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Bonecrusher: One of the all time greats

Bonecrusher is no longer with us, but his career is Immortal
Roar Guru
11th June, 2015
19

I wasn’t even born when Bonecrusher raced into ‘equine immortality’ in 1986 but the big red Kiwi’s win over Our Waverly Star will go down as one of the greatest triumphs in racing history.

Yesterday the 32-year old champion was put down following a battle with Laminitis on the property of owners, Peter and Shirley Mitchell.

Purchased for just $NZ3,250 he became the first New Zealand horse to earn over $1 million in prize money.

What a champion! He won nine races at Group 1 level but that 1986 Cox Plate stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Racing around the field well out from the post Bonecrusher (ridden by Gary Stewart) and Our Waverly Star (ridden by Lance O’Sullivan) made bold moves.

“Here come the New Zealanders . . . have they gone too early…?” Was the cry from race caller Bill Collins.

What then occurred will go down in racing folklore forever. The lead between the two New Zealand horses changed at least seven times and with 100m to go you could have gotten 500-1 on Bonecrusher because he looked shot.

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Or was he? “Big Red” who claimed the moniker from another champion in Phar Lap showed a heart the size of the Melbourne Cup champion and get up out of the ground to win, and in my opinion is one of the best performances of all time.

His trainer, Peter Ritchie, remembered the moment on Melbourne radio yesterday: “His heart and will to win got him there. He never gave in.’’

The race will also be remembered by Bill Collins who for many who are old enough to remember made the mistake of writing off Kingston Town in the very same race four years earlier.

Ritchie and the Mitchell’s were with Bonecrusher in his final moments which to me says a lot about the love and affection and impact that Big Red had on them. He was later buried at the Ellerslie Racecourse where he won his first Group 1 race in the NZ Derby.

“We’d been discussing this for some time. We have struggled through this week and we have all shed a tear.’’ Ritchie said.

“He was 32 and each winter has been harder for him to get through. Peter spared no expense on vets and blacksmiths but we knew he’d got to the point where it was kindest to put him down.”

Bonecrusher raced 44 times for 18 wins and 17 placings and earned more $2.1 million.

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