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1977 Melbourne Cup - Tommy Woodcock and Reckless: iconic image…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
12-Nov-2020
Lot No.
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Description:
1977 Melbourne Cup - Tommy Woodcock and Reckless: iconic image (70.3 x 110 cm) of Reckless laying his head on the chest of trainer Woodcock, taken on the eve of the 1977 Melbourne Cup, in which Reckless ran second to Bart Cummings' Gold and Black, this being the image used on the front page of 'The Age' on Melbourne Cup Day, framed and glazed, overall 91 x 125.5 cm. Aaron 'Tommy' Woodcock (1905-85) was a horse strapper and trainer. He was apprenticed as a jockey at the age of 14 and won three of his first four starts. He soon outgrew his jockey physique and in 1929 was asked by trainer Harry Telford to care for Phar Lap. The pair became inseparable, Woodcock often sleeping next to the great horse. His quick thinking enabled Phar Lap to survive an assasination attempt prior to his triumphant win in the 1930 Melbourne Cup (and three other races at the same carnival!), and he was at the horse's side when he sadly passed in California in 1932. Woodcock later became a trainer, and in the 1970s owned the champion stallion Reckless who in 1977 won the Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane Cups prior to his gallant 2nd placing in the Melbourne Cup. Bruce Postle is an Australian multi-award-winning photojournalist who has shown his work in some 20 exhibitions. He was inducted into the MCG Media Hall of Fame in 1996 in recognition of his contribution as a Photographer to Sport. This photograph is accompanied by Bruce's account of how he was able to cajole the reluctant Woodcock into posing for this celebrated image.]
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified