George Baker

ABOUT GEORGE:

Having spent far too long jumping on the Tube to shout down telephones in the City of London, I am now finally 'living my dream' of being a Racehorse Trainer.

Whilst working in London, I followed the sport closely, and raced a lot at weekends, but I could never imagine that I would actually be as involved as I am today.

Nick Leeson's demolition job of Barings Bank prompted my exit from the Square Mile, and I headed to Vietnam in search of my fortune. Three years in Saigon was a fantastic experience - but the fortune eluded me.

Returning to the UK at the turn of the Millennium, I was determined not to return to the financial sector. A chance meeting with Trainer Paul Webber led to me becoming his Assistant, and I spent four happy years at Cropredy Lawn.

A spell as features writer and Lambourn correspondent for the ill-fated Sportsman Newspaper followed, but as that newspaper folded so this opportunity to train became ever more realistic. During a winter back as
Paul's Assistant, more and more people suggested that Candida, my wife, and I should take the plunge and train in our own right.

Most of last year was spent completing the necessary courses at the British Racing School at Newmarket, and gaining my NVQ Level 3 in Racehorse Care and Management, and I was finally granted my licence to train in December.

We sent out our first runner, Music Box Express, on 1 March (beaten by a head), and the same horse gave us our first winner later that same month.

On 1 March we had 15 horses and now, some six months later, we have more than 50. Our Christmas target of 10 winners has been surpassed, and myself and the fantastic team here at Far Westfields Farm are truly 'living the dream'...

Want to be an owner, or looking for a trainer? Find out more at www.georgebakerracing.com

Photograph: Sara Waterson