Cummings’ Training License Revoked, Given Eviction Notice from Leilani Lodge

[Wandering Eyes]

By Renee Geelen

It was revealed on Thursday by 7news.com.au that Anthony Cummings has been given an eviction notice by the Australian Turf Club (ATC) from Leilani Stables. Additionally, he has had his training licence revoked by Racing NSW and this is going through an appeals process which is understood to be concluded on Friday by the Racing Appeals Tribunal. These are two separate issues but are related to each other, as only a licenced trainer can hold a lease on ATC-owned stables.

Australian Racing has a couple of rules around bankruptcy, but they don't necessarily apply to Cummings, as it is his business which is in liquidation, not himself as a person. In October 2024, Racing NSW issued a show-cause notice to Cummings with regards to his business, Rosscarbery Holdings, being liquidated, and the process around his licence has been ongoing since then.

When Racing NSW revoked his licence last Friday, this triggered a clause in his lease from the Australian Turf Club for Leilani Lodge. Cummings now awaits the outcome of his appeal to the Racing Appeals Tribunal.

“As it stands, Anthony has issued an appeal notification to the finding and sought a stay of proceedings which will likely be decided over the weekend or on Monday,” said Cummings' son Edward. “In the meantime, both of us have asked the ATC to give permission for me to take over the lease at Leilani so the horses' preparations aren't interrupted by this.

“It's a little bit chicken and egg because only a licenced trainer can hold a lease, and I'm a licenced provisional trainer, not metro. I need Racing NSW to upgrade my licence to metro so I can take over the lease on Leilani Lodge, and we need the ATC to agree to this as well.

“What I've been able to achieve on my own over the last few years is worthy of the upgrade, and the lease at Leilani. I'm an excellent candidate to take over the stables given our results on the track. We currently have a full barn with a full suite of staff and highly skilled riders, and owners who are supportive of our process.”

The famous stables on High Street in Randwick have been occupied by a member of the Cummings family for over 40 years. Bart Cummings trained there until his death in 2015 when his grandson James took over. When James was given the opportunity to become head trainer at Godolphin in 2017, the stable lease was transferred to James' brother Edward and father Anthony.

Anthony and Edward trained in partnership from Leilani Lodge until Edward formed Myrtle House at Hawkesbury Racecourse in 2019 where he trained on his own until August 2024.

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