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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

Australian Love Stories online
 

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 and Reckless
Tommy Woodcock and Reckless, 1977 (printed 2010) Bruce Postle. © Bruce Postle

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.’

You have viewed 22 stories and your love score awaits!


(Or read more to further swell your heart)

Choose your next love story

Artist kisses subject, 2014 Sophia Hewson. Private collection. © Sophia Hewson. Photo: © AGNSW
Artist kisses subject, 2014 Sophia Hewson. Private collection. © Sophia Hewson. Photo: © AGNSW
Artist kisses subject, 2014 Sophia Hewson. Private collection. © Sophia Hewson. Photo: © AGNSW
Artist kisses subject, 2014 Sophia Hewson. Private collection. © Sophia Hewson. Photo: © AGNSW

Erotic-platonic

Julia Matthews
Julia Matthews
Julia Matthews
Julia Matthews

Infatuation and (ill-fated) exploration

Reputedly Elizabeth Macarthur, 1785-1790 Unknown
Reputedly Elizabeth Macarthur, 1785-1790 Unknown
Reputedly Elizabeth Macarthur, 1785-1790 Unknown
Reputedly Elizabeth Macarthur, 1785-1790 Unknown

A one-in-a-thousand woman

Summer 1986
Summer 1986
Summer 1986
Summer 1986

Books, beets and heat

George and Jemima Billet with family
George and Jemima Billet with family
George and Jemima Billet with family
George and Jemima Billet with family

Desirable outcomes, undesirable origins

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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.

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