He also achieved world fame after winning the Agua Caliente Handicap near Tijuana in Mexico to take his race record to an amazing 37 wins, two seconds and three thirds in 51 starts. He spent a fortune investing in thoroughbred breeding horses and had some success - although none came close to equalling Phar Lap. In 1931 Telford and David became co-owners of Phar Lap. Phar Lap (also released as Phar Lap: Heart of a Nation) is a 1983 film about the racehorse Phar Lap. This big chestnut gelding with a name derived from the Thai word for lightning, Phar Lap is an Australian legend. Various stories abound about the origin and meaning of the name - the most common suggestion being that the words meant 'lightning' or 'wink of the skies' in the Siamese or Thai language. David J. Davis – The Owner of Phar Lap It was the liner Wanganella that delivered the future Phar Lap across the sea and onto the Sydney docks; although when Telford went down to claim his prize, he was disappointed to find a rather poor specimen of the thoroughbred. The film stars Tom Burlinson and was written by David Williamson. Phar Lap, a New Zealand-bred horse, remains an enduring institution of the Australasian turf. It is primarily Davis to whom generations of Australians owe a debt of gratitude for the privilege of seeing Phar Lap again. Davis remained involved in the Australian and American racing scene for several decades. Davis was a Russian-born American businessman with an interest in racehorses, who co-owned Phar Lap with the horse's trainer Harry Telford from 1931. Davis suggested sending the horse to America to contest the 1932 Agua Caliente handicap in Tijuana, Mexico, the richest race in the world at the time. A … Fifty years after his death, his mounted hide, the work of expert taxidermists in New York, the Jonas Brothers taking four months, created a masterpiece of … Phar Lap (film) - WikiMili, The Free Encyclopedia - WikiMili, The Free Encyclopedia The colt from 'Lot 41' was registered as a racehorse by Davis under the name Phar Lap on 3 December 1928. Australian Racehorse.