Aussie racing royalty and global powerhouse in bombshell split
Since leaving Leilani Lodge in 2017 — where he worked with his legendary grandfather Bart Cummings — James has been the head trainer at Godolphin.
But that is now over with Cummings revealing he wants to return to Leilani Lodge.
Meanwhile, Godolphin is reimagining its structure in the Australian racing industry and will no longer employ a private trainer from next season.
In a joint statement with head trainer James Cummings on Wednesday, Godolphin Australia managing director Andy Makiv said their decision to move to a public training model was in line with the design adopted by other influential owners and breeders.
Makiv believes the move will give them greater flexibility while still maintaining a strong local presence. James Cummings wants to return to Leilani Lodge. Credit: Getty Images
'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.
'We will continue to have the same number of horses in training - it's fundamental to what we do.
'As a stallion business, Group One 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.'
Prior to joining Godolphin, Cummings worked for nearly a decade at the famous Leilani Lodge and took over the running of that stable before joining Godolphin.
Not long after, he had his first Group 1 win and now has a whopping 49 G1 winners to his name plus a stack of other victories.
His most significant victories in Australia include the Cox Plate, the Blue Diamond, the Randwick Guineas, the Caulfield Guineas, the Darley Sprint Classic, the Newmarket, the Golden Rose and the Australia Cup.
He also worked with nine-time Group 1 winning Horse of the Year, Anamoe.
Cummings, the son of former trainer Anthony, expressed excitement at embarking upon the next chapter of his career.
'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.
'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.'
He told Idol Horse that he was going to apply for vacant boxes at Leilani Lodge and 'going to keep all my options open.'
Godolphin's decision to spread its team of horses among a number of trainers is in line with the model successfully adopted by the likes of Yulong and coincides with the conclusion of Cummings' training contract, which expires on July 31.
Makiv confirmed Cummings would rejoin the public training ranks and they intended to have horses in his care.
'He brought up his 50th Group One win late last year and we are extremely grateful for his leadership of our wonderful racing team who have supported him,' Makiv said.
'We are looking forward to working with James under our new training model.'
Makiv added that Godolphin was currently in discussions with Cummings to 'lead the campaigns' of some of their best horses including Golden Slipper placegetter Tempted, the Cox Plate-bound Tom Kitten and staying mare Zardozi.
Cummings most recent major for Goldolphin came with Broadsiding's Rosehill Guineas win last month.
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