Dr Kevin Doyle - Tulloch
Sep 25, 2025
I'd like to thank Dr. Kevin J. Doyle for sending me the below email and article on Tulloch from The Australian. I must say, I thought it was rather fanciful when I read it myself. Hi Gai,I’ve reviewed the recent article on Tulloch in The Australian and reflect on the narrative presented.Having worked closely with Percy and knowing the inner workings of your Dad’s stable during the 1970s, I must say that from my perspective, writing an article like this nearly 70 years later lacks substantive basis, especially concerning the integrity of Percy, Tommy, and their trusted staff.The suggestion of foul play, as revealed by the apprentice groom Lem Bann, particularly gives me pause. Based on my veterinary experience and personal conversations—including with Dr. Rowan Hickson, who was the vet in Bathurst and a distant cousin of mine—I find the claims about Tulloch’s behaviour and stable security contradict the facts. For example, Tulloch was not the ‘cranky’ horse who only tolerated one individual, as the article suggests. Percy had a unique and respectful bond with Tulloch, clearly demonstrated when he calmly handled and even tapped the horse on the backside without adverse reaction.It’s also clear the stable operated under very high standards of trust and security, with only one known attempted nobbling over many years, and that too was unsuccessful (Gold Pulse).I’m inclined to question the authenticity of both Lem Bann’s account and the journalistic framing of the story. While the veterinary challenges Tulloch faced were real and formidable, the theory of deliberate poisoning seems highly unlikely.I’ve attached a detailed summary of Tulloch’s history and my perspective on the matter should you be interested in further reading.I appreciate the opportunity to revisit such a significant chapter of Australian racing history and share my perspective.Best regards, Kevin Doyle
ARTICLE:Tulloch was a legendary Australian Thoroughbred racehorse foaled in 1954 in New Zealand. Trained by Tommy J. Smith and owned by E.A. Haley, Tulloch is widely regarded as one of the greatest Australian stayers in racing history. He won races over distances ranging from 5 furlongs (1,000 meters) to 2 miles (3,200 meters), breaking multiple Australian records including the 10-furlong Cox Plate in 1960 and the 12-furlong Caulfield Cup in 1957.
Tulloch’s racing career was remarkable for both his dominance and resilience. As a three-year-old, he won 14 of 16 starts and broke Phar Lap’s near three-decade-old record for the AJC Derby by more than two seconds. Highlights included an emphatic win in the Caulfield Cup in a record time and a commanding victory in the Cox Plate, where he overcame a large deficit on a slow, tight track. Tulloch’s victory in the Caulfield Cup remains one of the fastest turf times ever recorded for the distance, and his AJC Derby record further cemented his status as a superstar.
In April 1958, after a season of dominant performance, Tulloch was struck by a mysterious and debilitating stomach disease thought to be caused by a virus or hyper parasitism, though exact diagnosis was not possible with the veterinary knowledge of the time. The illness caused recurring infections and severe weight loss, sidelining him from racing for nearly two years. Under the close veterinary supervision of Percy Sykes and Fred Monaghan. Tulloch received multiple treatments including the notable use of Brilliant Green and a "fecal cocktail" drench to restore his gut flora. Both treatments Percy and Fred believed contributed to his recovery and eventual return to racing.
Tulloch returned to competition as a five-year-old and continued to demonstrate his class, winning 15 of 24 races after his illness. His later victories included prestigious weight-for-age races such as the AJC Autumn Stakes, AJC Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the Brisbane Cup. His overall record stood at an impressive 53 starts for 36 wins, 12 seconds, and 4 thirds, with career earnings surpassing £110,000—a record at the time.
Tulloch’s temperament was complex but manageable by veterinarians and his trainer; contrary to some later claims, he was not unusually cranky or difficult to handle, particularly with Dr. Percy Sykes, who had a unique bond with him. Attempts to suggest he was ever deliberately "nobbled" are largely unsubstantiated and contradicted by stable security and staff trust.
Tulloch’s legacy extends beyond his race wins; he was one of the five inaugural inductees into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame alongside other legends such as Phar Lap and Kingston Town, and also inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. His impressive records, remarkable comeback from life-threatening illness, and profound impact on Australian racing history continue to be celebrated
