Frank Mason
1879 - 1969
1879 - 1969
It’s not often that a jockey is paid not to ride, yet this was the unusual scenario in Liverpool in 1905 when Liverpudlian jockey Frank ‘Tich’ Mason was given £300 not to ride in any race for a fortnight before the Grand National to ensure that he would be injury-free and fully fit to ride Kirkland in the great race.
It’s not often that a jockey is paid not to ride, yet this was the unusual scenario in Liverpool in 1905 when Liverpudlian jockey Frank ‘Tich’ Mason was given £300 not to ride in any race for a fortnight before the Grand National to ensure that he would be injury-free and fully fit to ride Kirkland in the great race.
It was money well spent as Frank brought the nine-year-old home a comfortable three length winner for owner Frank Bibby, a Liverpool manufacturer.
It was money well spent as Frank brought the nine-year-old home a comfortable three length winner for owner Frank Bibby, a Liverpool manufacturer.
Christened Francis Mason, he was born at Wavertree, near Liverpool, on April 4, 1879. Apprenticed to a trainer named Gubbins, he rode his first winner aged only 14 on Vandal at The Curragh on April 18, 1893. In 1900 he became champion jockey in Ireland with 33 wins before returning to Britain at the start of the century.
Christened Francis Mason, he was born at Wavertree, near Liverpool, on April 4, 1879. Apprenticed to a trainer named Gubbins, he rode his first winner aged only 14 on Vandal at The Curragh on April 18, 1893. In 1900 he became champion jockey in Ireland with 33 wins before returning to Britain at the start of the century.
He became one of the top jump jockeys, being crowned champion on six occasions: 1901 with 58 winners, 1902 (67), 1904 (54), 1905 (73), 1906 (58) and 1907 (59). He rode five winners in a day at Lingfield on January 23, 1903 and also at Manchester on April 24, 1905.
He became one of the top jump jockeys, being crowned champion on six occasions: 1901 with 58 winners, 1902 (67), 1904 (54), 1905 (73), 1906 (58) and 1907 (59). He rode five winners in a day at Lingfield on January 23, 1903 and also at Manchester on April 24, 1905.
In addition to winning the Grand National on Kirland, he also won Aintree’s Grand Sefton Chase three times, on Shaker (1898), Kirkland (1902) and Caubeen (1908), the Stanley Chase on Coverthack (1899) and the 1902 Champion Chase on Killmallog. Other major wins included the 1905 Lancashire Chase on Seisdon Prince, the 1910 Imperial Cup on Black Plum, and the 1910 Welsh Grand National on Caubeen.
In addition to winning the Grand National on Kirland, he also won Aintree’s Grand Sefton Chase three times, on Shaker (1898), Kirkland (1902) and Caubeen (1908), the Stanley Chase on Coverthack (1899) and the 1902 Champion Chase on Killmallog. Other major wins included the 1905 Lancashire Chase on Seisdon Prince, the 1910 Imperial Cup on Black Plum, and the 1910 Welsh Grand National on Caubeen.
He was due to ride the one-eyed Glenside in the 1911 National, but broke his leg a week before. Jack Anthony took the ride and won easily.
He was due to ride the one-eyed Glenside in the 1911 National, but broke his leg a week before. Jack Anthony took the ride and won easily.
He retired in 1913 but returned to the saddle in January 1919 when winning on St Tudwal. That horse also provided him with his last big race victory in that year’s Liverpool Hurdle. His career was ended by a broken thigh sustained when South Lodge fell in the Valentine Chase at Aintree on November 9, 1919. The race was declared void as no one completed the course.
He retired in 1913 but returned to the saddle in January 1919 when winning on St Tudwal. That horse also provided him with his last big race victory in that year’s Liverpool Hurdle. His career was ended by a broken thigh sustained when South Lodge fell in the Valentine Chase at Aintree on November 9, 1919. The race was declared void as no one completed the course.
He rode more than 720 winners during his career and lived to the grand age of 90, dying at Moreton, near Birkenhead, on October 23, 1969. In accordance with his wishes, on September 25, 1970, Frank’s ashes were scattered at the start of the Grand National course.
He rode more than 720 winners during his career and lived to the grand age of 90, dying at Moreton, near Birkenhead, on October 23, 1969. In accordance with his wishes, on September 25, 1970, Frank’s ashes were scattered at the start of the Grand National course.
Mirabelle Topham, Frank's widow, daughter and granddaughter were in attendance.
Mirabelle Topham, Frank's widow, daughter and granddaughter were in attendance.
Best wins:
Best wins:
1898: Grand Sefton - Shaker
1898: Grand Sefton - Shaker
1899: Stanley Chase - Coverthack
1899: Stanley Chase - Coverthack
1902: Grand Sefton - Kirkland
1902: Grand Sefton - Kirkland
1902: Champion Chase - Killmallog
1902: Champion Chase - Killmallog
1905: Grand National - Kirkland
1905: Grand National - Kirkland
1905: Lancashire Chase - Seisdon Prince
1905: Lancashire Chase - Seisdon Prince
1908: Lancashire Chase - Caubeen
1908: Lancashire Chase - Caubeen
1910: Imperial Cup - Black Plum
1910: Imperial Cup - Black Plum
1910: Welsh Grand National - Caubeen
1910: Welsh Grand National - Caubeen
1919: Liverpool Hurdle - St Tudwal
1919: Liverpool Hurdle - St Tudwal
He rode five winners at Lingfield on 23 January 1903 and again at Manchester on April 24 1905.
He rode five winners at Lingfield on 23 January 1903 and again at Manchester on April 24 1905.