Eighty-five years ago, on the track at Flemington, an Australian sporting icon was forged.
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But it was two years earlier, at an annual thoroughbred yearling sale in New Zealand, where the legend of Phar Lap really began.
The catalogue documenting the 1928 sale of the 1930 Melbourne Cup winner to American businessman David J. Davis has now been acquired by the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.
The chestnut colt was foaled at a New Zealand stud in Timaru and was one of six yearlings sent to the sales that year.
Although large and prone to tripping, Sydney-based trainer Harry Telford received a copy of the catalogue and was struck by the colt's breeding.
He approached businessman Mr Davis to help finance the purchase. Mr Davis agreed on the condition Harry Telford's brother Hugh, who was based in New Zealand, inspect the horse.
After failing to place in eight of his first nine starts, it looked like Mr Davis' winning bid of 160 guineas was wasted.
But Phar Lap went on to win 36 of his remaining 41 races, his Melbourne Cup victory in the height of the Great Depression capturing Australia's imagination.
Movies, books and conspiracy theories have continued Phar Lap's legacy well beyond the gelding's death in 1932.
Senior curator Martha Sear said Phar Lap's heart remains the most popular object in the museum's collection.
"The anniversary of Phar Lap's Melbourne Cup win reminds us of how the deep popular affection for 'Big Red' continues to this day," she said.
The museum paid $46,300 to acquire the catalogue at an auction in Melbourne on Monday night.
The document includes handwritten notes detailing the sale of the horse to "Davis of Sydney", as well as information about the price and trainer.
It will be transported from Victoria to Canberra in the coming days.
While providing only scant details about the iconic racehorse, museum director Mathew Trinca said the catalogue was an important primary source about Phar Lap's early life.
"[The catalogue] marks the start of Phar Lap's astonishing career and is an important addition to the National Museum's collection," he said.
Mr Davis' photo album, three Melbourne Cup trophies and winning jockeys' racing gear and equipment dating back to the 19th century are included in the museum's collection of Australian horse racing history.
The Mossgreen auction at which the catalogue was purchased also featured an amber glass statue of Phar Lap's head, believed to date back to 1932.
