Riley Butt looking to make mark in Queensland driving ranks

Lifestyle and the growing harness racing industry in the Sunshine State played a role in champion trainer Tim Butt’s recent move to Queensland.

While those two factors were important in the stables decision to relocate – so is the opportunities that will come for Tim’s son – emerging driver Riley.At 19 years of age, Riley’s development and growth as a driver was front of mind for the Butt’s in their move north.

The son of champion trainer Tim and nephew of leading driver Anthony has big shoes to fill within the harness game but his old man believes he has what it takes.

When the Butt stable gets up and running completely over the next few weeks, Riley will be their main driver.

The younger Butt is a talented horseman, breaking youngsters in, as well as helping his father with all the training programs at their new Toorbul yard.

“I am really pleased with his growth, he has got good hands,” Tim said about Riley.

“That is what you need, good hands and patience, while being able to get the horses around without causing difficulty.

“Then, the tactical side of it, his confidence will come with experience.

“If you are patient and you can steer the horses around – especially the trotters – that is a big bonus.

“He will have better opportunities up here.”

Tim’s wife Andie is more actively involved in the stable than ever before, as well.

Riley feels he has learnt from being in different environments early in his driving career, noting there was often a faster pace in Victoria than what there was in NSW.

“It was good to drive against Luke McCarthy and those guys and then going down to Melbourne there is the likes of Chris Alford and obviously Anthony Butt,” Riley said.

“You learn off them driving against them, it is good education.”

It would certainly be a daunting prospect being an up-and-coming Butt in the industry after the families Grand Circuit triumphs over the years but Riley is soaking it all in.

“I definitely feel like I have progressed as a driver, at the start it was not easy, it is different than what you expect as everything happens so quick,” he said.

“You soon learn and start to pick it all up.

“Dad and my uncle Ants are great mentors to learn off, Ants obviously is a great driver, and with dad it is all about the one percenters and looking after the horses.”

Tim is enjoying the dynamic at their new Queensland base.

“We sometimes forget things and you need a bit of a young fella there with the enthusiasm,” Tim said.

“Like any sports team, you need the blend of old and young guys.”

The Butts have moved into a property with around 35 stables in Brisbane’s north which was previously used by Darren Weeks and Kylie Rasmussen, before they shifted further north again.

The team brought up around 18 pacers and trotters from down south and will soon add to that with recent APG Sales purchases.

“We wanted to come for two reasons: lifestyle and we think racing in Queensland is on the up, especially harness racing, it is really going ahead,” Tim said.

“It is moving in the right direction.

“We will continue to grow with the QBRED horses, we bought four at the recent APG sales,” he said.

“We will look to add more quality horses at the upcoming sales as well.

“We are looking for our young stock to come through as our Grand Circuits horses.”

The team hit the ground running on Tuesday at Albion Park with four trialling with their official kick-off point for the new Queensland stable not far away.