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PHAR LAP (The Movie)










Aptly named after the Siamese word for "lightning", PHAR LAP was a New Zealand Thoroughbred with the great stallion CARBINE on both sides of his pedigree purchased sight unseen solely based on his bloodlines in 1928 by trainer, Harry Teleford, for Jewish-American businessman, Dave Davis, in Australia. Scorned as ugly and slow, PHAR LAP went on to become a legendary hero winning 37 races in three years with the help of his hard-edged and often brutal trainer, Harry Teleford. But it was the love and devotion of the tender-hearted stable boy, Tommy Woodcock, whom PHAR LAP really seemed to love, that turned PHAR LAP into a national Champion.
It became a common site to see the big red colt storming down the center of the race track in record gallops leaving the rest of the field in his wake. It seemed that nothing could stop this red terror unless it sprouted wings! Even packing on ever-increasing weight could not stop him. But the more trophies PHAR LAP won, the angrier the anti-Semitic racing club owners became and the life of this innocent champ was often the target of many unsuccessful murder attempts, prompting police escorts to and from races in Australia. The courageous horse finally met tragedy after crossing the Pacific in his greatest victory in Mexico's Agua Caliente Race.
This movie takes you behind the headlines into the lives of the colorful characters whose destinies were swept up with PHAR LAP's. The trainer - who saw in him the bloodlines of a victory; the owner - who was betting on him to make one last desperate race; the schemers; the hopefuls; the dreamers; and especially one boy who gave PHAR LAP the heart to tackle the most impossible odds.
Filled with scenes of unrelenting suspense and unbelievable beauty and powerful performances; PHAR LAP is magnificent movie making about adversity, endurance, and most of all, the spirit to win - this true story about a heroic champion is a film of wide appeal.
(See actual footage of PHAR LAP in "PHAR LAP: THE PEOPLES' CHAMPION", "CHAMPIONS OF THE TURF" and "COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE MELBOURNE CUP")
(107 Minutes)
Listing Info: | |
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Listing ID: | 258 |
Format(s) Available: | DVD And VHS |
Category: | Australian & New Zealand Flat Racing |