Clifford Baker

Far better known as Paul Nicholls’ right-hand man at Ditcheat, where he has worked since 1996, Clifford Terence Baker rode as a conditional jockey for three seasons when based with David Nicholson and had one win. 

His first ride, Bowbridge Lady, was tailed off from halfway in the Hound Tor Novices’ Selling hurdle at Newton Abbot on February 18, 1982.

Although associated with David Nicholson’s stable, it was for another leading trainer, Jenny Pitman, that Clifford had his sole success when the four-year-old Kevin Evans had four lengths to spare over the favourite Tom Tailor at the end of the Duncote Maiden Hurdle (Division 2) at Towcester on Easter Monday, April 4, 1983. 

Although he did not ride Kevin Evans again that season, he did have one more outing on him when they finished tenth of 21 starters in a Coral Golden Handicap Hurdle qualifier at Wincanton on Boxing Day 1983. That was Clifford’s last ride. 

He graduated to become David Nicholson’s head lad before joining Paul Nicholls. He is widely recognised within the industry for his unsurpassed knowledge of stable management and equine husbandry. In 2022 he received the Judges’ Choice Award at the McCoys, the event which recognises excellence in jump racing.