Young Guns Series: Bob Butt

Based at the idyllic Woodend Beach, Bob Butt has become a well-known young figure in the standardbred industry. Ahead of the upcoming National Yearling Sale, Butt has been busy inspecting the next set of champions, that he hopes will end up in his stable.
 

What was your earliest experience in the standardbred industry?

It’s always been around me. I’ve been brought up around it. In the holidays I worked for Nigel McGrath. I left school when I was fifteen and went to work for Cran (Dalgety) for about eighteen months. I then moved up to Auckland and worked for Barry Purdon for two or three years. I went up there when I got my driving license, and it was good to learn off him.
 

What have been your favourite highlights so far?

Winning any of the Group Ones I’ve achieved so far, as a trainer.
 

What do you look for when buying a yearling?
Correct confirmation is a biggie. Also, a good looker. You’ll see and work with it every day, so you want something good to look at it in the barn.
 

Which horse has given you the most satisfaction?
Probably, Heavyweight Hero (NZ) (Muscle Mass). I was lucky to win some big races with him. He had some soundness issues, so that was very special.
 

You’ve won some great races, but what race would you like to win next?

The Dominion. I have had quite a few seconds and thirds; I can’t quite win it. It’s been annoying me. I would love to tick that one off.
 

Do you have any favourite stallions?
It’s hard to go past Bettor’s Delight. He really changed the game. We may not see another sire like him.
 

You’ve have been quite successful in both gaits. For you, what’s the difference in training a pacer to a trotter?

Pacers are sunshine and rainbows, trotters are headaches and grey hair….but are quite satisfying when they put it all together.

Who do you look up to in the industry?
I look up to quite a lot of trainers and people around me, it’s not an easy game, and I respect and learn from a lot of good people.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Be open-minded with the horses. There are no rules, and no set way to do things. Each horse is different.
 

What advice would you give to a young person looking to be more involved in the standardbred industry?
Just give it a crack. It’s a great industry to be involved in. When things are not going well, just keep at it, good things are always around the corner.
 

How do you relax away from work? Do you have non- racing hobby? 
The Bunker…. Haha! Besides that, I tend to still find myself on the couch watching the trackside. It’s hard to get away from it. Our work is also our passion at the end of the day.
 

Catch Bob at the sales with selling kicking off at Karaka on Saturday 15 February from 1pm (NZT). Attention will then turn to the Canterbury Agricultural Park where selling begins on Tuesday 18 February at 11am (NZT).

All horses purchased at the Sale are eligible for NZB Standardbred’s lucrative Harness Million Sales Race Series. The Series consists of principal two-year-old and three-year-old races for colts and geldings, fillies and trotters individually, where NZB Standardbred graduates can contest for their share in a one million dollar prizepool.