When it comes to Australian Legends, they don't come much bigger than Bart! As owner of window cleaning Sydney, I live about 1 kilometre from Royal Randwick Racecourse, the stomping ground of many of Bart's treasured fillies!
Early Beginnings
It is no surprise to learn that Bart began in more humble beginnings. To be precise, Bart was born in Adelaide, one of Australia's more relaxed hubs, in 1927.
However, racing was certainly in the family blood. Bart's father Jim Cummings was an Irish born trainer who also enjoyed success during the later years, such as 1950 with his Comic Court, in the Melbourne Cup.
It may surprise you to learn that Bart was allergic to both horses and hay, so it is no small accolade to say that without racing int he blood, Bart may have chosen an altogether different career in life!
Major Achievements
Bart is the 'king' of Australian racing. With an amazing 12 Melbourne Cups, Bart has set a record that is the envy of traners throughout Australian racing history. However, his success in the Melbourne Cup is not the end of the story.
Bart also achieved great success in races other than the Melbourne Cup. For instance, Cummings also achieved success with 7 Caulfield Cups, 4 Golden Slippers, 13 Australian Cups, 5 Cox Plates, 9 VRC Oaks, and 8 Newmarket Handicaps.
Cummings is an absolute legend, one by which other Australian legends will be judged by.
All Good Things Come To An End
Bart Cummings was very active right up to the later years of his life. However, all good things DO come to an end, and Bart's life was no exception. Bart died on 30 August 2015 at Castlereagh NSW. However, despite the loss of an icon to the adoring Australian public, Bart did achieve one last win just days prior to his death.
What achievement was this? Well, two days prior to his death, Bart and wife Valmae celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary! You may wonder why that is such an achievement? Well, since most marriages do not last more than a few years, 61 years was an amazing achievement, one that is seldom matched, even by those who live a privileged life. Truly, Bart Cummings was a nugget of a man, and is sorely missed in the World of racing!
