Search the collections
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) 123 items
-
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 ...
Images: 3 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Poem - J Lester, Mighty 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: Blackball, New Zealand Images: 2 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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
