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| Staff Writer |
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George Baker, a trainer from Surrey, has a packed schedule this week as he has horses competing in the Middle East and Europe. Currently, he is in Bahrain, training his seven horses for the Bahrain Turf Series. One of his recent winners, Lucander, is set to race in the main event on Friday at the Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club.
Soon after this race, Baker will be boarding a flight to Switzerland to oversee the final preparations of his two horses for the Grosser Preis von St Moritz, the feature race of the White Turf meeting at St Moritz, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday.
“Bahrain has been fantastic for us,” said Baker, speaking to Great British Racing International (GBRI).
“We have been coming here for the last three years now,” added the trainer, speaking from Bahrain. “We first came with a couple of handicappers to dip our toe in the water and we very much enjoyed it.
“The enthusiasm for racing in Bahrain is very evident and we were delighted to bring back three horses last season. They all performed with credit and this gave us the confidence to put together a bigger gang and we have seven horses over here this season.
“Lucander has won a Turf Series race and ran a massive race in the Crown Prince’s Cup – he will run this week in H.H Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa Cup. He has also been invited to stay here for the King’s Cup which is a very valuable race in the beginning of March. It’s been a very good campaign so far and it’s been great to be involved.”
In Europe, Baker has also had great success in the renowned White Turf meetings, which take place every February on the frozen lake in St Moritz.
“St Moritz has been a part of our racing plans for many years,” explained Baker. “We won with a horse called Ancient Greece around 10 years ago. He won at all three race meetings on the White Turf which was the first time any horse had ever done that.
“We then went back a few years ago with Wargrave, who managed to win the Grosser Preis von St Moritz, which was a great thrill. It’s always been on our radar and going back with two horses is exciting.”
Baker saddles Cemhaan and Cumulonimbus this weekend in St Moritz.
“After his race in St Moritz, we are looking forward to an action-packed campaign in the UK. He has a rating that could see him line up at Royal Ascot, so it should be a fun year.”