With her model good looks, timeless sense of style, and deep knowledge of all things horse racing, Francesca Cumani has illuminated the ITV Racing coverage since 2017. Equally at home as the main anchor or providing expert analysis from the paddock, Francesca’s elegance, knowledge, and sense of fun have significantly contributed to ITV Racing’s success story. But who is the award-winning presenter referred to as the “paddock princess”?
Racing in the Blood
The Cumani family boasts a rich racing heritage. Francesca’s mother, Sara, worked in the breeding industry, while her father, Luca Cumani, was a hugely successful trainer. Going further back, her paternal grandfather Sergio Cumani was a 10-time champion trainer in Italy, while her Italian grandmother, Elena, was a champion amateur jockey. Keeping the family tradition going, Francesca’s brother Matt is a horse racing trainer, operating out of Ballarat, Victoria, in Australia. However, it is her father who will be best known to UK racing fans.
Moving to Newmarket from Italy in 1974, Luca Cumani took up residence at Bedford House Stables in 1976. By the time of his retirement in 2019, he had trained 124 Group Class winners, including Epsom Derby heroes Kahyasi (1988) and High-Rise (1998). Cumani’s status in the sport was perhaps best reflected by one of his post-retirement well-wishers. Shortly after he called time on his career, Luca received a regal house visit, as Queen Elizabeth II stopped by to congratulate him in person.
Bitten by the Bug
Born into a thriving racing establishment in January 1983, Francesca was soon bitten by the bug. Riding a pony before she could walk, she progressed to racehorses by the age of 12. If Francesca needed any inspiration in the saddle, she may have found it in a young Italian jockey who moved in with the Cumanis in her youth. Later becoming the most famous rider of the modern era, Frankie Dettori was handed his first British ride by Luca Cumani as a teenage apprentice in 1987.
When not helping out in the yard or at the family’s Fittocks Stud breeding business, Francesca attended Tudor Hall School for Girls in Oxfordshire. Upon leaving school, she headed west to the University of Bristol. Already fluent in English and Spanish, Francesca expanded her language skills still further by earning a degree in French and Spanish.
Taking out an amateur licence at 18, Francesca began racing under rules around the same time she started university. While never pursuing life in the saddle as a full-time career, she rode four winners from 29 rides between 2001 and 2011.
In her early career, Francesca added to her equine experience through her work as an assistant to David Hayes in Australia, on a stud farm in New Zealand, as a bloodstock agent, and while leading horseback safaris in Kenya and Argentina.
Big Break in Australia
Francesca’s TV break came when accompanying her father’s Purple Moon to Australia for the 2007 Melbourne Cup. Exuding poise and eloquence when discussing the horse in a TV interview, a 24-year-old Francesca caught the eye of TV executives. Despite having no formal television experience, that interview landed Francesca a role as a guest presenter for Australia’s Channel 7.
An immediate hit with viewers, Francesca earned a spot as a presenter on CNN’s Winning Post show between 2010 and 2014. Drawing on her linguistic skills, she impressively presented both the English version of the show and its Spanish-language counterpart, El Galope.
By now increasingly confident and proficient in front of the camera, Francesca remained a consistent feature of the Channel 7 Melbourne Cup coverage until 2018. Her next move saw her shift into similar roles for Channel 10 (2019-2024) and Nine’s Wide World of Sport (2024-25).
Hitting UK Screens with ITV Racing Relaunch
Having acquired the rights to cover UK Racing from 2017 onwards, ITV needed a team to front the new show. Topping the list of lead presenters were Ed Chamberlain, who made the switch from Sky Sports Football, and Francesca Cumani, whose racing background, grace, and international TV experience created an irresistible package.
Part of the original lineup, Francesca signed an initial four-year deal. Nearly 10 years on, she remains an essential member of the team and a key element of the ITV Racing appeal. In 2019, her talents were recognised at the Sports Journalists’ Association Awards, where she and Ed Chamberlain were declared Broadcast Sport’s Presenters of the Year.
Very touching reading all the lovely messages after yesterday’s @SportSJA award for best sports presenter(s). I’m very fortunate to work with such a brilliant team at @itvracing and alongside a good friend and great co-host @chamberlinsport pic.twitter.com/tjtlPENR3G
— Francesca Cumani (@francescacumani) February 26, 2019
Now a firm fixture of the UK racing scene, we can expect to see Francesca lighting up Saturday afternoons and the major racing festivals in the years to come. For a closer look at the woman behind the polished coverage and wonderful outfits, fans can check out the Running Loose podcast, which Francesca co-hosts with Vanessa Ryle of Sky Sports Racing.
Not All About the Racing
Away from her racing career, Francesca has been involved in a couple of high-profile romances. In 2014, she formed one half of a dream equestrian duo when she married Australian international polo player, Rob Archibald. The marriage produced Francesca’s first son, Harry, in 2016, before the couple went their separate ways in 2018.
Francesca’s next notable romance was found on the ITV set, when she and fellow presenter Oli Bell hit it off in 2018. Cumani and Bell broke up in 2020 but continue to work together as part of the ITV Racing team.
Following her split with Bell, Cumani found love with British businessman and Ironman triathlete, Max Johnson. The pair have two children together: Teddy, born in 2022, and Francesca’s first daughter, Nina, born in 2023.