'I'll never ride another like Kauto Star - he was the horse of a lifetime'
Julian Muscat meets Clifford Baker, who loves life as Paul Nicholls' head lad
For Clifford Baker, long-standing head lad at Paul Nicholls’ Manor Farm Stables, the festive season has come to symbolise his love affair with the King George VI Chase.
“My Christmas is all about Boxing Day,” says Baker, who celebrated his 60th birthday last month. “When I was young I remember watching Wayward Lad and of course Desert Orchid. And we have developed a great feeling for the race since I came here in 1996.”
Little wonder. The year after Baker started at Ditcheat, See More Business became the first of 11 King George winners saddled by Nicholls. It’s a remarkable record in the most prestigious park-course steeplechase outside the Cheltenham Festival.
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- 'You can see why people end up struggling - when you're trying to pay the electric bill, losing one ride can be massive'
- 'I've never paid six figures for a horse and never will - I learned pretty quickly you're only one phone call away from f*** all'
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- ‘When you’re in the moment and you’re starved, you’re ready to explode - everything built up and I just lost my s**t’
- 'He must have his breakfast earlier than Willie does' - Patrick Mullins goes behind enemy lines at Gordon Elliott's yard