup the following year on November 3, 1931 at the age of four. It was to be his final race on Australian soil.
Once again sent out as a short priced favorite, Phar Lap carried 10 stone 5 pounds (66kg) and was partnered by champion jockey Billy Duncan. A huge crowd turned out at Flemington to witness the “Wonder Horse” attempt to repeat his Melbourne Cup victory.
Phar Lap’s Lead up to the 1931 Melbourne Cup
The season leading up to the 1931 Melbourne Cup had been another stellar one for Phar Lap. He cracked the Cox Plate-Melbourne Cup double again, winning the Cox Plate by six lengths earlier that Spring. This Cox Plate was the fastest on record at the time.
Two weeks out from the Melbourne Cup, Phar Lap claimed Australia’s premier weight-for-age race – the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington. He broke another track record carrying 10 stone 2 pounds and defeated a high-class field by two lengths.
This outstanding form line combined with his 1930 Melbourne Cup win saw Phar Lap sent out as the 4/9 favorite for back-to-back Cups despite the large weight allocated by handicappers.
How Phar Lap Won the 1931 Melbourne Cup
The race panned out similarly to the previous year with heavily-backed favorite Phar Lap settling toward the rear of the field for the first half of the race. As the field swung for home, jockey Duncan guided Phar Lap to the outside and asked for his effort.
Just as in 1930, Phar Lap unleashed a dazzling burst of acceleration. He mowed down the leaders and claimed the race by three lengths easing up over Second Wind and Blue Duchess in a slightly faster time than the previous year.
It was another phenomenal performance carrying top weight and Phar Lap became just the second horse in history to win consecutive Melbourne Cups at that time.
Phar Lap’s Jockeys for His Melbourne Cup Victories
Phar Lap had different jockeys when winning each of his two Melbourne Cups:
- 1930 Melbourne Cup: Jockey Jim Pike
- 1931 Melbourne Cup: Jockey Billy Duncan
Jim Pike was aboard for Phar Lap’s first Cup victory in 1930. Pike was a leading Australian jockey through the 1920s and 30s. He forged a successful partnership with Phar Lap’s trainer Harry Telford and rode the champion horse in many of his greatest victories.
For the 1931 Melbourne Cup, top jockey Billy Duncan was booked to ride Phar Lap attempting the back-to-back Cups. Duncan was regarded as one of the best jockeys in Australia throughout his long career. He rode Phar Lap just the once but made it count by steering the champ to his second Cup.
How Much Did Phar Lap Win for the Melbourne Cup Double?
In today’s money, Phar Lap won over $3 million collectively for his connections by claiming both the 1930 and 1931 Melbourne Cups. The exact prize money breakdown was:
- 1930 Melbourne Cup: £10,775 prize money
- 1931 Melbourne Cup: £9,814 prize money
- Total: £20,589
Adjusted for inflation, Phar Lap’s Melbourne Cup double was worth approximately:
- 1930 Melbourne Cup: $1.72 million in today’s money
- 1931 Melbourne Cup: $1.51 million today
- Total: $3.23 million today
This provides an indication of just how lucrative Phar Lap’s victories were for his owner David J. Davis and trainer Harry Telford. Phar Lap was the superstar of Australian racing at the time and his Melbourne Cup successes cemented his reputation.
Phar Lap’s Record in the Melbourne Cup
Phar Lap lined up in the Melbourne Cup three times for two wins and a second placing:
| Year | Finish |
|---|---|
| 1929 | 2nd |
| 1930 | 1st |
| 1931 | 1st |
As a three-year-old in 1929, Phar Lap finished fast for second place behind Nightmarch while carrying just 49kg. He then remarkably carried 62.5kg to victory the following year as a four-year-old.
Phar Lap became the only horse in Melbourne Cup history to complete the Cup double by also winning in 1931 as a five-year-old under 66kg.
In the two Cup victories, Phar Lap defeated some of Australia’s other champion gallopers of the era including Shadow King, Second Wind and Amounis.
Other Notable Melbourne Cup Statistics
- Phar Lap set a new race record with his 1930 Melbourne Cup win.
- Phar Lap was the 3rd horse at the time to complete the Cox Plate-Melbourne Cup double in the same year (1930).
- Phar Lap and Archer (1861-62) remain the only horses to have won multiple Melbourne Cups.
- Phar Lap carried 62.5kg and 66kg to win his two Cups, the heaviest imposts carried to victory since Carbine (65.5kg) in 1890.
- Phar Lap started favorite in all three of his Melbourne Cup runs (1929, 1930, 1931).
- Phar Lap is one of just five horses to place in the Melbourne Cup three years in a row.
Phar Lap’s Legacy
Phar Lap is considered Australian racing’s greatest ever champion and his two Melbourne Cup victories were the highlight of his decorated career. He completely dominated the Melbourne Cup in the early 1930s during the height of the Great Depression.
Phar Lap’s Cup victories helped lift the spirits of a struggling nation and cemented his status as a true Australian sporting legend. His performances set a benchmark that has rarely been matched in the Melbourne Cup’s long history.
Sadly, Phar Lap’s life was cut short at the peak of his powers when he died suddenly in 1932 after being shipped to compete in North America. But his two remarkable Melbourne Cup victories ensure the mighty chestnut’s legacy lives on today.
Phar Lap was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame as one of the inaugural inductees alongside other all-time greats Carbine, Tulloch and Bernborough.
His name has become synonymous with the Melbourne Cup and he remains one of the most famous and revered racehorses Australia has ever produced.
