Three Chimneys announced on Tuesday that Chris Baker is stepping down from his role as Chief Operating Officer after more than a decade with the organisation. He will be succeeded by Tony Cissell, who has overseen operations at notable farms such as Crescent Farm, Calumet Farm, and WinStar Farm. Cissell has been with Three Chimneys for the past five years, managing the Big Sink division.
Goncalo Torrealba, Chairman and owner of Three Chimneys, praised Cissell's leadership skills: "I've known Tony for over a decade and have always admired his high level of horsemanship and excellent interpersonal abilities. He has done an exceptional job overseeing our yearling division for five years, and has the experience necessary to expand his responsibilities across the entire farm. With a fantastic team of divisional managers backing him, I am excited about the future and confident they will continue to deliver Grade I winners."
Cissell expressed his gratitude in accepting this new role: "It is an honour to take on this position at Three Chimneys, and I appreciate the support from the Torrealba family, my colleagues, and our clients during this transition. Throughout my career, starting with my initial role under Lee Eaton, I've gained invaluable experience that has prepared me for this moment. I am eager to lead at Three Chimneys, especially during this exciting time as Gun Runner rises, and we have a stellar broodmare band backing him and our other stallions. I am thrilled to collaborate with our exceptional team to achieve Grade I results."
Reflecting on his time at Three Chimneys, Chris Baker expressed his gratitude: "First and foremost, I want to thank the Torrealba Family for the incredible opportunities over the past 11 years. From Champions like Gun Runner and Classic winners like Wonder Wheel, it has been a privilege to work with such a magnificent family, dedicated team, and outstanding horses. The support from Goncalo and his siblings has empowered us to achieve remarkable things—the connection to Gun Runner has truly been the opportunity of a lifetime."
Baker continued, "At this stage in my career, I seek to apply my skills and knowledge in a new direction. Therefore, I’ve made the difficult choice to leave my daily role as COO and pursue my own venture as an advisor, helping individuals achieve their goals across all facets of the industry. I am confident that under Tony's leadership, Three Chimneys will continue to reach new heights, and I look forward to building Baker Thoroughbred Advisory to assist clients in achieving their Grade I ambitions in breeding, racing, and sales."