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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

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Tommy Woodcock and Reckless

1977 (printed 2010)
Bruce Postle

type C photograph on paper (sheet: 35.8 cm x 50.6 cm, image: 30.4 cm x 40.5 cm)

Aaron ‘Tommy’ Woodcock (1905–1985), horse strapper and trainer, was the son of a Cobb & Co driver and was close to horses from childhood. Apprenticed as a jockey at fourteen, he moved from the north coast of NSW to Randwick, where he won three of his first four starts. Although at the age of sixteen he weighed just 32 kilos, in due course he physically outgrew the job. Horses loved him and in 1929, trainer Harry Telford asked him to care for Phar Lap full-time. The pair was inseparable; Woodcock often slept beside the beast and legend has it that Phar Lap (or Bobby, as Woodcock called him) would not accept food from anyone else. Phar Lap died at the age of six in California in 1932, Woodcock by his side; Woodcock had his own theory as to the cause of his death, but he never revealed it. In 1931 Woodcock had gained his trainer’s licence; after working on the land during the war, he ran racehorses out of stables at Mentone and then Mordialloc. Late in his career, Reckless, who won the Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane Cups, was prominent amongst his steeds. This photograph was taken before the 1977 Melbourne Cup, in which Reckless ran second to Bart Cumming’s Gold and Black.

Bruce Postle (b. 1940) had heard that Tommy Woodcock slept alongside his horses before a big race. Having promised his editor that he already had a great front-page shot for the Melbourne Cup issue of the Age, Postle crept down to the stables with a lilo, which he placed gingerly beside Reckless. Entreated by Postle to lie down, a protesting Woodcock eventually relented. Postle exposed two frames and this one was used on the front page of the Age the next day.

Purchased with funds provided by James Bain AM and Janette Bain 2010
© Bruce Postle

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

Bruce Postle (age 37 in 1977)

Aaron Woodcock (age 72 in 1977)

Subject professions

Sports and recreation

Supported by

James Bain AM (6 portraits supported)

Janette Bain (6 portraits supported)

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

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