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Trainer moving to stables near Epsom Derby start restored ‘from rack and ruin’

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Trainer moving to stables near Epsom Derby start restored ‘from rack and ruin’

A Royal Ascot-winning trainer is moving stables to a state-of-the-art yard which it is hoped will signal a revival in the fortunes of the home of the Derby.

Former racing journalist George Baker trained successfully at historic Whitsbury and Manton before buying Robins Farm in Sussex in 2017. Now he has revealed he is on the move again to another stables with a past connection to champions in Epsom.




Downs House stables overlook the far side of the racecourse close to the start of the Derby but has been empty for several years since Philip Mitchell trained there.

It was bought by Mark Travers and Andrew Lynds who have carried out a major reconstruction. It will be ready for Baker to move in next year.

Baker will be relocating to a yard whose history goes back to the 18th century when one of the greatest ever stars of the turf Eclipse went undefeated in 18 starts. More recently Be Friendly and Running Stag were stars for the Mitchell family.

“Whilst his stable stands permanent testament to a bygone era of unmatched brilliance, the yard that he surveyed has undergone a magnificent and dramatic transformation in the past decade,” said Baker, breaking the news in his daily blog.

“From destitute rack and ruin has risen the phoenix of a racing yard that will stand aside the best in this and many lands.

“I have walked into many training establishments and marvelled at the history and tradition, but this is different league.”

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