Racing: Phar Lap inducted into Hall Of Fame

Legendary New Zealand-bred galloper Phar Lap was among the inaugural five horses and 15 people inducted into Australian racing Hall Of Fame last night.

Nancy Telford, daughter-in-law of Phar Lap's trainer, Harry Telford, and Wayne Dickinson, grandson of Phar Lap's Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jim Pike, accepted the champion galloper's award certificate. Phar Lap won 37 of his 51 starts between 1929 and his untimely death in 1932, is widely recognised as the greatest horse to race in Australia.

The other four horses inducted were Bernborough, renowned for his whirlwind finishes, dual Sydney Cup and Champion Stakes winner Carbine, who carried the highest Melbourne Cup winning weight of 66kg in the record 39-horse field in 1890, three-time Cox Plate winner Kingston Town and record-breaking galloper Tulloch. The late Tommy Smith and Bart Cummings were among five trainers inducted.