Thursday, August 25, 2005

Phar Lappidated

News today is that Australia's greatest racehorse, Phar Lap, will be on display again in November. One caveat, Phar Lap died something like fifty years ago.

This red-hued horse was the champion of the nation, winning, I believe, 38 out of 52 posts in her career - including three straight Melbourne Cup Championships. She made Seabiscuit seem more like Soggy Biscuit. Mysterious circumstances surround her death as well (as does any famous figure), Phar Lap died on a tour of the U.S. and was said to be poisoned.

Now, Australians and visitors alike can view the origins of the phrase, 'he's got heart like Phar Lap', by actually viewing the equine's cardiac member. His hide is already on display in New Zealand, as is his skull in a third location. For the next few years, this massive horse heart is on display for the public to see. She's the most well travelled, post-humous (or is it post-equus) horse in the world.

No word as yet on whether or not an anthropolgical investigaton will take place around the phrase, 'he's got the balls of a wallabie'.

posted by ncawthon at 2:52 PM