HOME NEWS HORSES ABOUT US OWNERSHIP FITTOCKS STUD CONTACT About Us LUCA Cumani is one of British racing’s leading trainers, having enjoyed top-class success all over the world. Cumani has successfully overseen the careers of many great racehorses, achieving multiple Classic triumphs at home and abroad.Born and raised in Italy, racing was in his blood as the son of champion amateur jockey Elena and champion trainer Sergio Cumani. He followed in both of their footsteps emulating first his mother and then his father. He was drawn to England in the mid-1970’s obtaining the position of assistant trainer to Henry Cecil. Here Luca began a tie with Newmarket that exists to this day. He acquired the historic Bedford House Stables in 1976 in his own name and a ceaseless supply of winners has been the result. There have been a string of high points over the years. Cumani has twice won racing’s most prestigious race – the Derby at Epsom – with Kahyasi victorious in 1988 and High Rise a decade later. Commanche Run had earlier given Cumani a St Leger win, while among other Classic stars to have resided in the yard have been Barathea, Ensconse, Zomaradah and Gossamer. There are too many big-race successes to list but notably the Cumani team have tasted global success with brilliant performers such as Falbrav (Hong Kong Cup, Prix D’Ispahan, The Eclipse, The Queen Elizabeth II, Juddmonte International), Starcraft (Prix du Moulin, Queen Elizabeth II) and Alkaased (Japan Cup, Grand Prix de Saint Cloud). The Breeders’ Cup has not gone uncharted, either, with Barathea (Irish 1,000 Guineas, Queen Anne) proving an outstanding winner of the Mile in 1994. Cumani has registered important victories at all British racing’s major festivals with the tally of Royal Ascot triumphs now in double figures. Glorious Goodwood and York’s Ebor meeting have proved even better hunting grounds for him. The training operation of Luca and his wife Sara continues to be one of the most respected in European racing – and is likely to remain so for many seasons to come. Stable Stars LUCA CUMANI has been responsible for training a host of Group winners - including many top-class stars - in his distinguished career. In the past two decades and the current one he has enjoyed Classic glory as well as saddling other Group 1 stars. Below are some of the Cumani-trained big guns whose achievements have assured them a place in racing's history books - and Bedford House folklore. The edited text accompanying each picture comes from the excellent Timeform ‘Racehorses' annuals. Racehorse of 2017 God Given – 2017 Aphrodite Listed Stakes, Group 3 Prix Minerve The last mare to be produced by Ever Rigg, the dam of Postponed, she has already gained Black Type success over a mile and a half with hopefully more to come in 2018. Racehorse of 2016 Mizzou – 2015 & 2016 Group 3 Sagaro Stakes Winner of five races including the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes at Ascot in 2015 and 2016. His career finished with a second place behind Order Of St George in the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup in 2016 Racehorse of 2015 Second Step – 2015 Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes, Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin Very smart performer who won the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket by a head and the Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten by 3/4 length. Racehorse of 2015 Postponed – 2014 Group 2 Great Volitgeur Stakes, 2015 Group 1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Group 2 Qatar Prix Foy Forty years on from the epic clash between Grundy and Bustino, Ascot race goers may not have expected to see a battle comparable to that, however, if the closing bore some visual resemblance to the famous finish of forty years ago, the outcome was in the balance for even longer this time. The tussle between Postponed and Eagle Top was not settled until the very last stride. Racehorse of 2014 Silk Sari – Group 2 DFS Park Hill Stakes Smart performer who won an apprentice race at Doncaster, a Listed race at Newbury and Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster. She also ran a creditable second in the Group 1 British Champions Day Fillies & Mares Stakes. Racehorse of 2009 Presvis – 2009 Group 1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup, 2010 Group 2 Jebel Hatta, 2011 Group 2 Al Rashidiya, Group 1 Dubai Duty Free At the time of landing the Dubai Duty Free, Presvis was on the brink of topping the list British trained horses by earnings having amassed £4, 207, 030 in prize money. Racehorse of 2007 Purple Moon – 2007 Coutts Glorious Stakes, Totesport Ebor Heritage Handicap Bought for 440, 000 Guineas as a hurdling prospect, it was actually on the Flat where Purple Moon fulfilled his potential. Winner of the Coutts Glorious Stakes and Totesport Ebor Handicap he then put up a career best effort when finishing second in the Emirates Melbourne Cup. Racehorse of 2005 Starcraft – 2005 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Group 1 Prix du Moulin The tough and consistent Starcraft was versatile concerning both distance (effective at a mile to a mile and a half and going (acted on soft and good to firm), something which, coupled with his physique and ability should ensure him every opportunity to leave his imprint at stud. Racehorse of 2005 Alkaased – 2005 Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes, Group 1 Japan Cup, Group 1 Grand Prix de St Cloud Alkaased turned out to be a rare bargain, developing into a high-class performer and winning five more races, including two Group 1s , worth well over £1.5m. Alkaased (was) the first British-trained winner of the Japan Cup since 1997 and he was successful in a course-record time. Racehorse of 2004 Pongee – Group 2 Lancashire Oaks Attractive filly, game and reliable smart performer who won a Listed race at Haydock and the Lancashire Oaks on the same track. Racehorse of 2003 Falbrav – 2003 Group 1 Eclipse, Group 1 Juddmonte International, Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II, Group 1 Prix D’Ispahan, Group 1 Hong Kong Cup Falbrav's achievements in the latest season were a revelation, reflecting tremendous credit on those who worked with him, particularly trainer Luca Cumani. Racehorse of 2002 Gossamer – 2001 Group 3 Prestige Stakes, 2001 Group 1 Fillies Mile, 2002 Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas She ran out a clear-cut winner of the Irish One Thousand Guineas. Travelling strongly under restraint, Gossamer sprinted clear over a furlong out for a comfortable success by four-and-a-half lengths. Racehorse of 1998 High Rise – 1998 Epsom Derby High-Rise's annual rating put him at the top of the year's European middle-distance three-year-olds ahead of Sagamix, Royal Anthem, Dream Well and Tiger Hill." - Timeform Racehorses of 1998. Racehorse of 1998 One So Wonderful – 1997 Group 2 Sun Chariot Stakes, 1998 Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes "One So Wonderful was a thoroughly genuine racemare. She stayed a mile-and-a-quarter and was not beholden to the state of the going." - Timeform Racehorses of 1998. Racehorse of 1994 Barathea – 1993 Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas, 1994 Group 2 Queen Anne Stakes, 1994 Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile It took a long time in 1994 before the waters cleared to reveal the European champion miler. Right up until the division's last important race…and that was in the United States. It was a great win to end a fine career and a timely one as far as the Cartier and Racegoers Club awards were concerned as Barathea was declared Horse Of The Year in both. Racehorse of 1990 Markofdistinction – 1990 Group 2 Trusthouse Forte Mile, Group 2 Queen Anne Stakes, Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Markofdistinction had looked a rattling good miler as early as his second outing but a number of setbacks restricted his racecourse appearances and prevented him from confirming that impression as a 3 year old. He more than made up for lost time in 1990 and proved unbeatable in Britain given the right set of conditions. Racehorse of 1988 Kahyasi – 1988 English and Irish Derby Most of the horses trained at Bedford House are campaigned lightly, or not at all, as two-year-olds and patience has had its reward with some remarkable results as Cumani's career has burgeoned. Kahyasi…provided another example of Cumani's ability to improve a three-year-old rapidly. Bedford House Stables, Bury Road, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7BX Phone: +44 (0)1638 665432 | Fax: +44 (0)1638 667160 | Email: info@lucacumani.com © Luca Cumani 2016 | Website by Cambridge Web Solutions