One of Australia’s most decorated horsemen, James Cummings will join Hong Kong’s trainers’ ranks in 2026/27.
Cummings, 37, hails from one of Australian horse racing’s most illustrious families as a fourth-generation trainer and has enjoyed phenomenal success in his own right.
His great-grandfather Jim was a leading trainer, saddling the 1950 Melbourne Cup winner Comic Court, his grandfather Bart is one of Australian horse racing’s greatest figures with 246 Group 1 wins, including a record 12 Melbourne Cup triumphs. His father Anthony has prepared 24 Group 1 winners, while his brother Edward has trained three Group 1 winners.
Having been appointed as Godolphin’s head trainer in Australia in 2017, at the age of 29, Cumming started his career in partnership with his grandfather Bart in 2013 and he is the youngest trainer in Australian racing history to achieve 50 Group 1 wins by the age of 36.
He is excited to be joining Hong Kong’s world-class training roster for the 2026/27 season.
“It’s a sliding doors moment for me – the conclusion of my contract at Godolphin, the decision to go out on my own (as a public trainer), which a few months ago I was fully committed to doing,” Cummings said.
“But 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. I can make this decision and give my team time to commit to more longer-term solutions and employment with other stables.
“And for owners who have been very supportive and have committed young horses, I didn’t want to have the niggling feeling that I would want to come back to Hong Kong and then have to hand a horse back and they would need to find another trainer. Out of respect of my staff and owners, who have already been very supportive, I think this gives everyone certainty and everyone can plan for the best.