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.
James Cummings (left) is formally welcomed by Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Andrew Harding at a press briefing (Pic – HKJC)
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.
“For me on a personal note, I’ve got four children under 10. 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.”
Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Andrew Harding, said: “James Cummings is one of the most prodigious and incredible talents on the world scene of racing. He has, at the age of 37, accomplished more in racing than many do in a lifetime. He trained more than 50 Group 1 winners. He brings fresh ideas to our sport and a passion for excellence.
James Cummings is excited to be given a licence to train in Hong Kong (Pic – HKJC)
“Timing is everything. We’re in the happy position that James and the Club have been able to have discussions and come to an agreement now. He has certainty about his future and we can align the timing of his joining us with the Club’s multi-year strategy for adding new talent to the ranks of world-class trainers in Hong Kong.”
Synonymous with frequent Group 1 success in some of Australia’s most important races, including the W.S. Cox Plate, Australian Cup, Newmarket Handicap, Golden Slipper, Doncaster Handicap, Blue Diamond Stakes, Randwick Guineas and Caulfield Guineas, Cummings has trained more than 1,500 winners at a strike rate of 17%. Some of his most famous horses include Hartnell, Anamoe, Cascadian, Tom Kitten and Avilius.
Cummings will continue to train in Sydney until the end of July before preparing to move to Hong Kong.
“I have enjoyed already my dealings with The Hong Kong Jockey Club and I look forward to getting to know the (Hong Kong) owners who have a passion for races horses just like my family has had a passion for being involved with horses for over 100 years,” he said.
“I look forward with great excitement to the seasons ahead that I’ll have time to prepare for. It will be a great stage in my career to move forward from training for Godolphin and training privately before that with the experiences that I have got under my belt, that I have been very lucky to have and that I will be able to use going forward and help to develop my career into the future.”
