British 2yo Racing - 2005 Trainer Stats for G. A. Butler

BRITISH 2yo RACING - Trainer 2yo Statistics Page 2005

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2002 - 2004 Statistics

G. A. Butler (Blewbury, Didcot)

SUMMARY OF APPROACH TO 2YO RACING :-

He has said in the past, part-jokingly, that he is "probably the worst 2yo trainer in the country". This self deprecating quote was based on the fact that he does not target 2yo racing and prefers to develop horses more slowly for 3yo+ careers. However, the quote does not fit with the overall strategy and organisation that he shows with his 2yos and with the number of runners.
His strategy has been to win a maiden race with his 2yo runners within their first 2 runs and then put them away for their 3yo careers (or AW winter season) unless they are good enough to compete in high-class races. Some of his later season debuts are poorer or 3yo types having a run, or runs, to prepare for their 3yo handicap careers.
There was some evidence of a slight change to this approach in 2004 with more runs after 3TO, more runs in nurseries and more 5 furlong runs and wins. But the prime strategy remains the same and especially to get wins for important owners.
The stable has around 25-30 runners each season and these are split fairly equally between sales purchases and owner breds. The sales purchases are in the range 20k to 130k gns.
In spite of his "not a 2yo trainer" quote his FTO runners are usually competent and can compete within 10-14lbs of their best rating on debut. He is notable for appearing to actively target FTO wins, i.e. he assesses his 2yos at home and knows which ones he expects to win. This shows up in the fact that it his usual practice for horses that win FTO to run in a Listed/Group race within 21 days of their FTO win. These FTO winners tend to be above average fitness FTO both against the general average and by his own standards.
Consider that in the 2001-4 seasons 8 of his 11 FTO winners have run in Listed or higher class races STO within 21 days and there are identifiable reasons why the other 3 did not fit this pattern. For example, after My Personal Space won FTO in late May in 2003 he was quoted saying "I don't normally have a 2yo runner for a month or so but she has been working well & is quite sharp." That runner was bandaged on debut and did not run again from 156 days so possibly missed a Royal Ascot run.
He therefore appears to have a plan through to STO, at least, for his better runners and the good record he has with STO winners suggests that this level of planning is followed through with all of his 2yo runners. He has a consistent record of getting between 2-15lbs improvement with STO runs after breaks of 11-22 days. Again this consistency and organisation negates the veracity of the self deprecating quote given above.
Has a poor record with STO runs that are less than 8 days after the debut run. This is usually a sure sign of a moderate-poor runner.
FTO SPs normally show reasonable correlation with FTO performance. The targeted debut wins are normally in the range 3/1 to 8/1 and with support. These targeted debuts are often on Lingfield AW, for example Elusive City in 2002, Donna Vita in 2003 and Sumora in 2004. This correlation was slightly obscured in 2004 because he had a FTO winner with his first runner (as he had in 2003) at 16/1. The later debuts in that batch seemed to be at too short SPs because people reacted unnecessarily to that surprise win.
One slight oddity in his strategy with 2yos is that he is not consistent with race distance progression. Most trainers typically run 2yos over only a small range of distances in the season, often only with 1 furlong difference (5 and 6 furlongs, 6 and 7 furlongs, etc.) If the 2yo runs over 2f different distance they will normally have moved up over time in 1 furlong progressions. He shows notable difference to this pattern even though his 2yos have relatively few runs. The prime example in 2004 was Master Cobbler who ran over 10.2 furlongs 3TO after two runs over 5 and 6 furlongs. There were seven other examples in 2004 including two wins when stepped up by 2 furlongs from a previous run.
2004 saw a first nursery win but since this was at 40/1 and probably running to a rating in the 50s the win was probably as much of a surprise to the stable as to anyone else. More notable is the point of how weak some Nottingham races can be.

2005 Debut Runs Summary

2005 SEASON RUN DETAILS

Horse Run # Date Course Dist Gng RcCls RcTyp SP Postn [Est] Run Style Hdgr Notes

LEAGUE CHAMPION 1 01/05/2005 NMKT 5 GFF 4 M 16 1-10 78 P2 PHfHf, Qkn-2, KONLt

TITUS MAXIMUS 1 04/05/2005 CHES 5 GS 3 M 7.5 13-16 5 P3 -2+1f, Ef+1, P1Hf, RFd-2, Easd

HOGAN'S HEROES 1 20/05/2005 HYDK 5 GF 5 Auc 14 12-16 42 MB -3+1f, -5Hf, HgL, SQFd

LEAGUE CHAMPION 2 14/06/2005 YORK 6 GF 1 Gp2 14 7-14 86 T32 -2+1f&Hf, SOutpcd-2f, SQFd-1f+

WEST OF AMARILLO 1 17/06/2005 NMKJ 6 GF 5 M 7 1-10 76 T4 T2.5Hf, Prg-2f, 2nd-1f, Kon

CLUB CAPTAIN 1 06/07/2005 NMKJ 6 GSG 3 Nov 20 9-10 40 MB -2+F, -4+Hf, QOutpcd, QFd

BEST DOUBLE 1 07/07/2005 NMKJ 6 GS 3 Mf 10 9-12 38 B B-3, -9+1f Last, -9Hf, NIR

LEAGUE CHAMPION 3 16/07/2005 NWBY 7 GF 3 Cnd 3.3 3-8 87 B SQFre, -4+Hf, GdPrg-2f, kon-1f

PENANG CINTA 1 22/07/2005 NWBY 7 GF 4 M 33 19-19 31 M -4Hf, QOutpcd-2f+, QRFd

LEAGUE CHAMPION 4 27/07/2005 GDWD 7 S 1 Gp2 14 5-7 85 HT4 ModAvPc, -2Hf, CentStr, Pon-2f

BEST DOUBLE 2 27/07/2005 GDWD 6 S 2 Mf 5.5 2-8 61 BT4 ModPc -5+1, -4Hf, Ef&Rsp-2, Po

SHAMILA 28/07/2005 GDWD 7 SGS 2 Mf NR-

WAR SWORD 1 30/07/2005 GDWD 7 GS 2 Mcg 16 11-12 35 P2F -Nk+1f, F1Hf, QRFd-2.5f

LEAGUE CHAMPION 5 20/08/2005 CHES 6.1 GFG 2 CnC 0.91 1-4 70 T3 2f Spr, T1+Hf, Ef-1+, KO, QCmf

BEST DOUBLE 3 25/08/2005 LNGA 6 STD 5 M 4.5 2-10 61 M SFre, -3Hf, Eff-2, Chal-1, PO

SHAMILA 1 25/08/2005 LNGA 7 STD 5 Nov 9 2-8 56 B B-2, -4+Hf, Kon-1f

HOGAN'S HEROES 2 26/08/2005 SALS 6 GSS 5 Auc 100 12-12 0 Af Bolt TP&Did Circuit, Eased Hf

BEST DOUBLE 4 07/09/2005 DONC 6.5 GFG 2 Nrf 16 9-17 49 B14 BoCent P-2, -3+Hf, Ef-2&Prg po

LEAGUE CHAMPION 6 10/09/2005 GDWD 8 GF 1 Lst 5 4-8 85 T6 AvPc, -4Hf, Ef-2+, Kon-1+

TITUS MAXIMUS 2 10/09/2005 EDIN 5 GGF 5 M 6 1-9 65 F AvPc, F1Hf, 2Clr-1f, Kon

BEAUCHAMP UTOPIA 1 16/09/2005 NWBY 6 GF 4 M 25 2-12 55 T3 MAPc, -HfHf, Ef-2f, POn-1+

DANCING ON 1 16/09/2005 NWBY 6 GF 4 M 14 UR-12 0 B11 MAPc, -3Hf, PU&Collapse-2f

BEAUCHAMP UNITED 1 17/09/2005 NWBY 7 GF 4 M 50 4-12 62 B11 A5, MAPc, -3+Hf, 6th-1 POn

SUPER FRANK 1 17/09/2005 NWBY 7 GF 4 M 12 11-11 34 B9 A5, ModPc BR-3 SQFre, -3Hf QFd

BEST DOUBLE 5 01/10/2005 NMKT 7 GS 2 NrF 14 6-15 52 P2 OkPc, -NkHf, SOtpcd-2f, SFdLt

SHAMILA 2 01/10/2005 NMKT 6 S 4 Mf 4 2-12 62 T6 2f Spr, -2+Hf, Ef-2f & Prg, PO

TITUS MAXIMUS 3 01/10/2005 EPSM 5 GGF 3 Nur 7 10-12 46 M7 GdPc, -2+Hf, SEf-2, 5th&QHmp-1

MALAKIYA 1 03/10/2005 WDSR 8.3 GGF 5 M 4.5 8-11 47 B -6Hf, SEf-3f+, Fd-2f

TAFIYA 1 04/10/2005 LEIC 7 GGF 4 Mf 33 2-18 64 B -5Hf, Ef-2f & Prg, POn-1f

GREEN LEMON 1 07/10/2005 NWBY 7 GF 4 M 25 10-19 48 T7 AvPc Cnt, -2Hf, SEf-2f, Fd-1+

BEAUCHAMP UNITED 2 08/10/2005 YORK 8 S 4 M 7.5 12-20 12 P4 OkPc, -1Hf, QFd-3f

PENANG CINTA 10/10/2005 WDSR 6 GGF 5 M 50 WD-

BEAUCHAMP UNIQUE 1 13/10/2005 NMKT 7 S 4 M 50 10-24 44 2M9 Cent, -5+1, -2+Hf, SEf-2, SQFd

SMART ENOUGH 1 14/10/2005 NMKT 8 GS 4 M 66 7-22 66 T5 AvPc -2Hf, Ef-2+ SOtpc-1+ PoLt

BEST DOUBLE 6 15/10/2005 CATT 7 G 6 M 5 2-10 52 B6 3WdOv -3Hf, Ef-2 Cnt&Ld, POn-1

WHAT DO YOU KNOW 19/10/2005 NOTT 6.1 GSG 6 M 25 WD-

ALL THE GOOD 1 21/10/2005 NWBY 8 GSS 4 M 33 5-17 41 B14 AvPc -7Hf, 11th-1.5f, Prg-1+

BEAUCHAMP UNIQUE 2 21/10/2005 NWBY 8 GSS 4 M 40 14-16 0 B13 MAPc -5+Hf, QOtpcd-3+, QFd

GREEN LEMON 2 24/10/2005 LNGA 8 STD 5 Auc 12 3-10 62 B A5, Prog-2f to 3rd, Pon-1f

SUPER FRANK 2 27/10/2005 LNGA 7 STD 5 Mcg 14 6-11 45 B Held-3, SBlocked-2f, NIR

TITUS MAXIMUS 4 27/10/2005 LNGA 5 STD 4 Cnd 4 7-6 60 T2 -2+Hf, QFd-1f

WHAT DO YOU KNOW 1 29/10/2005 WTON 6 STD 5 M 33 1-12 64 B Prg-2f, SwcR, kon, LdLt

SUPER FRANK 3 02/11/2005 NOTT 6.1 HV 5 M 7 5-10 14 B7 MAPc&Ef+2, -6Hf, Otpc-2+, Fd-1

BEAUCHAMP UNITED 3 03/11/2005 EDIN 7.1 GGS 5 M 7 4-10 40 T2 AvPc, -1Hf, SQFd-2f

BEST DOUBLE 7 03/11/2005 EDIN 7.1 GGS 5 M 2 3-10 53 T3 B AvPc -2Hf, SEf-2f, SFd-1

OSCILLATOR 1 03/11/2005 EDIN 8 GGS 4 M 5.5 4-13 59 M7 BHmp-2 OkPc -7+Hf, Prg-2 PON-1

~END~

2005 SEASON DEBUT RUN DETAILS

Horse	Run #	Date	Course	Dist	Gng	RcCls	RcTyp	SP	Postn	[Est]	Run Style	Hdgr	Notes
LEAGUE CHAMPION	1	01/05/2005	NMKT	5	GFF	4	M	16	1-10	78	P2		PHfHf, Qkn-2, KONLt
TITUS MAXIMUS	1	04/05/2005	CHES	5	GS	3	M	7.5	13-16	5	P3		-2+1f, Ef+1, P1Hf, RFd-2, Easd
HOGAN'S HEROES	1	20/05/2005	HYDK	5	GF	5	Auc	14	12-16	42	MB		-3+1f, -5Hf, HgL, SQFd
WEST OF AMARILLO	1	17/06/2005	NMKJ	6	GF	5	M	7	1-10	76	T4		T2.5Hf, Prg-2f, 2nd-1f, Kon
CLUB CAPTAIN	1	06/07/2005	NMKJ	6	GSG	3	Nov	20	9-10	40	MB		-2+F, -4+Hf, QOutpcd, QFd
BEST DOUBLE	1	07/07/2005	NMKJ	6	GS	3	Mf	10	9-12	38	B		B-3, -9+1f Last, -9Hf, NIR
PENANG CINTA	1	22/07/2005	NWBY	7	GF	4	M	33	19-19	31	M		-4Hf, QOutpcd-2f+, QRFd
WAR SWORD	1	30/07/2005	GDWD	7	GS	2	Mcg	16	11-12	35	P2F		-Nk+1f, F1Hf, QRFd-2.5f
SHAMILA	1	25/08/2005	LNGA	7	STD	5	Nov	9	2-8	56	B		B-2, -4+Hf, Kon-1f
BEAUCHAMP UTOPIA	1	16/09/2005	NWBY	6	GF	4	M	25	2-12	55	T3		MAPc, -HfHf, Ef-2f, POn-1+
DANCING ON	1	16/09/2005	NWBY	6	GF	4	M	14	UR-12	0	B11		MAPc, -3Hf, PU&Collapse-2f
BEAUCHAMP UNITED	1	17/09/2005	NWBY	7	GF	4	M	50	4-12	62	B11		A5, MAPc, -3+Hf, 6th-1 POn
SUPER FRANK	1	17/09/2005	NWBY	7	GF	4	M	12	11-11	34	B9		A5, ModPc BR-3 SQFre, -3Hf QFd
MALAKIYA	1	03/10/2005	WDSR	8.3	GGF	5	M	4.5	8-11	47	B		-6Hf, SEf-3f+, Fd-2f
TAFIYA	1	04/10/2005	LEIC	7	GGF	4	Mf	33	2-18	64	B		-5Hf, Ef-2f & Prg, POn-1f
GREEN LEMON	1	07/10/2005	NWBY	7	GF	4	M	25	10-19	48	T7		AvPc Cnt, -2Hf, SEf-2f, Fd-1+
BEAUCHAMP UNIQUE	1	13/10/2005	NMKT	7	S	4	M	50	10-24	44	2M9		Cent, -5+1, -2+Hf, SEf-2, SQFd
SMART ENOUGH	1	14/10/2005	NMKT	8	GS	4	M	66	7-22	66	T5		AvPc -2Hf, Ef-2+ SOtpc-1+ PoLt
ALL THE GOOD	1	21/10/2005	NWBY	8	GSS	4	M	33	5-17	41	B14		AvPc -7Hf, 11th-1.5f, Prg-1+
WHAT DO YOU KNOW	1	29/10/2005	WTON	6	STD	5	M	33	1-12	64	B		Prg-2f, SwcR, kon, LdLt
OSCILLATOR	1	03/11/2005	EDIN	8	GGS	4	M	5.5	4-13	59	M7		BHmp-2 OkPc -7+Hf, Prg-2 PON-1
~FINISH~