31-10-2006, 08:40 PM
Phar Lap Clone in Melbourne Cup
Phar Lap was Australia's wonder horse that triumphed during the Great Depression of the early 1930s, when a hero was most needed by the people of Australia. Phar Lap conquered the local racing scene with 36 wins from his last 41 starts. Phar Lap also won North America's richest race, the Agua Caliente Handicap, in 1932.
On 5 April 1932, just one fortnight after the Agua Caliente Handicap, Pharlap was struck down by a mystery illness and died in Menlo Park, California.
Recent research using synchrotron technology in the US has tested hair samples taken from the preserved horse (on display in the Melbourne Museum). The tests have strongly suggested that Phar Lap was poisoned with a high dose of arsenic and this was the cause of the death.
Given the amazing record of "Big Red", and given the resurgence in interest in this national equine hero it would not be at all surprising if scientists attempt to clone the mightly horse so that Phar Lap could one day compete in the Melbourne Cup. Cloning technology has been used to clone living horses but it remains to be seen if the technology can be extended to samples of ancient racing thoroughbreds.
Phar Lap was Australia's wonder horse that triumphed during the Great Depression of the early 1930s, when a hero was most needed by the people of Australia. Phar Lap conquered the local racing scene with 36 wins from his last 41 starts. Phar Lap also won North America's richest race, the Agua Caliente Handicap, in 1932.
On 5 April 1932, just one fortnight after the Agua Caliente Handicap, Pharlap was struck down by a mystery illness and died in Menlo Park, California.
Recent research using synchrotron technology in the US has tested hair samples taken from the preserved horse (on display in the Melbourne Museum). The tests have strongly suggested that Phar Lap was poisoned with a high dose of arsenic and this was the cause of the death.
Given the amazing record of "Big Red", and given the resurgence in interest in this national equine hero it would not be at all surprising if scientists attempt to clone the mightly horse so that Phar Lap could one day compete in the Melbourne Cup. Cloning technology has been used to clone living horses but it remains to be seen if the technology can be extended to samples of ancient racing thoroughbreds.
' /> would be a HUGE money earner me thinks.