Cambridge horsewoman Chloe Cumming wears several hats within the thoroughbred industry and has now added a training win to her resume.
Cumming produced Pahi Lass to break her maiden in emphatic fashion over 1600m on Sunday at Ellerslie where the lightly tried mare sparked family celebrations with her runaway victory in the hands of apprentice jockey Yuto Kumagai.
“It was very exciting, I was absolutely stoked. I expected her to run a good race and I definitely thought she was a top three chance,” Cumming said.
“She had been working out of her skin and just feeling super. She blew them out of the water so I was over the moon.”
Cumming combines her boutique training operation with her breaking in and pre-training services under her Rintoul Equine banner, and also rides trackwork regularly at Cambridge.
Pahi Lass had finished in behind the major players in her opening two outings this preparation and Cumming lavished praise on her rider, who brought the four-year-old with a powerful finishing burst from back in the field.
“I couldn’t fault Yuto and he rode her to the letter. He did everything I asked of him – it was awesome,” she said.
Pahi Lass was originally offered during the Book 2 session at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale in 2019 by Woburn Farm, but failed to meet her $30,000 reserve and Cumming subsequently purchased her privately.
“She was the first thoroughbred that I broke in, I had done a few sport horses before, and had worked for Lyndhurst Farm and Regal Farm previously,” Cumming said.
“My Mum and Dad, Kay and Ken, race her and my best friend Charlie Hawkins took a 10 percent share and it’s her birthday today so it was a great early present for her,” Cumming said.
Hawkins is married to Wentwood Grange co-owner Sean while the estate of the late Jimmy Hutton, father of former jockey Brendan, is also involved in the ownership group.
“It was a shame the mare couldn’t win while he was still alive, but it was cool to have his name in the book for his family,” she said.
Cumming has recently taken up residence at the property that was formerly home to the training operation of Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young before they moved to Cranbourne.
“I mainly do pre-trainers and breakers and ride trackwork for Stephen Marsh. He has been a huge support and helped me to get into this place and has given me a few horses to pre-train,” she said.
Cumming has also broken in a number of horses for Pahi Lass’ Melbourne-based breeder Lindsay De Souza, who is a major supporter of New Zealand racing. He shared in the ownership of the multiple Group One winner Turn Me Loose, who now stands at Windsor Park Stud.
“I have been really lucky and had some awesome people behind me,” she said. “Of all the horses to give me my first winner, this mare is the perfect one and very special.
“I’ve got 20 boxes and paddocks here so it’s very handy and breakers can get out during the day.
“I’ve got eight in work at the moment and a few breakers on the go so I’m not full up at the moment and hopefully I can get some more pre-trainers in and keep kicking along.” – NZ Racing Desk
