Murray Baker

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

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

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:

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

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". NZ 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".
  7. Desk, NZ Racing. "More well-deserved recognition for Baker | NZ Racing News".
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