Phar Lap

It’s not a theme to continue for too long, but on the topic of “celebrity animal assassination,” blog reader Martin writes:

“One case of a famous animal being assassinated is the New Zealand born (& Australian assimilated!) Thoroughbred racehorse Phar Lap. Even a quick look at his story pays well:

* He was an iconic figure in the Depression & one of the greatest stakes
winners (c.1930s)

* He was given a massive dose of arsenic before he died (in the United
States, I think).

* It was alleged that US crooks did it to prevent him from wreaking havoc
on their race fixing.

* His hide is kept in Melbourne, his skeleton in New Zealand & his
(enormous) heart in Canberra – which is a little gruesome.”