There was a familiar hush at the Sha Tin Clubhouse on Wednesday morning – the type of pregnant pause that often precedes one of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s announcements. Then through the double doors, in walked James Cummings, flanked by the Club’s executive director of racing, Andrew Harding, as the latest addition to Hong Kong’s training roster was officially unveiled.
For Cummings, the next chapter of a career that has already yielded 52 Group 1 winners in Australia officially begins at the start of the 2026-27 season. But as he addressed the media after a whirlwind month of talks with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, it was clear that the 37-year-old was already laying out a plan for the 14 months before his bold move to Sha Tin in September next year.
“It’s been a very quick process,” Cummings told Idol Horse. “But time is on my side.”
That time will be filled with preparation as “part of an overall strategy” to adapt to a system that has plenty of differences from the one which he spent nearly a decade mastering as Godolphin Australia’s designated trainer. Instead of the 200-plus horses currently in his care, Cummings will be limited to 70 in Hong Kong.
“It’s not going to be a turnover system quite like Godolphin and I’m aware of that, but I think that presents interesting challenges and a point of difference.
“My role has been training colts to get to the stallion rosters for Godolphin, training fillies to win black type races and the rest of it is ancillary to those goals.
“Now it’s going to be about a season for a particular horse and how to maximise the potential of that horse.”
While the differences will range from how he sources his talent to how his family adapts to the Hong Kong cauldron, what won’t be foreign to him is attention to detail and his passion for getting the best out of all types of horses, whether it is a rising star or rejuvenated veteran.
“Over the years, I’ve developed a passion not only for training horses but also the enjoyment of training a variety of horses,” he added. “I relish the chance to have young horses on the way through that learn quickly, as well as European imports that I’ve been able to nurture and still be firing at high levels and also the odd older horse that I’ve been able to rejuvenate.”
Cummings will wrap up his role as Godolphin’s private trainer in Australia on July 31 and admitted that the facilities in Hong Kong as well as the overall “focus on the horse” in the jurisdiction were big factors in his decision to swap Sydney for Sha Tin.
“I have toured and enjoyed seeing both sides of the course here at Sha Tin and one thing that strikes me is the commitment from the Hong Kong Jockey Club to maintain the excellent facilities,” Cummings said.
“They are looking for upgrades all the time, refurbishing stables and there’s an essence that the horse is really put at the forefront of the Club’s mindset, and that has struck a chord with me.”
He also drew comparisons between the Club’s training facility at Conghua and Godolphin’s Osborne Park, on the outskirts of Sydney.
“I feel like I’ve already identified some parallels between where I’ve been and where I’m headed,” he added. “I see the implementation of new treadmills and the constant evolution of new ideas that come through the Jockey Club and Conghua itself.
“In many ways, it actually reminds me of how my operation has used Osborne Park – which is an hour out of Sydney – to refresh horses and use a more rural environment to get the most out of horses of all ages.”
In the time before he starts, Cummings will begin to build his stable and said that he plans to keep his options open when it comes to sourcing his first-season battalion.
“There are really interesting ways that trainers source horses,” he said. “Some are watching barrier trials in New South Wales regularly and the breeze up sales are really interesting to me and how people go about analysing which horses from breeze up sales to pick out and bring here.”
Between now and the official start of his new role, he also plans to build relationships in Hong Kong and observe racing operations internationally.
“It will give me a chance to meet more people and get out and see a few more things around the world, like dirt racing in the US, racing in South Africa or training in Ireland,” he continued. “Plus, I can visit Hong Kong to see the racing here and I’ll be able to keep my eye on that and get ready for what is going to be pretty different to what I’m used to.”
But the move is not just about the horses. Cummings spoke about the timing for his young family – his four children all under the age of 10 – and how this move presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“For me, it was now or never,” he said. “This is a great age for them. They’re really excited for the adventure this can take us on as a family. I’m excited for them as well – to come to a place like Hong Kong, which is such a real hub.”
And while he acknowledges many challenges lie ahead, Cummings won’t be arriving in Hong Kong entirely alone. Familiar faces like Hugh Bowman, Brenton Avdulla and Zac Purton – all of whom have ridden his runners in Australia – are already deeply embedded in the Hong Kong scene.
“To see people like them here riding, training or being part of the Hong Kong Jockey Club itself and being so happy and having stayed for so long is a great insight into why it’s such a great place,” he said.
The countdown has begun. But make no mistake: James Cummings isn’t counting the days. He’s using them. ∎
