Anthony Cummings delivered an emotional eulogy at the funeral of his father Bart Cummings on Monday morning.
The State funeral was held at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney under clear blue skies.
Anthony Cummings talked about the father and son annual trips to New Zealand to inspect yearlings and Bart’s enjoyment of a lifelong passion realised – Princes Farm.
The discovery of Leilani as a yearling in a New Zealand paddock, one of Bart’s favourite horses of all time.
Bart’s favourite sayings – ‘there’s no such word as no’ and ‘never give up’.
“Bart’s patience and with his horses, his sense of timing is legendary,” Anthony said.
“People came to him for advice. They didn’t always like what they were told but they got what they asked for, his view – unequivocal, unabashed, uncensored.”
Anthony covered Bart’s life, his 61 year marriage to wife Valmae and the highs and lows which are involved in all father and son relationships.
Two poignant quotes Anthony delivered summed up the man Bart truly was in the eyes of his son.
“There hasn’t been a bridle made to hold him back,” he said.
“Dad spent time with kings and queens, prime ministers and premiers and the common man. He treated them all equally and gave them time.”
An Australian sporting icon, a 12-time Melbourne Cup winning trainer and most importantly a husband, a father, a grandfather and a great grandfather.
Farewell Bart, may you rest in peace.
Bart Cummings AM (14 November 1927 – 30 August 2015).
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