Tim Butt heading to Victoria

Champion trainer Tim Butt is moving to the state where he’s had much of the greatest success in his stellar career.

Butt, who boasts five Hunter Cup wins and plethora of other “majors” in Victoria, is relocating from NSW down south this week.

“It’s time for a change and the Victorian racing suits our business model ideally,” he said.

“There’s so much positivity in Victoria at the moment, it’ll be exciting to settle in and get started.”

Butt, who built his career in NZ’s South Island, moved to NSW in late 2017 and enjoyed plenty of success through stars like My Field Marshal, Let It Ride and others.

“I’m proud of what we achieved. Winning the Miracle Mile, Len Smith Mile, Blacks A Fake, Fremantle Cup and so many other good pacing and trotting races out of our NSW stable,” he said.

“The past 12 months or so have been harder for the business and it’s take to try something different.”

Butt will train out of Ahmed Taiba’s Sunbury stables.

“I’ll start with about 15 horses and I’m lucky to have a place like Ahmed’s to train from … it’s so close to Melton, Kilmore and the airport if we need to travel interstate,” he said.

“It’ll also be great to get back down where Ants (Anthony Butt) and Sonya (Smith) are based now as well.

“Another plus is the chance for Riley (Butt) to further his career and mature as driver with more opportunities.”