Amid the celebrations of his 60-year training career, Bart Cummings showed it was far from over with Norzita named the three-year-old filly of last season.

Cummings was honoured at the Australian Racehorse of the Year awards held in Melbourne on Thursday night.

Norzita gave Australia's greatest living trainer his 265th and 266th Group One wins in 2012/13 with her victories in the Flight and Vinery Stud Stakes.

Cummings, who recently began a training partnership with his grandson James, made his way to the stage to present the inaugural Bart Cummings Award for the season's leading Group One trainer to Chris Waller.

Ill health over the past few years has left Cummings less physically robust but mentally he is sharp as a tack.

Recognised worldwide as the trainer of the winners of 12 Melbourne Cups among his many other feature victories, the trainer initially refused to single one out but admitted 1996 Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup winner Saintly held a special place.

"Saintly being home bred is a bit special," Cummings said.

"He is at our farm and I see him every weekend.

"But all my Cup winners are my best friends."