The Australian Trainers’ Association Federal Executive and Management team congratulate the ‘Cups King’, Bart Cummings, on an outstanding 60-year training career which was honoured during a special industry celebration at the Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards on Thursday night.
There has been plenty written and said about Bart Cummings over the years, with his record and achievements there for the world to see.
Taking out his trainer's licence in 1953, Cummings set up stables at Glenelg, with his first significant win coming in 1958, when he won the South Australian Derby.
Cummings won his first Trainer's Premiership in the 1965-1966 season. Not only did he achieve his first Melbourne Cup victory that year, but he also won the Adelaide, Caulfield, Sandown, Sydney, Brisbane and Queen's cups.
Boasting a record twelve Melbourne Cup wins, the accolades have come thick and fast for Bart Cummings and there is little more in the way of formal honours that can be bestowed upon him. A truly valued Member of the Australian Trainers’ Association, Cummings was an inaugural inductee into Australian Racing Hall of Fame. He has been inducted as a member of the Australian Sporting Hall of Fame and later elevated to Legend status, and was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the racing industry. There are not many in Australian thoroughbred racing that can boast such an amazing CV.
From a racehorse training perspective, Bart Cummings has probably done more to elevate the profession and gain well deserved respect both nationally and internationally. At a time when true heroes are hard to find, we are fortunate that in Bart Cummings, the Australian thoroughbred racing industry and the profession of racehorse trainers have delivered an iconic figure, who will be revered for many years to come.
CONGRATULATIONS BART!
