Baker set for Whitsbury move

George Baker is to take a giant step in his training career by moving to the historic Whitsbury Manor Stables in Hampshire.

With previous incumbent Ralph Beckett taking his operation to Kimpton, the yard made most famous by David Elsworth has become available and Baker has jumped at the chance.

The history of horses trained on the estate at Fordingbridge traces back to the middle of the 19th century and it was also occupied by the likes of Sir Gordon Richards.

A former journalist, City trader and assistant to Paul Webber, Baker has started to outgrow his operation at Far Westfields Farm in Warwickshire, training horses for some powerful owners including Alex Ferguson and Paul Roy.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity,” said Baker.

“The facilities at Whitsbury are among the best in the country, if not in Europe.

“We have only been going for two and a half years and even to be mentioned in the same breath as Whitsbury is incredible.

“It’s a pretty historic place and the first box you come to in the yard has Desert Orchid’s name on it.

“We take on the lease on January 1, so we will hopefully be moving at the end of December.

“My assistants Pat and Valerie Murphy are an integral part of the team, and they will be coming with me.”