TJ Smith and Tulloch

Tommy Smith (1916-1998), racehorse trainer, was born at Jembaicumbene near Braidwood, NSW. He worked in the bush until he was 15, when he moved to Melbourne to become a jockey. After a bad fall, he gained a trainer's licence, winning his first race with Bragger, a 'mad brumby' he had found at Cootamundra, at Rosehill in 1942. His first major win came when George Moore won the AJC Derby on Playboy at 100-1 in 1949. He went on to win an unsurpassed string of 33 training premierships - he won the Sydney Trainer's Premiership every year from 1953 to 1985 - and collected six Golden Slippers, seven Cox Plates and two Melbourne Cups along the way. Variously known as 'The Little General' and 'The Dominator', Smith maintained one of Australia's biggest stables at his property, Tulloch Lodge. His daughter, Gai Waterhouse, has successfully continued his profession and his business.

This photograph shows Smith with Tulloch, who ranks with Kingston Town and Gunsynd as one of his most famous horses. Tulloch's three-year-old career remains unmatched in Australian racing history. His 14 victories in that season included the 1957 Caulfield Cup in Australian record time as well as the VRC, AJC and Queensland Derbies. However, his glory was curtailed by a serious stomach illness that sidelined him for nearly two years. He is shown here after winning the 1960 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick. The following year, he tore to an emotion-charged victory in the Brisbane Cup. In 53 starts, Tulloch's only unplaced run was in the 1961 Melbourne Cup.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased 2003
© Michael McQuillan's Classic Photographs