Don Butchers 

Donald Charles Victor Butchers was born at Lewes on July 8, 1913, and served his apprenticeship with his father, George, who trained at Lewes. 

Though primarily known as a National Hunt jockey, he also rode seven winners on the Flat between 1928 and 1930. His first victory was on Borjom, trained by his father, in the Apprentices’ Stakes at Leicester on April 5, 1928, scoring by three-quarters of a length. Two future leading trainers of the 20th century were also in that race, with Fred Rimell finishing third and Willie Stephenson unplaced.

Don quickly grew too heavy for the Flat and, from 1929 to 1946, switched to riding over jumps. His first winner in that sphere was Dandy Dennis, again trained by his father, in the Staines Handicap Hurdle at Kempton Park on November 30, 1929.

Having ridden four winners as an apprentice in 1928 and two in 1929, he rode his seventh and final winner on the Flat aboard 20/1 outsider Nonn in the Open Selling Plate at Salisbury on July 8, 1930.

He had a spell in Denmark, becoming the champion jockey there in 1935.

He rode three winners at Gatwick on February 25, 1938, and, at Aintree the next year, rode in all the five races that were open to professionals, winning the last on All’s Fair.

From 1946 he trained at Priam Lodge, Burgh Heath Road, Epsom. It was from here that he sent out the mighty Saffron Tartan to win the 1960 King George VI Chase and the 1961 Cheltenham Gold Cup. His stable jockeys were Alan Oughton and, later, Peter Supple.

His brothers, George and Leslie, were also jockeys. George was killed on May 3, 1917, during the war.

Don, described by friends as a modest and kind man, died at Speldhurst, near Tunbridge Wells, on October 19, 1967. He was 54 and left £7,357.

Big wins:  

1936:  Liverpool Hurdle - Armour Bright

1938:  Liverpool Hurdle - Flag 

1938:   Galway Hurdle - Serpalette

1938:  Galway Plate - Symaethis