Latest news with #Makiv
Herald Sun
30-04-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
Godolphin Australia: Crown Lodge, Osborne Park future up in air
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. ANALYSIS Godolphin Australia's decision to move away from a private training model has immediately led to speculation about the future of two of its most prized assets – Crown Lodge and Osborne Park. James Cummings has been private trainer for Godolphin for eight years and has had considerable success for the racing and breeding powerhouse preparing horses out of the Crown Lodge stables at Warwick Farm and from the private training facility at Osborne Park, near Richmond. But if Cummings is successful with his application to train out of Leilani Lodge at Royal Randwick, what happens to Godolphin's two state-of-the-art facilities in Sydney western suburbs? Godolphin Australia managing director Andy Makiv said in a statement on Wednesday that it was the organisation's intention to move to a public training model from the start of the new racing season (August 1). • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Importantly, Makiv said Godolphin was not downsizing its presence in Australian racing and confirmed it was the plan to continue to have the same number of horses in training with several trainers including Cummings. 'Moving away from a private training model gives us greater business agility,'' Makiv said. 'Our numbers have and will remain stable, just as they have been for the past five years.' This is a welcome indication that Godolphin remains committed to the Australian racing and breeding industry long-term. But by changing to a public training model, economies of scale suggest the organisation will save considerable costs while maintaining its massive investment in Australian racing and breeding. A Godolphin thoroughbred is cared for at Osborne Park. Picture: File / Toby Zerna • Godolphin moves to public training model; Cummings to start anew Godolphin Australia is expected to reveal its 2024 financial year results imminently. In the 2023 financial year, it reported a $33.4 million profit … a significant lift from the $7.5 million it made in 2022. But the racing giant has not been immune from cost pressures. Godolphin's years-long legal challenge against a New South Wales land tax bill, which last year was ultimately unsuccessful, shed some light on the difficulties the operation faced in previous years. A 2021 news report by The Guardian Australia, which quoted court documents and available financial records, found Godolphin Australia lost almost $148 million in the four years to 2021. In 2019 alone, Godolphin lost $25.5 million despite raking in $34.3 million in prizemoney and $10.2 million in horse sales. Major line items on Godolphin's cost base are undoubtedly their Crown Lodge (Warwick Farm) and Osborne Park (Agnes Banks) training facilities, which respectively feature boxes for 125 and 84 horses. By making the decision part ways with a private trainer and instead spread their horses among various stables, Crown Lodge and Osborne Park may well become surplus to requirements for Godolphin post-August 1. Could one or both properties be sold? Or, if Cummings is unsuccessful with his application to open stables at Randwick, could he could come to an arrangement with Godolphin to lease one of the facilities? After all, Cummings will next season still be training some of Godolphin's team including stars Zardozi, Tom Kitten and Tempted. If Cummings was to base himself at Randwick, then no doubt a number of other trainers would look very closely at the possibility of utilising Crown Lodge, a state-of-the-art stable complex located adjacent to Warwick Farm racecourse. Godolphin still has to determine how its training model will work for 2025-26 but it might consider leasing or selling one or both of their Sydney training properties. There has been ongoing speculation that Yulong Investments is looking to expand its presence in Sydney racing and it might be interested in either or both Godolphin properties. Racing NSW has acquired a number of racing properties in recent years and could also be interested in Osborne Park. At the very least, Osborne Park must continue as a training facility as it is a magnificent complex that is fit for purpose and with a proven track record of success. Godolphin employs a number of people at its Osborne Park facility and those jobs would be protected if the facility remains in the racing industry. Originally published as Future of Godolphin Australia's Crown Lodge, Osborne Park facilities remains clouded after decision to move to public training model
News.com.au
30-04-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Future of Godolphin Australia's Crown Lodge, Osborne Park facilities remains clouded after decision to move to public training model
ANALYSIS Godolphin Australia's decision to move away from a private training model has immediately led to speculation about the future of two of its most prized assets – Crown Lodge and Osborne Park. James Cummings has been private trainer for Godolphin for eight years and has had considerable success for the racing and breeding powerhouse preparing horses out of the Crown Lodge stables at Warwick Farm and from the private training facility at Osborne Park, near Richmond. But if Cummings is successful with his application to train out of Leilani Lodge at Royal Randwick, what happens to Godolphin's two state-of-the-art facilities in Sydney western suburbs? Godolphin Australia managing director Andy Makiv said in a statement on Wednesday that it was the organisation's intention to move to a public training model from the start of the new racing season (August 1). Importantly, Makiv said Godolphin was not downsizing its presence in Australian racing and confirmed it was the plan to continue to have the same number of horses in training with several trainers including Cummings. 'Moving away from a private training model gives us greater business agility,'' Makiv said. 'Our numbers have and will remain stable, just as they have been for the past five years.' This is a welcome indication that Godolphin remains committed to the Australian racing and breeding industry long-term. But by changing to a public training model, economies of scale suggest the organisation will save considerable costs while maintaining its massive investment in Australian racing and breeding. • Godolphin moves to public training model; Cummings to start anew Godolphin Australia is expected to reveal its 2024 financial year results imminently. In the 2023 financial year, it reported a $33.4 million profit … a significant lift from the $7.5 million it made in 2022. But the racing giant has not been immune from cost pressures. Godolphin's years-long legal challenge against a New South Wales land tax bill, which last year was ultimately unsuccessful, shed some light on the difficulties the operation faced in previous years. A 2021 news report by The Guardian Australia, which quoted court documents and available financial records, found Godolphin Australia lost almost $148 million in the four years to 2021. In 2019 alone, Godolphin lost $25.5 million despite raking in $34.3 million in prizemoney and $10.2 million in horse sales. Major line items on Godolphin's cost base are undoubtedly their Crown Lodge (Warwick Farm) and Osborne Park (Agnes Banks) training facilities, which respectively feature boxes for 125 and 84 horses. By making the decision part ways with a private trainer and instead spread their horses among various stables, Crown Lodge and Osborne Park may well become surplus to requirements for Godolphin post-August 1. Could one or both properties be sold? Or, if Cummings is unsuccessful with his application to open stables at Randwick, could he could come to an arrangement with Godolphin to lease one of the facilities? After all, Cummings will next season still be training some of Godolphin's team including stars Zardozi, Tom Kitten and Tempted. 'I'M VERY INTERESTED': Cummings back to Leilani Lodge? After training privately for Godolphin Australia for the past eight years, @JamesCummings88 is about to embark on a new venture … and he could end up back where it all began. Story: @RayThomas_1 ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) April 30, 2025 If Cummings was to base himself at Randwick, then no doubt a number of other trainers would look very closely at the possibility of utilising Crown Lodge, a state-of-the-art stable complex located adjacent to Warwick Farm racecourse. Godolphin still has to determine how its training model will work for 2025-26 but it might consider leasing or selling one or both of their Sydney training properties. There has been ongoing speculation that Yulong Investments is looking to expand its presence in Sydney racing and it might be interested in either or both Godolphin properties. Racing NSW has acquired a number of racing properties in recent years and could also be interested in Osborne Park. At the very least, Osborne Park must continue as a training facility as it is a magnificent complex that is fit for purpose and with a proven track record of success. Godolphin employs a number of people at its Osborne Park facility and those jobs would be protected if the facility remains in the racing industry.
News.com.au
30-04-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
BREAKING: Godolphin moves to public training model, Cummings to launch own venture
Godolphin Australia has announced it will move to a public training model from the start of the new racing season. Champion trainer James Cummings has been Godolphin's private trainer for eight years but has also announced plans to become a public trainer from August 1. Cummings will continue to train some horses for Godolphin with the all-powerful racing and breeding organisation explaiming the decision to spread their team among a number of trainers was 'in line with operating structures used by other major owners and breeders in Australia'. The bombshell announcement was revealed in a joint statement with Cummings, Godolphin Australia Managing Director Andy Makiv said the change would provide greater flexibility for the business while maintaining Godolphin's strong presence in the Australian thoroughbred industry. '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 1 winners like Anamoe, Bivouac, Broadsiding and Cylinder have all come through our commitment to racing. Congratulations to NSW 2YO of the Year, BROADSIDING! @godolphin @SkyRacingAU — NSWROA (@nswroa) August 29, 2024 'Our numbers have and will remain stable, just as they have been for the past five years.' Makiv said Godolphin's decision coincided with the conclusion of Cummings' current contract which ends on July 31, and the trainer's own plans to expand his business. '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.' Cummings said he was proud of what had been achieved during his time with Godolphin and excited about the next phase 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. '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. '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.' Here’s the statement from Godolphin … @RayThomas_1 has the full story on its switch to a public training model here. ðŸ'‡ — Daniel Sankey ðŸ'°ðŸ�Ž (@Daniel_Sankey) April 29, 2025 Makiv expected that Mr Cummings' expertise would remain an important part of the operation. 'We are in discussions with James to lead the campaigns of horses like the outstanding two-year-old Tempted, Tom Kitten on his path to the Cox Plate, and VRC Oaks winner Zardozi,'' Makiv said. 'We remain absolutely committed to breeding and racing in our famous Godolphin blue silks.''
