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‘At the peak of his powers’: Bjorn Baker cooks up a sensational summer of victories

A study of the Bjorn Baker stable’s results this season, and particularly in recent weeks, makes for compelling reading and supports a leading syndicator’s assertion that the trainer is Sydney’s form conditioner.

Ray Thomas
7 min read
February 6, 2025 - 10:43AM
Trainer Bjorn Baker has Within The Law in Saturday's Inglis Millennium at Randwick. Picture: Getty Images
Trainer Bjorn Baker has Within The Law in Saturday's Inglis Millennium at Randwick. Picture: Getty Images

“I believe Bjorn Baker is training at the peak of his powers at the moment.”

This quote from leading syndicator Scott Darby of Darby Racing wasn’t just a fawning compliment but a statement of fact.

A study of the Baker stable’s results this season, and particularly in recent weeks, makes for compelling reading and supports Darby’s assertion.

Baker has had sensational summer of success with 49 wins on all tracks since December 1 including 25 Sydney wins.

He’s stormed up the Sydney premiership rankings to be second with 41 wins behind Hall of Famer Chris Waller on 82 wins.

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During the summer months, Baker has trained the winners of the $3 million Magic Millions 2yo Classic (O’ Ole), $2 million The Ingham (Robusto), $500,000 Inglis Nursery (Within The Law), $200,000 Gosford Guineas (Dance To The Boom) and $200,000 Canterbury Classic (Iowna Merc).

This came after a memorable spring that included wins in the $2 million Sydney Stakes (Overpass), $2 million The Invitation (Belclare), $1.5 million Winterbottom Stakes (Overpass), $1 million Five Diamonds Prelude (Iknowastar), $750,000 Zipping Classic (Arapaho), $500,000 Inglis Banner (Within The Law), $500,000 Hot Danish Stakes (Belclare) and $300,000 Shannon Stakes (Amor Victorious).

At the halfway point of the 2024-25 season, Baker has trained the winners of more than $15 million prizemoney which is already a record for his stable.

“We have been with Bjorn for a while and he has always been a very good trainer,’’ Darby said.

“But in the last couple of years his systems have been working very well and he has the right staff around him.’’

Baker acknowledged his stable has had a “remarkable season so far” before revealing a secret to his success.

“Without syndications, and particularly Darby Racing, I would not be anywhere near where I am now,’’ Baker said.

“Syndications work so well. It’s a model that allows everyone to be involved.

“It doesn’t matter where you come from or what socio-economic background you are from, syndications makes racing affordable.

“It is great to get people involved with the opportunity for that big win.’’

Darby said the beauty of syndications was that they didn’t discriminate: “You can win with a $2000 horse or a $5 million horse.’’

Which brings us back to the partnership between Baker and Darby.

It was about a decade ago when Baker reached out to Darby to ask if the syndicator would considering giving him some horses to train.

“I called Scott one day and he was open to the idea of giving me a horse or two,’’ Baker said.

“Since then we have had a remarkable run I must say. From Irithea in the early days it has just snowballed from there.’’

Baker estimates he has trained “hundreds of winners” for Darby Racing’s over the past decade including Overpass, Ozzmosis, Samadoubt and Harpo Marx.

“Ozzmosis was a special colt and on sheer ability he is as good as any horse I have ever been involved with,’’ Baker said.

“Then I think of Overpass. He has been outstanding for us, he comes up every season and he has won nearly $10 million for his owners.

“He is back in work and will go straight to The Quokka in April – we are going for the three-peat. We just know him so well, he goes well in Perth, he’s very good fresh and I want to get him back there.’’

But Baker said for all the success he has had with Darby Racing there is something missing from their resume.

“Two-year-olds are the one area I would like to have some more success with for Darby Racing,’’ Baker said.

“So, that’s why Within The Law going to the Inglis Millennium is very important.’’

At Royal Randwick on Saturday, Baker’s unbeaten filly Within The Law, raced by Darby Syndications, is among the favourites for the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m).

The barrier draw hasn’t been kind for Within The Law who has gate 18 but will come out of 14 after scratchings.

This has influenced TAB Fixed Odds price assessors to have Melbourne filly Price Tag as early favourite at $3.30 from unbeaten Rivellino at $5 then Within The Law at $6.

Darby paid just $30,000 for Within The Law and after just two starts for two wins in the Inglis Banner and Inglis Nursery she has already earned nearly $600,000 prizemoney for her syndicate of owners.

Baker, who also trains brilliant filly O’ Ole, admitted Within The Law “has surprised us” with the blazing start to her race career.

“Within The Law has gone under the radar a bit because she will only do what you ask of her,’’ Baker said.

“She’s the opposite to O’ Ole as whenever that filly gallops, she goes very fast and has always shown exceptional ability. But Within The Law saves her best for race day.’’

Darby said Within The Law’s racing traits reminded him of Yankee Rose, the former brilliant filly who ran second to Capitalist in the 2016 Golden Slipper.

“When Within The Law won her first race, the way she found under pressure was like Yankee Rose,’’ Darby said.

“But when Jason Collett got on her the first time in a barrier trial he was a bit perplexed.

“So, before her last start, I said to Jason that Within The Law is a similar style of filly to Yankee Rose.

“After he won on her at Randwick he came back and said I was exactly right because this filly responds under pressure like Yankee Rose.’’

Baker is daring to dream this might be the season he finally wins the race he covets most.

“The Golden Slipper is a race I dream about but I haven’t got close to it yet,’’ Baker said.

The Warwick Farm-based trainer has only had two starters in the Golden Slipper and neither has troubled the scorers with Windjammer finishing ninth to Overreach in 2013 before Unencumbered ran 10th to Mossfun in 2014.

But Baker believes he has his best chance yet to win the Golden Slipper, run at Rosehill Gardens on March 22, with either Within The Law or O’ Ole.

Within The Law wins the Inglist Banner at Flemington in November last year. Picture: Michael Klein
Within The Law wins the Inglist Banner at Flemington in November last year. Picture: Michael Klein

“I’m getting nice horses now, some stronger two-year-old types,’’ Baker said.

“Within The Law loves to race and has this amazing will-to-win. I’m thrilled with how she is going and I think she is set up to go very well.

“If she can win the Inglis Millennium, then we will concentrate on getting her ready for the Golden Slipper.

“O’ Ole is heading down to the Blue Diamond because the Magic Millions prizemoney she has won doesn’t count for the Golden Slipper so she needs to race again.

“It’s quite exciting having two of the better fillies around this season and the Golden Slipper is a race I want to win.’’

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

SCOTT Darby could beat himself with Darby Racing colts Cobra Club and Crown The King looming as major rivals to the syndicator’s unbeaten filly Within The Law in the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Cobra Club and Crown The King are stablemates with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and both showed promise at their debut runs.

In the Inglis Nursery late last year, Darby Racing celebrated a big-race quinella when Cobra Club stretched Within The Law.

Crown The King’s only start was at Doomben last October when he ran on from near last on the turn for a close second to Betterlucknexttime.

The trio also have something other than their syndicator in common – there were relatively inexpensive yearling purchases.

Darby sourced all three from the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale last year with Cobra Club and Crown The King both costing $70,000 while Within The Law was knocked down for only $30,000.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Cobra Club ran really well,’’ Darby said.

“Within The Law has done the job so far but when Cobra Club had his first start, he was a bit underdone.

“He has had the benefit of that experience and he could turn the tables on her.

“Crown The King ran very well at his only start and he has got ability. It’s a good position to be in having three good chances in such a big race.’’

Within The Law is one of cheapest yearling purchases in the Inglis Millennium but her two wins have already netted her owners nearly $600,000 prizemoney.

She is by first season sire Lucky Vega and is the first foal out of the Dundeel mare Contract Signed, who retired a maiden after 11 starts.

But Contract Signed is a direct descendant of the legendary broodmare Denise’s Joy, who won a VRC Oaks, Queensland Oaks, WATC Australian Derby and Turnbull Stakes, and was runner-up in a Golden Slipper.

At stud, Denise’s Joy produced Queensland Oaks winner Joie Denise, herself the dam of Group 1 winners Sunday Joy and Tuesday Joy. Sunday Joy is the dam of champion mare and eight-time Group 1 winner More Joyous.

“I liked Within The Law as a yearling, she looked a very athletic filly who we thought would get up and running early,’’ Darby said.

“She is by Lucky Vega and we were not really sure what they were going to do but she was worth a punt when only spending $30,000.’’

Darby’s Inglis Millennium colts, Cobra Club and Crown The King are also by first season sires.

Cobra Club is from the first crop of Cool Aza Beel, the former champion New Zealand two-year-old who won the Group 1 Sistema Stakes and Karaka Millions.

Crown The King is by Time To Reign, a brilliant sprinter owned by Darby who won the Silver Slipper and is a half-brother to the syndicator’s 2017 Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign.

Originally published as ‘At the peak of his powers’: Bjorn Baker cooks up a sensational summer of victories

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/horse-racing/nsw-racing/at-the-peak-of-his-powers-bjorn-baker-cooks-up-a-sensational-summer-of-victories/news-story/8ef962fe513937b4b1f2575ac8cb9efb