Phar Lap
Published on 1. October 2000
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-86508-346-9 (ISBN)
Description
A tribute to Australia's greatest racing horse ever. Presented with archival photographs, the book is a record of Phar Lap's life and achievements, and a chronicle of his impact on the culture of Australia. Also included are stories from Henry Lawson and Banjo Patterson, specially commissioned pieces by prominent racing figures, and contributions from staff at the Museum of Victoria - the final resting place of the champion. For decades, schoolchildren have visited the museum; this book is published to coincide with its reopening, when Phar Lap - its most famous exhibit - will take pride of place.
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Persons
Geoff Armstrong has been involved in sports writing as author, editor, publisher and researcher for over a decade. He wrote the official centenary book of the Sheffield Shield A Century of Summers and he compiled and edited the rugby league anthology The Greatest Game. He is co-author with Mark Gately of the first history of Australia in international one-day cricket and together with Mike Whitney he wrote Whiticisms. Geoff also worked with Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh on all seven of Waugh's best-selling books. Peter Thompson's fascination with racing began when his grandmother backed Piping Lane at 40-1 to win the 1972 Melbourne Cup. As a commentator on sporting issues, his opinions have been read in the Age, The Financial Review and BRW and heard as that of Thommo from the Track' on Melbourne Radio's 3AW. As an owner of several slow horses, he has often been heard to invoke the chant of the hopelessly optimistic: 'Even Phar Lap ran last in his first race'.