Chief Stipe Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 Legendary trainer Murray Baker to retire Murray Baker will retire from training at the end of April. Picture: AAP By Ray Thomas04:37pm • 03 February 2022 0 Comments New Zealand racing legend Murray Baker has revealed he will retire from training at the end of April. Baker told The Daily Telegraph he has “one more Sydney autumn carnival in me” before retiring from sport. “I’m getting a bit long in the tooth, I’m 75, so I want to enjoy life while I can before I get into the ‘wooden overcoat’,’’ Baker said. “I’ve had a great career, I’ve enjoyed it, but I feel the time is right. April 30 will be my last day but I hope to bring a couple of horses over for the Sydney carnival.’’ Baker trained many outstanding gallopers over the years from The Phantom, runner-up in the 1989 Melbourne Cup, and 1990 Sydney Cup winner My Eagle Eye, and had tremendous success in Australia in his own right and then in a training partnership with Andrew Forsman including five ATC Australian Derby wins with Quick Thinker (2000), Jon Snow (2017), Mongolian Khan (2015), DundeeI (2013) and Nom De Jeu (2008). Mongolian Khan also won the 2015 Caulfield Cup. But the training genius declared outstanding stayer and now leading Arrowfield Stud stallion It’s A Dundeel as the best horse he trained, and Bonneval as the best filly/mare. Murray Baker holds the Caulfield Cup with jockey Opie Bosson after Mongolian Khan’s win in 2015. Picture: Colleen Petch It’s A Dundeel won the 10 races including six at Group 1 level, earning more than $5m prizemoney highlighted by his 2013 Sydney three-year-old triple crown wins in the Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas and ATC Australian Derby, and 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The champion is now a leading sire at Arrowfield Stud. “He was a bit freakish on his day,’’ Baker said of It’s A Dundeel. Baker advised his owners by letter on Thursday of his retirement plans. “It has been a long and enjoyable road since I started with Harry Greene at the old Greenmeadows Napier Track in 1958,’’ he wrote. “During this time, I have been fortunate to have had some very good horses along the way, met a lot of marvellous people and had a lot of fun times. “Andrew Forsman will take over training in his own right on the 1st May 2022 with a wealth of experience behind him having worked for and with me over the past 18 years. “I am sure you will support him as you have supported me over the years. Best wishes in racing for the future and I hope the winners keep coming.’’ 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Stipe Posted February 3, 2022 Author Share Posted February 3, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holy ravioli Posted February 3, 2022 Share Posted February 3, 2022 NZ's best trainer for a number of years. I recall when he took over the training of Emerald Dream from Wodza James. Nabbed 2?Grp 1 wins with the mare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.