Latest news with #GodolphinAustralia
The Age
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Cummings backs Golden Mile to challenge for farewell Godolphin group 1
On the quick back-up from the biggest decision of his career, James Cummings is confident Golden Mile can handle a short turnaround and push to give him a final group 1 win as head trainer of Godolphin Australia on Saturday in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). Already set to end his eight-year tenure at Godolphin on July 31, Cummings announced on Wednesday at a press conference in Sha Tin that he had accepted an invitation to train in Hong Kong from September next year and he was having next season off to refresh and prepare for the move. The life-changing decision came as he tries to score a final elite-level win with Godolphin, who look unlikely to have a contender for the last group 1 of the season, the Tatts Tiara on June 28. That leaves the Stradbroke and JJ Atkins (1600m) on Saturday at Eagle Farm as perhaps the last opportunities as a farewell major for Cummings, who has landed 52 group 1s. Last Saturday, Golden Mile was a brave third in a thrilling finish to the group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m). After working early to sit outside leader Zarastro, Golden Mile looked to have edged ahead late before Joliestar swooped to nab a resurgent Zarastro in a photo finish, with Golden Mile close behind. In the other group 1s, Pinito fell just short of You Wahng in the Queensland Oaks and Lavalier was one and a half lengths back in fourth in the Derby. Cummings felt Golden Mile, which returned to racing this season after his stud career was ended by injury after covering just 14 mares, could be in the finish again. He was a $9 Sportsbet chance from gate two with Jason Collett aboard again. 'In the midst of all this going on, we've been focusing on training horses,' Cummings said.
Sydney Morning Herald
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Cummings backs Golden Mile to challenge for farewell Godolphin group 1
On the quick back-up from the biggest decision of his career, James Cummings is confident Golden Mile can handle a short turnaround and push to give him a final group 1 win as head trainer of Godolphin Australia on Saturday in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). Already set to end his eight-year tenure at Godolphin on July 31, Cummings announced on Wednesday at a press conference in Sha Tin that he had accepted an invitation to train in Hong Kong from September next year and he was having next season off to refresh and prepare for the move. The life-changing decision came as he tries to score a final elite-level win with Godolphin, who look unlikely to have a contender for the last group 1 of the season, the Tatts Tiara on June 28. That leaves the Stradbroke and JJ Atkins (1600m) on Saturday at Eagle Farm as perhaps the last opportunities as a farewell major for Cummings, who has landed 52 group 1s. Last Saturday, Golden Mile was a brave third in a thrilling finish to the group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m). After working early to sit outside leader Zarastro, Golden Mile looked to have edged ahead late before Joliestar swooped to nab a resurgent Zarastro in a photo finish, with Golden Mile close behind. In the other group 1s, Pinito fell just short of You Wahng in the Queensland Oaks and Lavalier was one and a half lengths back in fourth in the Derby. Cummings felt Golden Mile, which returned to racing this season after his stud career was ended by injury after covering just 14 mares, could be in the finish again. He was a $9 Sportsbet chance from gate two with Jason Collett aboard again. 'In the midst of all this going on, we've been focusing on training horses,' Cummings said.
The Age
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Cummings to train in Honk Kong as Maher firms for Randwick stables
James Cummings, the grandson of late Melbourne Cup king Bart Cummings, is set to take the next major step in his training career in Hong Kong. The 37-year-old, already a 52-time group 1 winner, was on Wednesday announced by the Hong Kong Jockey Club today as a new trainer for the 2026-27 season, which starts in September next year. Cummings will finish his more than eight-year his tenure as Godolphin Australia's head trainer on July 31 after the racing giant's announcement in late April that it would be moving to a public training model. He was set to build his own team, with support from the likes of Godolphin and Dynamic Syndications, but that plan now looks in doubt given his decision to accept the HKJC invitation.
Sydney Morning Herald
11-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Cummings to train in Honk Kong as Maher firms for Randwick stables
James Cummings, the grandson of late Melbourne Cup king Bart Cummings, is set to take the next major step in his training career in Hong Kong. The 37-year-old, already a 52-time group 1 winner, was on Wednesday announced by the Hong Kong Jockey Club today as a new trainer for the 2026-27 season, which starts in September next year. Cummings will finish his more than eight-year his tenure as Godolphin Australia's head trainer on July 31 after the racing giant's announcement in late April that it would be moving to a public training model. He was set to build his own team, with support from the likes of Godolphin and Dynamic Syndications, but that plan now looks in doubt given his decision to accept the HKJC invitation. The move also means Cummings has withdrawn from the battle to take over Leilani Lodge at Royal Randwick, where he began his training career with his famous grandfather, who was based there during a career that yielded 12 Melbourne Cups. The 55-box stable complex was vacated after James' father Anthony had his trainer's licence revoked by Racing NSW in February because of his financial difficulties. Anthony and his son Edward fought briefly to keep the stables before the Australian Turf Club called for expressions of interest to trainers in the complex. Top trainer Ciaron Maher, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott team, and James Cummings were the applicants for the stables. The ATC board discussed the applications at a board meeting last month and decision is expected next month.
Gulf Today
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Queensland Derby tilt for well-travelled Lavalier
Lavalier has never raced in better form and Godolphin Australia head trainer James Cummings will no doubt be hoping a slight freshen-up and a barrier trial will benefit the three-year-old going into Saturday's G1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm. Considered a possible VRC Derby aspirant last spring, Lavalier failed to deliver in the lead-up before being sent for a spell. The son of former top two-year-old Microphone and the fabulous broodmare Accessories, who has produced five individual Stakes winners – including G1 winners and sires Helmet and Epaulette, recaptured his early form with three strong placings in Melbourne and Adelaide over the past six weeks. His latest effort, when third in the G1 South Australian Derby on 3 May, was full of merit after a tough early run from a wide barrier. Cummings floated the gelding back to Sydney before a tick-over barrier trial at Warwick Farm on May 22 convinced the young trainer to send Lavalier to Queensland. Jamie Melham retains the ride on Saturday and Lavalier, who will jump from an ideal barrier nine if the last four emergencies come out, is sure to run out a strong 2,400m. Stablemate Golden Mile will have to start from the outside stall in the the G1 Kingsford Smith Cup over 1,300m at Eagle Farm, but the five-year-old should be nearing a peak performance. Golden Mile rattled home from 12th on the home turn to finish third in the G2 Victory Stakes four weeks ago and then impressed when runner-up under a hold in Lavalier's trial at Warwick Farm. In-form jockey Jason Collett had the reins that day and has taken the ride in the Kingsford Smith Cup. Golden Mile has G1-winning form up to 1,600m, should appreciate the long home straight and be hitting the finishing line strongly. Pisces has been costly to stable supporters in four runs back from a spell and needs to lift to win the G3 Fred Best Classic over 1,400m. Fourth on heavy tracks at Hawkesbury and Doomben at his latest starts, a firmer surface should help Pisces who has drawn ideally in gate one with Melham to ride. Champion jockey James McDonald will ride Kin in the Listed Helen Coughlan Stakes over 1,200m as the four-year-old mare chases her second Stakes-race success. Third run back from a spell, after placings on heavy tracks at Hawkesbury and Doomben in Listed events, Kin will strip fitter and drops 1.5kg on her last performance when second to In Flight two weeks ago. At Rosehill Gardens, Kerrin McEvoy will ride Zebra Finch and Kerguelen in restricted events for Cummings, while Mareth and Snack Bar represent the stable at Caulfield. Two-year-old filly Mareth (Jye McNeil) will have her second start over 1,200m and Snack Bar returns from Brisbane to run against three-year-olds over the same distance with Harry Coffey aboard. Beautiful Love chasing more G3 success at Haydock Park: Beautiful Love bids to double her G3 tally in the Lester Piggott Stakes at Haydock Park in UK on Saturday. Trained by Charlie Appleby, the Siyouni homebred stormed home to take last season's G3 Jockey Club Oaks at Aqueduct and ran another excellent race in the US to take a close fourth in November's G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
