Summary

Tommy Woodcock, Phar Lap's strapper brought the blanket in a suitcase to the Museum of Victoria in 1979. He donated the blanket, suitcase and all its contents to the Museum in what was remembered as a emotional handover of precious belongings. Phar Lap and his blanket feature in Museums Victoria's Melbourne Story exhibition.

Although unexceptional in appearance, this woollen horse blanket is amongst the most precious items retained by Phar Lap's strapper, Tommy Woodcock.

Its significance lies in the fact that it was worn by the great race horse on 5 April 1932, the day he passed away in the United States, his head cradled in Woodcock's arms.

Woodcock donated it to the museum in 1979, with a number of other treasured mementos of his beloved charge.

 

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