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James Cummings’ Bold Leap: Trading Sydney for Sha Tin in 2026/27

At just 37, James Cummings has already cemented his place as one of Australian racing’s brightest stars. A fourth-generation trainer from the iconic Cummings dynasty, he has become the youngest trainer in Australia to reach 50 Group 1 wins—an extraordinary record that speaks to his talent, drive, and the weight of expectations his heritage brings ttrausnz.com.auracingnews.hkjc.com.

Yet this June, Cummings stunned the racing world by confirming he will leave Australia to join the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s elite roster for the 2026–27 season justhorseracing.com.auracingnews.hkjc.com.

A Storied Legacy and Rapid Ascent:

Born into racing royalty, James is the son of Anthony Cummings and grandson of the legendary Bart Cummings—Australia’s most successful trainer in history, with 12 Melbourne Cup wins and 246 Group 1 victoriesracingnews.hkjc.com.

He launched his career under Bart’s tutelage, finding early fame by guiding Hallowed Crown to multiple Group 1 triumphs and claiming the 2016 Victoria Derby with Prized Icon justhorseracing.com.auttrausnz.com.au.

In 2017, at just 29, he was named head trainer for Godolphin Australia. Over eight seasons, he amassed 52 Group 1 victories, notching wins like the Rosehill Guineas with Broadsiding—further cementing his reputation justhorseracing.com.auttrausnz.com.au. At the peak of his powers, Cummings was steering a major global racing operation.

The Decision to Depart:

Cummings’ decision stemmed from several intersecting factors. Godolphin announced in early 2025 that it would shift its Australian operations to a public training model from August 1, ending Cummings’ exclusive role justhorseracing.com.auanzbloodstocknews.com.

He had even applied to take over the prestigious Leilani Lodge at Royal Randwick, later also targeting Carbine Lodge at Flemington justhorseracing.com.auracenet.com.au.

“It wasn’t a decision I made lightly,” he reflected. With his Godolphin contract concluding on July 31, 2025, he faced a fork in the road: go it alone in Australia or pivot to a new frontier racenet.com.auracing.com.

Hong Kong’s “Holy Grail” Awaits:

Hong Kong’s racing scene represents a pinnacle for many international trainers. During an official press conference at Sha Tin, Cummings described the invitation as “something of a Holy Grail” scmp.comracing.com.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) praised the acquisition as a win, noting that in recent years trainers like David Hayes and Jamie Richards have also migrated to this jurisdiction racing.com.

For Cummings, the appeal lies in the professionalism, structure, and intensity of Hong Kong’s racing system. He praised the “focus on the horses and the investment in facilities,” calling it the perfect stage for the next phase of his career scmp.comracing.com.

A “Sliding‑Doors Moment”

When HKJC reached out, Cummings called it a “sliding doors moment” racing.comscmp.com. He noted that while he had been planning to go public in Australia, the certainty offered by Hong Kong—and the chance to provide his team and owners with a clear pathway—was extremely compelling racing.comscmp.com.

He added, “If I’d stayed, I would have had the niggling feeling that I’d want to come back to Hong Kong,” and that this early announcement allows everyone—staff and owners—to plan with confidence racing.comscmp.com.

Professional and Personal Planning:

Cummings won’t arrive in Hong Kong until the 2026–27 season, and he plans to take a sabbatical in the 2025–26 seasonto prepare justhorseracing.com.auttrausnz.com.au. This break will be used to:

1. Secure a Hong Kong trainer’s licence.

2. Study and adapt to the HKJC’s operational systems and training culture.

3. Recruit appropriate horses for the unique Hong Kong racing environment.

4. Help his wife and four young children adjust to life in Hong Kong idolhorse.comttrausnz.com.au.

“We’ve got four children under 10,” he said, noting the move would offer them a broader worldview and be great for the family ttrausnz.com.auidolhorse.com.

A Blow to Australian Racing:

Cummings’ departure prompted reflection on Australia’s ability to retain talent. His move is being called a “generational blow”, raising questions about what it will take to keep top trainers at home ttrausnz.com.au.

He is only the second high-profile young Australian trainer to head to Hong Kong recently, following Melbourne Cup-winning David Eustace bloodhorse.comracing.com. For Australian racing, this sparks a debate: is it competing on global terms, or ceding its brightest minds to overseas jurisdictions?

What Lies Ahead:

2025–26: Cummings winds down operations at Godolphin Australia (ending July 31), withdraws his applications for Randwick and Flemington stables, and begins a deliberate transition year racenet.com.aujusthorseracing.com.au.

2026–27: He officially debuts as a licensed HKJC trainer at Sha Tin. He will be joining the ranks alongside other international names, operating in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment.

The HKJC’s roster is known for its intense competition, limited training slots, and demanding owner expectations. While the reward is high—both in prestige and potential financial gain—the stakes are correspondingly steep. Cummings’ move will test his adaptability, leadership, and strategic depth.

The Stakes of a Bold Move:

For Cummings, success in Hong Kong would solidify his status as a global figure in horse racing. Triumphs there resonate internationally, and the spotlight on Sha Tin and Happy Valley meets is immense.

On a personal level, the move provides security and structure: a firm timeline, stable licensing agreement, and assurances for his staff and clients.

For owners, there’s trust embedded in Cummings’ pedigree and training record. For staff, the transparency of a planned exit and thorough preparation year should ease transitions.

Reflections on Legacy and Vision:

James Cummings’ name carries weight—not only because of his victories, but due to his lineage. Yet as he steps away from the shadow of his forebears in Australia, he’s stepping into a future defined by his own ambition.

Hong Kong offers a compressed, elite racing environment where every victory carries significant visibility. It’s a place where legacy is continuously forged, not inherited—and Cummings is determined to thrive.

Conclusion:

James Cummings’ decision to move to Hong Kong is a carefully considered, bold step. It marks the end of a dominant era in Australian racing and the start of a global chapter filled with opportunity and challenge.

It’s a story of calculated risk—turning down established power in Australia, pausing at peak career momentum, uprooting a young family, and entering an unforgiving but prestigious racing circuit. It’s a bet on professional evolution, on legacy, and on the belief that sometimes, to best the old guard, you must leave it behind.

From Sydney to Sha Tin, from Godolphin stalwart to Hong Kong’s latest big-name trainee, James Cummings is setting a new benchmark: not just inheriting a legacy—carving one.

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