THE late champion racehorse trainer Bruce McLachlan liked to do things on a large scale, so it was fitting a huge crowd was on hand for his funeral at the Caloundra racecourse yesterday.
About 1000 people representing a broad cross-section of society paid tribute to the man they called "The Big Guy", "The Big Man" or "Big Bruce".
Mr McLachlan, 67, died of a suspected heart attack last Wednesday.
At yesterday's service, Ian McLachlan detailed how his brother rose from a one-horse trainer at Cribb Island, on Brisbane's northern outskirts, to a 16 times Brisbane premiership winner and a major force in Australian racing.
"He was a humble man who never forgot where he came from," Ian McLachlan said.
Pictures: Stradbroke Day meeting
Mr McLachlan's sons Ian, Grant and Jason also spoke, remembering a father who loved life and his family.
Jason McLachlan will take over the stable after training in a partnership with his father for the past six months.
"I've lost my father, my mentor and my best friend. But it was fantastic to be able to work with him these final six months," Jason said.
Mr McLachlan's wife of 44 years, Lorraine, told the service she and Jason were committed to continuing the stable as a major force, in memory of Bruce.
McLachlan's former stable jockey Brian York and his wife Karen flew in from Sydney while former rider Graham Cooksley travelled to the funeral from New Zealand.
Former top Brisbane jockeys Graham Cook, Les Harris and Jim Andrews were there, as were a long list of current stars of the saddle including Eddie Wilkinson, Michael Cahill and Brad Pengelly. Top trainers also attended the service, including Les Bridge, Alan Bailey, Rex Lipp, Daryl Gollan, Des McGee and Reg Fleming.
Also in attendance were a who's who of the sporting world, including former footballers Greg Conescu and Marty Scanlan, former Wallaby coach John Connolly, former racing minister Bob Gibbs and former Northern Pride and Taipans owner John O'Brien.
Pictures: Fashion stakes on Stradbroke Day
But there were just as many people from the law, business, hotel, media and medical worlds. One who did miss the service was Mr McLachlan's long-time friend, former rugby league star Allan Langer, who was in isolation because of the swine flu scare after a trip to Melbourne.
