Image © Healy Racing
After riding in a hunter chase at Warwick on Friday before travelling to Kingston Blount for point-to-point duties on Saturday, Charlotte “Charlie” Butler was back across the Irish Sea less than 24 hours later to partner Doesthatmakesense in the ladies’ flat race at Killarney on Sunday evening.
For the 22-year-old amateur rider, that sort of schedule has become routine.
Based in Paulstown, Kilkenny, Butler spends her weeks working between some of Ireland’s leading yards before regularly travelling back to Britain at weekends to maintain a growing point-to-point career that has already yielded eight winners from just 49 rides.
“It’s kind of been hard, just trying to juggle it all," explained Butler.
“The travelling would wreck you now, but it’s worked out well and everything seems to have landed in place. I’ve picked up a few winners there along the way, so it’s just trying to get my name out there a bit more.
“It’s not easy. It’s expensive to be coming back and forth, but the winners definitely made it worthwhile.”
For the daughter of Newmarket trainer John Butler, racing has always been central to her life and there was never any real doubt that she would follow that path herself.
“My mum was in racing and the whole family were involved, so it’s all in the blood really.
“There was definitely nothing else that I wanted to do.”
Having followed in the footsteps of her mother Emily by taking out an amateur licence, Butler rode her first winner aboard her father’s Split Elevens in a Flat handicap at Southwell in March 2023.
Shortly afterwards, she made the decision to relocate permanently to Ireland, although the move was not entirely unfamiliar.
“My dad’s actually Irish and his family are Irish. I was born over here and then moved back to England. I’d been coming over during the summers to Joseph O’Brien’s and after I finished my degree I thought I’d come over to Ireland and give it a go.”
Butler completed a Bloodstock degree at Hartpury University, although her focus remains firmly on riding.
“I have no regrets, coming to Ireland was the right decision.
“I’ve gained so much experience here that I wouldn’t have gotten at home. Schooling the three-year-olds and things like that, you just wouldn’t be getting as much of that experience in England.”
Since arriving in Ireland, Butler has spent time in several different yards including those of Shark Hanlon, Harley Dunne and Aidan Fitzgerald, while she currently divides her week between Gordon Elliott, Emmet Mullins and Adam Leahy, alongside helping her uncle Michael Butler.
A typical week leaves little spare time.
“Normally I’d be in Emmet’s on a Monday and then riding out in Adam’s in the afternoon.
“Then I’d go down to my uncle’s as well. I’d be in Gordon’s Wednesday and Thursday and in Adam’s most afternoons too.
“I’ve also been going into Pat Doyle’s some mornings as well. Then at weekends I was flying back to England, maybe Saturday morning or back Saturday night depending on where I was riding.
“There’s definitely a lot of driving!”
While Butler has continued building her experience in Ireland, her biggest success to date came aboard the Gordon Elliott-trained So Des Flos, with the pair combining for two handicap chase victories at Fairyhouse, including the Ladies National in March 2024.
“That would be the highlight so far. It was great to ride winners for Gordon because he’s so respected and so successful.”
However, despite those notable track successes, breaking into the Irish point-to-point scene has proven difficult.
“It is hard in Ireland to get the rides, especially in pointing.
“Unless you’re in a point-to-point yard full-time or you’ve got your own horses to ride, it can be difficult.
“You think after a couple of winners and things like that it might make a difference, but it’s still very hard to get your name out there.
“A lot of the lads entering horses already have someone to ride for them, so it can be hard to pick up outside rides.”
Although still waiting for a first Irish point-to-point winner, Butler feels the experience gained riding in Ireland has helped sharpen her as a rider, particularly when returning to Britain.
“I definitely think the riding in Ireland has stood to me when I’ve gone back to England.
“I’d say Irish pointing is more competitive. There are more of the bigger yards and it’s more intense. In England it’s probably a bit more family-orientated.”
Her continued links with British trainer Ed Turner have played a major role in her progress this season, with Butler returning regularly to ride a team of horses for the yard.
“I rode for Ed for a couple of seasons before I came to Ireland and we stayed in contact.
“He phoned me again this season and said I could come back and ride some of the horses, so it worked out really well.”
Victories aboard Secret Plan at Horseheath, Atlantic Fleet at Ampton, Maxfly d’Agrostis at Garthorpe and Good Source at Higham saw Butler briefly lead the British novice female riders’ standings earlier this spring before eventually slipping back to third.
“I didn’t really expect that when I started going back and forth.
“It was a shame the title kind of slipped away a bit towards the end, but that’s just the way it goes sometimes.”
Despite the constant travelling and long hours, Butler remains determined to continue building a career in Ireland while maintaining her British opportunities.
“I’d definitely like to build more contacts in Ireland and get going over here properly.
“I was speaking to Maxine O’Sullivan and she said it can nearly take five years to really get going, so I know it takes time.
“Obviously the first Irish point-to-point winner is something I’d love to get and eventually I’d love to have a go at the ladies’ title over here too.”
Longer term, Butler admits turning professional may eventually become an option, although for now she remains focused on gaining as much experience as possible.
“I’d maybe think about turning professional in a few years. But at the moment I love the pointing and I’m still learning all the time.
“I’d also love to maybe go to America for a stint at some stage too. For now it’s just about keeping going, getting more experience and hopefully more opportunities will come.”
