Jack Mazey
1904 - 1993
1904 - 1993
Levi John Mazey was born in Abertysswg, Glamorgan on 5th June 1904.
Levi John Mazey was born in Abertysswg, Glamorgan on 5th June 1904.
He began riding at the age of ten and his instructor soon recognised his ability.
He began riding at the age of ten and his instructor soon recognised his ability.
He went down the mines on his 14th birthday, but after being involved in two pit-falls, vowed never to go down again.
He went down the mines on his 14th birthday, but after being involved in two pit-falls, vowed never to go down again.
Jack joined the Gamage brothers in Southampton and rode many winners at unauthorised race meetings all over England.
Jack joined the Gamage brothers in Southampton and rode many winners at unauthorised race meetings all over England.
He won the Daventry Derby twice before going 'legitimate'.
He won the Daventry Derby twice before going 'legitimate'.
He joined Warwickshire trainer Joseph Lovedren Hall who, at that time, was based at Fenny Compton Village, just north of Banbury, with around 30 horses.
He joined Warwickshire trainer Joseph Lovedren Hall who, at that time, was based at Fenny Compton Village, just north of Banbury, with around 30 horses.
Jack rode some of Hall's jumpers but could not compete with the stable's main jockey, Gerry Wilson.
Jack rode some of Hall's jumpers but could not compete with the stable's main jockey, Gerry Wilson.
He met his wife, Floss, whilst in Warwickshire, and married her in 1928. Gerry Wilson was his best man.
He met his wife, Floss, whilst in Warwickshire, and married her in 1928. Gerry Wilson was his best man.
Jack turned professional in the early 1920s and subsequently had numerous successes all over the country, and many falls.
Jack turned professional in the early 1920s and subsequently had numerous successes all over the country, and many falls.
Jack's first winner for Hall was tinged with good fortune. It came on the Ides of March, 1927.
Jack's first winner for Hall was tinged with good fortune. It came on the Ides of March, 1927.
Riding Blue Spark in the 3.15 Staffordshire Chase at Wolverhampton, he was awarded the race on the disqualification of the favourite for bumping and boring.
Riding Blue Spark in the 3.15 Staffordshire Chase at Wolverhampton, he was awarded the race on the disqualification of the favourite for bumping and boring.
Sadly, winners were sporadic at best for Jack and his most successful year was 1929 when he rode six winners.
Sadly, winners were sporadic at best for Jack and his most successful year was 1929 when he rode six winners.
By 1932 he was with Stratford trainer Frank Cox, a farmer who only had a half-a-dozen or so horses.
By 1932 he was with Stratford trainer Frank Cox, a farmer who only had a half-a-dozen or so horses.
Jack's last winner was at Colwall Park on 14th March, 1932 on Sea Hussar, a horse trained by Cox.
Jack's last winner was at Colwall Park on 14th March, 1932 on Sea Hussar, a horse trained by Cox.
He later became assistant jockey to Captain Robinson near Warwick before joining Frank cox as stable jockey/head lad.
He later became assistant jockey to Captain Robinson near Warwick before joining Frank cox as stable jockey/head lad.
Jack then moved to Eastleach to work with Captain Bennett, and followed him to Lambourn's Kingston Warren in 1936. He later joined Sir Hugh Nugent's stable as travelling head lad. He had his last race at Cheltenham in 1943.
Jack then moved to Eastleach to work with Captain Bennett, and followed him to Lambourn's Kingston Warren in 1936. He later joined Sir Hugh Nugent's stable as travelling head lad. He had his last race at Cheltenham in 1943.
Jack stayed in racing on quitting the saddle and, during the war, served as head lad for Vernell Hobbs at Park Farm near Upper Lambourn.
Jack stayed in racing on quitting the saddle and, during the war, served as head lad for Vernell Hobbs at Park Farm near Upper Lambourn.
Later he worked for Harry Whiteman before becoming head lad for Captain Tim Fitzgeorge Parker in Upper Lambourn.
Later he worked for Harry Whiteman before becoming head lad for Captain Tim Fitzgeorge Parker in Upper Lambourn.
His best and most successful days came while he was a head lad for the great Fulke Walwyn. Jack was in charge of the second of Walwyn's two yards, then know as the 'bottom yard' and now called Saxon Gate.
His best and most successful days came while he was a head lad for the great Fulke Walwyn. Jack was in charge of the second of Walwyn's two yards, then know as the 'bottom yard' and now called Saxon Gate.
He was there during the golden period of Mill House and Mandarin and was part of the extraordinary success enjoyed by the Walwyn team at that time.
He was there during the golden period of Mill House and Mandarin and was part of the extraordinary success enjoyed by the Walwyn team at that time.
Jack and Floss moved up to Wantage in 1982. He kept in touch with racing through television. He also enjoyed gardening and horse racing history.
Jack and Floss moved up to Wantage in 1982. He kept in touch with racing through television. He also enjoyed gardening and horse racing history.
Jack underwent several serious operations in his 80s and survived many illnesses, often against the odds.
Jack underwent several serious operations in his 80s and survived many illnesses, often against the odds.
"He displayed considerable courage and tenacity in overcoming illness and infirmity, and the sad loss of his wife, Flo, in 1990," said his son, Doctor David Mazey.
"He displayed considerable courage and tenacity in overcoming illness and infirmity, and the sad loss of his wife, Flo, in 1990," said his son, Doctor David Mazey.
Jack Mazey, the son of a miner, died in October, 1993.
Jack Mazey, the son of a miner, died in October, 1993.
The funeral service was held at the church of St Michael and All Angels' at Lambourn which was packed with relatives, friends and members of the racing community.
The funeral service was held at the church of St Michael and All Angels' at Lambourn which was packed with relatives, friends and members of the racing community.
He had lived at Lambourn for 46 years.
He had lived at Lambourn for 46 years.
Jack was survived by a brother, a son, a daughter, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Jack was survived by a brother, a son, a daughter, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
"He will be remembered by all as a generous, friendly and extrovert character, with a keen sense of humour." said Dr. Mazey.
"He will be remembered by all as a generous, friendly and extrovert character, with a keen sense of humour." said Dr. Mazey.
"He represented the spirit of horse-riding and training, so succinctly captured in the verse from John Betjeman's poem Upper Lambourne which was read during the service."
"He represented the spirit of horse-riding and training, so succinctly captured in the verse from John Betjeman's poem Upper Lambourne which was read during the service."