James Cummings has been officially announced as the successor of John O’Shea as the head trainer for Australia’s biggest racing operation ‘Godolphin’.
James Cummings started his training career as foreman for his grandfather and Champion trainer Bart Cummings before going it alone in 2015 after the death of Bart.
The 29-year-old has trained 108 winners since taking over Leilani Lodge on his own.
James had been touted as the replacement since O’Shea’s departure after bookmaker CrownBet took down their market with an influx of bets for the young trainer however there had been thoughts Darren Beadman may stay on after his early success as interim trainer.
It is understood James Cummings has signed a seven figure deal to run Godolphin’s racing operation.
Godolphin took to twitter to make a short but sweet announcement of the hiring of Cummings.
Welcome James Cummings to #TeamGodolphin pic.twitter.com/06xKnhZUDp
— Godolphin (@godolphin) May 23, 2017
Cummings will wind down his current training operation over the next month and finish his public training operation on Jul 8th which at the same time he will begin as Godolphin’s head trainer.
Have Your Say: Is James a good choice as head trainer or not? – Leave a comment below.
Read Godolphin’s press release below:
Godolphin have appointed James Cummings as the global operation’s Head Trainer in Australia.
Cummings joins Godolphin after almost a decade at Leilani Lodge at Randwick as Foreman, Co-Trainer with his grandfather Bart Cummings, and ultimately as Head Trainer.
Godolphin Managing Director in Australia Henry Plumptre said Cummings was exactly the person Godolphin needed to fill such a pivotal role.
“James is a great fit for Godolphin and his appointment is an exciting new chapter in the Godolphin story in Australia.”
“In a short space of time James has established himself as one of the most talented trainers in Australia and he has all the attributes to take us in the direction we want to go as a racing team both on and off the track,” Plumptre said.
Speaking of his appointment, James Cummings commented “It is truly an honor to be asked to join the Godolphin team as the Head Trainer in Australia and I am very grateful to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed for the opportunity.”
“I am confident in my experience and I definitely have the enthusiasm to build on the incredible success that has already been achieved by Godolphin in Australia.”
“I have been very fortunate in my career so far to have learnt my trade from some of the best in the business and I will be forever grateful to the fantastic and loyal owners that have supported me in my career so far, in particular Eduardo Cojuanco Jnr and Dato Tan Chin Nam.
Cummings will take up his new position on Saturday 8th July.
Darren Beadman will remain the Head Trainer during this interim period. He will then continue with the team in his original role of Assistant Trainer.
