Gordonvale dream comes true for Tyson

By Jordan Gerrans

The Baker clan is synonymous with racing in the small North Queensland community of Gordonvale, so it was fitting that a protégé of the family landed his first training triumph at the picturesque track.

Long-time Gordonvale local Benjamin Tyson has been mentored by astute local horseman Ralph Baker for the last decade before recently going out on his own as a trainer.

The 40-year-old has been campaigning Amore Sirena over the past few months, with the mare previously prepared by Ralph’s son Brett at Toowoomba.

The Gordonvale club only races twice a season, so Tyson had to thread the needle to win his first race on his home deck. 

And, he was able to do that precisely on Saturday, as Amore Sirena scored comfortably by more than three lengths in a dominant display.

Baker, who is 80, is a respected horseman who has been around the industry for decades.

When the horse-loving Tyson heard the local trainer needed a hand around his stables about a decade ago, he was quickly down there to offer his services and the rest is history.

Baker has taken a step back from training in recent times and hasn’t had a runner since November of last year.

Baker’s last winner was Gazza's Diamond at Atherton in October of 2025, a galloper in which Tyson owned shares. 

Tyson initially owned shares in a few Baker-prepared gallopers before going out on his own as a trainer.

He also raced Diamatti and Rockatulltay with Baker.

FNQ businessman and long-time racing identity Peter Piccone has shares in Amore Sirena and has raced many horses with the Baker family over the years. 

Despite Baker stepping back from training, he still keeps an eye on the caper with his protégé training out of the stables at his property at Gordonvale.

“Mr. Baker is still very much involved in mentoring me through my early horses and I wouldn’t be where I am today without him” Tyson said.

The five-year-old mare won at her fourth start for Tyson, who owns a majority share in the galloper, with top local rider Lacey Morrison in the saddle.

The win on Saturday was the second of her career in a Benchmark 55 Handicap over 1100 metres.