Bestoys Rocking Horses - 1978-1985
In Australia, the name that immediately came to mind when talking about the traditional rocking horse was Roebuck. There were other manufacturers, of course, but Frederick Roebuck was one of the oldest and the longest running makers of traditional rocking horses in the Commonwealth. (Here is an excellent website that outlines the history of this famous rocking horse manufacturer and others: https://rockinghorseshed.com/introduction-to-australian-rocking-horses-2/introduction-to-australian-rocking-horses/ )
In January 1975, Nazzareno Bonaretti visited the Salone Internazionale del Giocattolo (International Toy Fair) in Milan (Italy) with the intention of importing exclusive products for his new wholesale venture, Alltoys International Pty Ltd. A number of deals were struck: a range of dolls, doll’s prams and strollers, radio- and remote-controlled cars, and a large range of plastic-body baby rockers and rocking horses made by Canova. It was this range that fit in perfectly with Bestoys and its range of nursery furniture.
A few years later and with further negotiations with Canova, Jim Bonaretti took four of the best-selling Canova rocking horses mounted on steel rockers and imported the bodies only. He made traditional-style, solid wood-turned stands in two sizes and fitted the horse bodies onto them. In 1978 a new range of rocking horse was introduced to the Australian market:
In January 1975, Nazzareno Bonaretti visited the Salone Internazionale del Giocattolo (International Toy Fair) in Milan (Italy) with the intention of importing exclusive products for his new wholesale venture, Alltoys International Pty Ltd. A number of deals were struck: a range of dolls, doll’s prams and strollers, radio- and remote-controlled cars, and a large range of plastic-body baby rockers and rocking horses made by Canova. It was this range that fit in perfectly with Bestoys and its range of nursery furniture.
A few years later and with further negotiations with Canova, Jim Bonaretti took four of the best-selling Canova rocking horses mounted on steel rockers and imported the bodies only. He made traditional-style, solid wood-turned stands in two sizes and fitted the horse bodies onto them. In 1978 a new range of rocking horse was introduced to the Australian market:
- “Tornado” – plastic body, long plush mane and tail
- “Willy Willy” – plush covered plastic body with long plush mane and tail
- “Rainbow” – plush covered body with plush mane and tail
- “Hurricane” – plastic body with moulded mane and tail
"Hurricane" Rocking Horse
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The largest of all the horse bodies, the "Hurricane" was Canova's "??" which was originally supplied on a chrome-plated steel rocker (Image to the right has lost all its tack). The head, tail and saddle were made of a soft moulded plastic - most likely vinyl - while the body was a hard moulded plastic. It came complete with plush saddle blanket, stirrups and bridle.
Supplied fully assembled in a heavy-duty carton, the overall measurements of the "Hurricane" Rocking Horse were 105 cm high x 46 cm wide (stand) x 121 cm long. The horse was only available in brown, but the wooden stands were made in a variety of colour combinations from the new, bright colour range introduced in 1972 and included yellow, orange, blue and green, or clear lacquer. The steel components of the stand were coated in black polymer paint. In 1983, its wholesale price was $149.90, plus 20% sales tax, with a recommended retail price of around $269.99 with a 50% mark-up. |
Canova Rocking Horse listed on eBay. Missing all tack but showing original chrome-plated steel rocker
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"Hurricane" Rocking Horse on wooden stand from Bestoys 1978 catalogue
"Tornado" Rocking Horse
Of the three smaller Bestoys Rocking Horses, the "Tornado" was, by far, the best seller, its sales surpassing those of the "Hurricane".
The original Canova rocking horse was moulded from hard plastic and supplied on a chrome-plated steel rocker. The ears and saddle were made of a soft moulded plastic. The mane and tail were of long plush fabric and the unit came complete with plush saddle blanket, stirrups and bridle.
Supplied fully assembled in a heavy-duty carton, the overall measurements of the "Tornado" Rocking Horse were 89 cm high x 41 cm wide (stand) x 106 cm long (stand).
The horse was only available in tan but the wooden stands were made in a variety of colour combinations of yellow, orange, blue and green, or clear lacquer. The steel components of the stand were coated in black polymer paint.
In 1983, its wholesale price was $129.50, plus 20% sales tax, with a recommended retail price of around $233.00 with a 50% mark-up.
The original Canova rocking horse was moulded from hard plastic and supplied on a chrome-plated steel rocker. The ears and saddle were made of a soft moulded plastic. The mane and tail were of long plush fabric and the unit came complete with plush saddle blanket, stirrups and bridle.
Supplied fully assembled in a heavy-duty carton, the overall measurements of the "Tornado" Rocking Horse were 89 cm high x 41 cm wide (stand) x 106 cm long (stand).
The horse was only available in tan but the wooden stands were made in a variety of colour combinations of yellow, orange, blue and green, or clear lacquer. The steel components of the stand were coated in black polymer paint.
In 1983, its wholesale price was $129.50, plus 20% sales tax, with a recommended retail price of around $233.00 with a 50% mark-up.
"Tornado" Rocking Horse on wooden stand from Bestoys 1978 catalogue
"Rainbow" Rocking Horse
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Fully plush-covered, this plastic-moulded Canova horse was originally supplied on a simulated-wood plastic rocker with turn-down wheels so it could be pushed or pulled along. The unit came complete with saddle, stirrups and bridle.
Supplied fully assembled in a heavy-duty carton, the overall measurements of the "Rainbow" Rocking Horse were approximately 95 cm high x 41 cm wide (stand) x 106 cm long (stand). The horse was only available in tan with brown mane and tail, but the wooden stands were made in a variety of colour combinations of yellow, orange, blue and green, or clear lacquer. The steel components of the stand were coated in black polymer paint. In 1983, its wholesale price was $131.50, plus 20% sales tax, with a recommended retail price of around $236.70 with a 50% mark-up. (With thanks to Rifutura, Italy for the images to the right. http://www.rifutura.it/it/collezionabili/dettaglio.htm?id=1433) |
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"Rainbow" Rocking Horse on wooden stand from Bestoys 1978 catalogue
"Willy Willy" Rocking Horse
Also fully plush-covered on a plastic-moulded Canova body, this horse was originally supplied on a on a chrome-plated steel rocker. The unit came complete with saddle, saddle blanket, stirrups and bridle.
Supplied fully assembled in a heavy-duty carton, the overall measurements of the "Willy Willy" Rocking Horse were approximately 95 cm high x 41 cm wide (stand) x 106 cm long (stand).
The horse was only available in dappled white with tan mane and tail but the wooden stands were made in a variety of colour combinations of yellow, orange, blue and green, or clear lacquer. The steel components of the stand were coated in black polymer paint.
By 1983, this model was discontinued from the range.
Supplied fully assembled in a heavy-duty carton, the overall measurements of the "Willy Willy" Rocking Horse were approximately 95 cm high x 41 cm wide (stand) x 106 cm long (stand).
The horse was only available in dappled white with tan mane and tail but the wooden stands were made in a variety of colour combinations of yellow, orange, blue and green, or clear lacquer. The steel components of the stand were coated in black polymer paint.
By 1983, this model was discontinued from the range.
"Willy Willy" Rocking Horse on wooden stand from Bestoys 1978 catalogue
Bestoys Wooden Rocking Horse
Bestoys Rocking Horse "Finds"
Listed on Facebook Marketplace in February, 2025, this "Hurricane" Rocking Horse was most likely made in the early 1980s because of the use of a screen-printed Bestoys logo on the base of the stand rather than an ink-stamped logo on the underneath side of the base. The horse is missing its saddle, saddle blanket, stirrups and bridle but is still in good condition.
With sincere thanks to the seller and Facebook Marketplace with no intention to infringe copyright. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1610170282866694/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Ab6755de2-1264-4f82-98d1-00cb0e3a9ce4
With sincere thanks to the seller and Facebook Marketplace with no intention to infringe copyright. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1610170282866694/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3Ab6755de2-1264-4f82-98d1-00cb0e3a9ce4
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Another Bestoys Rocking Horse "Find"
This item was found listed on eBay 19th August 2021.
Missing its bridle and saddle blanket, it is still in very good condition given it was made between 1978 and 1985. It appears that the wooden stand has been repainted and the stirrups replaced.
Missing its bridle and saddle blanket, it is still in very good condition given it was made between 1978 and 1985. It appears that the wooden stand has been repainted and the stirrups replaced.
Bestoys "Hurricane" Rocking Horse listed on eBay mid-August, 2021
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"Hurricane" Rocking Horse as it would have originally looked. From Bestoys 1978 catalogue
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And another Bestoys Rocking Horse "Find"
This "Tornado" Rocking Horse was found listed on eBay 20th January 2022 and on Gumtree and was located in Medowie, New South Wales.
The horse is in good original condition and only missing the saddle blanket and stirrups after many years of use. Offered at $120.00.
With sincere thanks to the seller as these photographs are particularly helpful as they provide much more information than a single catalogue image can.
The horse is in good original condition and only missing the saddle blanket and stirrups after many years of use. Offered at $120.00.
With sincere thanks to the seller as these photographs are particularly helpful as they provide much more information than a single catalogue image can.
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