Murray Baker

Murray Baker

Personal information
Born	(1946-04-21) 21 April 1946 (age 79) Napier, New Zealand
Source: Cricinfo, 29 October 2020

Murray Baker (born 21 April 1946) is a New Zealand thoroughbred racehorse trainer and former representative cricketer.

Cricket

Baker played in one List A and seventeen first-class matches for Central Districts and Northern Districts from 1966 to 1975. ^[1] Baker was part of the team who won the Plunket Shield and played for Huddersfield in England. ^[2]

Horse training

Baker started training at Woodville in the 1970s. His first raceday winner was Vizier on October 4 1978, at Otaki. ^[3] Another early winner was Sir Vigilant in the 1985 New Zealand St. Leger. In 2000 Murray moved his training operation to Cambridge. ^[4]

He has trained in partnership with:

• his son, Bjorn Baker, who later moved to set up stables of his own at Warwick Farm Racecourse in Sydney, Australia.
• Andrew Forsman.

Murray has won many major races on both sides of the Tasman with leading horses such as:

• Bonneval, twice New Zealand Horse of the Year, winner of the 2017 Australian Oaks, Feehan Stakes, New Zealand Oaks and Underwood Stakes
• Dal Cielo, winner of the 2015 Ellerslie Sires Produce Stakes
• Dundeel, winner of the Australian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
• Harris Tweed, winner of the 2009 Tulloch Stakes and 2010 The Bart Cummings, placed 2nd in the 2009 AJC Derby and 2010 Caulfield Cup
• Jon Snow, winner of the 2017 Australian Derby
• Lickety Split, winner of the 2022 Sistema Stakes
• Lion Tamer, winner of the 2010 Victoria Derby. ^[5]
• Lizzie L’Amour, winner of the 2018 Herbie Dyke Stakes
• Mongolian Khan, winner of the 2015 New Zealand Derby, AJC Derby and Caulfield Cup
• My Eagle Eye, winner of the 1992 Sydney Cup
• Nom Du Jeu, winner of the 2008 AJC Derby
• Quick Thinker, winner of the 2019 Ming Dynasty Quality Handicap, 2020 Australian Derby & Tulloch Stakes and 2021 Chairman's Handicap (ATC)
• Stolen Dance, winner of the 2018 Thorndon Mile
• The Phantom,winner of the 1990 Memsie Stakes and Underwood Stakes. Placed 3rd in the 1989 Caulfield Cup and 2nd in the 1990 Melbourne Cup
• The Chosen One, winner of the 2022 Thorndon Mile
• Turn Me Loose, winner of the 2014 New Zealand 2000 Guineas, 2015 Crystal Mile, Seymour Cup, Emirates Stakes and 2016 Futurity Stakes (MRC)
• Vin De Dance, winner of the 2018 New Zealand Derby

Murray retired from training in May 2022. During his career he had accumulated: ^[6]

• over 1800 New Zealand winners.
• approximately 60 winners in Australia.
• 270 stakes and group race wins (including 48 in Australia).
• 57 Group One wins (including 22 in Australia).
• 9 Derbies and 5 Oaks victories.
• 4 New Zealand training premierships.
• 5 New Zealand trainer of the year awards.

Murray is a member of the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. ^[7]

See also

• Opie Bosson
• Roger James
• Mike Moroney
• Dave O'Sullivan
• Lance O'Sullivan
• Jamie Richards
• Chris Waller
• Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand

References

1. "Murray Baker". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
2. "A - Z of New Zealand greats - Murray Baker". loveracing.nz.
3. "Murray Baker had huge impact as a trainer".
4. "Racing: Aussie conquests still spur Murray Baker". The New Zealand Herald .
5. "Lion Tamer roars to Victoria Derby win". 30 October 2010.
6. "Murray Baker to retire – they said he'd never do it | NZ Racing News". 3 February 2022.
7. NZ Racing Desk (9 September 2019). "More well-deserved recognition for Baker | NZ Racing News".

External links

• Murray Baker  at ESPNcricinfo
• Baker Racing - Cambridge New Zealand
• Decorated trainer was born to be wildly successful
• MURRAY BAKER INDUCTED INTO THE NEW ZEALAND RACING HALL OF FAME
• People A-G | NZ Racing Hall of Fame