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Phar Lap Collection
Image: Scrapbook - Phar Lap
Source: Museum Victoria
The Melbourne Museum has been the home of Phar Lap, since his mounted hide first went on permanent display in January 1933. He immediately became one of the Museum's most popular exhibits and has continued to draw the fascination of visitors over the decades since, becoming one of the most significant historical icons in any Australian Museum.
The Museum also holds an important collection of over 350 items of racing equipment and memorabilia relating to Phar Lap, including race programmes, winner's sashes, saddles, horseshoes, horse rugs, jockey's silks, a whip and other items collected by his owners and carers during his working life. Since the late 1980s, the Museum has activevly developed the collection to further document the social and historical context of Phar Lap's career and the enduring public interest in the horse since his tragic death at the height of the Great Depression. Included in the later category is an extensive archive of documents and photographs, examples of publicity materials produced by the Museum featuring Phar Lap, and a range of commercial and homemade souvenirs and memorabilia reflecting people's ongoing fascination with his story.
Highlights of the collection include the following:
- Phar Lap's mounted hide, taxidermy specimen prepared by Jonas Brothers, New York, in 1932
- Catalogue of the Annual New Zealand Thoroughbred Yearling Sales, 24 Jan 1928, at which Phar Lap was sold for 160 guineas
- Certificate of Registration of Racehorse, issued for Phar Lap, 3 December 1928
- Tommy Woodcock's suitcase, in which the strapper stored equipment & memorabilia relating to his beloved Phar Lap for 50 years, before donating it to Museum Victoria
- Harry Telford's tonic book, used during the 1930s when he was trainer and part-owner of Phar Lap
- Jockey's silks & cap owned by trainer Harry Telford, used on Phar Lap in 36 races from 1929-1931
- Tommy Woodcock's horse brush & whip, used while caring for Phar Lap
- Presentation sashes awarded to Phar Lap for his win in the VRC Derby, 2 November 1929, and three other races
- Training saddle worn by Phar Lap during trackwork, early 1930s
- Framed photograph of Phar Lap winning the 1930 Melbourne Cup, from the family of Harry Telford
- Billy Elliot's Phar Lap Saddle used by jockey William Elliot in Phar Lap's final races
- Pair of horseshoes for the Agua Caliente Handicap, Mexico, worn by Phar Lap during his final race in March 1932
- Horse rug worn by Phar Lap at the time of his death at Menlo Park, California, 5 April 1932
- Dozens of sympathy letters sent to Harry Telford by adoring fans and supporters following Phar Lap's death
- Scrapbook of newspaper and magazine clippings, compiled between 1930-1990 by Marie Davie, one of the many fans who became a lifelong devotee of Phar Lap.
Related Stories:
Phar Lap, Champion Race Horse (1926-1932)
Harry Telford, Race Horse Owner & Trainer (1877-1960)
Tommy Woodcock, Race Horse Strapper & Trainer (1905-1985)
David Davis, Entrepreneur & Race Horse Owner
Jim Pike, Jockey (1892-1969)
Phar Lap in America, 1932
Related Resources:
Phar Lap - the Story of Australia's Wonder Horse
Phar Lap Infosheet
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 101 - 150) 252 items
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Certificate of Registration - Phar Lap, 03 Dec 1928
This certificate was issued in Sydney on 3rd December, 1928 to owner David Davis to register Phar Lap as a race horse.
From: Sydney, Australia Images: 2 -
Booklet - Agua Caliente Jockey Club, Third Annual Winter Season, 1931-1932
Alternative Name(s): Program The booklet was issued by the Agua Caliente Jockey Club to promote the 1931-1932 racing season, including the running of the Agua Caliente Handicap in Marc ...
From: Agua Caliente, Mexico Images: 2 -
Painting - F.M.Collingridge, Phar Lap, Oil, 1930s
This small oil painting is significant as a contemporary interpretation of Phar Lap by a professional artist. F. M. Collingridge was described by researchers in the Arts Library of the ...
Images: 1 -
Booklet - Racing Victoria, Phar Lap 75th Anniversary, 2005
This booklet was produced by Racing Victoria in 2005 to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the winning of the 1930 Melbourne Cup by the racehorse Phar Lap. The information inside was su ...
From: Flemington, Australia Images: 4 -
Theatre Programme - APG, Pram Factory, Phar Lap, it's Cingalese for Lightning Y'know, 1977
In 1977 the Australian Performing Group staged a production of this new play, written by Stephen Mastare, at the Pram Factory in Carlton. Unhappy with the depiction of his father, Harry ...
From: Carlton, Australia Images: 3 -
Photograph - Phar Lap & Jockey Bill Elliot, Agua Caliente,13 Mar 1932
Small black and white photograph of jockey Bill Elliot and Phar Lap in trackwork at Agua Caliente Racecourse, Mexico, on 13 March 1932. By 1931, Phar Lap had won virtually every major ...
From: Agua Caliente, Mexico Images: 3 -
Photograph - Race Horse Night Raid, Sire of Phar Lap Sire, Timaru, New Zealand, 1932
Black and white photograph depicting the horse Night Raid, which was the sire (father) of champion race horse Phar Lap. It belonged to the donor's father, Mr Jim Shaw (1908-1992), who ...
From: Timaru, New Zealand Images: 3 -
Postcard - Phar Lap, National Museum of Victoria, 1930s
This postcard was produced in the 1930s by the National Museum of Victoria (now Museum Victoria) as a souvenir of the newly acquired mount of the champion racehorse Phar Lap. Surprising ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 2 -
Balloon - Edgley Ventures, Congratulations Phar Lap, John & Michael, Black, 1983
Uninflated black balloon with white text printed on it. This balloon was produced in 1983 to decorate the cinema holding the World premier screenings of the Australian motion picture ` ...
From: Hawthorn, Australia Images: 1 -
Poem - Phar Lap, 19 May 1932
Sympathy poem belonging to a large number of items sent to his trainer and part owner, Harry Telford, after Phar Lap died in April, 1932. The Telford family retained the poems and they ...
Images: 2 -
Catalogue - Annual New Zealand Thoroughbred Yearling Sales, 24 Jan 1928
Catalogue for the Annual New Zealand Thoroughbred Yearling Sales, 1928, at which Phar Lap was sold. The original owner of the catalogue has annotated the listing for Lot 41 (later known ...
Images: 3 -
Advertising Print - Penfolds Wines, Phar Lap, 1932
Card advertising poster produced by Penfolds Wines, dated 1932. It features a coloured painting of Phar Lap, reproduced from the original painted by R. Code and owned by Harry Telford ...
Images: 1 -
Horseshoe - Phar Lap, Agua Caliente, 1932
This horseshoe was given to the donor by Phar Lap's strapper, Tommy Woodcock, during the 1980s, after he recorded several oral history sessions with him. Tommy Woodcock told the donor ...
From: Agua Caliente, Mexico Images: 6 -
Photograph - Phar Lap & Tommy Woodcock, 1931
Mounted sepia photograph depicting strapper Tommy Woodcock and the field manager standing next to Phar Lap, on a property at Bacchus Marsh. It was taken just prior to Phar Lap's trip to ...
From: Bacchus Marsh, Australia Images: 4 -
Photograph - Phar Lap, Billy Elliot & Tommy Woodcock, Agua Caliente, Mexico, 20 Mar 1932
Photograph, taken in Mexico on 20th March 1932, depicts the race horse Phar Lap, after winning the Agua Caliente Handicap. His trainer Tommy Woodcock holds his reins, while race jockey ...
From: Agua Caliente, Mexico Images: 1 -
Balloon - Edgley Ventures, Congratulations Phar Lap, John & Michael, Cream, 1983
Uninflated cream balloon with black text printed on it. This balloon was produced in 1983 to decorate the cinema holding the World premier screenings of the Australian motion picture ` ...
From: Hawthorn, Australia Images: 1 -
Theatre Programme - APG, Pram Factory, Phar Lap, it's Cingalese for Lightning Y'know, 1977
In 1977 the Australian Performing Group staged a production of this new play, written by Stephen Mastare, at the Pram Factory in Carlton. Unhappy with the depiction of his father, Harry ...
Images: 1 -
Racing Programme - VRC, Derby Day, Flemington, 01 Nov 1930
Race program issued for the Victorian Racing Club Derby Day Meeting, held at Flemington Race Course on 1st November, 1930. Phar Lap ran in, and won, the Melbourne Stakes, with prize mon ...
From: Flemington, Australia Images: 5 -
Postcard - Phar Lap, Photograph Album, E. Taylor, Holiday to Sydney, Canberra & Melbourne, ...
Postcard from an album assembled by the original owner, E. Taylor, which relates to a 21 day bus tour that he and his wife took through the ACT, New South Wales and Victoria in March/Ap ...
Images: 1 -
Racing Programme - VRC, St Leger Stakes, Flemington, 01 Mar 1930
Official Race Programme for the VRC Autumn Meeting held on Saturday 1st March, 1930 at Flemington Racecourse. Features details of the race, St Leger Stake, entered by Phar Lap.
From: Flemington, Australia Images: 3 -
Letter - Sculthorpe to Telford, Phar Lap's Death, 17 Apr 1932
This letter of sympathy was one of a large number sent to his trainer and part owner Harry Telford after Phar Lap died in April, 1932. The Telford family retained the letters, and they ...
From: Nicholls Rivulet, Australia Images: 1 -
Balloon - Edgley Ventures, Congratulations Phar Lap, John & Michael, Red, 1983
Uninflated red balloon with black text printed on it. This balloon was produced in 1983 to decorate the cinema holding the World premier screenings of the Australian motion picture `Ph ...
From: Hawthorn, Australia Images: 1 -
Booklet - Racing Victoria, Phar Lap 75th Anniversary, 2005
This booklet was produced by Racing Victoria in 2005 to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the winning of the 1930 Melbourne Cup by the racehorse Phar Lap. The information inside was su ...
From: Flemington, Australia Images: 4 -
Photograph - Phar Lap, Billy Elliot and Tommy Woodcock, Agua Caliente, 20 Mar 1932
Photograph, taken in Mexico on 20th March 1932, depicts the race horse Phar Lap, after winning the Agua Caliente Handicap. His trainer Tommy Woodcock holds his reins, while race jockey ...
From: Agua Caliente, Mexico Images: 1 -
Poem - Phar Lap, 1932
This sympathy poem was one of a large number sent to his trainer and part owner Harry Telford after Phar Lap died in April, 1932. The Telford family retained the poems, and they were do ...
From: Petone, New Zealand Images: 1 -
Photograph - Phar Lap, Tommy Woodcock, Mark Friend & Bacchus Marsh Field Manager, circa 19 ...
Black and white photograph of Mark Friend, Tommy Woodcock and the Bacchus Marsh Field Manager standing beside Phar Lap, circa 1930.
Images: 1 -
Booklet - Racing Victoria, Phar Lap 75th Anniversary, 2005
This booklet was produced by Racing Victoria in 2005 to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the winning of the 1930 Melbourne Cup by the racehorse Phar Lap. The information inside was su ...
From: Flemington, Australia Images: 4 -
Letter - Tom Woodcock to Miss Helen Fussee, 18 Mar 1932
This letter was sent by Phar Lap's strapper Tommy Woodcock to the donor's aunt on 18th March 1932, just two days before the running of the Agua Caliente Handicap. It was in response to ...
From: Agua Caliente, Mexico Images: 2 -
Scrapbook - Marie Davie, Phar Lap, 1930-1990
This scrapbook was compiled in Melbourne by a lifelong Phar Lap devotee, Marie Davie, and includes numerous newspaper and magazine clippings.
From: Niddrie, Australia Images: 5 -
Letter - Dawsons to Telford, Phar Lap's Death, 15 Apr 1932
This letter of sympathy was one of a large number sent to his trainer and part owner Harry Telford after Phar Lap died in April, 1932. The Telford family retained the letters, and they ...
From: Wairoa, New Zealand Images: 1 -
Doubles Chart - Caulfield & Melbourne Cups, 1930
This doubles chart was issued by an unknown bookmaker (possibly George Lyons) to his regular clients to promote the various odds offered on different pairs of horses to win both the 193 ...
Images: 4 -
Booklet - `The Record Breaker, Phar Lap, Greatest of all Race Horses', New Century Press, ...
Booklet published and placed on sale within a few days of Phar Lap's death on 5th April, 1932. It was written by Jack Spinty, a leading Sydney racing writer, and includes a foreword e ...
From: Sydney, Australia Images: 2 -
Letter - Mason to Telford, Phar Lap's Death, 10 Apr 1932
This letter of sympathy was one of a large number sent to his trainer and part owner Harry Telford after Phar Lap died in April, 1932. The Telford family retained the letters, and they ...
From: Parramatta, Australia Images: 1 -
Photograph - Phar Lap, Trainer Tommy Woodcock & Jockey Bill Elliot, Agua Caliente, 20 Mar ...
Small black and white photograph of trainer Tommy Woodcock, jockey Bill Elliot and Phar Lap at Agua Caliente Race Course in Mexico, on 20 March 1932. By 1931, Phar Lap had won virtuall ...
From: Agua Caliente, Mexico Images: 2 -
Photograph - Phar Lap Winning Melbourne Cup, Framed, 1930
Framed pair of photographs depicts Phar Lap winning the 1930 Melbourne Cup, and the presentation of the trophy. It belonged to the family of his trainer Harry Telford family, and was am ...
From: Sydney, Australia Images: 3 -
Book - The Phar Lap Story
Paperback book issued to coincide with the release of the motion picture `Phar Lap - Hero to a Nation' in 1983. On the front cover is a photograph of actor Tom Burlinson as Tommy Woodco ...
Images: 2 -
Christmas Card - Eric Thake, 'Gallery Director' or 'This way to Pharlap', Linocut Print, 1 ...
This linocut, one of a small number hand printed by Melbourne artist Eric Thake as his 1954 Christmas Card, is an important addition to the Museum's Phar Lap collection. It currently co ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 2 -
Print - J L Fleury, Phar Lap before the Chariot of the Sun, 1932
Framed print entitled "Phar Lap before the Chariot of the Sun" by Australian artist Joseph Luke Fleury in1932. It was originally purchased by a family friend of the vendor at an exhibit ...
Images: 6 -
Bookmark - Museum Victoria, Phar Lap, 1986
This maroon leather bookmark is an example of the Phar Lap related merchandise sold in the Museum of Victoria shop in the 1980s.
Images: 1 -
Schedule of Prizes & Synopsis of Events - Tattersalls, Melbourne Cup Sweep, 1930
Sheet produced in Tasmania by Tattersalls to provide information about the various sweeps that it was organising in conjunction with the running of the 1930 Melbourne Cup. It also conta ...
From: Hobart, Australia Images: 2 -
Cut Throat Razor - Phar Lap, 1930s
Razor made by J.Dirlam & Sons, in Germany in the 1930s. It has an image of Phar Lap and his name printed on one side.
Images: 4 -
Letter - Reid to Telford, Phar Lap's Death, 14 Apr 1932
This letter of sympathy was one of a large number sent to his trainer and part owner Harry Telford after Phar Lap died in April, 1932. The Telford family retained the letters, and they ...
From: Launceston, Australia Images: 2 -
Letter - Elwin to Telford, Phar Lap's Death, 11 Aprl 1932
This letter of sympathy was one of a large number sent to his trainer and part owner Harry Telford after Phar Lap died in April, 1932. The Telford family retained the letters, and they ...
From: Wondalga, Australia Images: 1 -
Picture - 'Phar Lap: Champion of Champions', Framed, 1996
Alternative Name(s): Paper Tolle Framed picture from the 1990s shows the ongoing fascination in the Phar Lap story, and the need to represent this through contemporary collectible item ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 1 -
Application Form - Tattersall's Melbourne Cup Sweep, 1938
This form was issued by Tattersalls to promote the various sweeps it was organising in conjunction with the running of the 1938 Melbourne Cup. It was found by the donor under the floo ...
Images: 4 -
Photograph - Phar Lap's Entourage, Agua Caliente, 1932
Rectangular black and white photograph of four men between two cars, with a decorative printed border. This photograph, taken in Mexico in March 1932, depicts Phar Lap's trainer Tommy ...
From: Agua Caliente, Mexico Images: 1 -
Letter - Ward to Telford, Phar Lap's Death, 14 Apr 1932
This letter of sympathy was one of a large number sent to his trainer and part owner Harry Telford after Phar Lap died in April, 1932. The Telford family retained the letters, and they ...
From: Mitcham, Australia Images: 1 -
Statuette - Phar Lap, Plaster, 1930s
The plaster figure of Phar Lap was produced in Australia during the early 1930s to capitalise on the growing popularity of Phar Lap. It is believed that they were produced by an Italian ...
Images: 2 -
Game - M & L Plastics, Raceplay Horse Racing Game, Melbourne, 1945
This boxed children racing game was manufactured in Melbourne shortly after the Second World War. It consists of eight plastic race horses and jockeys attached to a 'control box' by ap ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 1 -
Charm - Perfection Souvenirs, Phar Lap, 1986
This small metal jewellery charm is an example of the Phar Lap related merchandise sold in the Museum of Victoria shop in the 1980s.
Images: 1
