Bonecrusher (horse)
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| Bonecrusher | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Pag-Asa |
| Grandsire | Kaoru Star |
| Dam | Imitation |
| Damsire | Oakville |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 1982 |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | Bill Punch |
| Owner | Peter J. Mitchell |
| Trainer | Frank Ritchie |
| Record | 44: 18-5-12 |
| Earnings | NZ$674,225 & A$1,679,495 |
| Major Racing Wins, Awards and Honours | |
| Major Racing Wins | |
| Bayer Classic (1985) New Zealand Derby (1985) Australian Derby (1986) Caulfield Stakes (1986) Cox Plate (1986) Tancred Stakes (1986) Underwood Stakes (1986) Australian Cup (1987) |
|
| Honours | |
| Australian Horse of the Year (1987) | |
| Infobox last updated on: June 26, 2007. | |
Bonecrusher (September 17, 1982) is a retired New Zealand Thoroughbred racehorse who was widely admired in both Australia and New Zealand. Bred by Bill Punch, his damsire was a son of the French champion, Tantieme. Peter Mitchell purchased Bonecrusher for $3250 at the Waikato Yearling Sales and turned him over to trainer Frank Ritchie.
A chestnut, Bonecrusher was nicknamed Big Red, the same name as the immortal champions Man o' War, Secretariat and Phar Lap. He raced 44 times for 18 wins, 5 seconds and 12 thirds, earning NZ$674,225 & A$1,679,495. His major wins included the New Zealand Derby, Australian Derby, Tancred Stakes and the Australian Cup.
His most famous race was the 1986 Cox Plate, a two horse battle with (Our) Waverley Star, another New Zealand Champion which he won by a neck [1]. This race was dubbed the "race of the century".
Later that year, Bonecrusher was the pre-post favourite against some of the world's best racehorses in the Japan Cup. He was struck down by a virus in Tokyo and nearly lost his life, and had to withdraw from the race. He was named horse of the year in New Zealand and Australia in 1986/87.
Bonecrusher fortunately recovered from his illness and returned the next year, winning the 1987 Australian Cup. He is still alive and healthy now, although he no longer makes public appearances.
Bonecrusher's strapper, Shaune Ritchie, is now a trainer based in Cambridge and trains Magic Cape, the winner of the 2006 running of the G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas and current favourite for the New Zealand Derby of 2007.
