Herbert Mason
Herbert Mason
Herbert Mason
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born in 1874, Herbert Vivian Mason had some rides on the Flat without success during the 1980s, but did better over jumps in a career that stretched over two decades.
Born in 1874, Herbert Vivian Mason had some rides on the Flat without success during the 1980s, but did better over jumps in a career that stretched over two decades.
He had his first victory at Warwick on February 7, 1893, when riding Beacon to land the Hatton Selling Handicap Chase by three lengths. After finishing second on the gelding at Doncaster eight days later he was replaced and had to wait more than a year for his second win.
He had his first victory at Warwick on February 7, 1893, when riding Beacon to land the Hatton Selling Handicap Chase by three lengths. After finishing second on the gelding at Doncaster eight days later he was replaced and had to wait more than a year for his second win.
In February 1896 he won two races on Caustic, including the 3m 4f Manchester Handicap Chase, which, at £194 to the winner, was worth twice as much as most chases of that time. Herbert rode him in that year’s Grand National but they were among the fallers.
In February 1896 he won two races on Caustic, including the 3m 4f Manchester Handicap Chase, which, at £194 to the winner, was worth twice as much as most chases of that time. Herbert rode him in that year’s Grand National but they were among the fallers.
He had four wins on St. George’s Hems, who progressed from winning a Wolverhampton selling hurdle on Boxing Day 1905 to scoring in non-selling company in a chase at Manchester, albeit a match, in April 1906. That was the only year in which Herbert rode more than two winners.
He had four wins on St. George’s Hems, who progressed from winning a Wolverhampton selling hurdle on Boxing Day 1905 to scoring in non-selling company in a chase at Manchester, albeit a match, in April 1906. That was the only year in which Herbert rode more than two winners.
His last victory was at Hooton Park on Boxing Day 1910, when Knight-at-Arms won the Canal Selling Hurdle by half a length, having finished second with Herbert on board in a similar contest at Southwell seven days earlier.
His last victory was at Hooton Park on Boxing Day 1910, when Knight-at-Arms won the Canal Selling Hurdle by half a length, having finished second with Herbert on board in a similar contest at Southwell seven days earlier.
He came close to another win on May 17, 1912, when finishing first on MacNaoimh in the Powick Selling Handicap Hurdle at Worcester, but Walter Fitton, beaten a length on the runner-up Gownsman, objected to the winner on grounds of ‘boring’. MacNaoimh was disqualified, although the Stewards “did not consider that Mason was to blame”.
He came close to another win on May 17, 1912, when finishing first on MacNaoimh in the Powick Selling Handicap Hurdle at Worcester, but Walter Fitton, beaten a length on the runner-up Gownsman, objected to the winner on grounds of ‘boring’. MacNaoimh was disqualified, although the Stewards “did not consider that Mason was to blame”.
It was at Leicester on December 3 of that year that he had his final ride when Priesaka finished fourth of seven runners in the Glen Selling Chase.
It was at Leicester on December 3 of that year that he had his final ride when Priesaka finished fourth of seven runners in the Glen Selling Chase.
Herbert Mason’s winners were, in chronological order:
Herbert Mason’s winners were, in chronological order:
1. Beacon, Warwick, February 7, 1893
1. Beacon, Warwick, February 7, 1893
2. Arthur, Hereford, March 26, 1894
2. Arthur, Hereford, March 26, 1894
3. Caustic, Birmingham, February 3, 1896
3. Caustic, Birmingham, February 3, 1896
4. Caustic, Manchester, February 17, 1896
4. Caustic, Manchester, February 17, 1896
5. Tidman, Worcester, April 20, 1900
5. Tidman, Worcester, April 20, 1900
6. Tidman, Quorn Hunt (Loughborough), April 23, 1900
6. Tidman, Quorn Hunt (Loughborough), April 23, 1900
7. Broken Bonds, Quorn Hunt (Loughborough), April 11, 1904
7. Broken Bonds, Quorn Hunt (Loughborough), April 11, 1904
8. Broken Bonds, Nottingham, May 16, 1904
8. Broken Bonds, Nottingham, May 16, 1904
9. St. George’s Hems, Wolverhampton, December 26, 1905
9. St. George’s Hems, Wolverhampton, December 26, 1905
10. St. George’s Hems, Birmingham, January 8, 1906
10. St. George’s Hems, Birmingham, January 8, 1906
11. St. George’s Hems, Leicester, February 8, 1906
11. St. George’s Hems, Leicester, February 8, 1906
12. St. George’s Hems, Manchester, April 16, 1906
12. St. George’s Hems, Manchester, April 16, 1906
13. Richard The First, Birmingham, December 8, 1908
13. Richard The First, Birmingham, December 8, 1908
14. King-at-Arms, Hooton Park, December 26, 1910
14. King-at-Arms, Hooton Park, December 26, 1910
Herbert Mason won the Manchester Handicap Steeplechase on February 17 1896
Herbert Mason won the Manchester Handicap Steeplechase on February 17 1896