Born in 1901, Fairland Mason was the younger brother of six-time champion National Hunt jockey Frank ‘Tich’ Mason. Like his brother, Fairland started out on the Flat, having his first ride at the age of eleven on Picklescott Lad in a six-furlong selling handicap at Haydock Park on July 12, 1912, finishing seventh of the eight runners.
His first ride over jumps was also at Haydock, this time coming second on Ballybeck in the County Selling Handicap Chase on December 17, 1920. He rode his first winner just ten days later on a horse named Heir, the 9-2 second favourite, the Christmas Handicap Chase at Wolverhampton on December 27, 1920.
He enjoyed his most successful year in 1922 with 20 wins. He rode 19 the following year, including his sole Cheltenham National Hunt meeting success on Love Letter in the Broadway Novices’ Chase. He also had the first of his two Grand National rides in 1923, pulling up on 66-1 shot Navana.
Having had two successful years in 1922 and 1923, Fairland’s seasonal winning totals dropped to single figures thereafter.
His other Grand National mount was in 1932 on 100-1 outsider Aruntius, who refused. Ten days later, on Easter Monday, March 28, he rode for the last time in public when taking two mounts at Towcester. He failed to add to his career tally of 82 wins, finishing unplaced on Magic Moon in the Towcester Handicap Chase and on Bloomsbury Square in the Easton Neston Handicap Hurdle.
Sadly, Fairland went blind later in the 1930s. He died on March 27, 1959.