Idol Horse Podcast

Hong Kong's newest trainer, James Cummings – grandson of the legendary Bart Cummings – sits down with Michael Cox as he prepares for his first season at Sha Tin.

James provides some insight into the unique "club med" lifestyle of training on-course, raising four kids in the trainers' village, and the camaraderie he's found among Hong Kong's expat and local horsemen alike. He reflects on the advice he's sought from John Size, Caspar Fownes and David Hayes, and why the handicap system means goals need to be realistic in his first season.

The heart of the conversation is Bart. James recalls his earliest memories at Randwick track work, becoming foreman to his grandfather in 2009, and co-training from 2013 – a period in which So You Think announced himself in the Cox Plate and went on to become a star. He unpacks his grandfather's confidence, a salesmanship born in an Adelaide tailor shop, and the lessons of horses like Kementari, whose remarkable return from failed stallion duties captures everything Cummings loves about getting the most from a horse.

Plus: a gap-year education taking in Aidan and Joseph O'Brien in Ireland, Bob Baffert at Santa Anita and Del Mar, and the Miho training centre in Japan – and why Caspar's premiership proves the best horse in any stable is the team behind it.

This episode is brought to you by Keeneland's September Sale, the world's largest yearling sale, running September 14–26 in Lexington, Kentucky. If you're looking for your next good horse, that's where the world will be.

For more of the best in world racing, head to idolhorse.com.

French jockey Christophe Lemaire has just reached 100 Group 1 winners – and he's not done yet. 

In this episode, Christophe walks us through the five victories that shaped his extraordinary career: from his first Group 1 on Vespone, to a classic triumph on Divine Proportions at Chantilly, a last-gasp Melbourne Cup on Dunaden, the seismic upset of Deep Impact in the Arima Kinen, and Equinox's breathtaking Dubai Sheema Classic demolition so comprehensive that Larry Collmus dubbed the horse "the Titan of the Turf." 

Along the way, Christophe opens up about his path from amateur rider to Japan's dominant force, the John Marshall trackwalk that won him the Cup, and why, at a career-best 76 winners this season, he's still hungry for more. For the full story and more from the world of international racing, head to idolhorse.com.

Former Hong Kong racecaller David Raphael joins The Idol Horse Podcast to revisit one of the defining moments in Hong Kong racing history – Silent Witness’s 17th consecutive victory in the 2005 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup.

With Ka Ying Rising set to chase that same 17-race winning streak in this weekend’s G1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin, the timing feels right to reflect on what made Silent Witness so special, why his dominance captured the world’s attention, and how today’s sprinting stars compare.

From the pre-social-media era to global superstardom, Raphael offers first-hand insight into the horse who took Hong Kong racing to the world – and whether history really can repeat itself.

Trainer Andrew Balding joins Andrew Le Jeune on the Idol Horse Podcast to discuss his chances in the big races at York and reflects on his career so far. 

South African trainer Justin Snaith joins Andrew Le Jeune to discuss the upcoming G1 Durban July, and his heavily fancied colt Eight On Eighteen. Snaith also shares his thoughts on the strength of this year's South African three-year-old crop, his training philosophies, and the future of horse racing in South Africa. 

Charlie Johnston joins the Idol Horse Podcast's Andrew Le Jeune to discuss fairytale colt Lazy Griff and the decision as to whether the Epsom Derby runner-up will run in the Irish Derby.

George Boughey chats to Andrew Le Jeune about his preparations for the big races at Royal Ascot this week. 

Callan Murray speaks to Andrew Le Jeune about his riding career and his recent triumphant return to South Africa. 

Ger Lyons joins Andrew Le Jeune for a wide-ranging chat on racing, including discussion on training strategies and horse development, quality versus quantity in training, hypocrisy in horse welfare, and champion jockey Colin Keane.

Rob Heathcote joins the Andrew Le Jeune to talk about his journey from Contiki tour guide to horse trainer and his veteran sprinter Rothfire.