Cummings heads off to learn more secrets

TRAINER James Cummings exited Eagle Farm early Saturday, returning to Sydney before boarding an international flight early yesterday bound for the other side of the world.

The purpose of the trip is not for a holiday, but to further his training education with some of the biggest names in world racing.

It follows an Australian season where he has almost doubled the prizemoney haul he achieved in his first year with Godolphin, sitting on almost $29 million after Trekking’s Stradbroke win on Saturday.

Cummings spoke of the “university” he has had at his disposal growing up through his father Anthony and grandfather Bart.

But he has a thirst to keep learning and hence him heading north at the weekend.

“I spend a bit of time with John Gosden, Saeed Bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby and see a bit more of the other side of the world and how things are done,” he said. “It’s good for all of us. Some of the team went up to Dubai earlier in the year, we’re a long way away.

“It’s nice for not only the Godolphin staff from the other side of the world to see us, but for us to see them too.

“They do it to an unbelievable standard. It will be my second visit there and it is definitely worthwhile.”

His father Anthony said the trip would help continue James’ development as a trainer.

“I think it will be a great learning experience. It’s the sort of business where you never stop learning,” he said.

The pair shared a bottle of red on Saturday night after their twin Group 1 successes, the first father-son to do so on the same day since Anthony and Bart back in March 2013.

“It’s very satisfying. Firstly, I’m proud [James and his other son Edward] followed in the family footsteps and secondly that they are both doing it so well,” Anthony said.