Racing: Bonecrusher, the Big Red, celebrates 30 year milestone

Bonecrusher leads Lord Amber during a workout at Ellerslie 21 October 1988.

Superstar often did the near impossible to win 18 races and $2.54 million

Legendary New Zealand racehorse Bonecrusher is this year celebrating 30 years since winning the New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie.

The 32-year-old former champion galloper, nicknamed "Big Red", was one of the best racing horses in his heyday in the 80s.

Trained by Frank Ritchie, Bonecrusher was known for his gutsy winning style - often coming from near-impossible positions to overtake the field.

(Left) Bonecrusher with trainer Frank Ritchie in 1992. Frank's son Shaune with the galloper at his Takanini propert in 2003.

Memorable career moments for the chestnut horse include beating Waverley Star in the 1986 Cox Plate. The event between the two racing superstars was dubbed the race of the century.

However about a month later, the imposing horse nearly died in Tokyo after contracting a virus before the 1986 Japan Cup.

That same year, then Sports Minister Mike Moore declared Bonecrusher an official New Zealand sporting ambassador, quipping: "I'm the first to elevate a horse since Caligula [referring to the notorious Roman emperor who made his horse a senator]."

(Left) Bonecrusher is led back to the birdcage by Sharlene Mitchell, daughter of owners Peter and Shirley Mitchell, after the 1985 NZ Derby win. Ms Mitchell with the horse this month. Photos / Supplied, Brett Phibbs

The horse's enormous athleticism won him 18 races, nine of them group one level, and $2.54 million, finishing almost every race with his trademark tongue sticking up the side of his head.

He also inspired his most hardy fans to record a track dedicated to him, titled Tribute to a Champion.