Dynamic Syndications are delighted to confirm that JAMES CUMMINGS will be a trainer in HONG KONG for the 2026-27 Season.
Our Team at Dynamic are excited for James, Monica and family as they head off on an adventure of a lifetime.
Team Dynamic and James have always had a close association over many years. In fact, James was a “Dynamic Trainer” when he branched out on his own after the passing of his grandfather Bart, before taking up the position as Head Trainer at Godolphin 8 years ago.
We had been aware for a while that James would be branching out on his own again, and we have recently been working closely with James, syndicating horses for James’ new adventure.
It's a coup for Hong Kong racing scene to secure one of Sydney's most outstanding trainers.
Accepting the offer to train in Hong Kong, Cummings flew there and fronted a press conference this morning in which the Hong Kong Jockey Club confirmed the trainer would move to Hong Kong for the start of the 2026-27 season.
Cummings' tenure as Godolphin's private trainer comes to an end on July 31.
He will take a holiday and spend some family time away from the sport over the next 12 months before he moves to Hong Kong next year.
James Cummings said, "This wasn't a decision I made lightly. With the upcoming conclusion of my exclusive role at Godolphin, I have carefully considered the right path forward.''
"While continuing to train in Australia was my intention, the opportunity in Hong Kong presented a unique and respected environment to challenge myself and grow further as a trainer. This is a progression to the next stage of my career in a new jurisdiction.''
James added he had been privileged to lead a "talented and committed team" at Godolphin since 2017.
James said, "In deciding not to train next season, I also wanted to be fair to my staff by giving them the opportunity to commit to a long-term role with another stable.''
"To the owners who had already been forthcoming in their support, I want to express my sincerest appreciation. I felt it would be unfair to continue, only to step away and leave the team and yearlings without guidance during a pivotal stage in their development."
Cummings had lodged an application to take over the vacant Leilani Lodge stables at Randwick.
It is alleged onerous conditions are being sought by the ATC on the lease, and as a result Sydney racing lost James Cummings to Hong Kong.
The Australian Turf Club's board of directors are due to meet this week to further procrastinate which trainer will be allocated the boxes at Leilani Lodge.
Our understanding is the biggest concern weighing heavily on the minds of any trainer investigating Leilani Lodge is the dire conditions many of the boxes are in and the amount of money needed to bring them up to standard.
Sadly, it is alleged the cash strapped ATC have not allocated any capital works funding to address those issues and are expecting any incoming trainer to “stump up” many hundreds of thousands of dollars to fix the boxes to make them habitable under equine welfare.
It is also understood that whilst the asset is the property of the ATC, any lessee who contributes that significant money to repair the stables will not be granted any rental relief for those repairs being undertaken.
Ciaron Maher Australia’s number one trainer, along with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are now two of the obvious choices to be given the keys to the ramshackle Randwick stables which have been vacant since the license of Anthony Cummings was revoked earlier this year.