Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
In this segment of the ‘Stable Tours’ series, The Thoroughbred Report caught up with Warwick Farm-based horseman Bjorn Baker to learn about the 2-year-olds impressing the Kiwi trainer and his spring plans for the stable’s established stars.
Baker heads into the spring after a fantastic 2023/24 season, highlighted by Ozzmosis sizzling down the Flemington straight in the G1 Coolmore Stud S., Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard) claiming victory in the G1 Stradbroke H. and Overpass (Vancouver) defending his title in The Quokka.
Starting with the 2-year-olds, Baker highlighted several youngsters who are already catching his eye. “I’ve got a nice Ole Kirk filly out of Vellor, and she’s going well. We like her, and I think she’s going to be a very nice filly,” he said.
“I’ve got a nice Ole Kirk filly out of Vellor, and she’s going well. We like her, and I think she’s going to be a very nice filly.” - Bjorn Baker
The filly is from the first crop of Vinery Stud’s exciting prospect Ole Kirk, a winner of the stallion-making G1 Golden Rose and the G1 Caulfield Guineas. She is out of the Sepoy mare Vellor, who is a daughter of the G2 Surround S. winner Hosannah (Octagonal {NZ}) and a half-sister to the G2 Magic Night S. victress Altar (Commands).
Bjorn Baker Racing and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) paid $325,000 for the filly from Gilgai Farm’s draft at this year’s Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Ole Kirk x Vellor (filly) as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Another youngster impressing Baker at this early stage is a Capitalist colt named Pure Octane. He was purchased for $200,000 by Darby Racing from Ridgmont’s draft at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Pure Octane is the third foal out of the well-related Lakshmibai, an unraced daughter of Sepoy. Lakshmibai is a half-sister to the Australian Champion 2-Year-Old Earthquake (Exceed And Excel), winner of the G1 Blue Diamond S. She is also closely related to Madame Pommery (No Nay Never {USA}), who won the G1 Thousand Guineas and was sold to Coolmore Stud for $2.7 million at this year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
“We’ve got a lovely Capitalist colt called Pure Octane. He’s showing promise and is a nice horse at this stage,” said Baker.
Baker also highlighted an Alabama Express filly named Alabama Charm, saying, “The Alabama Express filly is a nice horse, and she’s a possibility for the spring.”
Bjorn Baker | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Alabama Charm was purchased by Baker and Clarke for $180,000 from Bowness Stud’s draft at January’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She is out of the Exceed And Excel mare Moodhilla, who comes from the family of the G1 The Galaxy winner Zapateo (Brazen Beau) and her multiple Group 1-placed half-brother Osborne Bulls (Street Cry {Ire}).
Baker added, “I’ve got a nice Zoustar colt out of Aaralyn; he’s a nice horse too. I also like a Super Seth filly called Shirley’s Tribute.”
The Zoustar colt was also sourced from Ridgmont’s draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, with Baker and Clarke paying $500,000 for him. He is out of the Choisir mare Aaralyn, a daughter of the noted producer Gold Chant (El Moxie). Gold Chant is a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner and Group 1-producing sire Starspangledbanner and is the dam of the G1 Thousand Guineas winner Amicus (Fastnet Rock).
Jim Clarke and Bjorn Baker with the Zoustar x Aaralyn colt as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The Super Seth filly mentioned by Baker, named Shirley’s Tribute (NZ), was a $225,000 purchase by Baker and Clarke when presented by Waikato Stud at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Shirley’s Tribute is out of the Group 2-placed Savabeel mare Date Night (NZ), a daughter of the G3 Desert Gold S. winner Dating (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Quokka King going well
Touching briefly on his 3-year-old runners, Baker highlighted Hezdarnhottoo (NZ) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) as a horse he holds in high regard. “Hezdarnhottoo is a nice horse. He’s possibly going to run on Friday at Wyong. We’ve got a good opinion of him.”
Baker also provided an update on Overpass, stating, “He’s going well. Overpass will run on Everest Day. Whether he gets an Everest slot is questionable, but the Sydney S. is an option for him. Overall, he’s come back in great order; we’re really happy with him.”
“He’s going well. Overpass will run on Everest Day. Whether he gets an Everest slot is questionable, but the Sydney S. is an option for him. Overall, he’s come back in great order; we’re really happy with him.” - Bjorn Baker
The son of Vancouver was a $75,000 purchase by Darby Racing and Will Johnson Bloodstock (FBAA) from Corumbene Stud’s draft at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale Round 2.
Overpass has won eight races and earned over $7 million in prizemoney. His victories include the first two editions of The Quokka, the G1 Winterbottom S., and the G2 Expressway S. He has run twice in The Everest, finishing unplaced last year, but only 3.9l behind the winner, Think About It (So You Think {NZ}). In 2022, he finished sixth, just 2.72l behind the winner, Giga Kick (Scissor Kick).
Overpass | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
Stradbroke winner Premiere bound
Baker's Stradbroke H. victress, Stefi Magnetica, is also pleasing her trainer as she builds towards a start in the G2 Premiere S. “I’m really happy with how she’s going,” he said. “She’ll probably trial on September 9, which is next Monday. She looks fantastic. Stefi Magnetica will then possibly run in the G2 Premiere S. on October 5.”
“She’ll probably trial on September 9, which is next Monday. She looks fantastic. Stefi Magnetica will then possibly run in the G2 Premiere S. on October 5.” - Bjorn Baker
The daughter of All Too Hard was a $140,000 purchase by Cunningham Thoroughbreds, Clarke Thoroughbreds (FBAA), and Bjorn Baker Racing from Cressfield's draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Stefi Magnetica has won three races and was placed in the G1 Surround S. and the G3 Fred Best Classic as a 3-year-old, in addition to winning the G1 Stradbroke H.
On the same Saturday that Stefi Magnetica triumphed in the G1 Stradbroke H., Alegron (Teofilo {Ire}) won the G2 Brisbane Cup. The son of Teofilo (Ire) was astutely purchased by Bjorn Baker Racing for $40,000 when offered by Godolphin at the 2023 Inglis Digital November (Early) Online Sale. Baker shared the spring dream for the relatively lightly raced 6-year-old, stating, “We’re going to enter him for the Melbourne Cup. He probably won’t be peaking until November on Cup Day.”
“We’re going to enter him (Alegron) for the Melbourne Cup. He probably won’t be peaking until November on Cup Day.” - Bjorn Baker
Alegron is proven over the 3200-metre trip of the Melbourne Cup, having won the G2 Brisbane Cup, finishing powerfully over the distance. He is also a winner of the G3 Kingston Town S. and the Listed VRC St Leger. Additionally, the son of Teofilo finished second in the G1 VRC Derby, the G1 Australian Derby, and the G1 Spring Champion S., alongside a fourth-placed effort in the G1 South Australian Derby.
Another star of the Baker stable, Arapaho (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), is a little behind schedule but is expected to be back on track soon. “He’s a little bit behind, so we'll just see how we go over the next few weeks with him. It’s nothing major; he's just had a temperature the last couple of times, which is more frustrating.”
Meanwhile, this Saturday, Baker is planning to run Caballus (I Am Invincible) in the G1 Moir S. at Moonee Valley. “He’s going for the Moir S., and I’m pleased with him.”
Callabus clears away with the G3 Eskimo Prince S. | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Caballus was a $1 million purchase by Tom Magnier from Bhima Thoroughbreds' draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Initially trained by Chris Waller, the son of I Am Invincible was impressive in winning his second start as a 2-year-old. As a 3-year-old, Caballus was offered by his ownership group at the 2023 Inglis October (Early) Online Sale, where Darby Bloodstock paid $315,000 to secure him. Shortly after joining the Baker stable, Caballus won the G3 Eskimo Prince S.
