Anthony Cummings’ training licence revoked by Racing NSW

Anthony Cummings, the group 1 winning trainer and son of the legendary Bart Cummings, has had his licence removed by Racing NSW after an investigation into the collapse of his training business.

The move prevents the 69-year-old from nominating horses for races and gives him a week to vacate the famous Leilani Lodge stables at Randwick, where his late father Bart trained some of his 12 Melbourne Cup winners.

Anthony Cummings’ training future is up in the air.Credit: Getty

Cummings said on Thursday he had appealed against the decision and sought a stay of proceedings.

“Mr Cummings has appealed, and accordingly, we can’t comment as he should be provided with all due process and natural justice,” Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said.

This masthead revealed in November that a liquidator’s report had reported that Cummings’ training business, Rosscarbery Holdings, had been wound up with debts of more than $2 million.

In an audio note to owners, Cummings said he hoped the granting of a stay would allow him to operate business as usual until an appeals panel could hear the matter.

“As many of you know, in recent times, I’ve had a show-cause notice serviced on me, and we’ve been dealing with that and providing information to Racing NSW. This week, they’ve come back to say that they feel they’ve made their case,” he said.

“They say that I’m supposed to finish training next week. Having said that, they’ve also offered an extension to the time. Exactly what that might be, I’m not sure – they haven’t come back to say – but they did offer me an extension.”

Cummings said he had been told a decision would be made on Friday about whether to grant him a stay of proceedings, which would enable the horses he is training to maintain their current preparations.

He is continuing to train dozens of horses at Randwick, where his son, Edward, has joined him as his foreman after handing in his own training licence at Hawkesbury.

Edward Cummings has pledged to support his father.Credit: Wolter Peeters

“I’m just mystified about the whole thing,” Cummings told owners. “I’ve done nothing wrong. I haven’t broken a rule. I’ve acted within the rules of the land. I just don’t get it.”

While facing an investigation by Racing NSW, Cummings has been busy buying horses through his thoroughbred business. He purchased a Zousain filly for $180,000 and a Yes Yes Yes colt for $70,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale this week.

He has been training under the banner of Edward’s business, Myrtle House.

Edward, 38, said in his own note to owners that he and his father had met Australian Turf Club chairman Peter McGauran and acting chief executive Steve McMahon after being told Cummings’ licence was being cancelled.

“In this meeting, both Anthony and I strongly urged the ATC board to act swiftly in recommending me to train from Leilani Lodge, a family stronghold for the last 50 years,” Edward told them.

“Given not only my good record whilst at Hawkesbury but also the good record we have enjoyed while managing Leilani Lodge since August last year, as well as my connection with this stable and the relationship I believe we have built together, we hope the board votes in favour of this transfer of horses into my name.

“In doing so, we will be able to maintain all current practices, training regimes, supplier relationships and staff numbers so that each and every horse at Leilani Lodge continues to thrive.”

‘Dad will continue to fight’

Edward said the decision against his father was clearly upsetting to the family, which is racing royalty.

“All I can say is that Dad will continue to fight this ruling, while I promise to do my best in supporting him. The best way I know is to train winners for him, for you and for everyone associated with the stable,” he said.

“As the saying goes – the hotter the fire, the stronger the steel. We have banded together in tougher times before and won out in the end. This time is no different.”

Edward, who is also a group 1 winner, would have to successfully apply for a metro trainer’s licence in order to have the horses transferred to his name.

Racing NSW’s integrity department assessed Cummings’ suitability to hold a licence after a report by Sydney insolvency firm DW Advisory said the Australian Taxation Office had pursued his training company for debts of $1.3 million and that a further $797,399 was outstanding to other trade creditors.

Employees were also due $155,128 in superannuation when the company went into administration.

Liquidator Cameron Gray said in his report in November it was likely the company engaged in insolvent trading, but further investigation may be required.

He listed “failure to maintain adequate books and records” and “acting recklessly and not in good faith in the best interest of the corporation or not for the proper purpose” as other possible breaches of the Corporations Act, but said they may also need further investigation.

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