Sir Mark has trained from Heath House Stables for over 45 years, for the last 18 years he has been joined by his protégé and now business partner, William Butler
William started his career in his hometown of Waterford working for a local trainer before spending time with John Oxx. He moved to England to complete a two year diploma in Management and Training of Thoroughbred Racehorses before starting as Pupil Assistant to Ian Balding. After three fantastic years at Kingsclere he was successful in his application to become Sir Mark Prescott’s assistant. During the last 18 years with Sir Mark, William has broadened his experience working in Australia with Brian Mayfield-Smith. This was part of the coveted Alex Scott Scholarship which he won in 2005.
Sir Mark remains one of the most highly regarded members of the horse racing industry.
His meticulous, scientific approach to training has given him high profile successes at Group 1 level with horses like Pivotal, Hooray, Alborada, Albanova, Confidential Lady and Marsha and he is considered a “legend” in the business for his shrewd approach to handicaps. He gained a degree of notoriety for his mastery of the racing programme by training horses to win multiple races over short periods including Masafi to win seven races in 18 days and Fall in Line to win six races in 13 days.
William
Butler
William started his career in his hometown of Waterford working for a local trainer before spending time with John Oxx. He moved to England to complete a two year diploma in Management and Training of Thoroughbred Racehorses before starting as Pupil Assistant to Ian Balding. After three fantastic years at Kingsclere he was successful in his application to become Sir Mark Prescott’s assistant. During the last 18 years with Sir Mark, William has broadened his experience working in Australia with Brian Mayfield-Smith. This was part of the coveted Alex Scott Scholarship which he won in 2005.
