James Cummings enjoyed his first day at the races on Wednesday as stable foreman to his 12-time Melbourne Cup-winning grandfather Bart.The stable had a low-key day at the office with only a couple of runners at Randwick with their best result coming in the third race on the program in which Rock And Reel finished third."It's a very exciting step but a very daunting one too," James Cummings said."It's a big job working for perhaps the best trainer of all time and taking over from a foreman who ra

James Cummings enjoyed his first day at the races on Wednesday as stable foreman to his 12-time Melbourne Cup-winning grandfather Bart.

The stable had a low-key day at the office with only a couple of runners at Randwick with their best result coming in the third race on the program in which Rock And Reel finished third.

"It's a very exciting step but a very daunting one too," James Cummings said.

"It's a big job working for perhaps the best trainer of all time and taking over from a foreman who ran the stables like a well-oiled machine but it's a challenge I'm really looking forward to."

The 21-year-old fourth generation trainer-in-waiting has taken over from long-time foreman John Thompson who is expected to commence training for Patinack Farm by the end of the month.

James, whose great-grandfather Jim Cummings trained the 1950 Melbourne Cup winner Comic Court, deferred his university studies last year and became stable foreman to his father Anthony in November.

"I've got a plan to start out on my own by the time I'm 26 and I can't think of a better place to learn the craft," he said.

Bart Cummings was happy to welcome his grandson to the team and was grateful to Thompson for almost a decade of outstanding service.

"James is a bright young fella and I'm pleased to have him on board," he said.

"It's sad to lose John, he's been great and I wish him all the best. I just hope he's not like the others."

Cummings has mentored plenty of horseman who have gone on to become successful trainers including his son Anthony, Guy Walter, Leon Corstens, John O'Shea, Nigel Blackiston and more recently Matthew Smith to name a few.

Thompson's move is part of the restructuring of Nathan Tinkler's thoroughbred empire that will result in Patinack's 140 boxes at Warwick Farm being split between him and current head trainer Jason Coyle.

Thompson, 35, is the son of former Crown Lodge trainer Vic Thompson and spent about eight years as foreman at his father's successful stable.