Item MM 106654 Photograph - Phar Lap's Entourage, Agua Caliente, 1932

Summary

Rectangular black and white photograph of five men in front of a car, with a decorative printed border.

This photograph, taken in Mexico in March 1932, depicts Phar Lap's trainer Tommy Woodcock, race jockey Bill Elliott, track jockey Jack Martin, vet Dr William Nielsen and farrier James Smith. It was taken after the running of the Agua Caliente Handicap, on March 20th, and shows the group relaxing after the pressures of the race had dissipated.

It was printed on March 24th in San Diego, as the group headed back to San Franciso. This copy was the property of Canadian James Smith, the only member of the group not from Australia.

Description of Content

Rectangular black and white photograph of five men in front of a car, with a decorative printed border.

Physical Description

Rectangular black and white glossy photograph of five men in front of a car, with a decorative printed border. There is a black printer's stamp on the back.

Significance

This photograph is a significant as part of a small collection documenting Phar Lap's participation in the Agua Caliente Handicap, in Mexico in 1932. In particular, it relates to damaging of his front left hoof two week's before the race, an injury that could have cost him the race. Canadian farrier James Ferguson Smith, who originally owned this collection, was the man given the task of removing the old shoe and replacing it with a supportive bar shoe, crafted by his own hands.

Smith ingenious handiwork, along with trainer Tommy Woodcock's careful and calculated training schedule enabled Phar Lap not only to participate in the race, after fears of him being scratched, but to win it comfortably.

This photograph is especially interesting, as it is a previously unknown image documenting members of Phar Lap's entourage relaxing after the big race.