Anthony Cummings has withdrawn an appeal against the stripping of his trainer’s licence by Racing NSW, effectively bringing down the curtain on his career 35 years after he stepped out on his own from under legendary father Bart.
The future of one of most racing’s most storied dynasties at Randwick racecourse has been under threat since the 69-year-old’s licence was revoked this month after an investigation into the winding up of his training company with $2 million of debt.
Anthony Cummings trained his first winner in 1992.Credit: Getty Images
Cummings signalled that he would contest that decision before an independent panel in a bid to continue preparing horses at Randwick’s famous Leilani Lodge stables, which have been occupied by the family for half a century.
On Tuesday, however, he withdrew his application to the racing appeals tribunal, confirming the cancellation of his licence.
As he did, the ongoing tenancy of the Cummings at Leilani Lodge remained up in the air.
A lifeline materialised with one of Anthony’s sons, Edward – a group-1 winning trainer in his own right – given the green light by the Australian Turf Club to take over the facility until after Sydney’s autumn carnival, which runs until April 19.
The Cummings family, Monica and James Cummings, Edward and Sarah Cummings, and Anthony and Bernadette Cummings, at Randwick racecourse.Credit: Jessica Hromas
That was contingent on him being granted a metro trainer’s licence by Racing NSW. On Tuesday, the regulator’s licensing committee was still to confirm a decision on the 38-year-old’s application.
Edward had previously been based at Hawkesbury before relocating his horses to join his father at Randwick, where they had hoped to rekindle their former training partnership under his business Myrtle House.
Those aspirations were derailed due to Anthony’s financial woes, which became apparent when his company Rosscarbery Holdings was placed into voluntary liquidation with unpaid bills to suppliers and staff owed superannuation.
Edward had trained under a provincial level licence at Hawkesbury, but Racing NSW has been assessing his capability to handle a larger operation in the city.
In an email to owners last week, he said he believed he was on a path towards approval after exchanging “a great deal of information” with Racing NSW.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you that you are supporting us,” Edward wrote. “I am sure we can repay that faith into the future. I cannot wait to get back to the races and we will savour the first, plus many more wins to come.“”
Anthony has had more than 50 horses in work at Leilani Lodge including his most recent group-1 winner El Castello, which took out the $2 million Spring Champion Stakes at Rosehill in October.
It was his 32nd win at that level, an honour roll that includes the Victoria Derby and Tancred Stakes with Fiveandahalfstar, the Champagne Stakes with She’s Extreme, and Zavite in the Ranvet Stakes. He has had 969 wins, his first coming in 1992.
Bart Cummings, who died in 2015 aged 87, trained champions such as Saintly, So You Think and Beau Zam at Leilani Lodge.
