He is continuing to train dozens of horses at Randwick, where his son, Edward, has joined him as his foreman after handing in his own training licence at Hawkesbury.
Edward Cummings has pledged to support his father.Credit: Wolter Peeters
“I’m just mystified about the whole thing,” Cummings told owners. “I’ve done nothing wrong. I haven’t broken a rule. I’ve acted within the rules of the land. I just don’t get it.”
While facing an investigation by Racing NSW, Cummings has been busy buying horses through his thoroughbred business. He purchased a Zousain filly for $180,000 and a Yes Yes Yes colt for $70,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale this week.
He has been training under the banner of Edward’s business, Myrtle House.
Edward, 38, said in his own note to owners that he and his father had met Australian Turf Club chairman Peter McGauran and acting chief executive Steve McMahon after being told Cummings’ licence was being cancelled.
“In this meeting, both Anthony and I strongly urged the ATC board to act swiftly in recommending me to train from Leilani Lodge, a family stronghold for the last 50 years,” Edward told them.
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“Given not only my good record whilst at Hawkesbury but also the good record we have enjoyed while managing Leilani Lodge since August last year, as well as my connection with this stable and the relationship I believe we have built together, we hope the board votes in favour of this transfer of horses into my name.
“In doing so, we will be able to maintain all current practices, training regimes, supplier relationships and staff numbers so that each and every horse at Leilani Lodge continues to thrive.”
‘Dad will continue to fight’
Edward said the decision against his father was clearly upsetting to the family, which is racing royalty.
“All I can say is that Dad will continue to fight this ruling, while I promise to do my best in supporting him. The best way I know is to train winners for him, for you and for everyone associated with the stable,” he said.
“As the saying goes – the hotter the fire, the stronger the steel. We have banded together in tougher times before and won out in the end. This time is no different.”
Edward, who is also a group 1 winner, would have to successfully apply for a metro trainer’s licence in order to have the horses transferred to his name.
Racing NSW’s integrity department assessed Cummings’ suitability to hold a licence after a report by Sydney insolvency firm DW Advisory said the Australian Taxation Office had pursued his training company for debts of $1.3 million and that a further $797,399 was outstanding to other trade creditors.
Employees were also due $155,128 in superannuation when the company went into administration.
Liquidator Cameron Gray said in his report in November it was likely the company engaged in insolvent trading, but further investigation may be required.
He listed “failure to maintain adequate books and records” and “acting recklessly and not in good faith in the best interest of the corporation or not for the proper purpose” as other possible breaches of the Corporations Act, but said they may also need further investigation.
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