It has taken since 2012 to completely rebuild the training facility at Downs House. It was a scruffy fifty box yard with a small inadequate barn and little else, but a lovely house, and the old Eclipse barn.
Downs House next to the racetrack on the Downs
Mark Travers has poured millions into this astonishing rebuild. It puts Epsom back on the map again along with the fabulous rebuild of South Hatch inspired by Jim Boyle.
We have at last a chance to reframe and rebuild the reputation of this wonderful place, home of the Derby, unique in its history, famous for all the wonderful horses who have passed through like Eclipse.
Downs House was originally a barn built by O’Kelly to house his amazing horse; the first the fastest, the most celebrated thoroughbred in the world.
George and Candida Baker, have a mission, they want to train horses to do their very best, to perform and enjoy life. They have now moved their first thirty horses into the Downs House facility. George Baker’s methods are simple and effective. He leaves the training of the horses to his assistant trainer, Barry Murphy; his job is the horses. Barry comes from a racing background his father was a well-known horse trainer, so you could say Barry has been immersed in this business from the start.
George looks after the business side and the owners, and he and his wife are a tight and effective team.
George has always travelled his horses, he believes if there is a race to be won go out and win it, no matter where it is. His tally of winners is over six hundred. We have a master here! George trained at Whitsbury, where the great Desert Orchid was trained by David Elsworth. He knows good gallops when he sees them. He trained Belgian Bill winner of The Hunt Cup Ascot 2013. He was awarded the Golden Mile in 2015 at Glorious Goodwood. He has won in Germany, Belgium, Turkey, France, St Moritz, and of course the UAE.
George is man of vision who lets nothing stand in his way to develop the talents of his equine friends. Now from Robin Farm in Godalming he has come here, and we are delighted. He brings with him many winners, some over the Epsom course itself. Who knows, will an Epsom trainer win the Derby?
This is a new and exciting chapter in Epsom racing life, we all welcome him here and wish him the very best.
The first horses arriving at Downs House
One of the tough parts of training today is the huge amount of time and paperwork that comes with the job. A trainer needs a well-trained secretary or a devoted wife to help him. The assistant trainer overlooking about fifty horses has his hands full too. Veterinary services, flue jabs and nutritional aspects are all very time consuming. This is not a job for the uninitiated.
When George Baker brings all his horses to Epsom, he will have a stable of about fifty and there is more space to fill. They have a twelve horse-walker out the back and they can then ride straight onto the Downs from there. It is a perfect facility offering a unique experience for owners to be in the heart of one of the oldest homes of the racehorse. They will find that Epsom is a very special place for owners and trainers alike; they are a close-knit community and celebrate their efforts every year with a ball at Epsom Downs Racecourse.
Inside the new facility
Racing still has a place in our ever-changing world, the racehorse is a beautiful creature with superb intelligence and great athletic capabilities. The Jockey Club also offer great family days out at the course, encouraging young people to understand and experience the fun, fascination, and excitement of horse racing, long may it continue.
© Caroline Baldock 2025