Three Chimneys announced Oct. 1 that Chris Baker is resigning from his position as chief operating officer after more than a decade at the farm. Longtime Lexington horseman Tony Cissell has been promoted to the position of general manager and COO.
Cissell has managed several important farms in Central Kentucky, including Crescent Farm, Calumet Farm, and WinStar Farm. Crescent Farm was Cissell's first managerial job, where he worked directly with owner Don and Linda Johnson, and during his tenure there they bred champion Mujtahid and Giant's Causeway's dam, Mariah's Storm. He then went to Calumet for a dozen years, first as yearling manager and then for the last six years as the general manager, where he worked closely with Henryk de Kwiatkowski until his untimely death. During his tenure at Calumet, the farm bred Japanese champion Hishi Akaebono, European champion Dubai Destination, as well as grade 1 winners Librettist and Ad Valorem, among others.
Subsequently, Cissell became farm manager at WinStar Farm, where he oversaw the early care and development of such outstanding runners as Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Super Saver, as well as grade I winners Colonel John, Any Given Saturday, Spring At Last, and Sharp Lisa, among many other graded winners. At WinStar, Cissell took a hands-on approach to help manage the care and careers of such top stallions as Distorted Humor, Tiznow, and Speightstown.
Cissell has been at Three Chimneys running the Big Sink division for the last five years, during which time the farm bred and raised several outstanding runners, including 2022 champion 2-year-old filly Wonder Wheel, 2022 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Early Voting , and grade 1 winner Gun Pilot , to name a few.
Goncalo Torrealba, the chairman and owner of Three Chimneys, explained the promotion: "I've known Tony for over a decade and have always admired his high level of horsemanship and his excellent people skills. He has done an outstanding job running our yearling division for five years, and has the proven background to take on the added operational responsibilities across the entire farm. He is supported by a tremendous divisional manager team, and I look forward to the future because I am confident they will continue to produce grade 1 winners."
Cissell said, "It is an honor to accept this position at Three Chimneys, and I am grateful to the Torrealba family, my co-workers, and our clients for all of their support in this transition. I have had many great jobs and a lot of experience at all levels, starting with my first job working for Lee Eaton, who was a pioneer at consigning and preparing future racehorses.
"I have learned something from every job I've had, and I look forward to taking on the operational reins at Three Chimneys. It is an exciting time to be at Three Chimneys, particularly with the rise of Gun Runner and the outstanding broodmare band to support him and our other stallions. The team at Three Chimneys is outstanding, and I am excited to work with them to get grade 1 results."
Chris Baker said he first and foremost wanted to thank the Torrealba family for all the outstanding opportunities they gave him over the past 11 years.
"From champions and classic winners like Gun Runner, Wonder Wheel and Early Voting to grade 1 winners like Carina Mia, Guarana, Volatile, and Gun Pilot, it has been my privilege to work alongside such a great family, great team, and great horses operating at the highest level of our sport. The passion, guidance, resources, and trust bestowed on the Three Chimneys team by Goncalo and his siblings have provided all of us the chance to do meaningful things—the connection to Gun Runner being the opportunity of a lifetime.
"I am at a career stage where I want to use my skills, knowledge, and experience in a different way," Baker continued. "As a result, I've made the hard decision to step away from an everyday role as COO to start my own venture as an adviser where I will help people reach their goals in all facets of the industry. Under Tony's leadership, I anticipate continued if not greater success at the highest level for Three Chimneys. I am equally optimistic for the future of Baker Thoroughbred Advisory, working with clients to reach their grade 1 goals in breeding, racing, and sales."
Torrealba added, "Chris has done a wonderful job putting together a great operations team, and his attention to detail for all operational decisions has been exceptional. However, we all understand that the demands of full-time farm operations are endless, and therefore we wish Chris well in his newest endeavor, and he can list us as his first customer."
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
