title: Big Philou
text: # Big Philou
  
  Big Philou (foaled in 1965) was a notable New Zealand bred Thoroughbred racehorse. He was by the good sire Le Filou (imported from France) from Pink Lady by Contact and he was trained by Bart Cummings.
  
  He is best remembered for the controversy surrounding his withdrawal from the 1969 VRC Melbourne Cup when as the hot favourite he was the victim of a doping scandal and was withdrawn from the race 39 minutes before the start.
  
  Jockey Roy Higgins believed that the horse was a certainty to win the race.
  
  Rain Lover went on to win the Cup and created history as the first back-to-back winner since Archer in 1861 and 1862.
  
  Although he missed out on winning a Melbourne Cup the horse did record wins in the 1969 VATC Caulfield Cup, 1970 VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Autumn) and the 1970 VATC Underwood Stakes.
  
  ## Pedigree
  
  Pedigree of Big Philou :
  
  | Sire Le Filou 1946 | Vatellor 1933 | Vatout | Prince Chimay |
  | - | - | - | - |
  | Sire Le Filou 1946 | Vatellor 1933 | Vatout | Vasthi |
  | Sire Le Filou 1946 | Vatellor 1933 | Lady Elinor | Teddy |
  | Sire Le Filou 1946 | Vatellor 1933 | Lady Elinor | Madame Royale |
  | Sire Le Filou 1946 | Fileuse 1941 | Casterari | Fiterari |
  | Sire Le Filou 1946 | Fileuse 1941 | Casterari | Castleline |
  | Sire Le Filou 1946 | Fileuse 1941 | Diseuse | Diomedes |
  | Sire Le Filou 1946 | Fileuse 1941 | Diseuse | Boxeuse |
  | Dam Pink Lady 1956 | Contact 1931 | Marconigram | Abbots Trace |
  | Dam Pink Lady 1956 | Contact 1931 | Marconigram | Marcia Blanche |
  | Dam Pink Lady 1956 | Contact 1931 | Air Lady | Magpie |
  | Dam Pink Lady 1956 | Contact 1931 | Air Lady | Bandurria |
  | Dam Pink Lady 1956 | Cuddlesome 1948 | Red Mars | Hyperion |
  | Dam Pink Lady 1956 | Cuddlesome 1948 | Red Mars | Red Garter |
  | Dam Pink Lady 1956 | Cuddlesome 1948 | Fondle | Leighton |
  | Dam Pink Lady 1956 | Cuddlesome 1948 | Fondle | Caress |
  