Bjorn Baker, a multiple Group One winning thoroughbred horse trainer, grew up surrounded by horses, stables, and the racetrack, absorbing the nuances of racing life from his earliest moments. His father, Murray Baker, a New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame legendary horse trainer was initially based in Woodville, before relocating to Cambridge, a hotbed of New Zealand racing. Bjorn’s upbringing in this environment deeply influenced his career path – however, he didn’t initially take a direct route into horse training.
After completing high school, Bjorn pursued tertiary education, studying Pharmacy at Otago University. He enjoyed a successful career as a pharmacist for over a decade before eventually returning to the horse racing world. It was during his time working in the healthcare industry that Bjorn had a grounding in interpreting data and scientific studies and learned invaluable lessons about precision, discipline, process management and attention to detail – skills that would later serve him well as a trainer.
Bjorn Baker’s formal training career began when he decided to join his father at Baker Racing in Cambridge, NZ in 2008. Bjorn started as an Assistant Foreman before Murray would give him a nod to step up to Assistant Trainer, and eventually go into partnership. Murray Baker was a dominant force in the New Zealand racing scene, having produced champions like The Phantom, Prized Gem and later Dundeel and Lion Tamer, which meant Bjorn had the privilege of observing the making of elite racehorses firsthand.
During this apprenticeship of sorts, Bjorn embraced a meticulous approach to horse conditioning and management. Murray emphasised the requirement of patience in the horse racing business, particularly the importance of understanding that each horse is different and needs to be handled uniquely. Whether it was a young colt on the rise or a seasoned racehorse nearing retirement, Bjorn developed a keen sense for the rhythms and needs of each horse in his care.
One of the most defining moments of this early stage was the duo’s shared success with Lion Tamer, a striking colt that won the 2010 Victoria Derby. This major Australian success put the father-son training team on the map across the Tasman Sea and showcased their potential to compete on both sides of the Australasian racing scene. Lion Tamer’s victory was a launching pad that helped shape Bjorn’s ambition to strike out on his own as a head trainer.
In 2011, Bjorn made a bold move in deciding to establish his own training operation in Sydney, Australia. Racing in Australia was more competitive and lucrative, with a larger prize pool and a more established racing circuit. It was also a high-risk venture, as Sydney is home to some of the world’s most successful and experienced trainers.
Bjorn’s current base at Warwick Farm, one of Sydney’s historic racing precincts, is where he started with just a handful of horses. His early years in Sydney were challenging; while he had the knowledge and pedigree, he needed to build a reputation from the ground up. To break into the competitive Australian market, Bjorn emphasized fitness and versatility in his training methods. He adopted innovative practices, such as mixing modern equine science with traditional horsemanship, and focused on producing horses that could succeed at a range of distances and conditions.
Bjorn Baker Racing quickly gained momentum as he secured more winners. In 2012, his breakthrough moment in Australia came when Unencumbered, a horse Bjorn himself purchased at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale, won the prestigious Magic Millions 2YO Classic, one of the most sought-after races in Australian racing for two-year-olds. This win solidified Bjorn’s status as a major player in Australian racing and opened doors to syndicates and owners seeking a trainer who could not only win big races but also nurture promising young talent.