LOSS TO SPORT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 192, 7 April 1932, Page 5

LOSS TO SPORT

(Press Assn.

AMERICAN TRIBUTE5 GENUINE SYMPATHY SHOWN BY RACING WRITERS NOT ORDINARY HORSE

— By Telegraph — O^pyright).

Rec. April 6, 7.30 p.m. NEW YORK, Tuesday. Mr. Joseph Widener, vice-chairman of the Jockey Club, in a stdtement given at his Peniisylvania estate said: "I very much regret Phar Lap's death. International races are always most interesting. They afe a stimulant to sport; I had holied he would meet some of our eastern horses. It was my intention to arrange a special match in the autumn at Belmont Park with the best horses that could be brought against him." The New York Times sporting editor said: "Great horses come and go on the turf, and in the years of their greatness are followed by thousands among lovers of thoroughbreds, but few attain such a hold on the imaginatioxij, with their names and their -fames penetrating to the general public, to those not ordinarily interested in horses or in horse racing. Phar Lap was rapidly gaining such a distinction in this country. It is hardly an exaggeration to say th&t his invasion was first viewed with a good deal of scepticism by many horsemen, but after the Aguascalientes Handicap, it was recognised that here was not an ordinary racehorse. In one victory he convinced critics that he had the racing combination of a phlegmatic disposition, high courage, searing speed and stamina under weight. More could not be asked." The racing editor of the Chicago Tribune said: "The death of Phar Lap comes as a shock to the Chicago racing colony. It was hoped that the great Australian horse would continue on his great triumphs during the Chicago meeting. Our turf enthusiasts share the grief of Australia, fof they had been anticipating the moment when they could hail Phar Lap as the greatest money winning thoroughbred of all time."