Image © Healy Racing
Shane Butler has been a regular in the winner's enclosure in recent seasons, leading up winners for the Baltimore Stable team, but the Blackwater native secured his initial winner as a rider at Peppard's Castle last Sunday aboard his uncle David O'Brien's Tell Him Nuttin.
Name: Shane Butler
Age: 24
From: Blackwater, County Wexford
How did you get involved with horses?
There were always horses at home, My grandfather Donal O’Brien always had horses. He trained point-to-pointers and then my uncle David took it over.
What was the first racehorse you ever sat on?
I don’t remember the first racehorse I ever sat on, but I rode ponies all through my childhood and I did a lot of hunting. I’d say I was 14 when I sat on a racehorse for the first time.
Where do you work full-time?
I’ve worked full-time for the last seven years or so for James and Ellen Doyle. I ride out for my uncle David in the evenings. and also for a girl Grace Kelly down the road when I have time. I’ll do a bit of schooling for whoever after that.
How did the ride on Tell Him Nuttin come about?
David has only a handful of horses in training and I’d ride them all for him as I do most the riding at home. She is owned by a man, Jackie Miller, and I’ve ridden her in all her starts apart from one.
Were you expecting Tell Him Nuttin to run well?
She was the outsider in the field, but I fancied her. She was in great form at home and had snippets of form from last season. She was third in Lingstown and second at Necarne. She had experience on her side against the other two in the race.
Did you get some kick out of riding your first point-to-point winner?
It was a great kick. I only decided to take out my license last year as a bit of craic. I thought if I didn’t take it out then, I never would.
It worked out well, I had a few near misses with placed horses last year but thankfully I didn’t have to wait too long for my first winner.
Were your family there on the day?
They were all there. My mother was there and my uncle's and all their partners were there along with a good few friends. My partner Cara McGoldrick was also there. There was a great buzz.
Was it always the plan to take out your license?
Well it was always in my head but I never actually bit the bullet until last year. I had my own horse, Master Splinter, in the yard and he won two. I thought that I may as well take out the license when I have him there.
He was my first ride in October last year and I finished third on him in Loughanmore. I got going after that and James and Ellen gave me a few spins as well as my uncle David.
Who is your biggest influence in racing?
My boss James Doyle is great, he has been a huge help to me over the years. He has loads of experience and is great for teaching us how to school and that. I’ve learned an awful lot from him.
Is there anyone you turn to for advice?
I have no one person in particular that I call on for advice. In Wexford there are so many of the lads around me. If I need anything, I can pick up my phone and probably ring any one of them for advice.
There is a great bunch of lads here and they’d be only too happy to help with anything.
What are your ambitions for the rest of the season?
I’d just like to get another couple of winners under my belt and maybe get a few more contacts for outside rides.
As a bonus for talented new point-to-point riders who feature in p2p.ie series of NextGen articles, Dungar Quality Oats will sponsor a special draw where one of the riders will win a cash prize of €500. All NextGen featured jockeys who have ridden their first point-to-point winner will be automatically entered into this draw. The draw will be conducted and prize winner announced at the end of the point-to-point season.
