RARE HONOUR FOR BONECRUSHER

GALLOPING star Bonecrusher made equestrian history 1986 by becoming this country’s first four-legged sporting ambassador. He joined other sporting greats, such as squash player Susan Devoy and canoeist Ian Furguson, after being bestowed with the title by Sport and Recreation Minister Mike Moore.

“Every once in a while a champion horse emerges and forms in a way that thrills the hearts of Australians and New Zealanders alike”, Mr Moore said at the time.

“He’s the kind of Kiwi many of us want to be: Strong, fast, good-looking, fiercely competitive, thoroughly professional, and a millionaire at three.”

And also, it turned out, absent for the big moment. The equine ambassador was unable to attend the ceremony as he is in Melbourne preparing for the W.S. Cox Plate at Moonee Valley the next day. He then went on to race in the Japan Cup the next month.

His certificate was accepted instead by Mr Wayne Cann, who had written and just released a song called Bonecrusher, and is a friend of his owner, Peter Mitchell.

And while Mr Moore reckons New Zealand should get a “good gallop overseas” from a sporting ambassador with four legs, it remains to be seen how Bonecrusher will cope with his official duties. They include attending Press Club luncheons and in-store promotions.