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.
He 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.
Bjorn’s training philosophy revolves around flexibility, communication, and continual learning. He is a strong advocate for treating each horse as an individual, not forcing them into a rigid training regime, but rather tailoring programs to maximize their strengths. Bjorn often talks about listening to the horse, through not just observation but multiple data points, meaning that the horses will tell you through their actions and condition what they need, be it more gallops, more rest, or a different racing distance. This philosophy has been one of the cornerstones of his success.
Bjorn is adaptive and willing to experiment, entering horses in varied races to find their ideal conditions. His experience working in different environments, combined with his sharp observational skills, allows him to maximize the potential of each horse, even if it means changing the initial strategy.
One of the hallmarks of Bjorn Baker’s career has been his ability to consistently train horses that can compete in elite races, despite not having the numbers of the mega-stables. Over the years, he has produced a number of high-class horses that have competed in some of the most prestigious races in Australia and beyond.
Unencumbered’s successful two-year-old campaign, earned nearly $2 million in prize money and the Magic Millions win marked a significant milestone for Baker, solidifying his reputation as a trainer capable of preparing top-tier juveniles.
Another early star in Bjorn’s stable was Music Magnate, a talented sprinter who won the 2016 Group 1 Doomben 10,000. This victory marked Bjorn’s first Group 1 win as a solo trainer and further established him as a major force in Australian racing. Music Magnate was known for his consistent performances and versatility, a hallmark of the Bjorn Baker training approach.
Samadoubt achieved significant success in weight-for-age races, winning the Group 1 Winx Stakes in 2019. This victory was particularly special for Bjorn, as it came against some of the top middle-distance horses in Australia, including the legendary Avilius and Happy Clapper.
In the last five years, Bjorn Baker has continued to achieve notable successes with horses such as Arapaho, Ozzmosis, Stefi Magnetica and Overpass. Arapaho has emerged as a versatile and durable runner under Baker’s guidance. In 2023, he secured the Group 1 Tancred Stakes, a major victory for the trainer, and the Group 2 Zipping Stakes in 2024. Baker’s skill in preparing Arapaho for these gruelling races has highlighted his expertise in managing stayers. Stefi Magnetica been another standout for Baker. Purchased for just $140,000 at the Magic Millions Sale, she quickly showed her potential, culminating in her breakthrough Group 1 victory in the Stradbroke Handicap in June 2024. This was a defining moment in her career and for Baker’s stable. Ozzmosis winning the elite Coolmore Stud Stakes was a career defining moment and his victory in the fiercely contested stallion-making race was a significant sprinting victory for Bjorn. Ozzmosis will also have his opportunity to shape the breed at Stud, having been sold as a stallion to Newgate Stud. Overpass has become synonymous with the Baker stable in recent years, winning the first two Quokka slot races in addition to back-to-back Group 1 Winterbottoms, developing a cult following amongst racing fans, and amassing just under $10mil in prizemoney.
Other notable horses in Bjorn’s career include Winning Rupert, Irithea, Fun Fact, Positive Peace, Belclare, Shades of Rose, Robusto, Alegron, Iknowastar, She’s Ideel, Missybeel, Belluci Babe, Renaissance Woman, Malkovich, Amor Victorious, Within The Law and O’ Ole.
These horses have contributed to Bjorn’s reputation for being adept at training sprinters and two-year-olds, although he has shown versatility in preparing stayers and middle-distance horses as well.
