Champion’s farewell for beloved horse known as ‘bush Phar Lap’

by Admin
July 28, 2024

In short: Outback racing legend Fab’s Cowboy has retired at almost 13 years old, with 54 wins out of 159 starts.

He almost died at birth, and had a slow start to his career but went on to win more races than any other horse in the modern racing era.

What’s next? Fab’s Cowboy has been accepted into the Living Legends racehorse retirement facility.

It wasn’t a fairytale ending for the horse known as “bush Phar Lap”, but as co-owner Paul Currin says, “he’s never had a fairytale”.

Fab’s Cowboy has 54 wins and 46 placings to his name off 159 starts, more than any other horse in the modern racing era.

The almost 13-year-old gelding cemented himself as an outback racing legend in March when he broke the previous record of 51 wins.

He finished seventh in his final run in Longreach on Saturday, but was given a champion’s farewell.

“Fairytales don’t work for everyone, never worked for him, but he still finished a winner,” Mr Currin said.

Fab’s Cowboy is named after horse breeder, the late Fabian Currin — Paul’s uncle, and the father of co-owner, Liz Currin.

He turns 13 on August 1, the age of compulsory retirement for racehorses.

“We’ve done something in country racing that’ll never be done again in our era; [I] never thought he’d even win a race,” trainer Bevan “Billy” Johnson said.

“Fifty-four wins, a lot of close shaves for second — it’s pretty incredible.”

Fab’s Cowboy was given a champion’s farewell after his final race.(ABC Western Qld: Heidi Sheehan)

Part of the family

The race marked the emotional end of an era for Mr Johnson and wife Mel, who say Fab’s Cowboy has become part of the family.

“It’s going to be a big hole in the stable, our family and our life,” Mr Johnson said.

“We have a couple of other horses — we’ll never have another Fab’s Cowboy.”

Fab’s Cowboy with his trainers and jockeys.(Supplied: Racing Queensland)

Ms Johnson said it was surreal saying goodbye to a horse that had been in their lives longer than one of their children.

“It was a little bit like walking one of our children down the aisle and giving them away to venture into their new life without us,” she said.

“We don’t clock in and clock out; it’s seven days a week, all hours, rain, hail or shine.

“We develop really big bonds with these animals in our care.”

At 12 years old, Fab’s Cowboy is nearly twice the age of most racehorses.(Supplied: Racing Queensland)

Fitting retirement for legend of the sport

Fab’s Cowboy had a rough start to life and a slow start to his racing career.

He almost died at birth, born in Julia Creek’s sweltering heat and severe drought conditions.

“He did it tough at the start, whether that’s what made him what he is,” Mr Currin said.

The horse will see out the rest of his days at Living Legends in Victoria — a racehorse retirement facility home to retired champion racehorses, including several Melbourne Cup winners.

“He’s going down to live with the best of the best, so he’s in pretty good company,” Mr Currin said.

“He didn’t do it under the biggest fanfare, with the biggest crowds or the biggest money.”

But he did win $440,000 throughout his racing career.