James Cummings is approaching the end of an era, admitting to “mixed emotions” as he prepares to conclude his tenure as head trainer for Godolphin in Australia.
Since taking the reins in 2017, Cummings has overseen one of the country’s most powerful racing operations. With Godolphin set to transition to a public training model from August 1, the next eight days will be Cummings’ final in the role.
As a fourth-generation horseman, Cummings has spent the past week at Godolphin’s Melbourne stables, describing it as a “farewell tour” with his team before he takes a sabbatical. He is expected to resume training in Hong Kong in time for the 2026–27 racing season.
“There are mixed emotions,” Cummings told SEN radio.
“While everyone has got to move on, there is no doubt there is great passion associated with this team. There is passion for the horses and when those horses start getting on trucks and moving to different stables, it is tinged with some sadness.
“But they go in good order and we hope they do extraordinarily well and I’m sure they will do well.”
Cummings will see out his final Saturday duties for Godolphin this weekend, saddling up a strong team including three runners in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Heading the trio is Kin, a mare in good form after a Listed win in Queensland and a fifth-place finish last start in the Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m).
Drawn widest in a field of nine, Cummings sees the barrier as a positive for her racing pattern.
“She’s got the wide draw Saturday and she could really use that to her advantage at Caulfield,” he said.
“She enjoys being held up but then getting to the outside and with that good dash that she does possess, I’d like to think she’s got some chance.
“It was excellent to see her get another stakes win this campaign for her CV before she retires, but her second attempt at weight-for-age, it would be even sweeter for her.”
Joining Kin in the feature sprint will be Kallos and Inhibitions, while Cummings also has a pair of runners at Randwick, including Tarpaulin who contests the ATC Thank You Trainers Handicap (1100m).
The three-year-old showed signs of over-racing when resuming at Rosehill and has since trialled in a bid to settle better.
“We tried to mix it up with Tarpaulin and take a little bit of that fire out of him,” Cummings said.
“He can probably get away with still going a little strong within himself with the very light weight here and still fire.”
Another runner Cummings is keeping close tabs on is Tom Kitten, who trialled this week at Randwick for the first time since his placing in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
“He’s headed down to Victoria and I’d like to think he’s in for a really good prep,” Cummings said.
“It could easily be his best prep, building on what he did last time winning that All-Star Mile and third in a very good Queen Elizabeth.”
With Godolphin shifting to a new model, its top horses are being placed with other trainers. Tom Kitten will join Anthony and Sam Freedman, while standout fillies Tempting and Zardozi will move to Ciaron Maher.
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