In the golden age of horse racing, two champions galloped into history from opposite sides of the world. One was a towering chestnut from Australia, the other a crooked-legged underdog from America. Both became symbols of hope during the Great Depression. Their stories went far beyond the racetrack. They became reflections of ordinary people—those struggling, enduring, and still daring to believe.
But only one can truly be called the People’s Champion.
Phar Lap: Australia’s Giant Heart
Born in New Zealand and raised on Australian soil, Phar Lap was a horse of mythic proportions. He stood tall, with a massive frame and a calm, intelligent demeanor. Between 1929 and 1932, he captured the hearts of a nation battered by economic hardship.
- Record: 37 wins from 51 starts
- Highlights: 1930 Melbourne Cup, 14 consecutive wins, Cox Plate (1930)
- Silks: Red body with a black band, white sleeves with black hoops, red cap
Phar Lap didn’t just win races – he carried the dreams of a country. In towns across Australia, crowds would gather around crackling radios to hear the results, holding their breath until his name was called. Newspapers sold out when he raced. People who had lost everything would scrape together train fare just to catch a glimpse of him thunder past. He became a shared hope in a time when hope was hard to come by. Men out of work lined fences just for a glimpse. Children drew pictures of him in school. For many, he represented something pure and powerful in a world gone grey.
Nicknamed “Big Red,” he seemed invincible. His tragic and mysterious death in California at just seven years old only deepened the love Australians felt for him. His preserved heart, hide, and skeleton remain displayed across museums in Australia and New Zealand—silent witnesses to a love story between a horse and a nation.
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Seabiscuit: America’s Underdog
Seabiscuit was never meant to be great. To the millions who followed his story, he was more than a racehorse — he was them. Beaten down, underestimated, and pushed aside, yet still standing, still trying. People saw themselves in his crooked legs, his late bloom, his stubborn refusal to quit. Small, awkward, and overlooked early in life, he had an unconventional team: a half-blind jockey, a reclusive trainer, and a car salesman owner. But together, they rewrote the script of American racing.
- Record: 33 wins from 89 starts
- Highlight: Defeated War Admiral in 1938’s match race, uniting America
- Silks: Blue body with yellow sleeves and yellow cap
In 1938, Seabiscuit faced the sleek Triple Crown winner War Admiral in a match race at Pimlico. Millions tuned in by radio. Against all odds, Seabiscuit led from start to finish. In that moment, people in soup kitchens and crowded city tenements rose to their feet, cheering not just for a horse, but for the possibility that grit and heart could still win.
At a time when the U.S. was recovering from economic despair, Seabiscuit was more than a racehorse – he was a metaphor for resilience, for the underdog spirit embedded in American identity.
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Tale of the Tape
| Trait | Phar Lap | Seabiscuit |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Australia/New Zealand | United States |
| Wins | 37 of 51 | 33 of 89 |
| Era | 1929–1932 | 1936–1940 |
| Symbol of | Strength & pride | Grit & resilience |
| Tragic End? | Yes | No |
| Immortalised by | Museums, National Identity | Books, Film, Pop Culture |
Honourable Mentions
While Phar Lap and Seabiscuit steal the spotlight, other champions have also become legends:
- Black Caviar (AUS) – Undefeated in 25 starts, a modern marvel of consistency and speed.
- Secretariat (USA) – The 1973 Triple Crown winner who still holds records today.
- Frankel (UK) – Retired unbeaten in 14 starts, widely regarded as a flawless racehorse.
- Makybe Diva (AUS) – The only horse to win the Melbourne Cup three times.
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So, Who Was the Real People’s Champion?
Phar Lap was a titan – the embodiment of strength and national pride. Seabiscuit was the fighter – the scrappy dream that never gave up.
Perhaps the answer isn’t who won more races, but who won more hearts.
Ask a child in 1930s Sydney what hope looked like, and they might say “Phar Lap.” Ask a steelworker in 1938 Chicago, and he’d say “Seabiscuit.”
Both horses galloped into more than history books – they raced into the soul of their people.
Carry the Legacy
At Mittys, we honour these stories with every stitch, stripe, and hoop. Whether you’re a syndicate, owner, or lifelong fan, your silks are more than fabric – they’re identity. They’re heritage. They’re hope, in colour and motion.