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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 1 - 50) 164 items
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Poster - The Herald Newspaper Front Page, 04 Nov 1930
Alternative Name(s): Reproduction poster - Phar Lap's 1930 Melbourne Cup This poster was given away as a freebie at the opening of the 1993 Museum of Victoria exhibition `Phar Lap ... ...
Images: 1 -
Drawing - Les Mason, Phar Lap Winning the 1929 Rosehill Guineas, 1932
This drawing was of Phar Lap winning the Rosehill Guineas in Sydney in 1929 was done by Les Mason. He attended the race, and drew this from memory three years later in 1932, after Phar ...
Images: 1 -
Newspaper Supplement - Sporting Globe, Melbourne Cup, 1939
This A3 sized newspaper supplement was issued with the Sporting Globe on October 25th, 1939, to promote the upcoming Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Images: 1 -
Newspaper Cutting - The Sun, 'How Phar Lap Died, Cardigan's Story', 22 May 1932
This newspaper cutting, from the Sunday Sun newspaper, contains the second part of an article about Phar Lap's death, particularly a theory about it by horse racing journalist `Cardigan ...
Images: 1 -
Folder - `Phar Lap: The Wonder Horse', Henschke Primary School, Wagga Wagga, 1999
Cardboard folder hand made and decorated by the Year 3F students at Henschke Primary School, Wagga Wagga, NSW in 1999. Sent to the Museum in 1999 by the class's teacher, who thought th ...
Images: 1 -
Calendar - Spicers Paper, Australian Sporting Legends, 1993
This twelve page 1993 wall calendar was designed and produced in Melbourne, and depicts 20th Century Australian sporting personalities. The page for November includes a photograph of a ...
Images: 1 -
Newspaper Cutting - Daily Telegraph, Tragic Last Post for Mighty Phar Lap, 07 Apr 1932
This newspaper cutting, from the Daily Telegraph newspaper, contains a front page story about the death of Phar Lap, including a large photograph of Phar Lap and jockey racing. It is pa ...
Images: 2 -
Photograph - Phar Lap Headshot, Framed, 1930s
Framed magazine photograph of Phar Lap's head and shoulders.
Images: 1 -
Newspaper Cutting - Truth, Our Equine Idol Dies in Exile, 10 Apr 1932
This newspaper cutting, from the Truth newspaper, contains a front page story about the death of Phar Lap, including theories about his death. It is part of a group collected by the don ...
Images: 2 -
Newspaper Cutting - Daily Telegraph, Phar Lap's Relations, 06 Apr 1932
Newspaper cutting, from The Daily Telegraph newspaper, depicts the fate of Phar Lap's dam Entreaty and Sire Night Raid around the time of his death. It is part of a group collected by t ...
Images: 1 -
Newspaper Cutting - The Sun, Cardigan Reveals Truth about Phar Lap's Death, 22 May 1932
This newspaper cutting, from the Sunday Sun newspaper, contains the first part of an article about Phar Lap's death, particularly a theory about it by horse racing journalist `Cardigan' ...
Images: 1 -
Postcard - Nu-Colour-Vue, Phar Lap on Display at Museum Victoria, 1986
Glossy coloured souvenir postcard, depicting Phar Lap on display at the Museum. It is an example of the Phar Lap related merchandise sold in the Museum of Victoria shop in the 1980s.
Images: 2 -
Letter - My Story of Phar Lap, Sam Paynor, 1999
One of 26 letters hand written by the Year 3F students at Henschke Primary School, Wagga Wagga, NSW in 1999. Sent to the Museum in 1999 by the class's teacher, who thought the Museum w ...
Images: 1 -
Letter - My Story of Phar Lap, Bobby Tye, 1999
One of 26 letters hand written by the Year 3F students at Henschke Primary School, Wagga Wagga, NSW in 1999. Sent to the Museum in 1999 by the class's teacher, who thought the Museum w ...
Images: 1 -
Negative - Race Horse Night Raid, Sire of Phar Lap Sire, Timaru, New Zealand, 1932
Black and white copy negative 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), ...
Images: 1 -
Negative - Annual Trentham Horse Sale, New Zealand, 1931
Black and white copy negative depicting the 1931 horse sales, held annually in Trentham, New Zealand. It was from the 1928 sales that Harry Telford purchased Phar Lap. It belonged to t ...
Images: 1 -
Book - Helen Townsend, 'Phar Lap', Lansdowne Press, 1983
Book 'Phar Lap' published by Lansdowne Press in 1983 to coincide with the release of the motion picture `Phar Lap'. It was written by Helen Townsend, and was based on the film script by ...
Images: 2 -
Print - Daryl Lindsay, Phar Lap, 1932
Print of an original painting of Phar Lap by local artist Daryl Lindsay. This print was published by Melbourne's Sporting Globe newspaper as a colour supplement after Phar Lap's death i ...
Images: 1 -
Poster - Movietone News, Melbourne Cup Special, 1940s
Poster issued by Movietone News to advertise their newsreel showing the running of the Melbourne Cup. In the days before television, these posters would have been displayed at cinemas a ...
Images: 1 -
Newspaper Cutting - Phar Lap's Career Earnings, 1932
This newspaper cutting, from an unknown newspaper, lists the total career earning for Phar Lap after he won the 1932 Agua Caliente Handicap. It is part of a group collected by the donor ...
Images: 1 -
Ledger - Betting, Randwick Race Course, 1930
This betting ledger was used by bookmaker Reg McKay at Randwick Race Course in Sydney, NSW, in 1930. The bets are recorded in pencil in columns headed by the relevant horse's name. I ...
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Photograph - Jimmy Pike & Phar Lap Racing, Framed, 1930s
Framed magazine photograph of Jim Pike riding on the back of Phar Lap during a horse race. He is wearing the black and white Telford silks.
Images: 1 -
Cigarette Cards - BDV, Australian Sporting Stars
Collection of nine cigarette cards produced in Australia by B.D.V. Cigarettes. Acquired by the donor's father in the 1970s. The cards were historic items then and probably date from the ...
Images: 1 -
Photograph - Bill Elliot, Tommy Woodcock & Phar Lap at the Agua Caliente Handicap, Framed, ...
Framed hand coloured photograph of Bill Elliot sitting on the back of Phar Lap after the running of the Agua Caliente Handicap race in March, 1932. Trainer Tommy Woodcock is holding his ...
Images: 1 -
Picture - Stuart Reid, Phar Lap with Jim Pike, Mounted, 1931
Alternative Name(s): tin plaque This mounted picture is a reproduction for mass circulation of Stuart Reid's 1931 portrait of Phar Lap, and is an example of the souvenirs which were pr ...
Images: 1 -
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 -
Photograph - Phar Lap & Gerald Telford, 1931
Mounted sepia photograph depicting Gerald Telford, son of trainer Harry Telford, sitting on the back of Phar Lap, on a property at Bacchus Marsh. It was taken just prior to Phar Lap's t ...
Images: 1 -
Photograph - Phar Lap with Master G.H. Telford Up, Framed, 1931
This framed hand coloured photograph depicts Gerald Telford, the son of trainer Harry Telford, riding on the back of champion racehorse Phar Lap. It belonged to the family of his traine ...
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Photograph - Phar Lap Winning Victoria Derby, Framed, 1929
This framed photograph depicts Phar Lap winning the Victoria Derby at Flemington in 1929. It belonged to the family of his trainer Harry Telford family, and was amongst a number of item ...
Images: 1 -
Letter - Clemson to Davis, Phar Lap's Death, 11 May 1932
Letter of sympathy that was one of a large number sent to trainer and part owner Harry Telford after Phar Lap died in April, 1932. The Telford family retained the letters, and they were ...
From: Tumut, Australia Images: 2 -
Poster - National Museum of Victoria, Phar Lap, 1980s
A small poster of Australian race horse Phar Lap, produced by the National Museum of Victoria in the early 1980s. It is an example of the Phar Lap related merchandise sold in the Museu ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 1 -
Picture - Phar Lap & Jim Pike, Mounted, 1930s
Alternative Name(s): tin plaque This rectangular mounted picture, depicting Phar Lap and jockey Jim Pike, is an example of the Phar Lap related souvenirs which were produced and sold d ...
Images: 1 -
Painting - Jimmy Pike, Phar Lap, Acrylic, 2000
This artefact was painted by renowned artist Jimmy Pike, (c.1940 - 2002), a Walmajarri man who grew up in a semi-nomadic family group in the Great Sandy Desert. Young Jimmy Pike was nam ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 2 -
Betting Ticket - Phar Lap, Randwick Race Course, 1930
Small rectangular card betting ticket, issued by bookmaker Reg McKay at Randwick Race Course in 1930. It relates to a wager of 1800 pounds on the race horse Phar Lap.
From: Randwick, Australia Images: 2 -
Print - `Phar Lap, Winner of the Melbourne Cup, 1930', Museum Victoria, 1986
This small glossy print, depicting the mounted hide of Phar Lap, is an example of the Phar Lap related merchandise sold in the Museum of Victoria shop in the 1980s. Originally sold for ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 1 -
Book - Christchurch Press Co, New Zealand Stud Book, Volume X, 1927
Book published by the Christchurch Press Company in 1927, containing details about race horse bred during the 1926-27 season. Under the entry for the mare Entreaty, it lists an unnamed ...
From: Christchurch, New Zealand Images: 2 -
Book - Christchurch Press Co, The New Zealand Turf Register, 1927-1928
Book published by in 1928, and contains details about the racing industry in New Zealand in the season 1927-28, including horses sold at the 1928 Annual New Zealand Thoroughbred Yearlin ...
From: Christchurch, New Zealand Images: 2 -
Poem - Phar Lap, A Narrative of a Great Horse
This sympathy poem was originally sent to the Institute of Anatomy in Canberra, the original home of Phar Lap's heart. At some stage it has been sent to Museum Victoria, where it was re ...
From: Canberra, Australia Images: 1 -
Photographs - Phar Lap, A.J.C. Derby, Randwick, New South Wales, Framed, 1929
Six photographs in a frame of scenes at the 1929 A.J.C. Derby at Randwick. Photographs include Phar Lap. It was retained by the Telford family, and was amongst a number of items donated ...
From: Randwick, Australia Images: 1 -
Poem - George White, Phar Lap, 1941
This sympathy poem was one of a large number sent to Museum Victoria in the years since he went on display in January 1933. It was retained in the Museum's files until it was transferre ...
Images: 1 -
Cartoon - John Spooner, Phar Lap at Crown Casino, 10 Apr 1997
Cartoon of Phar Lap with his nose in a feeding bag, with the logo of the Crown Casino, as published in The Age of 10 April 1997. The drawing was done by John Spooner to illustrate an a ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 2 -
Magazine Cutting - Dam of Phar Lap Sold for 1500 Guineas, 1932
This magazine cutting was amongst a large number of sympathy letters sent to his trainer and part owner Harry Telford after Phar Lap died in April, 1932. The Telford family retained the ...
Images: 1 -
Sonnet - Peter Bladen, Phar Lap
This sympathy poem was one of a large number sent to Museum Victoria in the years since he went on display in January 1933. It was retained in the Museum's files until it was transferre ...
Images: 1 -
Cartoon - Ron Tandberg, Makybe Diva & Phar Lap, Colour Ink, 2005
This cartoon was produced by Melbourne cartoonist Ron Tandberg for inclusion in The Age newspaper of Wednesday 2nd November, 2005. It was in reaction to the racehorse Makybe Diva winnin ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 1 -
Poem - F.W. Smith, 'The Story of Phar Lap', 1930s
Sympathy poem that was one of a large number sent to Museum Victoria in the years since Phar Lap went on display in January 1933. It was retained in the Museum's files until it was tran ...
Images: 2 -
Cigarette Card - BDV, Bill.Elliot, 1930s
Cigarette card issued by BDV Cigarettes in the 1930s, as part of a set featuring famous sporting identities, including the champion jockey, Bill Elliot, who rode Phar Lap to seven victo ...
Images: 2 -
Magazine - Sports Novels, August 1958
Magazine published in Sydney in August 1958, and proclaims itself to be `Australia's leading sporting magazine'. It contains a number of articles related to boxing, football (both rugb ...
Images: 4 -
Cigarette Card - BDV, Phar Lap, 1930s
Cigarette card issued by BDV Cigarettes in the 1930s, as part of a set featuring famous sporting identities, including the champion race horse Phar Lap.
Images: 2 -
Photograph - Phar Lap & Gerald Telford, Mark Friend, 1931
Mounted hand tinted sepia photograph depicting Gerald Telford, son of trainer Harry Telford, sitting on the back of Phar Lap, on a property at Bacchus Marsh. It was taken just prior to ...
From: Bacchus Marsh, Australia Images: 2 -
Poem - M.E. Northcott, The Death of Phar Lap, 1932
Sympathy poem written by M.E. Northcott following the death of the racehorse, Phar Lap. It was one of a large number sent to his trainer and part owner Harry Telford after Phar Lap died ...
From: Brunswick East, Australia Images: 1
