James Cummings is leaving Australia: Why couldn’t we keep him?

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everythin

James Cummings’ move to Hong Kong is significant not only because of his profile, but because of what it reveals about Australian racing’s ability, or inability, to retain top-tier training talent.

Since taking over Godolphin’s Australian operation in 2017, Cummings has trained 52 Group 1 winners, including some of the country’s most high-profile horses: Anamoe, In Secret (I Am Invincible), Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), Bivouac, and Colette (Hallowed Crown), among others. Despite his trajectory, Cummings has opted to pause his local training momentum and pursue a new challenge overseas.

“While continuing to train in Australia was my intention, the opportunity in Hong Kong presented a unique and respected environment to challenge myself and grow further as a trainer,” he said via a statement.

Initially training in partnership with his grandfather Bart Cummings, James achieved his 50th Group 1 win in the spring of 2024 with Broadsiding’s victory in the G1 Golden Rose Stakes, when aged just 36 - making him the youngest trainer in Australian history to reach the elite number. The legendary TJ Smith, who shares the total Group 1 win record with Cummings’ grandfather at 246, was 45 when he achieved the milestone.

“I want to acknowledge the dedication of my staff over the years,” the release continued.

“I've been privileged to lead a talented and committed team whose contribution has been integral to the success of the stable. In deciding not to train next season, I also wanted to be fair to my staff by giving them the opportunity to commit to a long-term role with another stable.

“To the owners who had already been forthcoming in their support, I want to express my sincerest appreciation. I felt it would be unfair to continue, only to step away and leave the team and yearlings without guidance during a pivotal stage in their development.”

A lodge without a Cummings, and a loaded question

Two things spring to mind immediately upon the announcement of Cummings’ departure from Australian racing.

First, that the historic Leilani Lodge at Randwick - where Bart Cummings trained for more than four decades - will not have a Cummings in residence next season.

James had mentioned, when Godolphin announced their public training regime, that he had put his hand up for the 60-stable complex, which has stood empty since his father Anthony had his license revoked earlier this year and his brother Edward had yet to be granted a metropolitan license. The Australian Turf Club board of directors is poised to meet within the week to decide the Lodge’s fate, and the applicant with the closest ties will be pulling out.

One of Sydney’s greatest racing dynasties will be laid to rest when someone else picks up the keys to Leilani Lodge.

Second, it cannot be denied that it is a loss to the Australian training ranks that James Cummings has decided not to stay training within the country.

Hailed as an exemplary trainer onto whom owners were ready to pounce once he began training independently, it is notable - and disappointing - that James Cummings was not ultimately provided the opportunity to remain in Australia, despite this appearing to be his clear priority. His applications for both Leilani Lodge in Sydney and Carbine Lodge in Melbourne signalled a strong intent to stay, and as recently as last week, his use of Carbine Lodge had been confirmed.

At the time, Cummings had indicated he would re-establish himself as a public trainer while continuing to train a select number of horses for Godolphin. However, he has since pivoted from those plans, saying it was only fair to give certainty to those who had expressed interest in supporting or working with him in any new venture.

The loss comes in multitudes. Australia is not just losing another talented young conditioner - it is losing a figure who has consistently been a public and commercial asset to the sport.

Cummings-trained horses are consistently prominent in major carnivals and well-supported in the betting market. His professionalism, track record, and communication style would have made him a popular option for high-end owners and syndicators alike.

He brought approachability and polish to the training role, and in an environment where mainstream visibility matter more than ever, his departure represents a loss not only of elite talent for Australian racing, but of a figure who bridged the gap between the industry and its public.

A quiet reflection

“Hong Kong is something of a Holy Grail for a young horse trainer in Australia to imagine receiving an invitation to,” Cummings told SCMP.com. “It’s a sliding doors moment for me - the conclusion of my contract at Godolphin and the decision to go out on my own, which a few months ago I was fully committed to doing.”

If Cummings - with his profile, elite record, and reputation - actively pursued a future in Australia and still couldn’t make it work, what does that say about the system? And what role did industry leadership play in shaping that outcome? This was top-tier talent signalling a strong desire to remain in Australia, yet the pathway didn’t materialise.

The industry regularly calls for fresh blood, new ideas, and generational renewal and yet we are letting one of Australia's most accomplished young leaders walk out the door. At the very least, it raises questions about how leadership are prioritising retaining the people it claims to value.

“When the Hong Kong Jockey Club reached out I felt like the timing was right because it gives me the opportunity to get some certainty into the future,” he continued. “The focus on the horses and the investment in facilities here is a very strong pulling factor to the decision. It will be a great stage in my career.”

The opportunities on offer in Hong Kong are undeniable, and Cummings follows in the footsteps of many highly regarded horsemen such as Mark Newnham, Jamie Richards, and David Eustace in taking a license in the jurisdiction.

It is a well-worn path to success for the Australasian trainer; expat John Size currently leads the trainers’ premiership, and Hong Kong pin-up horse and multi-millionaire Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) will fly the flag for Hayes later this year when he travels to compete in the G1 Everest. Enthusiastically supported from the start, Newnham sits seventh in the rankings as his second season training in Hong Kong draws to a close.

“For me on a personal note, I’ve got four children under 10,” Cummings added in his SCMP.com interview. “Speaking to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, I really felt like it was now or never for me. This is a great age for them. They’re excited about the adventure that we can really take on as a family and I’m excited for them because it gives them a world view. As a family, we are very excited about making that change.”

There is no doubt that Cummings will fit into the Hong Kong training ranks well, and it is a great boon to their system to have him join. But for Australian racing, his departure should raise questions.

If the local environment cannot convince even its most successful young talent to remain, perhaps the question isn’t “why did he leave?” - but “how do we make them want to stay?”