Luca Cumani says Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s decision to remove all his horses from his stable, including King George winner Postponed, is devastating.
The Newmarket trainer has been enjoying a good season with the yellow and black silks including Connecticut’s recent win in the Bosphorus Cup in Turkey and Postponed’s Group One success at Ascot in July.
Cumani won the 1998 Derby for Sheikh Obaid with High-Rise and no issues were evident as Postponed came through his Arc lead-up in last Sunday’s Prix Foy in fine style.
The trainer said no reason had been given as to why Sheikh Mohammed’s cousin opted to remove all his horses, transferring them to fellow Newmarket handler Roger Varian.
“It’s actually 35 horses that will be taken away. Obviously we’re all very shocked,” Cumani said.
“Needless to say, it is a devastating blow for the whole team with the news coming so soon after Postponed’s win in the Qatar Prix Foy at the weekend which confirmed he was well on target for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
“We’ve been told not to run any more horses and when big-race targets were coming up it’s very sad for the staff.
“They work hard and look after the horses and care a lot about their horses.
“Owners have that prerogative, they buy the horses and they can choose who trains them.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank Sheikh Obaid for 20 years of support and many, many good horses. I’ve been privileged to train them for him and I hope he was satisfied with the races they won.
“… we turn the page and move on.”
