Todman was small, just 15.1 hands, but he had an enormous stride - measured at 26 feet 2 inches when he was at full gallop.

Biography

TRAINER: Maurice McCarten

OWNERS:Stanley Wootton

RACE RECORD/STAKE MONEY: 12 starts: 10 wins, 1 second/£20,805

Major Wins 

• Golden Slipper Stakes
• Champagne Stakes
• Canterbury Guineas
• Lightning Stakes
• Futurity Stakes

About

Although his career was short, Todman proved himself one of the great sprinter-milers to grace the Australian turf.

On his debut as a two-year-old in 1956, Todman ran an Australian record for five furlongs in winning the Juvenile Stakes. He won his next two starts with great brilliance, and was then set for the inaugural running of the Golden Slipper Stakes. Starting at 6-1 on, he bolted in by eight lengths. Beaten by Tulloch a week later in the Sires' Produce Stakes, he reversed the position the next week in the Champagne Stakes when defeating that horse by six lengths.

In 1957 Todman resumed with wins in the Hobartville Stakes and Canterbury Guineas. He then broke down and was off the track for two years. His return to racing in 1959-60 was a triumph with wins in the Lightning Stakes and the Futurity Stakes where he carried 10st 2 lbs (64.5kg).

Injury forced Todman's retirement to stud in 1960, where he had much success as a sire.

He was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2005.

Image Source: News Ltd/Newspix