Minstrel winning the 2025 JP Stratton Cup
TWO of Minstrel's biggest fans will be glued to a TV in New Zealand when he tries to successfully defend his crown in the $450,000 Group 1 WA Pacing Cup on Friday night.
David and Catherine Butt, bred and raced Minstrel for his first 10 starts before cutting a deal to sell a half-share in the gelding to top WA trainer Greg Bond.
Minstrel almost immediately became a Friday night Gloucester Park player, winning the Group 1 4YO Golden Nugget at just his seventh run in WA.
Since then, watching NZ's racing channel Trackside on a Friday night to see Minstrel do his thing has been a staple diet for the Butts.
Five years later and after 30 career wins and over $1.76 million in earnings, Minstrel is still doing his thing.
In fact, driver Deni Roberts thinks the rising nine-year-old is racing better than ever.
It will be 12.07am Saturday morning (NZ time) Minstrel tackles this WA Cup, his fifth attempt at the race.
Minstrel has drawn ideally in gate two and is $2.10 favourite.
“Every year, every time he lines up in a big race, you keep thinking it might be his last,” Catherine Butt said. “Greg and Skye (Bond) have done a remarkable job to keep him racing so long at the top level.
“We’ve flown over to watch a few of his big races, the past two Nullarbors and last year’s Sydney Inter Dominion final.
“We can’t get across this time, but my sister-in-law, Penny Calder, and her husband will be at Gloucester Park for it.”
Minstrel was always earmarked to be sold.
“That's our business, sell the boys and use that money to keep the girls and breed from them,” Catherine said.
“He wasn’t really a commercial proposition being by Rocknroll Hanover, but he raced so well early here we had a few offers for him, but failed the vets a few times.
“We really disappointed at the time we couldn’t sell because he was worth good money, but it has turned out to be a real blessing.”
Greg Bond, one of those who tried to buy Minstrel outright, returned later with an offer to buy half and leave the existing owners in for the other half.
“Along with Habibti, he’s the best horse we’ve been involved with and it’s been such a thrill sharing what he’s done in Perth,” Butt said.
Roberts, who calls Minstrel her “career changing” horse, can’t wait for Friday night.
“I’ve taken so much confidence out of his win last time (JP Stratton Cup) when he did all the work and Magnificent Storm and Mister Smartee had their chance to beat him,” she said.
“The draw is obviously important and he’s going into iit n the best form of his career, which you pinch yourself about as an eight-year-old.”
PHOTO: Pacepix
