Reade Baker retires from training

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Famer Reade Baker has announced his retirement from training to become a breeding and sales consultant.

“It’s time for a new challenge,” said Baker, 71, who plans to be based in Toronto.

Baker was the agent for jockey Gary Stahlbaum before becoming the racing manager for prominent owner Richard Kennedy, who campaigned 1987 Canadian champions Afleet and One From Heaven. Afleet was the 1987 Canadian Horse of the Year.

Baker commenced his training career in 1989. From 7,199 starters in North America, he won 1,119 races, including 127 stakes, 31 of which were graded.

Baker trained a host of Canadian champions, most notably 2008 Horse of the Year Fatal Bullet, who finished second to Midnight Lute in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita.

Baker also garnered 2010 Canadian Horse of the Year honors with Grade 3 Selene winner Biofuel. She was a troubled fourth in the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at Santa Anita, which was among Baker’s toughest losses.

Baker captured the prestigious Woodbine Oaks with Academic in 2015 and with Gold Strike in 2005. Both were voted the Sovereign Award for Canadian champion 3-year-old filly.

Baker sent out the 2008 Canadian champion older female, Bear Now, who won the Grade 2 Cotillion Handicap and the Grade 3 Kentucky Cup Distaff that year.

Baker’s other stakes winners included Prince of Wales victor Breaking Lucky, Tu Endie Wei, Hunters Bay, Judiths Wild Rush, and Bear’s Kid.

Baker saddled two addedmoney winners last year – Just Be Kind, who won the Minaret Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, and the unbeaten Grade 3 Grey victor Solidify.

Baker was voted the Sovereign Award as Canada’s outstanding trainer in 2005. He was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2018.