Racing: Bart Cummings dead at 87

Australian Racing legend Bart Cummings views horses at the Karaka Sales on Friday. 29 January 2010 New Zealand Herald Photograph by Greg Bowker.

Australia's greatest ever racehorse trainer Bart Cummings has died at the age of 87 in Sydney.

Cummings' son Anthony tweeted the news of his father's passing in the early hours of this morning.

Dad died peacefully in his sleep early this morning, surrounded by his family.
He lived a full life.

— Anthony J Cummings (@ACummingsracing) August 29, 2015

He said his father, a 12-time Melbourne Cup winning trainer had died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family.
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Bart had become more fragile in the past 12 months.

In November, it was reported he was admitted to hospital with a chest infection, and since then his health and energy levels had deteriorated.

Born James Bartholomew Cummings on November 14, 1927, he began training horses at age 26.

In his illustrious career, he went on to train 12 Melbourne Cup winners, seven more than any other trainer.

His last Melbourne Cup winner was Viewed in 2008, the victory coming on the 50th anniversary of the day when he entered his first Cup runner.

On top of his 12 Melbourne Cups, he won the Golden Slipper Stakes four time, the Caulfield Cup sevent times, the Cox Plate on five occasions, the VRC Oakes nine times and the Newmarket Handicap eight times.

Cummings was made a member of the Order of Australia in 1982 for his services to the racing industry.