TJ Smith
'TJ & His Champions'
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Limited Edition of 1000 Wordwide
Personally signed by: TJ Smith
Life time certificate of Authenticity
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The story is one of the real romances of the turf.
From a life of hardship and struggle in poor, rural New South Wales, he rose to become the greatest trainer of thoroughbred racehorses the world has ever seen.
Today, in horse racing - 'The Sport of Kings' - only one man can truly be called.'The King of the Sport'.
'T.J. & HIS CHAMPIONS - THE TOMMY SMITH COMMEMORATIVE RELEASE.'
It captures in words and photographs the unique essence of Australia's legendary trainer, and the horses that built that legend. These great racehorses, 'Tulloch', 'Kingston Town', and 'Bragger' have been nominated by T.J. himself for this release as both outstanding horses, and his personal favourites.
Stunning Photographs
The photographs used have been meticulously chosen to reveal these four champions of the turf in their distinctive styles.
'Tulloch', the horse who, like Phar Lap before him became the hero of the nation, has been captured by renowned racing photographer, Ern McQuillan.
As the storm clouds build up overhead, Tulloch thunders home at Randwick with the great George Moore urging him on, yet again making it look like a 'one-horse race'.
'Kingston Town', the sleek, black colt, proves once again in his featured photograph that there has never been a more thrilling sight in racing than 'The King' producing another one of his trademark, electrifying finishes. This time its his first Cox Plate victory with Malcolm Johnson aboard.
'Bragger', the beloved first horse of Tommy Smith that earned him his very first win as a trainer. The spirit horse that no-one else could go near, but was moulded by the master trainer into an outstanding racehorse, is shown returning to scale at Newcastle in 1945.
And T.J Smith himself, captured in distinctive style during the course of another
successful afternoon at the racecourse. Prominent on his lapel is the AJC's 'Number 1 Trainer' medal - a medal he was to wear for an astonishing thirty-three straight years. This classic portrait photograph of the master trainer at work has been personally hand-signed by T.J.Smith.
Innovative Design
Beneath the photographs, each horses racing statistics have been painstakingly hand etched into the rich, Stuart-green matboard. The title itself, T.J. & HIS CHAMPIONS, has also been hand-rendered into the matboard - a new and distinctive design innovation.
Surrounding the matboard is the exquisite frame, which, as you would expect, is
substantial in size and depth.
Unique Feature
One of this country's most amazing sporting careers, and a real 'rags-to-riches' story, has been evocatively captured in an interesting and informative written tribute. It tells the story of his sporting life and also of the three thoroughbreds that helped shape the 'T.J.' legend.
For T.J. & HIS CHAMPIONS, T.J. Smith was asked to select from the thousands of horses he has worked with, the three greatest.. the three that meant the most to him. His choices in Tulloch, Kingston Town and Bragger, reflect his love of a winner and great success, and his intrinsic loyalty. He was also asked to tell, in his own words, why he made the selections. T.J.'s nomination of his three greatest champions, and his reasons why he chose them, are exclusive to the Restricted Issue Commemorative Release, T.J. & HIS CHAMPIONS.
PricewaterhouseCoopers Authenticated
The personal signature of T.J.Smith is both a very special personal touch, and a lasting authentic link to his unforgettable accomplishments. The original signature, along with the limited issue nature of T.J. SMITH & HIS CHAMPIONS is also important for future appreciation in value.
Therefore, the major accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers has been commissioned to independently verify the authenticity of the original hand-signature, and the restricted issue number.
Verification will be issued to you in the form of a handsome certificate of Authenticity and Limitation.
This is the first sports collectable that T.J. Smith has ever set his hand to. It is a genuine Restricted Issue release. Each is individually numbered by a calligrapher.