Racing: Death stuns industry

The harness racing industry was in shock yesterday after the sudden death of Canterbury horseman Murray Butt.

The 59-year-old father of champion horsemen Tim and Anthony Butt was found dead yesterday morning. There were no suspicious circumstances.

Murray Butt was one of the most popular horsemen in New Zealand and a leading figure of Canterbury's most powerful racing family.

His loss left many in the harness racing industry stunned.

"It is a very sad time for us because Dad was not just a great father and grandfather but a great supporter of our careers," said Anthony Butt.

"He got a lot of pleasure out of seeing all of us do well in harness racing and that made the success we have had so much more enjoyable."

Murray Butt was himself the son of a champion horseman, Wes Butt, and the father and son combination tasted early success with glamour filly Golden Oriole.

Murray was only 16 when he owned her, and she was the best juvenile filly of her year before going on to win the 1964 Great Northern Derby, a rarity for a pacing filly.

She was sold to the United States, and the profits from the sale helped Butt purchase the family farm.

Other leading horses he was associated with were open class pacer Diamond Moose and trotter Game Nian. He also owned outstanding trotting talent Genius, rated the best open class newcomer in trotting this season.

Butt dabbled in standing stallions in the 1970s but in recent years has only occasionally driven in races.

"But he was a big part of our stable operations in the last five years," said Anthony Butt.

The loss of his father means Anthony Butt will forgo driving stable 4-year-old Dudinka's Cullen in a A$50,000 race in Perth this Friday, and brother Tim flew home from there yesterday after receiving the news.

The stable also has Tribute in the Manukau Cup at Alexandra Park on Friday night and like the rest of the stable representatives this week he will fulfill his engagements.

The loss of Murray Butt will be felt throughout the harness racing industry not just because of the respect in which he was held but because of his generous nature.

A regular at major race meetings so he could support his family's horses, he was an enthusiastic member of the racing social scene.

He is survived by his wife Jenny, sons Tim, Anthony and Roddy and daughter Chrissie, who is married to Canterbury trainer Cran Dalgety.

His funeral is expected to be held in Christchurch on Monday.