Tom Bayley

1906-1956

Amateur rider Thomas Dennis Readett-Bayley – he only used the second half of his hyphenated surname during his riding career – was born on January 10, 1906, the only son of Sir Dennis Readett-Bayley and Lady Readett-Bayley. A skilful and courageous horseman, he rode 54 winners under National Hunt rules between 1931 and 1949 and would doubtless have enjoyed more success but for the intervention of World War Two. 

He had hunted with the South Notts Foxhounds from the age of 12 and gained race-riding experience in point-to-points before graduating to riding under NH rules. However, he made an inauspicious start when his first mount, 33-1 outsider Lings Gorse, was one of eight fallers in an eventful Leicestershire Foxhunters’ Chase at Leicester on February 24, 1931. He rode his first winner on Fitaurari, who won the De Aston National Hunt Flat Race by five lengths at Market Rasen on May 18, 1931. They won again at Cardiff 11 days later. 

He not only owned racehorses and rode them in races but was also involved in the training side. Tom was closely associated with William (Billy) Bissill’s successful Aslockton stable in Nottinghamshire. He 1932 he married Bissill’s daughter Diana. 

Tom rode eight winners in the 1932/33 season, although the campaign ended prematurely for him, being badly injured when his mount, Sanbra, was brought down in the Walsall Handicap Hurdle at Wolverhampton on March 14, 1933.

He had six wins in 1933/34, including a double at Hexham on May 19 aboard Grouse Call in the Hill Top Selling Chase and Vespasion in the Battle Hill National Hunt Flat Race. He also won three successive races within a month on a hurdler named Hilda, scoring at Hexham on April 26, Sedgefield on May 9, and Wetherby on Whit Monday, May 21.  

Having recorded seven wins in 1934/35 and five in 1935/36, he enjoyed his best season numerically in 1936/37 with a score of nine, placing him joint sixth in the amateur riders’ table. He rode seven winners in 1937/38 including an Easter Monday double on Muezzin in the Selling Chase and Bachelor’s Folly II in the Town Optional Selling Chase. 

Before the declaration of war with Germany, Tom was commissioned in the South Notts Hussars and served during the war with the Royal Artillery, attaining the rank of captain. After the war he commenced farming at Scarrington House, Scarrington, in Nottinghamshire. 

He also resumed riding in races, competing in several races at Cheltenham’s National Meeting, coming closest when fourth in the 1946 United Hunts’ Challenge Cup on Civil Servant, fifth in the 1949 Kim Muir Chase on Cadamstown, and sixth in the 1946 National Hunt Chase on Last Son. He also rode over Liverpool’s Grand National fences in the Stanley, Valentine and Foxhunters’ chases. He recorded a tally of five wins during the 1948/49 season. 

Tom’s last win came courtesy of 11-4 chance St Augustine, who won the Holt Amateur Riders’ Handicap Hurdle by three lengths at Worcester on October 10, 1949. He rode for the final time in the Wilfred Johnstone Hunter Chase at Sandown on February 13, 1953. His mount, Corban, was sent off the 4-1 favourite, only to fall at the second fence. 

Among the best-known personalities in Nottinghamshire hunting and National Hunt activities, Tom was appointed Master of the South Notts Foxhounds in 1952. For the next four years he not only carried on the Mastership but also hunted his own hounds and reopened the Harrington country in Derbyshire, devoting two days a fortnight to hunting there.

Tragically, he was killed instantly when his car was involved in a collision with a brick lorry on the Radcliffe by-pass as he was driving home from Nottingham on the night of Friday, December 7, 1956. He was alone in the car. The lorry driver was unhurt. The South Notts Hunt’s fixture were cancelled until further notice. 

Tom Bayley was aged 50 at the time of his death and was still living at Scarrington House. He left a widow, two sons and a daughter. His elder son, Robin, had just been demobilised from military service the previous week, and his other son was due to complete his service the following year.