HUNDREDS of people gathered at the Tamworth Jockey Club on Monday to farewell legendary Tamworth trainer Mervyn Albert Corliss.
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The betting ring was transformed into – as Reverend Gus Batley put it – “a place of memory and grieving. A place of giving thanks and saying goodbye”, with 300 chairs put out for family and friends to farewell Mr Corliss who passed away on February 11, aged 93.
Every one of those chairs was filled with plenty more people standing to pay their respects to a man once dubbed the Country Cups King.
Following Reverend Batley’s welcome and prayer, Mr Corliss’ daughter, Marion Reid, and granddaughter, Jane Clement, did the eulogy.
Both did their parts of the eulogy in the form of poems with Ms Reid giving us an insight into Mr Corliss’ full life.
From school, to work, to finding love with wife Joan, to success on the track, Ms Reid covered as many parts of her father’s life as possible.
“He’s earned respect from all his peers, and was held in high esteem. He’s nurtured many aspiring riders who have come to join his team,” Ms Reid said.
“He's been a friend to many, seen his family through good and bad.
“We're proud to call him dad.”
Ms Clement described her grandfather as “beautiful” and “kind” and told of how he guided his children and grandchildren in the right direction.
“His constant good example always taught us right from wrong,” Ms Clement said during the eulogy on Monday.
On a day where people gathered to “remember Mervyn’s character” and “who he was”, Reverend Batley told of how lucky everyone was to have known Mr Corliss.
“Those of who have known Merv the longest or who were closest are privileged to have had him in your life,” Reverend Batley said.
The Tamworth Jockey Club’s next race meeting, on Monday, February 26, will be run in memory of Mr Corliss.
Along with the day being named the Merv Corliss Memorial Race Day, a race will be named in honour of the trainer while the other races will be named after Mr Corliss’ top horses.
“It was a fitting way to remember one of the greats of country racing,” TJC general manager Kay Jeffrey said.
