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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.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

Australian racing legends and best friends

Tommy Woodcock devoted his life to horses, and his unique connection and friendship with flighty racing thoroughbreds generated racecourse success and celebrity status.

Tommy Woodcock remains one of Australia’s most beloved horsemen, rising to fame as strapper of the legendary Phar Lap. In 1930 he protected ‘Big Red’ during an attempted shooting, and when the mighty horse died two years later in California – the victim of a suspected mob poisoning – it was in the arms of a heartbroken Woodcock. Through his career as a jockey, strapper and trainer, Tommy worked with many horses, including Reckless, whose distinguished career included wins in the Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide Cups of 1977. Photographer Bruce Postle remarked of the famous moment captured in this portrait: ‘Without a word of a lie, he looked at Reckless and Reckless looked at him, and this big stallion dropped down and put his head on his chest.’

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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.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency