‘He will be sorely missed’: Paynes post tribute after driver, horses die in accident

Renowned racing siblings Patrick and Michelle Payne have released an emotional statement after truck driver Peter Butler and three of their young horses were killed in a road accident on the way to Camperdown Racecourse on Monday.

Butler, 59, died after his truck rolled off a bend on Slate Quarry Road near Meredith, about 40 kilometres south-east of Ballarat.

He was transporting the Paynes’ horses to Camperdown jumpouts shortly before 8am when the accident happened. Two horses died at the scene and a third died later from injuries.

“Peter brought character and laughter to our jumpout mornings, and he will be sorely missed as a regular at our stable,” the Paynes said in an online statement.

Butler, a father of three who lived in Melbourne, worked for South West Horse Transport and was driving one of two trucks that were transporting horses from Patrick Payne’s Plumpton property to Camperdown.

South West Horse Transport owner Troy Bourke said Butler followed Google map directions via Meredith, while his second truck left the Payne stables an hour later and opted to go via Bacchus Marsh and Bacchus Marsh Road.

A devastated Bourke described Slate Quarry Road as a “shit road”.

He said Butler was a “great worker, good fella and everyone liked him”.

“He was reliable and spoke very well to clients. He loved his racing, loved having a bet, and a beer,” he said.

Bourke said his five trucks operated all over Victoria, but the Paynes were one of his best clients.

The Paynes released their heartfelt statement on Tuesday, offering condolences to Butler’s family and friends, as well the team at South West Horse Transport.

The siblings also thanked Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, the Country Fire Authority, SES volunteers and members of the public who assisted at the scene.

“A special mention and thank you to the veterinarians and the entire team at Golden Plains Equine, we thank you for taking care of the six injured horses who survived,” their statement said.

“We have now lost a total of three unraced horses, our heart goes out to the owners of those lost and to the owners of those who were injured and still receiving care.

“We can assure all horses received the best of care and were attended to ASAP, and we are truly grateful to everyone who assisted in making this possible.”

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne also posted a message on Instagram, thanking people for messages of support.

“Our prayers are with Pete and the Southwest Company who have done an amazing job for so many years and our hearts break for all their family,” she wrote. “A tragic accident and awful for all.”

South West Horse Transport released a statement on Tuesday night, saying Butler was much-loved by the horse training community.

“He was a father, who was immensely proud of being a float driver,” the transport company’s statement said.

“He was deeply respected, and we are devastated by his loss. Our hearts and thoughts are with his family and friends as well as the wider horse racing community.”

The family-owned company said counselling had been offered to Butler’s work colleagues and family members.

“Sadly, three horses were also lost when the crash happened in foggy conditions around 8am,” the statement said.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with the owners and the Payne Racing Team and their stable staff who all greatly cared for the horses lost and injured.”

The family-owned company said safety and compliance had always been a priority.

Racing Victoria released a statement on Tuesday, extending the industry’s “condolences to the family and friends of float driver Peter Butler, along with his colleagues at South West Transport”.

“Our thoughts are also with the Payne stable, their owners and stable staff who cared greatly for the horses lost and injured in yesterday’s accident,” the RV statement said.

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