A young girl alerts the Melbourne Herald by letter that Telford is dying in 1960- The racing fraternity then visits him in hospital

I just wanted to recount a true story involving my Mother, Kaye Dunen (nee Stewart) and the famous racehorse, Phar Lap.

Harry Telford was Phar Laps lessee for the first three years on contract from owner David Davis, and Telford was always his trainer through Phar Laps entire career.

After three years Telford purchased a 50% share of Phar Lap for 4000 pounds from owner Davis.

Phar Lap then won his next race in America and it was the world's richest horse race. Then he died from poisoning soon after.

He somehow ended up ill in the Bacchus Marsh Hospital in country Victoria in 1960. I think he was living in Bacchus Marsh. My mother, who was about 17 years old, was up at the hospital visiting her grandfather Mr. Kershaw.

She was with her step-father, Dick Stewart who was a horse trainer & knew Telford. Dick pointed out Telford to my mother telling her of his famous link to Phar Lap.

Kaye Dunen of Bacchus Marsh, aged 77 in 2020. She was one of the last people to see Harry Telford before he died.

My mother went over to Telford who was fast asleep and woke him and introduced herelf, they talked for a long while and made friends.

My mother was saddened that Telford was dying, broke and alone in the Bacchus Marsh Hospital so she wrote a letter to the Melbourne Herald telling of Telford’s sad plight and The Herald published the letter.

Once the facing fraternity were aware that Telford was in the Bacchus Marsh Hospital on his last legs, they got a group of jockeys and trainers together, all old mates of his, and they went up to the hospital for a last goodbye and the gave him a heap of flowers.

They all told yarns and old racing stories for a couple of hours then left. Telford passed-away soon after that.

Tommy Woodcock, pictured above right with Phar Lap in 1931 at Underbank Stud in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria

It is worth noting that Phar Lap was quite often kept at Underbank Stud in Bacchus Marsh while resting between races. He is pictured above with Tommy Woodcock on the right at Underbank Stud in 1931

Posted in response to my story after it was posted on a Bacchus Marsh Facebook interest page-

From my second cousin Dougy Stewart- “Harry Telford lived at Underbank Horse Stud in Bacchus Marsh for many years after Phar Lap went to America and died.

I remember Mr. Telford as a kid, everywhere he went there was always a herd of cats following him. So, if that’s the sort of person he was then he was alright”.

From Gay Marie Jarvis of Bacchus Marsh in reply to my story on Facebook- "That is a lovely story about Harry. He lived in the hay loft at Underbank Stud when owned by Bob Green & he would come around to our place for his meals.

I really loved listening to his stories about Phar Lap & counting the sugar he had in his cup of tea, about four from memory.

Harry gave me his dog, a Red Heeler, to look after and I did. I often wondered what happened to Harry and what a lovely gesture brought about by your Mum. Phar Laps jockey Jim Pike died broke as well".

From Trevor Dunen, the author on Facebook- “Gidday Gay, I am writing a story to publish on my blog on the net about the whole thing. Can I get your maiden name and the rough address of your house at the time when Harry Telford was coming for meals. I will send you the link when I publish the story with a few pictures”.

Reply from Gay Marie Jarvis- “Trevor, my dad was Stud Manager at Underbank Stud, this would have been the mid-50s. We lived at the Stud as well. I don’t use fictitious names, so what you see here is my name.

Harry also trained a very good horse in much later years to Phar Lap. Silver Hawk was his name and he won a very notable race up in Sydney.

I just can’t recall the name of the race, but maybe you can do some research on this. Bacchus Marsh is my home-town and very proud of the champions that have graced the beautiful Underbank.

The mighty Peter Pan spelled there as well. A great heritage indeed and to think homes are being built on the soil where these great champions have walked. I spoke to one of the agents recently and they are honouring these champs.

Patron is another great one that spelled at Underbank. I have a photo of Patron spelling in his paddock. Looking forward to reading your story”.