Lexington, KY – John Butenschoen captured the 2,000th training victory of his decades-long career on Monday (Aug. 11) when R Zee was victorious in a division of the Wildcat Series at the Red Mile. Scott Zeron was in the bike for Butenschoen.
Amanda Stephens photo.
“My wife (Jackie) has been counting down the wins to (2,000) but I wasn’t,” Butenschoen said. “Of course it means something, especially to win 2,000 with a horse that is owned by people who have trusted me for so many years. And honestly, I could never have reached this point without my owners, my staff and all the support I’ve been so fortunate to have.”
Ever humble, Butenschoen began training in his home state and was introduced to harness racing by his father at age 12 when his father, Walter, together with a family friend happened to purchase a horse to compete at Maywood Park.
The horse happened to be trained by Bob Welch, trainer Roger father. The two boys became friends and the rest as they say is history.
Butenschoen became involved in the yearling game with Doc Walker and Roger hooked him up with Delvin Miller. Through his work with the legendary Miller, he met his wife Jackie.
After four years of working with Miller, Butenschoen set out on his own and remained based in Illinois for more than two decades while training some young horses on the circuits in Pennsylvania, New York etc.
When the winds of change began to shift in Illinois, Butenschoen relocated to Wind Gap, Pa. and winter in South Florida with his good friends the Pinskes.
“My career has been all about relationships,” Butenschoen said. “Some of this business is just happenstance and maintaining those relationships. That’s how I was able to meet Doc Walker and the Crawfords in Morrisville at a yearling sale when they were just starting out.”
His penchant for friendships has certainly served Butenschoen well. The 62-year-old has earned $36,999 million as of this writing from 13,694 starts. He is known for his work with young horses, especially trotters.
Butenschoen, however, sees his achievement as notice to shift gears.
“It’s time to take a step back and let Tyler (his son) make a name for himself,” he said. “He and Lindsay (one of his essential staff workers) already handle so much. Tyler is so passionate about the work and you have to be in this business, but with any agricultural endeavor it takes time to transition.
“So, it will take time to pass off the torch to Tyler and I will also have to talk to my owners and see if it is OK to take a week or two off here and there. There are a lot of things I have missed and with some health news about my dad and his best friend I don’t wait until I’m older to do things. Also, the business is so different now. I can use Facetime no matter where I am to look at horses jogging or have meetings.”
Butenschoen already has a plan, but of course, it is not solely his own.
“My wife has really always wanted to go to Alaska,” he said. “So, she has been looking everything up to book a cruise. I spoke with Tim Hayes and Megan and they took a Viking Cruise up there and had a great time. It will be nice not to be 24-7 doing this and spend some time with my wife.”