Frank Bellears

Frank Bellears

Article by Alan Trout

Frank Bellears had seven winners over jumps between 1928 and 1930. His first success came at Market Rasen on Easter Monday, April 9, 1928, when the four-year-old 5-1 chance Spalding landed the Try Again Hurdle by ten lengths. 

During the 1928/29 season, he was unable to add to that solitary success. However, things went much better in 1929/30 with four wins to his name, beginning with Star Of Argus taking the Dartmoor Optional Selling Hurdle at the opening meeting of the new season at Newton Abbot. Then came Mizzen Mast's five-length win in the Optional Selling Hurdle at Totnes in September. A lengthy gap then ensued before Burnt Heather was an easy winner of the Wheatlands Selling Chase at Bridgnorth on April 30, romping home by 30 lengths. The margin of victory was only eight lengths when Burnt Heather won the Thurgatron Selling Handicap Chase at Southwell on June 7. 

Frank made a bright start to the 1930/31 campaign with a 10-length success on Ground Scout in the Newton Abbot Optional Selling Chase on August 5, and was then gifted a walkover on Burnt Heather in the Devon Steeplechase at Plymouth on September 4. However, that proved to be his last victory, and he did not renew his licence the following season. 

Frank Bellears’ wins were, in chronological order:

1. Spalding, Market Rasen, April 9, 1928

2. Star Of Argus, Newton Abbot, August 5, 1929

3. Mizzen Mast, Totnes, September 11, 1929

4. Burnt Heather, Bridgnorth, April 30, 1930

5. Burnt Heather, Southwell, June 7, 1930

6. Ground Scout, Newton Abbot, August 5, 1930

7. Burnt Heather, Plymouth, September 4, 1930 (walkover)