Many champions of the turf have been auctioned by the respected William Inglis & Son, but it wasn't until recently that the company was reminded of one of the greatest – Phar Lap.
Inglis presently conducts professional thoroughbred auctions in the Australian thoroughbred centres of Sydney, Melbourne and Scone. But for many years Inglis' services were also utilised across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand.
"My grandfather Reg Inglis travelled over the ditch in the 1920s and 30s with fellow Australian Ken Austin to auctioneer at the annual New Zealand Yearling Sales. To have William Inglis & Son printed on the front of the catalogue that Phar Lap was sold at is certainly a great piece of Inglis history," said Inglis Director Jamie Inglis.
WM Inglis & Son Ltd conducted the 1928 Annual New Zealand Thoroughbred Yearling Sales at the Trentham racecourse in conjunction with local Christchurch agents Pyne Gould Guiness Ltd.
Offered by Mr A.F. Roberts as Lot 41 was a chestnut colt by Night Raid from Entreaty. The second foal of his dam and a close relation to top galloper Treadmill, the 'strongly made' colt was purchased for 160 guineas by Hugh Telford on behalf of his brother Harry Telford.
Shipped back Harry Telford's stables in Sydney the colt was named Phar Lap and would go into the racing folklore as the winner of two Cox Plates, a Melbourne Cup and a Victoria Derby among his 37 victories from 51 starts.
"Inglis is much better known for selling other legends here in Australia such as Black Caviar, Heroic, Flight, Shannon and the New Zealand bred Might And Power, but to have a hand in selling Phar Lap too is truly a tremendous honour," adds Jamie Inglis.
Inglis Release
