Peter Butler, 59, died after his truck rolled and crashed through an embankment on Slate Quarry Road near Meredith about 8am Monday morning. Butler was transporting eight horses trained by the Paynes to Camperdown for jumpouts when the accident occurred, leaving the racing community in mourning.
The impact was immediate and devastating. Two horses were killed during the incident while another subsequently died as a result of injuries. Six injured horses were taken to Golden Plains Equine veterinary clinic for urgent care.
Training partners Patrick and Michelle Payne released a statement on Tuesday offering their condolences to the family and friends of truck driver Peter Butler, saying "Peter brought character and laughter to our jumpout mornings, and he will be sorely missed as a regular at our stable." The Paynes thanked the veterinary team and acknowledged the six injured horses who survived the accident.
Butler's employer, South West Horse Transport owner Troy Bourke, described the driver in personal terms to reporters. Bourke called Slate Quarry Road a difficult stretch to navigate and paid his respects to a man he knew well. The Paynes extended their thoughts to the team at Southwest Horse Transport, specifically naming Peter's work colleagues Troy, Bruce and Brooke.
The Paynes thanked Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Country Fire Authority and SES volunteers, as well as countless locals and members of the public who assisted at the scene. Racing Victoria also released a statement expressing condolences to Butler's family and colleagues, as well as to the Payne stable and horse owners affected by the tragedy.
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne posted a personal message on Instagram, writing "Our prayers are with Pete and the Southwest Company who have done an amazing job for so many years and our hearts break for all their family."
The accident has left ripples across the racing world. The loss of three unraced horses, combined with the death of an experienced and well-liked driver, underscores both the emotional and practical toll of the tragedy. For a stable built on partnership with transport operators and veterinary teams, the human cost will likely prove as significant as the loss of the young animals.