One of Australia’s biggest horse racing dynasties suffers a body blow in shocking circumstances
The Cummings family are sporting royalty in Australia – but their dynasty in horse racing is set to end in sad circumstances.
It comes after Anthony Cummings saw his training licence sensationally revoked by Racing NSW in February following an ongoing investigation into the collapse of his business, through which he reportedly owed more than $2million.
‘The training business is trading profitably and going fine, we’ve had a few winners lately,’ he said last month.
‘I’m mystified about the whole thing. I’ve done nothing wrong, haven’t broken any rules and I just don’t get it.’
But after reported advice from Sydney-based lawyer Wayne Pasterfield, the son of legendary trainer Bart Cummings chose not to appeal the decision.
That decision effectively draws the curtain on Cummings’ decorated training career, which includes 25 Group 1 winners.
The Cummings family are sporting royalty in Australia – but their dynasty in horse racing is set to end in sad circumstances (pictured, trainer Anthony Cummings)
Cummings’ father Bart won a staggering 12 Melbourne Cups in his unmatched career as a trainer in the sport of kings
In February, Anthony Cummings (pictured, left) has had his training licence revoked by Racing NSW following an ongoing investigation into the collapse of his business – he has chosen not to appeal the outcome
His most recent Group 1 triumph was with El Castello, which snared the $2million Spring Champion Stakes at Rosehill last October.
Next move for Cummings, 69, is to vacate the famed Leilani Lodge stables at Randwick, which have been in the family for 40 plus years.
The likes of So You Think, Saintly, Beau Zam and Dane Ripper were all based at the facility at their peak, with 12-time Melbourne Cup winning trainer Bart Cummings purchasing the stables in the early 1980s.
Daily Mail Australia understands Cummings’ son Edward will shift multiple horses to Hawkesbury, where he previously trained.
Edward Cummings, 38, is also still seeking a metro trainer’s licence by Racing NSW – but with the paperwork still not signed off, he isn’t taking any chances.
‘[Racing NSW chief executive] Peter V’landys has neither refused or accepted my application, but instead sought independent assessment of my metropolitan licence upgrade application – what I can only imagine is a first,’ Edward emailed a series of owners on Tuesday night, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘Given that Dad has withdrawn his appeal, there is no extension provided to continue training at Leilani Lodge.
‘I am left to believe RNSW are acting against the ATC’s permission for me to train at Leilani Lodge and my attempt to honour my father’s accounts with his clients.’
Anthony Cummings had occupied Leilani Lodge since his youngest son James departed to take the top job at Godolphin, the global thoroughbred breeding operation and horseracing team, in 2017.
