There have been many legendary Australian racehorses throughout the years, but one stands out as the greatest of all time. The question of who is the greatest Australian racehorse of all time is one that has been debated for many years, and there is no definitive answer. However, there are some horses that have achieved remarkable feats and can be considered contenders for the title. Here, we take a look at some of the greatest Australian racehorses of all time and why they deserve the title.
Phar Lap – The Legendary Champion
Phar Lap is arguably the most famous Australian racehorse of all time, and it is hard to argue that he is not the greatest. He won 37 of his 51 races, including the 1930 Melbourne Cup, and is one of only four horses to win the prestigious Cox Plate three times. He was also the first horse to win the coveted Melbourne Cup-Cox Plate double.
Subhead 1: The Early Years of Phar Lap
Phar Lap was foaled in New Zealand in 1926 and was bred by Australian businessman, David Davis. He was sired by Night Raid and was out of Entreaty, a mare that had been imported from England. Phar Lap was sold for a then-record price of ₤1,150 and was sent to Australia to be trained by Harry Telford. He made his racing debut in 1929 and won his first race at Randwick.
Subhead 2: The 1930 Melbourne Cup
In 1930, Phar Lap won the prestigious Melbourne Cup. He started as the odds-on favourite and won by the largest margin in the race’s history. He went on to win a further five races that season, including the Cox Plate, and was crowned the Australian Horse of the Year for the second time in his career.
Subhead 3: Phar Lap’s Legacy
Phar Lap’s legacy has lived on for many years after his death in 1932. He is considered one of the greatest racehorses in Australian history and is remembered as a champion by many. His name is used for countless awards, including the Phar Lap Stakes, which is held at Flemington Racecourse every year.
Subhead 4: Makybe Diva – The Triple Melbourne Cup Winner
Makybe Diva is arguably the most successful Australian racehorse of all time, having won the Melbourne Cup three times in a row between 2003 and 2005. She was trained by Lee Freedman and ridden by Glen Boss each time she won the race. She was also the first horse to win the Cox Plate-Melbourne Cup double in the same year.
Subhead 5: Makybe Diva’s Early Career
Makybe Diva was foaled in 1999 in England and was bred by the famous Tregoning family. She was sired by Desert King and was out of Tugela, a mare that had also been bred by the Tregonings. She was purchased by Tony Santic and sent to Australia to be trained by Lee Freedman. She made her racing debut in 2001 and won her first race at Flemington Racecourse.
Subhead 6: Makybe Diva’s Triple Crown
Makybe Diva won the Melbourne Cup for the first time in 2003, and then went on to win the race again in 2004 and 2005. Her victories made her the first horse to win the race three times in a row. She was crowned the Australian Horse of the Year in 2005 and is the only horse to ever do the Melbourne Cup-Cox Plate double in the same year.
Subhead 7: Makybe Diva’s Legacy
Makybe Diva retired in 2005 after her Melbourne Cup win, having won a total of 15 races throughout her career. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest racehorses ever and is remembered for her remarkable achievements in Australian racing. Her name is used for countless awards, including the Makybe Diva Stakes, which is held at Flemington Racecourse every year.
Subhead 8: Winx – The Undisputed Queen
Winx is arguably the most successful racehorse of the modern era and is widely regarded as the greatest Australian racehorse of all time. She was trained by Chris Waller and ridden by Hugh Bowman throughout her career, and won a total of 33 races, including 25 Group 1s. She was crowned the Australian Horse of the Year four times in a row between 2016 and 2019.
Subhead 9: Winx’s Early Career
Winx was foaled in 2011 in Ireland and was bred by the famous Coolmore Stud. She was sired by Street Cry and was out of Vegas Showgirl, a mare that had been imported from the United States. She was purchased by John Camilleri and sent to Australia to be trained by Chris Waller. She made her racing debut in 2013 and won her first race at Warwick Farm.
Subhead 10: Winx’s Record-Breaking Career
Winx went on to win a total of 33 races throughout her career, including 25 Group 1s. Her victories included four Cox Plates, three George Main Stakes, three Chipping Norton Stakes, and four Doncaster Handicaps. She was crowned the Australian Horse of the Year four times in a row between 2016 and 2019 and is the only horse to ever do the Cox Plate-Doncaster Handicap double in the same year.
Conclusion
The debate of who is the greatest Australian racehorse of all time is one that will likely never be settled. However, there are some horses that have achieved remarkable feats and can be considered contenders for the title. Phar Lap, Makybe Diva, and Winx are all worthy contenders and have left a lasting legacy in Australian racing.