'There was no explanation for why such a fit racehorse should suddenly just die'

Magnificent in life, mysterious in death, immortal forever. Phar Lap may very well be the finest horse who ever graced an Australian racecourse. What is beyond doubt is his story is the most incredible.

At a time when a hero was needed, one emerged in the guise of the powerful galloper who became revered by the people of a country ravaged by the depression.

He was an athlete who inspired adoration and affection from men and women whose lives contained little other reason to feel hope or joy. He was the winner of 37 races, a rags-to-riches treasured public figure who made Australia proud, never more so than when shipped to Tijuana, Mexico, to defeat America's finest thoroughbreds. Sixteen days later he was dead.