RACING FORUM

Posted: **Tue Jan 23, 2018 3:06 am**

An explosion in the rift between head trainer James Cummings and Darren Beadman has led to the former champion jockey and group 1-winning trainer reportedly being stood down from his duties for a week by Godolphin.

Fairfax Media understands Beadman was stood down at meeting following an incident between him and Cummings last week. It is unclear if he will return but both Godolphin and Beadman were playing straight bats on Sunday.

Godolphin's racing manager, Jason Walsh, said on Sunday that Beadman was on leave after he had been carrying a heavy load due to Cummings being away, while all Beadman would offer was a firm "no comment".

Beadman has been a constant for Godolphin's Australian racing business in the past couple of years. It has been a tumultuous period as Godolphin has lost its retained jockey, trainer and managing director for various reasons.

After a hall-of-fame riding career, Beadman joined Godolphin to assist John O'Shea and quickly become his most trusted assistant. When O'Shea quit last April and Beadman took over the training duties and kept the winners flowing for the organisation, he was able to win the Stradbroke with Impending in June before Cummings took over the head role in July.

There have been reports about tensions between the pair since Cummings' arrival but Beadman has regularly been the raceday face of Godolphin when the trainer was not on track.