John's Racing Story
John Baker brings a lifetime of experience and a deep family heritage in horse racing to his role as Assistant Trainer. With nearly 15 years in the industry, he has worked alongside top trainers and been part of major racing victories, including his first stakes win at Keeneland in 2023. Passionate about the sport and dedicated to developing elite racehorses, John continues to make his mark at Brisset Racing.
John Baker – Assistant Trainer
John Baker is a fourth-generation horseman with deep roots in the equine industry. His passion for horses was nurtured by his family, with his mother training and his father working as a jockey in Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa. John’s grandfather also trained horses and ran a full-fledged breeding and racing operation in Nebraska, while his great-grandfather was a gypsy horse trader. His father's journey in the industry marks him as a first-generation horseman.
John began his career as an assistant trainer under Miguel Silva, where he was part of the team when Sleepy Eyes Todd was a two-year-old. This promising horse made his debut at Remington Park and went on to compete in prestigious races such as the Pegasus World Cup and overseas in Dubai.
Most recently, John served as Doug Anderson’s assistant for nearly two years, during which he gained recognition for his work with notable horses like Glengarry. John celebrated his first stakes race victory at Keeneland with Glengarry in the Bowman Mill in 2023, triumphing over competitors including Normandy Hero.
With approximately 15 years of diverse experience in the industry, John has worked in various roles, including starting gate operator, valet, jockey agent, pony person, and galloper. He considers his time at Brisset Racing to be the highlight of his career, particularly his experience with top horses like Barnes from the Baffert stable.
Quotes:
"If it was easy, everybody would do it."
"There's just something about a horse that's good for a man's soul."