The Championships Race Highlights
About
Bjorn has worked for his father, Murray Baker (one of New Zealand’s most successful trainers), on and off at every opportunity from the time he could wield a fork. Despite horse racing being in the 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 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 $41.
Since establishing his own base at Warwick Farm in 2011/12 Bjorn has continued to maintain a strong working relationship with his father. Murray's Sydney contenders are based at Bjorn's stable, including It’s A Dundeel during his 3YO Triple Crown (Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby) and when he returned in 2014 to take out the Queen Elizabeth Stakes .
Since arriving in Sydney, Bjorn has not only produced results with stayers such as Cantonese and Mr Tipsy as expected with his background; he has also produced numerous 2yo winners including the outstanding Unencumbered, Twilight Royale, Fuerza and Brilliant Terror (sold to HK). Stakes-winner Havana Rey is another to do the stable proud.