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.
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.
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
It was a shame perhaps the greatest horse of that time got injured at 3. I think Bonecrusher and Waverley Star might have been running for second in the 1986 cox plate had if this horse had not been injured. Can you guess which horse it is?
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
"Purchased for just $NZ3,250 he became the first New Zealand horse to earn over $1 million in prize money" First New Zealand horse to win 1 million was Cardigan Bay a few decades earlier
michael steel
Guest
There's one very disappointing thing about this article Brent and that is that you weren't born at this time. It means that not only did you miss out Bonecrusher but all the great champs that came with him and after him for the next 6-8 years. There were about 10=15 Champions in this er but Bonecrusher was the first of them. Put into perspective the 1991 Cox Plate had horses winning prizemoney of $27 million, They don't even get close to that now and the prizemoney has tripled. But back to Bonecrusher, because of the limited footage available and I've checked around there seems to be nothing we can access, in most cases you only get the last 40 seconds of the race. The thing with backmarkers is it's great seeing the whole race. I recall Johnny Tapp ( I think because I saw it at home) calling the Tancred and as they approached the home turn he says in a disappointed voice something like"And at the the home turn stone motherless last is the New Zealand Champion Bonecrusher He won of course. But there was another race. Back in the 80's we didn't New Zealand racing at the TAB but when Bonecrusher resumed after a one year break due to ill health all TAB's showed the race at about 11am on a Saturday morning. I'm not sure if was the 1600 Group 3 Otago race or his next start the 2000 Group 1 Air New Zealand ( someone may clarify this) but what I saw was unbelievable. The TAB was packed. They dawdled out and they dawdled along with old Bonecrusher settling last. With the pace so slow it was deliberate and fair tactics to stop Bonecrusher from catching the leaders. It looked impossible for Bonecrusher to win let alone be in the finish. At about the 800 Gary Stewart started his move and Bonecrusher got going. He didn't just pass horses he knocked them out of the way, It was like Stewart was screaming "Out of my way we're coming through" but even as he was doing this he wasn't getting close enough, so it seemed. Into the hoe straight he still had half the field to catch and they were now sprinting, one by one he pushed, crunched and bustled his way through the field and when the finish line bobbed up there Bonecrusher first, by the narrowest of margins and to do this day I still don't know how he did it. He won 9 Group 1 races an would have more except for injury and the greatest bunch of horses to run in one era.
peeeko
Guest
Great article Brett, he was a champ. There were so many top Kiwi WFA horses from 85-95, i dont know what happened to them - Rough Habit, Surfers paradise, The Phantom, The Phantom Chance, Solvit, Horlicks and of course these 2.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Yeah the angle makes the distance looks a fair bit in my eyes, they always deceive sometimes though, but I think it was at least half a length for sure. Geldings are awesome they can go on forever as there is no rush to breed (because there is none) and as Bonecrusher has shown from an era where Breeding wasn't so important that horses can become a loving companion after racing. But there is no doubt he was well loved during his career by his owners, it's a great story with a sad ending.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
32 is a good wicket for a horse though, just goes to show when some care is taken how long a horse can be with you after it's career.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Haha it's been a good life hasn't it RT? Some good names amongst that list :)
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Whats there to tell? Being involved as a owner, (I owned a few thoroughbreds, made a lot of friends in the racing circles, meet a lot of trainers, great 'salt of the earth' people, many jockeys in NZ, bred a couple (bloody expensive hobby that!) to One Pound Sterling ... lost a mare in foaling, had 28 wins and a lot more losses! Bludged all my horse manure from Pauline Deacon, stank my suburb (Epsom) out with horse manure and stable straw., captivated by the beauty of Kim Yorke (Brian Yorke's missus), embarrassed by the politeness of Greg Childs (who was apprenticed to to Brian Deacon, played cards with Shane Dye after he shifted north from Dave O'Sullivan's stable ... Being involved with the sport, one could not help become immersed with the likes of Bonecrusher and horse like Sobig, and Belmarino before him. I remember many many, MANY years ago, my father said "son you can own horses, you can train them, you can ride them. you can punt on them ... but remember you cannot do more than one thing well".... Well I ignore that advice.... but he was right!
Greg
Guest
What a champ, and what a Cox Plate. That was a war. I could swear OWS was 3/4 length in front with 75 m to go. Maybe it was a dodgy camera angle. The build up to that race was sensational too. They delivered in spades. Great to hear Bonecrusher was cared for so well by his owners, and enjoyed such a long life. Really, there should be more geldings (think Kingston Town).
Bondy
Guest
All sports not just racing can be grubby or without care for the competitor this story though from foal to his passing is a great sports story although finally under unfortunate circumstance ...
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Yeah come on RT! ;)
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
One of my fav races of all time, never get sick of watching those final 100m.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Thanks Bondy, his owners spent heaps to ensure he had the best care. They paid back all he had given them. Good point on the euthanisation as well.
Bondy
Guest
Nice piece Brent I was reflecting while reading we no longer have Champions or longevity in racing due to the breeding barn so these types of horses and stories wont exist in future ,a shame ... The animal was cared for till the end and put pleasantly to sleep its a shame us humans dont we drag it out to the bitter end ...
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Thanks Brent. I'll never forget the '86 Cox Plate.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Do tell us more! :)
Pete
Guest
That race still brings back the shivers down my spine one of the greats to watch
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Thanks Brent, a great racehorse. I remember 'the horse', 'that race' and the connections very well, in fact still share a schooner with Gary Stewart frequently. Gary of course used to ride for my ex trainer, the late Brian Deacon. On more than one occasion we had discussed Bonecrusher who had some memorable wins on both sides of the Tasman. The horse deserves all the accolades bestowed upon him.
Harry
Guest
Brings back fond memories! Thanks Brent :)