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At the Trentham Yearling Sales in New Zealand in 1956, trainer Tommy (T J) Smith bought Lot 178 'on spec' for 750 gns. The bay colt was foaled at the famous Trelawney Stud and offered for sale by L S
Otway and D Blackie. His sire was the imported sire Khorassan and he was the first foal of the mare Florida by Salmagundi. The colt was one of 17 colts and fillies purchased by Smith and on arrival in Sydney
he had no problem selling them until he was left with the Khorassan colt. He contacted a client, Mr E A Haley, who noticed the colt had a "swampy" back but liked his breeding, presence and intelligence. He
named him TULLOCH
for the town where his mother was born in Scotland. Tulloch had his first start as a two year old in the AJC Breeders Plate at Randwick, starting favourite, but was beaten by Flying Kurana, with Prince Darius third. A week later, with George Moore in the saddle, he won the Canonbury Stakes with Prince Darius second. Tulloch was sent to Melbourne for the Spring races and easily won at Caulfield. He was beaten by Concert Star in the VRC Maribyrnong Plate, followed by a win at Flemington. As an Autumn two year old, Tulloch was beaten at his first two starts. Over seven furlongs in the VRC Sires Produce Stakes he raced away to win from Ace High. A week later over the shorter distance of six furlongs he was beaten by that horse in the Ascot Vale Stakes. He returned to Sydney and won at Warwick Farm over 7 furlongs, beating his old foe Prince Darius. In the AJC Sires Produce Stakes there were only three starters - Tulloch, Todman and Prince Darius. Todman led clearly but was overhauled by Tulloch who was unbeaten at the distance. Over six furlongs in the Champagne Stakes, Todman turned the tables and beat Tulloch by six lengths. Smith then took Tulloch to Brisbane where he won the QTC Sires Produce Stakes and was then sent for a spell. As a three year old, Tulloch won 14 races and was placed twice from 16 starts. He smashed records and easily beat the best horses in Australasia. He began his campaign in August 1957 when he won the Warwick Stakes beating Macdougall, Monte Carlo and Caranna. Back to his own age he beat Prince Darius in the 10 furlong Rosehill Guineas and again in the mile and a half AJC Derby, by six lengths in record time that had been held by Phar Lap since 1929. Next was the Caulfield Guineas, and then the Caulfield Cup, ridden by Neville Sellwood, where he beat Mac's Amber and Sailor's Guide (who went on to win the Washington International Stakes in America). Tulloch seemed certain to win the Melbourne Cup a fortnight later but owner Haley declared his horse would not run as he was expected to carry too much weight. Tulloch then won the VRC Derby by 8 lengths from Prince Darius (who was beaten into second place in the Melbourne Cup). Next was the CB Fisher Plate at w.f.a. beating Sailor's Guide and then on to Queensland where he won the QTC Derby by 7 lengths. He stayed in Brisbane for a short spell but in the heat contracted a skin complaint and returned south in less than perfect condition. At his first start he was beaten by old rival Prince Darius in the St George Stakes at Caulfield and again in the VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes by Sailor's Guide and Prince Darius. He finished off his three year old season by winning the VRC St Leger, STC Rawson Stakes, AJC Chipping Norton Stakes, AJC St Leger Stakes, AJC All Aged Stakes and the AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Whilst spelling Tulloch contracted a mysterious stomach complaint that saw the champion fighting for his life. For almost two years he battled the recurring infection losing weight and condition. At last he began to eat up and his scouring stopped. He had been off the scene from April 1958 until his return in the VRC Queens Plate on 12th March 1960 where he would meet the weight-for-age performer Lord. No one dared hope that he might win but true to his fighting spirit he took the lead half way down the straight and won by a short head. The ovation lasted minutes. He went on to win 14 races from 23 more starts but never recaptured his brilliant three year old form. He was out of a place only once in his career in the 1960 Melbourne Cup. His remaining wins included the Mackinnon Stakes, W S Cox Plate, AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes. His last race was the 1961 QTC Brisbane Cup which he won drawing away by 1 3/4 lengths. His record shows 53 starts for 36 wins, 12 seconds and 4 thirds. Tulloch stood at E A Haley's Te Koona Stud but his feats on the track were not reproduced at stud and he managed only a handful of city winners. He died at Old Gowang Stud near Coonabarabran on 30th June 1969 at 15 years of age. |
