In 2026 it will be Zachary Butcher who takes the top spot, the 12-time Group 1 winner answering an SOS to take the reins for Tumby Park for the 20-race series.
Swedish maestro Bjorn Goop was the syndicate’s driver in 2025 and was due to return, but plans fell through in January, paving the way for Butcher to act as the sole Kiwi representative in the championship.
“I had heard that Bjorn wasn’t going to make it so I contacted Brittany Graham and through her family connection I was able to discuss things with Scott,” Butcher said.
Butcher was one of several top drivers to witness the first UDC at Albion Park in 2025 and spent some time supporting Carter Dalgety while also enjoying the atmosphere in the pit lane.
“After being on the right track last year as a brother-in-law supporter, I wanted to be involved on the other side of the fence and told Scotty I would like to take advantage of this opportunity.”
That will leave Butcher and Canadian James MacDonald the only drivers in the championship not racing weekly in Australian conditions, meaning the Kiwi will lean heavily into the Tumby team and help him select the right horses in the draft.
The depth is one of the unique aspects of the Ultimate Driver Championship, where the horse selection is in the hands of the slot holders.
“I may not have a full picture of the shape yet, but I’m very curious to see how it’s done,” he said.
“It seems like there’s a lot of planning involved and you have to be prepared to quickly restructure your entire plan if things change.”
“Maybe I see things differently on the track and maybe a little more conservative than some drivers, so I think getting the right horsepower will be key.”
Butcher is no stranger to topline success in Australia, with his 12 career Group 1 victories spread evenly across both sides of the Tasman Sea.
Included in Australia’s six Group 1 wins is a Chariots of Fire in 2015, powering Our Sky Major to a tough win over Bling It On and fellow UDC hopeful Luke McCarthy.
“I will happily fist-pump anyone I beat,” Butcher laughed when asked if he would re-arm McCarthy after the Australian landed New Zealand’s biggest race last year.
Despite Group 1 wins in Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand, the UDC will be the first time Butcher will race at Albion Park, Queensland’s home of harness racing.
“I’ve always wanted to ride in Albion Park, but it never happened.
“When I looked at the track last year when I was there, it looks like Cambridge and also races left-handed.
“Cambridge is a track where I’ve been lucky, so hopefully I can take it to Brisbane.”
Along with the Tumby Park support crew, a strong contingent will cross the ditch to cheer on Zee Kiwi Flyer.
“My parents will be there, and my sister will be flying too and Josh Dickie and his partner Sammy will be there too,” he said.
Much like his UDC theme song – the Fisher remix, Butcher is eagerly awaiting the start of the UDC.
It’s that time.
Through Darren Clayton, for Racing Queensland
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