Eminent veterinary surgeon, Percy Sykes, passed away peacefully in a Sydney hospital on Monday at the age of 93.

Sykes was a brilliant veterinary surgeon; his skills were acknowledged in many parts of the world, after migrating from England he set up a veterinary practice at Randwick.

He will always be remembered as the man that saved the great Tulloch, who was lingering at death’s door for several months, with what appeared an incurable stomach ailment.

Sykes didn’t give in, he was persistent, he never let anything beat him, he finally won over a period of 23 long months before the great horse raced again.

Tulloch was a champion in the true sense of the word, the best male three year old since Poseidon, back in 1905.

Sykes, long standing veterinarian for the late Tommy Smith, was awarded the Order of Australia and inducted into the Hall Of Fame, not only for what he did for Tulloch, he also repaired a broken jaw on Baystone, who went on to win the Melbourne Cup.