Gerard Butler (right) with stable groom Hari Singh and former star Nayyir

Gerard Butler could be on the move from his Blewbury stables, near Didcot.

Butler has enjoyed considerable success at Churn Stables over the last nine years, with a number of big-race winners.

But now yard owner Erik Penser's management company, Compton Beauchamp Estates, are considering closing the operation on financial grounds.

Butler said: "Mr Penser and I have been having a lot of discussions and it is an economic decision from them."

However, the handler stressed that whatever the outcome of their talks he would continue to train - and that there had been no fall-out.

"I will be training either here or at Newmarket or at Lambourn come May 2 - that is the plan, that is what will happen," he said.

"It is a very positive thing and Mr Penser will remain to have horses with me which is good and all the owners are very supportive. They have known about it for quite a while.

"It is all onwards and upwards. I have a lovely bunch of horses to train."

Churn Stables are set in an estate of 2,000 acres - with the training operation forming just part of it.

And Butler added: "Certain areas have been loss-making for a number of years and we have been trying to adjust for a number of years."

Butler's first winner came with Beauchamp King in a Listed Race at Haydock with just his third runner.

"Chris Rutter rode him and he came from last to first," he recalled.

But his biggest success came when Compton Admrial landed the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in 1999.

Butler said: "Compton Admiral was a dream come true, winning the Eclipse and being European champion three-year-old."

Elusive City also gave him a Group 1 success in the Prix Morny at Deauville.

Nayyir proved a tremendous servant for the yard, winning the Group 2 Chall- enge Stakes at Newmarket, the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood twice and the Group 3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom twice.

Jack Sullivan and Compton Bolter have also been flagbearers for Butler.

But he named Beauchamp Pilot's Cambridgeshire win as the one which gave him the most satisfaction.

4:46pm Wednesday 23rd January 2008

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