Godolphin in major reboot in Australia
SYDNEY Global powerhouse Godolphin is reimagining its structure in the Australian racing industry and will no longer employ a private trainer from next season.
In a joint statement with head trainer James Cummings on April 30, Godolphin Australia managing director Andy Makiv said their decision to move to a public training model was in line with the design adopted by other influential owners and breeders.
Makiv believes the move will give them greater flexibility while still maintaining a strong local presence.
"The private training model that we first adopted after the purchase of Woodlands in 2007 with successive trainers Peter Snowden, John O'Shea and now James Cummings for the past eight years has proven to be very successful," Makiv said.
"Moving away from a private training model gives us greater business agility.
"We will continue to have the same number of horses in training - it's fundamental to what we do.
"As a stallion business, Group 1 winners like Anamoe, Bivouac, Broadsiding and Cylinder have all come through our commitment to racing.
"Our numbers have and will remain stable, just as they have been for the past five years."
Godolphin's decision to spread its team of horses among a number of trainers is in line with the model successfully adopted by the likes of Yulong and coincides with the conclusion of Cummings' training contract, which expires on July 31.
Makiv confirmed Cummings would rejoin the public training ranks and they intended to have horses in his care.
"He brought up his 50th Group 1 win late last year and we are extremely grateful for his leadership of our wonderful racing team who have supported him," said Makiv.
"We are looking forward to working with James under our new training model."
Makiv added that Godolphin was currently in discussions with Cummings to "lead the campaigns" of some of their best horses including Golden Slipper placegetter Tempted, the Cox Plate-bound Tom Kitten and staying mare Zardozi.
As early as this May 3, the duo will tackle this weekend's highlight in Australia, the A$1 million (S$835,000) Group 1 South Australian Derby (2,500m) with Lavalier.
At a quote of 11-2, the son of Microphone is second in the line of betting behind Statuario (3-1) and will be ridden by Jamie Melham, who changed from her maiden name Kah after marrying fellow jockey Ben Melham in January.
Golden Mile, the 2022 Caulfield Guineas winner who returned as a gelding after a discontinued career at stud, is also another one from the Blue Army chasing Group glory on May 3. The Astern five-year-old will be in Eagle Farm, Brisbane to contest the A$300,000 Group 2 Victory Stakes (1,200m), a race he ran third in last year before his brief stint as a sire at Godolphin's Northwood Park.
There are still three months for the Cummings-Godolphin pair to pad up their score as an exclusive team, but Cummings, the grandson of legendary horseman Bart and son of former trainer Anthony, expressed excitement at embarking on the next chapter of his career.
"The time is right for me to take the next step in my career and launch my own venture as a public trainer," said Cummings.
"This experience has been incredibly rewarding and has taught me invaluable lessons, both professionally and personally.
"I'm deeply grateful to Godolphin for their ongoing support, and I look forward with great anticipation to this exciting new chapter."
Cummings joined Godolphin in 2017, his most recent major for them coming with Broadsiding's Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2,000m) win on March 22. The Too Darn Hot colt was recently retired to stud. SKY RACING WORLD
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