Val Haslam
1942 - 1990
1942 - 1990
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
National Hunt jockey Valentine Christopher Haslam was more popularly known as ‘Buster’ Haslam. He served part of his apprenticeship with Frank Latham at Kilcullen, Co. Kildare, the village where he was born on June 12, 1942, and the remainder with former champion jockey Bryan Marshall at Lambourn. He rode his first winner on Marshall’s four-year-old selling hurdler Off Beat at Worcester on March 19, 1962, his only winner that season.
National Hunt jockey Valentine Christopher Haslam was more popularly known as ‘Buster’ Haslam. He served part of his apprenticeship with Frank Latham at Kilcullen, Co. Kildare, the village where he was born on June 12, 1942, and the remainder with former champion jockey Bryan Marshall at Lambourn. He rode his first winner on Marshall’s four-year-old selling hurdler Off Beat at Worcester on March 19, 1962, his only winner that season.
The 1962/63 campaign was almost over before he notched both of his winners that term, scoring on novice hurdler Farfelu and handicap chaser Accordeon II, both trained by Bryan Marshall, over the Whitsun weekend. Accordeon II then got him off to as good start for the next season, winning the Parkin Memorial Cup Handicap Chase at Devon & Exeter in the opening week. His only other winner that term came at Fontwell Park at the end of December on Bob Turnell’s good chaser Flash Bulb, dead-heating with course specialist Certain Justice.
The 1962/63 campaign was almost over before he notched both of his winners that term, scoring on novice hurdler Farfelu and handicap chaser Accordeon II, both trained by Bryan Marshall, over the Whitsun weekend. Accordeon II then got him off to as good start for the next season, winning the Parkin Memorial Cup Handicap Chase at Devon & Exeter in the opening week. His only other winner that term came at Fontwell Park at the end of December on Bob Turnell’s good chaser Flash Bulb, dead-heating with course specialist Certain Justice.
Having managed only five winners in three seasons, he then rode eight in 1964/65, including two on Major Edward Champney’s chaser Buttery Bar, one on Bryan Marshall’s Regal Arch at Kempton, and finishing with a pair of late season victories on his old friend Accordeon II.
Having managed only five winners in three seasons, he then rode eight in 1964/65, including two on Major Edward Champney’s chaser Buttery Bar, one on Bryan Marshall’s Regal Arch at Kempton, and finishing with a pair of late season victories on his old friend Accordeon II.
Accordeon II again got him off the mark the following season, (right) winning at Devon & Exeter on the first day of September, a season in which Val achieved a career highlight when landing a hurdle race double at Windsor on November 17, 1965, aboard Bryan Marshall’s Farset and Matt Feakes’ Highland Twist.
Accordeon II again got him off the mark the following season, (right) winning at Devon & Exeter on the first day of September, a season in which Val achieved a career highlight when landing a hurdle race double at Windsor on November 17, 1965, aboard Bryan Marshall’s Farset and Matt Feakes’ Highland Twist.
What were to be his last two winners both came on bank holidays, namely Ted Goddard’s novice hurdler Verclair at Towcester on Easter Monday, April 11, and Hot Springs in the Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Fakenham on Whit Monday, May 30, 1966. He retired, presumably due to injury, the following season.
What were to be his last two winners both came on bank holidays, namely Ted Goddard’s novice hurdler Verclair at Towcester on Easter Monday, April 11, and Hot Springs in the Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle at Fakenham on Whit Monday, May 30, 1966. He retired, presumably due to injury, the following season.
Val Haslam rode a total of 19 winners and nominated Flash Bulb and Fred Rimell’s chaser Quick Approach as the best horses he partnered during his career.
Val Haslam rode a total of 19 winners and nominated Flash Bulb and Fred Rimell’s chaser Quick Approach as the best horses he partnered during his career.
In the 1970s, Val became Dick Hern's travelling head lad.
In the 1970s, Val became Dick Hern's travelling head lad.
Sadly, he died young, in March 1990, aged only 47.
Sadly, he died young, in March 1990, aged only 47.
Val Haslam’s winners were, in chronological order:
Val Haslam’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Off Beat, Worcester. March 19, 1962
1. Off Beat, Worcester. March 19, 1962
2. Farfelu, Devon & Exeter, June 1, 1963
2. Farfelu, Devon & Exeter, June 1, 1963
3. Accordeon II, Fontwell Park, June 3, 1963
3. Accordeon II, Fontwell Park, June 3, 1963
4. Accordeon II, Devon & Exeter, August 7, 1963
4. Accordeon II, Devon & Exeter, August 7, 1963
5. Flash Bulb, Fontwell Park, December 30, 1963 (dead-heat)
5. Flash Bulb, Fontwell Park, December 30, 1963 (dead-heat)
6. Seeker, Kempton Park, November 18, 1964
6. Seeker, Kempton Park, November 18, 1964
7. Last Shilling, Windsor, December 10, 1964
7. Last Shilling, Windsor, December 10, 1964
8. Nurse Reynolds, December 18, 1964
8. Nurse Reynolds, December 18, 1964
9. Buttery Bar, Windsor, January 2, 1965
9. Buttery Bar, Windsor, January 2, 1965
10. Buttery Bar, Leicester, January 11, 1965
10. Buttery Bar, Leicester, January 11, 1965
11. Regal Arch, Kempton Park, February 5, 1965
11. Regal Arch, Kempton Park, February 5, 1965
12. Accordeon II, Wincanton, May 20, 1965
12. Accordeon II, Wincanton, May 20, 1965
13. Accordeon II, Devon & Exeter, June 7, 1965
13. Accordeon II, Devon & Exeter, June 7, 1965
14. Accordeon II, Devon & Exeter, September 1, 1965
14. Accordeon II, Devon & Exeter, September 1, 1965
15. Farset, Wincanton, November 11, 1965
15. Farset, Wincanton, November 11, 1965
16. Farset, Windsor, November 17, 1965
16. Farset, Windsor, November 17, 1965
17. Highland Twist, Windsor, November 17, 1965
17. Highland Twist, Windsor, November 17, 1965
18. Verclair, Towcester, April 11, 1966
18. Verclair, Towcester, April 11, 1966
19. Hot Springs, Fakenham, May 30, 1966
19. Hot Springs, Fakenham, May 30, 1966