Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, Godolphin Australia have announced their intention to utilise a public training model, and James Cummings is to train in his own right when his contract concludes at the end of the 2024/25 racing season. Cummings has also confirmed a bid for Leilani Lodge.
Written by Kit Gow
Godolphin Australia has announced that its training model will change to public at the beginning of the 2025/26 racing season, utilising a broad range of Australasia’s top trainers to train their stock.
Releasing a joint statement with current trainer James Cummings, Managing Director Andy Makiv outlined that the change would offer Godolphin more flexibility and put them in line with the operational structures used by Australasia’s other leading owners.
Andy Makiv | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“The private training model that we first adopted after the purchase of Woodlands in 2007, with successive trainers Peter Snowden, John O’Shea and now James Cummings for the past eight years, has proven to be very successful,” Makiv said. “Moving away from a private training model gives us greater business agility.
“Moving away from a private training model gives us greater business agility.” - Andy Makiv
“We will continue to have the same number of horses in training; it’s fundamental to what we do. As a stallion business, Group 1 winners like Anamoe, Bivouac, Broadsiding, and Cylinder have all come through our commitment to racing. Our numbers have and will remain stable, just as they have been for the past five years.”
The decision coincides with the conclusion of Cummings’ training contract with Godolphin at the end of this racing season. The organisation will still use Cummings as a trainer as he expands his brand, with several current stable stars likely to continue their current associations with him, such as dual Group 1 winner Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}), who will plot a path to the G1 Cox Plate, dual Group 2-winning juvenile Tempted (Street Boss {USA}), and G1 VRC Oaks winner Zardozi (Kingman {GB}). Makiv thanked Cummings for his eight years of service to Godolphin.
James Cummings and Andy Makiv | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“James is a fantastic trainer and has been incredibly successful,” Makiv said. “He brought up his 50th Group 1 win late last year, and we are extremely grateful for his leadership of our wonderful racing team who have supported him.
“We are looking forward to working with James under our new training model. We remain absolutely committed to breeding and racing in our famous Godolphin blue silks."
"We remain absolutely committed to breeding and racing in our famous Godolphin blue silks." - Andy Makiv
Godolphin already have a number of horses with outside trainers, including Anthony and Sam Freedman, who train talented G2 Todman Stakes winner Tentyris (Street Boss {USA}) for the operation.
Tentyris | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Excitement grows for Cummings as he looks forward to stepping out on his own for the first time since his grandfather and former trainer partner Bart Cummings passed away in 2015. Cummings took up the Godolphin mantle in 2017 from John O’Shea.
“The time is right for me to take the next step in my career and launch my own venture as a public trainer,” Cummings said. “I’ve been fortunate to work with exceptional horses and a dedicated team during my time at Godolphin, and together we’ve celebrated many memorable successes.
“The time is right for me to take the next step in my career and launch my own venture as a public trainer.” - James Cummings
“This experience has been incredibly rewarding and has taught me invaluable lessons, both professionally and personally. I’m deeply grateful to Godolphin for their ongoing support, and I look forward with great anticipation to this exciting new chapter.”
In his time with Godolphin, Cummings has guided eight colts en route to their stud careers, with the best being nine-time Group 1 winner Anamoe, as well as training a G1 Golden Slipper Stakes quinella with Kiamichi (Reset) and Microphone, three G1 Newmarket Handicaps, two G2 Golden Roses, a $10 million Golden Eagle, and a slew of Australasia’s other top races.
Anamoe | Standing at Darley Australia
Speaking to Racenet, he expressed an interest in taking over the lease at Leilani Lodge, which had been the home of the Cummings racing dynasty for over 40 years before his father Anthony Cummings was asked to vacate earlier this year after the cancellation of his training license.
“I'm very interested in making an application for Leilani Lodge," Cummings said. “I can confirm it is my intention to apply. I think the time is right and, from my perspective, it is pretty exciting to be going back out on my own.”
“I'm very interested in making an application for Leilani Lodge. I can confirm it is my intention to apply.” - James Cummings
Applications for Leilani Lodge’s lease from Racing NSW close on Monday, May 5, at 5pm.
