Racing glamour couple buy Malabar home

Racing glamour couple, James Cummings and wife Monica Berrara-Cummings, have splashed out $3.7 million on a home in Malabar, snapping it up just 15 days in to its marketing.

The couple's house purchase is the third highest for the suburb, only topped by two homes on Prince Edward Street. 

Last traded for $905,000 in 2006, the architecturally designed six bedroom home is 500 metres from Malabar ocean pool.

It has ocean views from the upper level.

There's a level rear yard for their two year old daughter Adeline, which comes with a heated pool and spa, overlooked by a family entertaining area with alfresco kitchen that adjoins the gym.

Prdnationwide Perez Real Estate agent Corrine Olsen sold the home well before its scheduled auction.

It will be more of a commute for the formerly Randwick based trainer, who earlier this year was made Godolphin's new head trainer, one of the most high-profile jobs in world racing.

He replaced John O'Shea at the top job of Sheik Mohammed's Australian racing empire.

It was a milestone moment for the Cummings family, who are Australian horse racing royalty.

The Cummings' dynasty started with Jim Cummings, the trainer of 1950 Melbourne Cup winner, Comic Court.

James began his career working for his late grandfather and legendary Hall of Fame trainer Bart Cummings at Leilani Lodge at Randwick before starting a training partnership.

He worked at Leilani Lodge for the past decade with James' father Anthony making up the tri-generation family stable.

The stable has included dual Group 1 winner Prized Icon, who won the Champagne Stakes and Victoria Derby last year.

James and Monica wed in Italy in 2014. James isn't the only one of the couple who has a background in horse racing.

Monica is the granddaughter of Filipino food and drink billionaire and long-time racing enthusiast Eduardo Cojuangco Jnr.

In 1979 Cojuangco purchased the historic Cullenbone and nearby Biranganbil and Galambine to form an agglomeration now known as Gooree Stud in Mudgee.

James had been training horses for the stud and Monica had an executive role with the racing and breeding operation however decided to resign.

This article first appeared in the Saturday Daily Telegraph.