The Phantom (horse)
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The Phantom was a top class New Zealand-trained racehorse who made several trips to Australia, and one of the most remarkable comebacks in the modern history of racing in the region. From three to five, The Phantom competed against such outstanding gallopers as Almaarad, Horlicks, Super Impose, Vo Rogue, Sydeston, and Better Loosen Up, and was third in the 1989 Caulfield Cup and second in 1990 Melbourne Cup. In 1991, aged five, The Phantom broke down and spent two-and-half years off the scene. In the modern era, few if any horses have had a longer spell before returning to compete successfully at the highest level, as The Phantom would do. He returned to racing as an eight-year-old, in the spring of 1993, and immediately won a Group Three at Wanganui. Later in the same campaign, after finishing third in the Caulfield Cup, The Phantom took out the Mackinnon Stakes, and reappeared in the New Year to win a Group One at Te Rapa and the 1994 New Zealand Horse of the Year Award. The Phantom returned to Australia for a final campaign, as a nine-year-old, in the autumn of 1995 but was unable to recapture his best form.
The Phantom, a gelding by Noble Bijou out of The Fantasy, was also a member of one of New Zealand's best-known thoroughbred families. This family features a sea of outstanding horses whose names begin with "The", including 1981 New Zealand Broodmare of the Year The Pixie (who produced The Twinkle and 1994 Broodmare of the Year The Fantasy), 1993 Cox Plate winner The Phantom Chance (a full-brother to The Phantom), and 2003 Broodmare of the Year The Grin.
