‘Tulloch’ makes a comeback at Scone

Featured Image: Auctioneer Neil Buffier knocks down ‘Tulloch’ for 750 guineas to T J Smith

This one would win a lot of Trivial Pursuit Quizzes!

‘The Tulloch Story’ was a documentary produced by Sky Channel personality Graham McNiece. Graham nurtured a genuine passion for the ‘real’ horse. He uncovered a Tulloch look-alike at Segenhoe, Lot 23 in the Scone sale in 1990, a bay colt by Aurealis from Sweet Miss. Scone auctioneer Neil Buffier, impeccably attired in a pin striped dark grey suit, and pork-pie hat ‘knocked down’ the bay colt led by Guy Cawthorne (Segenhoe) for 750 guineas to Ray Young (Sydney) deputising as T J Smith at Trentham (NZ) yearling sales in 1956. Several dozen race day patrons appropriately attired and wearing hats of the 50s era filled in as extras.

Local trainer Phil Mcleod actually purchased Lot 23 for $2200:00. Alas the sale ring ‘ring in’ later failed to emerge as the second coming of champion Tulloch!

I must remember to ask Neil Buffier how he managed his NZ vowels while calling the bids?

Footnote: ‘Tulloch’ started 53 times for 36 wins and only one unplaced run in the 1960 Melbourne Cup. He amassed £108,293 (about $216,586) in prizemoney, a record which stood for 11 years. He was the first horse in Australia to win stake money of £100,000 ($200,000).