Leon Corstens is one of the remaining active links to a legendary Flemington era, which has his old boss, Bart Cummings, at its centre. At 80, he is still a key background figure, now in the resurgence of fortunes of the stable he shares with his son Troy, and Will Larkin.
Leon Corstens’ best horse will contest the feature race at Caulfield on Saturday but the legendary trainer, reprising his career role as the humble offsider, will be out of shot.
Age and injury have caught up with Corstens, a figure synonymous with Flemington but now an 80-year-old resident of Geelong. He and wife Chris own a unit overlooking Corio Bay and a holiday house in Port Arlington.
Corstens spent much of his life in racing’s most recognisable shadow.
There’s a famous racing photo hung up on the walls of Flemington with an instantly recognisable silhouette of Bart Cummings and Clarry Conners. Their profiles, mostly Cummings’s eyebrows, instantly identify them.
Corstens’ profile may be less iconic but is hugely significant in the success of the most high-profile racing figure of the last century.
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