Luca Cumani – a career to be properly chronicled

Not really one for having heroes in life and indeed until early last week giving the matter cursory thoughts only threw up two names. One of them, Ian Carnaby still writes once a month in the Racing Post so scrapbook number ten of his articles continues to fill up although at a slower rate than previously.

But the news that Luca Cumani is to retire from the training ranks has cut the heroes list in half and things won’t be the same again.

The RUK “Tribute” during it’s evening coverage from Kempton the day after the announcement was well done and seeing the likes of Commanche Run, Presvis and Barathea again certainly brought back happy times but found myself thinking of slightly more personal memories.

From the days when things were much more simple, Free Guest and particularly Fish N Chips winning the Extel off featherweights, another handicap with Dallas in the Cambridgeshire and Bauer getting touched off in the Melbourne Cup.

At a loftier level, the brilliant Markofdistinction, Falbrav, so impressive in the QE2 at Ascot and the tough Old Country, although he’s probably best remembered for having Pat Eddery and Rainbow Quest laughing at him in the 1985 Coronation Cup – (worth a look on Youtube).

In particular remember the open mornings at Newmarket when the Cumani yard was always the first port of call.

The end of an era, but this is a career that needs to be documented properly

So if Ian Carnaby happens to be a Racing Hub follower, an idea comes to mind. With no racing at Brighton for six months and the hip replacement seemingly precluding a tilt at the London Marathon, Ian, drop a line to Luca (Bedford House, Newmarket should do it) and offer your services as biographer.

Go on – Cumani by Carnaby – one hero on another