Legendary trainer Bart Cummings has been described as "a legend in every sense of the word" following his death at the age of 87 on Sunday.
The 12-time Melbourne Cup winning trainer passed away "peacefully in his sleep", according to son Anthony.
His death sparked tributes far and wide, including from his long-time racing collaborator Dato Tan Chin Nam, who worked with Cummings as an owner for more than 30 years.
"He has done more than enough for me in his life. We have had our differences but at the end of the day bygones are bygones. A friend in need is a friend indeed and Bart Cummings is a great mate of mine," he said.
Darren Beadman, who rode two Melburne Cup winners for Cummings, Kingston Rule and Saintly, remembered a friend on and off the track.
"I just recalled the good times we had, in Hong Kong after Catalan Opening won there was a great night," Beadman said. "To be in his presence was always great.
"He taught me about racing and about life and think it is the same for a lot of people..
"He didn't say much but when Bart spoke you would hang on every word."
Blake Shinn rode Cummings' 12th and final Melbourne Cup winner, Viewed, in 2008, and just getting the ride was a thrill.
"Whenever you rode for Bart it was like completing a dream," Shinn said. "To the chance to ride for him in the biggest race of the year and then hold that Cup with him was beyond a dream.
"He was a legend of our sport but he was more than that he was a legend of our country."
NSW Minister for Racing Troy Grant released a statement on Sunday morning hailing the "giant of Australian racing".
"My favourite memory of Bart was watching his horse Saintly storm home as the winner of the 1996 Melbourne Cup," he said.
"I extend my deepest sympathies to the Cummings families and Bart's friends. He was one of Australia's favourite racing sons and sporting greats and the entire industry and race going public will mourn the loss of this great man."
Racing NSW also released a statement on Sunday, saying Cummings was a "household name".
"Bart was a legend in every sense of the word, not only in sport, as he was a great Australian,"said Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys.
"Bart's career spanned more than six decades and he was a household name.
"We only recently celebrated Bart's 60 years in training – a fantastic feat with many trainers' careers spanning a decade or two, yet Bart trained for more than six decades.
"Bart was always in a league of his own. His larger than life character and sharp wit will be sorely missed. Bart goes down as a legend in Australian sport, up there with the great Don Bradman."
Racing Victoria chairman David Moodie called Cummings "a true legend".
"Bart Cummings has left an indelible mark on the Victorian racing industry having achieved an unparalleled record in our biggest races and his memory will live long as part of racing folklore," he said.
VRC chairman Michael Burn hailed Cummings' legacy.
"Bart's legacy simply cannot be overstated. It takes a truly remarkable person to achieve all that he did. He was not only an exceptional horseman but a gentleman, understated and modest, and with a tremendous intellect and great wit."
John Thompson was Cummings' foreman in Sydney for eight years before going on to become a successful trainer in his own right.,
"He didn't say much but when he spoke it was from the heart and he had thought about every word," Thompson said. "It is very sad because he was my mate.
"I wouldn't be the man or trainer I am today without Bart."
Media commentator Ron Dufficy was one of the last apprentices to serve time under Cummings.
"He was just a great teacher," Dufficy said. "Not just of horses but of men, you just have to look at the training ranks to see his influence on racing.
"Like the way he prepared his horses, he was very patient and although he only said a very few words they were always important."
Fellow trainer David Hayes said Cummings was a "fierce competitor".
"He's really set the bar and we're all trying to jump over it," Hayes said.
Cummings' former foreman Nigel Blackiston said it was a "sad day".
"I was lucky enough to spend seven years with him over two periods. Four years when I first came over from Dubai, then I went to the Hunter Valley and came back to work for him for three years and ran the stable on my own.
"He was a great teacher, a master trainer and obviously its very sad the racing industry has lost one of the all-time greats, but at the end of the day the Cummings family has lost a husband, a father and a grandfather.
"I've had some great mentors but I would have to say that he was one of the best. His sheer knowledge and what he's achieved as a trainer will never be passed again."
"The name JB Cummings is forever etched in racing history. Bart will always be spoken of with wonderment at his achievements" Racing Australia chairman John Messara said on Sunday.
"Bart had a unique impact on the general public with his laconic wit and big race victories. He brought racing to the wider community."
Joe Agresta, who was Cummings' trusted trackwork rider for more than 30 years at Flemington, said the legend was like a father to him.
"I spent half my life working for Bart. he was more than a boss, he was like a father," Agresta said.
"He taught me how to live life, what to say and when to say it.
"He made me the man I am and I owe a lot to him.
"He knew a bit about everything and if he wasn't a horse trainer he could have been anything.
"He could have been prime minister or a developer, he was just so smart.
"I remember we were driving through the centre of Melbourne early one Saturday morning after winning the Melbourne Cup [with Kingston Rule].
"He looked up and said to me, you see all these buildings here, they will be units one day. It went straight over my head but that was Bart.
"He had an insight and foresight on a lot of things."
Australian Turf Club CEO Darren Pearce added his voice to the tributes for Cummings.
"His name is synonymous with horse racing in this country, and we are all forever indebted to him for the wonderful memories and champion thoroughbreds that he has trained over a remarkable six decades."
Godolphin trainer John O'Shea spent a couple of years working under Cummings as he learnt his trade.
"I'm just honoured to have worked for a living legend," O'Shea said. "For me coming down from North Queensland I had only seen him on TV and he took me in and showed how he did things.
"There are things that have stayed with me until today.
"He had a great wit and always stayed in contact some way.
"I hadn't seen him for a while but a couple of months ago a bag of oranges turned up from the farm with note saying 'you need to keep up the vitamin C son'."
Other politicians and sportspeople took to Twitter to express their grief and sympathies.
Sad news of the passing of Bart Cummings. So humble in an industry he absolutely dominated in. #Saintly— Ryan Fitzgerald (@FitzySA)
August 29, 2015
Very sad to hear the passing of legendary racehorse trainer Bart Cummings. One of the greats!! #cupsking— David Warner (@davidwarner31)
August 29, 2015
RIP Mr Cummings, My thoughts and prays go out to the Cummings Family. His memory will live on forever #RIP— Tommy Berry (@TommyBerry21)
August 29, 2015
James Bartholomew Cummings (1927-2015) - http://t.co/bsTq2zJRj9— Bart&James Cummings (@jb_ja_cummings)
August 29, 2015
I found if you were prepared to listen, Bart Cummings always had some constructive to say. An honor to know & ride for him. #RIP— Hugh Bowman (@HugeBowman)
August 29, 2015
Sad news hearing of the passing of Bart Cummings. 12 cups on, a true legend of Australian sport. #RIPBart— Matthew Guy MP (@MatthewGuyMP)
August 29, 2015
with Chloe Booker
