Image: AAP

Veteran British trainer Luca Cumani has announced he will bring his illustrious career to an end later this year.

Cumani has decided to call it a day after 43 years at Bedford House Stables in Newmarket.

His countless big-race winners include two Epsom Derby heroes in Kahyasi (1988) and High-Rise (1998).

He was also a photo-finish away from winning the 2008 Melbourne Cup when Bauer, under Corey Brown, was beaten on the line by the Bart Cummings-trained Viewed and he was placed again in 2013 when Mount Athos came home in third.

Cumani told Press Association Sport: “I wouldn’t say it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a long time, but I’ve come to realise the time is right.

“I’ve been very lucky and privileged to have won big races all around the world and I no longer have the material to do so.

“I’ve been to Churchill Downs and Melbourne, and now we’re having more runners at Wolverhampton and Chelmsford and it’s not quite the same.

“At my age, I don’t think that situation is going to change and I’m very lucky that I’ve been able to offer myself another job at our stud (Fittocks Stud), which is my second love after training.”

Born and raised in Italy, Cumani was assistant trainer to the late Sir Henry Cecil in his early career.

His very first winner as a trainer in his own right came at Group-race level, with Gianfranco Dettori – father of Frankie – steering Three Legs to win the Duke of York Stakes in 1976.

As well as his two Derby victories, Cumani tasted British Classic success in the 1984 St Leger with Commanche Run, who would go on to win the following year’s International Stakes.

Barathea was a Cumani star in the 1990s, winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the Queen Anne Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

In more recent years, Cumani trained the popular Falbrav to win five Group One races, including the Eclipse, International and QEII.

With his son Matt training in Australia and his daughter, Francesca, a regular presenter on ITV Racing, Cumani confirmed Bedford House will be sold at the start of next year.

“Matt is in Australia and in racing terms, it really is the land of opportunity,” he said.

“Racing is thriving and booming there at the moment and it makes sense for him to stay there.

“We’ll continue training until the December Sales. Some horses will be sold, some will go to other trainers and that will be the end of that.

“I don’t like saying it’s the end as no-one has died. We’ve just decided on a change of direction.”

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