Jockey Ashley Butler’s jaw broken after ‘king hit’ hours after winning The Archer

Champion jockey Ashley Butler will have surgery in Brisbane on his jaw which was broken in five places, the result of what he says was an unprovoked attack hours after his winning ride in The Archer.

Jockey Ashley Butler says he was king hit in a licensed premises in Rockhampton's CBD after winning the biggest horse race of his career.

Things went from the “penthouse to the s — house” in a hurry for Rockhampton jockey Ashley Butler at the weekend.

A day after scoring the biggest win of his celebrated riding career, the 30-year-old was sitting in Rockhampton Hospital nursing a badly broken jaw.

He was to be transferred to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital on Monday for surgery after he says he was king hit in an unprovoked attack in the toilets of a licensed premises in the Rockhampton CBD early Sunday morning.

Speaking on Sunday, Ashley said he was out celebrating with a group of his mates after he piloted Emerald Kingdom to victory in regional Queensland’s richest race, The Archer, at Callaghan Park on Saturday.

Jockey Ashley Butler in Rockhampton Hospital after being king hit at a licensed premises in the city’s CBD after his win in The Archer. Picture: Supplied.

Ashley said the assault happened at a CBD licensed premises about 2.30am as he was using the urinal.

“I just got up to go to the toilet like any average Joe and then whack, I got king hit from behind,” he said.

“I don’t know who it was, I don’t know why he did it. I didn’t even see him, to be honest.

Ashley Butler will have surgery in Brisbane on his jaw, which was broken in five places. Picture: Supplied.

“It’s very, very odd. I like to think of myself as a likeable type of guy; I’ve never had a fight in my life and I never plan to.”

Ashley said when he came to his jaw was incredibly sore and blood was “pouring” from his nose.

His mates took him home where he was physically sick from the pain, prompting his wife Heidi to call an ambulance.

Jockey Ashley Butler with slot holder Rob Carr (left) and trainer Rob Heathcote moments after winning the $440K The Archer on Emerald Kingdom. Photo: Tony McMahon.

Ashley was admitted to hospital, where doctors told him his jaw was broken in five places. They were keen to get him to Brisbane as soon as possible for surgery, in which a plate and screws will be inserted.

“I’m sitting here eating custard and potato and gravy,” he said.

“I haven’t had much sleep because I’m in a lot of pain.

“Things went from the penthouse to the s — house real quick.

“I think that’s what made it worse. After having such a good day – the first running of The Archer and I ended up winning it, the only local rider in the race – it really puts a dampener on it when something like this happens.”

Ashley does not yet know how long it will be before he rides again but he said it was incredible to win on Saturday.

“That’s by far the best, without a doubt,” he said.

“I won a Rocky Newmarket last year and that was probably the peak but winning the first running of The Archer is by far the top.”

Police investigations into the incident are continuing.

Originally published as Jockey Ashley Butler’s jaw broken after ‘king hit’ hours after winning The Archer