James Cummings is Pin & Win Ambassador for 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival

From one of the most famous racing families in Australia, Cummings is the head trainer for Godolphin in Australia, a role which has seen him train 44 Group 1 winners for Godolphin including stable stars such as Cascadian, Hartnell and nine-time Group 1 winning Horse of the Year, Anamoe.

Godolphin has been a supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities for almost a decade, which together with the Cummings family’s intrinsic connection with Flemington and the Lexus Melbourne Cup, makes this a synergistic role for Cummings.

“I'm delighted to be a Pin & Win Ambassador for the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival and to be able to support the wonderful work of Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria & Tasmania,” Mr Cummings said.

“The funds raised by Pin & Win this year will help Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria & Tasmania to continue to provide free 'home away from home' accommodation and support to families with seriously ill children receiving treatment in hospitals across Victoria & Tasmania.

“Racing has an incredible ability to transcend what happens on the racecourse and touch lives all around the world, and I feel that this role as a Pin & Win Ambassador is a meaningful opportunity to give to the community and help those in need.

“My wife Monica and I have four children of our own. Like any parent the thought of one of your children getting seriously sick is terrifying and really brings home the importance of the work of RMHC VIC & TAS. I’d encourage everyone to buy a pin and help keep families together during difficult times.”

VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said the club is delighted to welcome James Cummings as an ambassador for this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival Pin & Win campaign.

“We are very pleased to have the support of James to promote our Pin & Win fundraising initiative this year for charity partner Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria & Tasmania, and together to be helping families who are under enormous pressure caring for their sick children.” Mr Wilson said.

“The Lexus Melbourne Cup is the People’s Cup and we are very proud of the success of Pin & Win, which has raised more than $8 million for Australian charities since it was introduced in 1995, helping change lives and support our community. We are pleased that Pin and Win will have a strong connection to the racing community with James supporting the fundraising activity, and as a family man himself there is a very strong connection to this important cause.

“RMHC VIC & TAS is the 17th charity to partner with the VRC, with money raised from the two-year Pin & Win partnership to go towards supporting families to stay at the Ronald McDonald Houses, allowing them to stay together and close to their sick child’s hospital bed.”

The official Pin & Win campaign kicks off this week, with 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup souvenir pins available for purchase online at vrc.com.au, at all Flemington race days and events from this Saturday 3 August through to Melbourne Cup Carnival. Lexus Melbourne Cup pins sell for $10 each while the diamante horseshoe pins are $15, with every purchase offering the chance to win more than $188,000 in prizes including a brand-new Lexus.

RMHC VIC & TAS background

• Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria and Tasmania (RMHC VIC & TAS) is the 17th charity to partner with the VRC for Pin & Win.
• The charity provides free 'home away from home' supportive accommodation to families with seriously ill children receiving pediatric treatment in hospitals in Victoria & Tasmania.
• RMHC VIC & TAS offers families the support they require across the 4 Houses, 3 Family Rooms, a Learning Program and the Family Retreat Program.
• RMHC VIC & TAS is able to support families through the generosity of individuals, community and corporate supporters.
• Over 2,537 families benefitted from RMHC VIC & TAS accommodation in 2023 alone.
• Through the Pin & Win partnership, RMHC VIC & TAS will be aiming to raise a record amount which will cover 3,500 nights of accommodation.

Pin & Win background

• Established in 1995, the Pin and Win initiative provides a platform for charities to raise funds via the sale of souvenir Lexus Melbourne Cup pins.
• To date the initiative has raised more than $8 million for Australian charities.
• The program has supported important initiatives in the community such as the establishment of Guide Dog Victoria’s training facility in Melbourne, The Starlight Children’s Foundation’s Starlight Express Rooms for 16,000 sick children and their families, a world-class trauma centre at the Alfred Hospital, the Australian Childhood Foundation’s National Trauma Recovery Program and provided over 1.5 million meals for those in need through SecondBite.
• Last year’s campaign raised more than $548,000 for Australian Childhood Foundation and more than $1 million across the two year partnership, making it one of the most successful fundraising initiatives in the history of the Foundation.
• The souvenir pins are sold by volunteers at all Flemington race days from August through to the Melbourne Cup Carnival, available for purchase online and at various Flemington events such as the VRC Spring Gala at Crown.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria & Tasmania is the 17th charity to partner with the VRC, with money raised from the Pin & Win partnership to help fund families to stay at the RMHC houses so they can focus on their children’s recovery.

Godolphin background

• Team Godolphin spans four continents, from our home in Dubai, to Europe, Australia, Japan and America and its royal blue silks are among the most iconic sights in elite horseracing with victories in over 5,000 races worldwide.
• In Australia, Godolphin stands 17 G1 winning stallions across New South Wales and Victoria. The roster is headed by nine-time G1 winner and Horse of the Year, Anamoe. He achieved elite-level victories at two, three and four, and became Godolphin’s most prolific Group 1 winner – ever.
• Beyond the racetrack, Godolphin works to create passion and care for the thoroughbred, support local community initiatives, and sponsor education and vocational programs.
• Through collaborative approaches, coming Together for Racing, such as the VRC Pin & Win Campaign initiative, the industry can contribute to society by improving the lives of its people and communities.
• Visit:  godolphin.com/charitable-programmes & togetherforracinginternational.com