Racehorse Bonecrusher immortalised in bronze at Ellerslie Racecourse

A bronze statue of Bonecrusher has been unveiled at Ellerslie Racecourse. Photo / Greg Bowker

One of New Zealand's most famous racehorses has been immortalised with a bronze statue above his resting place.

A statue of Bonecrusher, a 1985 New Zealand Derby winner and the first New Zealand racehorse to win more than $1 million, was unveiled at Ellerslie Racecourse today ahead of Saturday's Auckland Cup Day and the $200,000 race that bears his name.

Widely regarded as one of the best racehorses ever to race in Australasia, Bonecrusher passed away in 2015 aged 32.

A bronze statue of Bonecrusher has been unveiled at Ellerslie Racecourse. Photo / Greg Bowker

The life-sized replica, created by artist Michelle Farrell, depicts the champion racehorse in action and includes his famous shoulder scar and unique protruding tongue.

The statue was initially made out of clay before being broken down into 26 pieces to be cast in bronze at a foundry in Onehunga.

Bonecrusher's trainer Frank Ritchie said the statue's unveiling stirred a lot of emotion and brought back a lot of great memories.