Peter Pan: Champion Race Horse

Peter Pan, by Pantheon (GB) out of Alwina, was a chestnut Australian Thoroughbred stallion foaled at the Baroona Stud in Sydney in 1929. The young colt was expected to blaze the racing tracks since his sire, Pantheon, had an outstanding career in Australia and England, with 10 wins from 44 starts. Under the watchful eyes of Frank McGrath Sr., Peter Pan was trained to win, with his connections expecting him to be as good, if not better than, Phar Lap.

Peter Pan was a champion in his own right, with two Melbourne Cup wins. With Billy Duncan in the saddle, Peter Pan fought hard in the 1932 Melbourne Cup to come from behind after clipping the heels of the horse in front and falling to the ground. Fortunately, Dennis Boy, his stablemate, bumped him back to his feet, after which Peter Pan ran the race of his life, winning by a neck, which left punters visibly stunned. Thankfully, Peter Pan was not injured, with only a small grass stain visible on his face. The VRC Derby and MacKinnon Stakes also came the stallion's way in 1932.

The 1933 Melbourne Cup eluded the champion after being afflicted with a viral disease that got the better of Sydney's racing stables. Under Frank McGrath's personal care, Peter Pan recovered in time for the 1934 season. Darby Munro was the next jockey to ride Peter Pan to victory in the 1934 Melbourne Cup, despite having an outside draw when the going was heavy.

An equine viral infection surfaced once again in 1935, which got the better of Peter Pan despite Frank McGrath's attempts to nurse him back to full health. Peter Pan's connections realized the champion horse was not his old self. However, they agreed to file his nomination for the 1935 Melbourne Cup. The weight of 10st proved too much for the stallion who only managed to finish 13th, which brought on his retirement and a move to Baroona as a stud on Rodney R. Dangar's property. However, a broken leg brought an end to his stud career after which he was destroyed and buried at Baroona in New South Wales.

As a sire, Peter Pan produced winner of the Moonee Valley Stakes and VRC Derby, Precept. His legacy also continued with stakeswinners Grampian, and Peter, who won the Williamstown Cup, and was a close second in the 1944 Melbourne Cup. The Australian Post was the first to honour Peter Pan with a postage stamp. For the records, Peter Pan won 23 of his 38 starts, with 6 second places and 1 third placing, giving him a well deserved place in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. Had the champion Thoroughbred lived on, those figures had the potential to triple.

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