Francesca fashioning a classy TV career
TuesdAay June 1L9 2018 RANCESCA CUMANI plays down the role of becoming a fashion icon, but she cannot dismiss the fact she knows what she is talking about as a copresenter on ITV’s racing team.
“My poor friend Sarah [Byrne] is feeling the pressure,” says Cumani as she prepares for Royal Ascot. “She’s my stylist and a great friend. It’s all down to her what I wear!”
But her knowledge of racing is very much in her blood. Her Italian father Luca, who trains in Newmarket, and twice saddled the winners of the Derby – High-Rise (1998) and Kahyasi (1988) – provided the perfect job interview for his daughter.
In 2007 when his daughter was in Australia supervising the training of his Melbourne Cup runner-up Purple Moon, she impressed when interviewed and was snapped up to join Australia’s Channel 7 and later linked up with The Winning Post on CNN. Two years ago she was contacted by Niall Sloane, ITV’S director of sport, to copresent their broadcast with Ed Chamberlin. With an Australian husband, Rob Archibald, a former member of his country’s polo team, and baby (Harry) on the way, Cumani admitted it was case of making it work.
“I was completely not expecting it,” said 35-year-old Cumani. “I wanted to do it, but it was working out the logistics.”
Her husband is now an assistant with the Newmarket trainer David Simcock. “When I was young I was into ponies, all those things, and literally from the age of 10, I pestered my dad, “can I ride a racehorse, can I can ride a racehorse”. He eventually relented when I was 11. I think I fell off or got run away with most days. I was so determined, and I was not going to let it put me off.”
Cumani successfully racerode as an amateur.
“The race-riding was a bit of fun, while I thought I had a good tactical brain, I always wanted to look like Frankie Dettori in a finish, but I was a very long way from Frankie!” Dettori has always been a part of her life as he served his apprenticeship with her father.
“Frankie was always an exciting figure, you always knew when he was around,” said Cumani. “That swagger, he’s funny and so engaging the way he would leap off a winning horse and kiss everyone.”
Reflecting on her role with ITV, Cumani said: “Obviously, you’re never going to please everyone. It’s finding that fine line, keeping the hard core of aficionados happy and encouraging people, so that’s a difficult line to tread.
“Obviously, the Bafta award was huge for the Grand National coverage last year. I was not involved but it was a huge promotion for racing and ITV.”
Cumani clearly enjoys the fashion, but her passion is horses which she successfully owns and breeds.
Last year’s Royal Ascot was a notable highlight for Cumani.
“ITV had been broadcasting for six months and there was a lot of attention on us,” she said. “I think it proved very popular on all fronts, the horses, the stories, the singing at bandstand, it showcased what Royal Ascot was about.”
As for a fashion tip, she said: “To have fun with what you are wearing, and it does not matter where it comes from, as long as you love it.
“The dress I wore on Derby-Day cost £12.50. It’s a great opportunity, and there are not many, to wear a hat.”