Patrick (Paddy) Butler – not to be confused with the Lewes trainer Paddy Butler – was one of 17 siblings. He rode as an apprentice on the Flat in Ireland from 1942 and later, in Britain, as a National Hunt jockey until injury forced his retirement.
While in Britain, Paddy rode three winners over jumps between 1949 and 1952, starting with a comfortable victory on Matinal II in the Legsby Chase at Market Rasen on 14 May 1949. The official winning margin was a distance, the runner-up, Roddy, having fallen and been remounted by his rider Dicky Black.
There was then a two-year wait before Paddy’s second win, achieved when Robin o’ Chantry took the Whitsun Hurdle at Fontwell Park on 12 May 1951, beating the useful D.U.K.W., the mount of future leading trainer Bob Turnell, by a length. The winner was receiving no less than 32lb from the runner-up. Robin o’ Chantry had already won a race at Plumpton in March when ridden by Harry Sprague.
A further five months elapsed before Paddy won his third and final race, when Rejected took the Bromyard Selling Handicap Hurdle at Worcester on 13 October 1951. Again, another future top trainer finished second; this time it was Reg Hollinshead.
Paddy held a licence for one more season but his career was ended by a fall on League at Fontwell Park on 5 November 1952. Having led for the first two and a half miles of the three-mile two-furlong Craigwell Selling Handicap Chase for novice riders, League was still in contention when crashing out at the last fence.
Paddy Butler died in April 2018, aged 88, following a short illness. His funeral took place on 5 May at St Bridget’s Church in Isleworth, London. He was survived by his wife Maureen.
