Growing up, Bjorn worked for his father, Murray Baker (currently New Zealand’s most successful trainer), on and off at every opportunity from the time he could wield a fork. Despite horse racing being in his blood, Bjorn graduated from Otago University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Pharmacy and spent over eight years in that profession before the pull of his horse-racing roots became too strong. He worked in New Zealand, Australia, England and Ireland throughout his pharmacy career which allowed him to attend many of Australasia’s and Europe’s great race meetings. With dreams of becoming a thoroughbred horse trainer, Bjorn decided to capitalise on his years overseas and spent time at The Curragh with Irish Hall of Fame trainer, John Oxx, and in Belmont, New York with master US trainer, Christophe Clement.
In 2007, Bjorn decided to forgo his Pharmacy career and join Murray in the family business. On Bjorn’s first foray with a horse to Australia he accompanied Nom Du Jeu on his highly successful Autumn Carnival campaign in 2008, winning the AJC Derby at 40-1. After proving his worth, Bjorn then entered into a training partnership with Murray from the start of the 2008/09 season; in both the 2008/09 season and 2010/11 Baker Racing won more prize money than any other New Zealand based stable. Bjorn remained in partnership with his father, Murray, for three seasons during which they won in excess of 30 Stakes Races. The highlight of the partnership was in 2010 when Lion Tamer won the prestigious VRC Derby. Bjorn continues to maintain a strong working relationship with his father in New Zealand and It’s A Dundeel, Mongolian Khan, Bonneval and Jon Snow have all been stabled with Bjorn during their super successful Sydney Campaigns. Murray and Andrew Forsman’s record whilst travelling to Bjorn’s stable are simply unheralded.
Since arriving in Sydney Bjorn has not only produced results with stayers such as Cantonese, Candelara, Imposing Lass and Mr Tipsy as expected with his background; he has also produced numerous 2yo winners including Unencumbered, Winning Rupert, Champagne Cuddles, Goodfella, Twilight Royale, Fuerza and Brilliant Terror (sold to HK) and recently produced Group 1 winners Music Magnate winning the Doomben 10,000 and Samadoubt winning the Group 1 Winx Stakes. Now in his ninth season training in Australia, Bjorn continues to go from strength to strength and is on target to have his best ever season in 2019/2020.
