Legendary Trainer Luca Cumani to Retire

Legendary Trainer Luca Cumani to Retire

Legendary trainer Luca Cumani has confirmed he will bring his illustrious career in racing to an end, after 43 years at Bedford House Stables in Newmarket.

Cumani, 69, will be best remembered for his two heroic Epsom Derby horses in Kahyasi, who won the race in 1988 to seal a Derby-Irish Derby double, before High-Rise enjoyed success at Epsom in 1998.

Other notable winners include Commanche Run in the 1984 St Leger, Enconse in the 1989 Irish 1,000 Guineas and Barathea in the Irish 2,000 Guineas in 1993.

Cumani told Press Association Sport: "I wouldn't say it's something I've been thinking about for a long time, but I've come to realise the time is right," Cumani said to Press Association Sport.

"I've been very lucky and privileged to have won big races all around the world and I no longer have the material to do so.

"I've been to Churchill Downs and Melbourne, and now we're having more runners at Wolverhampton and Chelmsford and it's not quite the same.

"At my age, I don't think that situation is going to change and I'm very lucky that I've been able to offer myself another job at our stud (Fittocks Stud), which is my second love after training."

He went on to rule out the possibility of son Matt taking over his stable, who is currently training in Australia.

"We will be putting Bedford Lodge on the market at the start of next year," he added. "I discussed it with Matt but he is training in Australia, which is really the land of opportunity.

"He is married to Sarah, who is Australian, and they are now expecting their first child. It makes perfect sense for him to stay there."