In just over a month, Australian-based Anthony Butt will move from his base in Melton, just outside Melbourne, and take up a new job at last year’s premiership-winning Stonewall Stud in Canterbury.
Last year the Stud training combination of Steve and Amanda Telfer set a new New Zealand record of 171 wins in a 12-month season.
Butt will join a roster that includes the stable’s number one driver, Tim Williams.
“I will ride for them at the track every morning and ride for them on race day if necessary, but I am also free to ride for other people,” Butt says.
He says he always planned to go home sooner or later, although the Stonewall opportunity “accelerated that a little bit.”
“It suits us to come home, especially from a family point of view it makes sense,” says Butt, “for mother and the children and there are two granddaughters who are very nice.”
The change of pace is another factor.
“Sonya and I are very much looking forward to returning to family and all our friends in New Zealand.
“Definitely the lifestyle there is a lot slower than the hustle and bustle of Aussie.”
“I’m going to go home and take a breather. In Victoria you can race every day and you have to travel a lot. There are many hobby trainers for whom you ride instead of one or two large stables.”
After more than 1,600 victories in this country, Butt moved to Australia in 2014.
His major achievements here included three wins in the New Zealand Cup (Blossom Lady in 1992 and twice Flashing Red in 2006-2007) and nine wins in the Dominion Trot, including three with Lyell Creek and Take A Moment.
His last victory in New Zealand was with the Rickie Alchin-trained Tough Monarch in the Group 1 Trotting Free For All at Addington in 2019.
In Australia, Butt was based mainly in Victoria, although he did spend a period in Sydney.
Across the Tasman he has racked up 908 victories, including 69 Group 1 victories.
Among his greatest successes on the Tasman are his record seven victories in Victoria’s premier race, the Hunter Cup, starting with back-to-back Blossom Lady wins in 1994-95.
In 2022, his success was recognized by him receiving the Caduceus Club of Victoria’s Living Legend Award.
When this year’s Hunter Cup Carnival is over in mid-February, Butt will pack his bags and go home – this time it’s for conservation.
Through Dave Di Sommafor Harness News Desk
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