Phar Lap inspires filly purchase

Phar Lap's legend looks set to live on, after a celebration syndicate bought a filly it intends to name in his honour.

Former Phar Lap Trust advisory trustee Gerry Morris said they had bought lot 795 at the Karaka premier sales.

The filly was sired by Lucky Unicorn out of Wait and Sea.

Morris was delighted that Lance and Paul O'Sullivan had found such a good horse and it also had the tick of approval from Sir Patrick Hogan.

The cost of the filly and getting it transported would be $40,000, which was over their budget of $32,500.

Morris said while they had overspent, they believed it was an excellent buy, with good pedigree.

The unnamed filly would be eligible for the Karaka Millions race next January.

Former Phar Lap Trust chairman Derek Mayne was also delighted by the purchase. "It's from a very good family and we were prepared to pay more."

The filly is from a small stud, Hunter Lodge, but had a bloodline to one of Sir Patrick's stallions.

Mayne said anyone interested in joining the syndicate could call him on 0274 666 687, with shares being sold for $1000.

"We are still looking for half a dozen people."

After its photo had been circulated, the filly would be named by the syndicate.

The idea of buying a horse in Phar Lap's honour came from the centenary celebrations held in Timaru in November.

Champion New Zealand jockey Lance O'Sullivan, who was the guest speaker, suggested people should go into a Phar Lap syndicate to maintain support for the legendary horse. The O'Sullivans, along with Andrew Scott, a trainer at O'Sullivan's Wexford stables, will train it.

The horse colours are also set to be close to Phar Lap's, using maroon, cream and black.

Seven days of yearling sales ended at Karaka with total sales of $93,567,400, more than 20 per cent up on the previous year's total of $74,867,700. Sydney bloodstock agent James Bester paid the top sale price of $2 million for a colt by champion sire Zabeel.

- © Fairfax NZ News