Future of Australian racing assured with next generation of Cummings on its way

James Cummings, grandson and training partner of Bart Cummings and wife Monica Barrera-Cummings turn heads at Magic Millions.

Racing royalty James Cummings and wife Monica take a look at a Torryburn Colt by Redoute's Choice at the Magic Millions Sales complex. Picture: Adam Head

NO one batted an eyelid yesterday when the future generation of Australian racing royalty graced the Magic ­Millions sales complex with their presence.

James Cummings, the grandson and training partner of living legend Bart Cummings, and wife Monica Barrera-Cummings, granddaughter of multi-millionaire Eduardo Cojuangco, turned a few heads at the Bundall address.

But the couple’s yet-to-be-born baby, which Mrs Barrera-Cummings revealed was on the way, managed to escape any attention.

Many of the thoroughbreds at the sale would be hard pressed to match the baby’s bloodlines – coming from some of racing’s best known families. But Mr Cummings was quick to point out that this racing baby “would not be offered for sale”.

“He or she has their own race to run,” he joked.

“But it is definitely home-bred.”

Mrs Barrera-Cummings said the happy couple were yet to find out the sex of the baby and were planning a party when the news broke.

Racing royalty James Cummings and wife Monica take a look at a Torryburn Colt by Redoute's Choice at the Magic Millions Sales complex. Picture: Adam Head

“We are going to have one of those cakes where you cut inside and see the colour so that everyone can find out if it is a girl or a boy,” she said.

Mr Cummings is clocking up his fifth yearling sale this year, but only his second as a trainer.

And yesterday he admitted to having his eye on a filly and colt, which he declined to name.

“We will be trying to take home the horses that we want,” Mr Cummings said.

“We are not even halfway through the yearlings yet and we have already found a colt and a filly. The quality is really good this year.”

The couple are not staying for Saturday’s Magic Millions Raceday, but promised to come back next year if they took home a winner.

Mrs Barrera-Cummings will be paying close attention to any yearlings by Smart Missile, which her grandfather Mr Cojuangco owns and was trained by Mr Cummings’ father Anthony.