Robert Mason
Robert Mason
Robert Mason
1894-1979
1894-1979
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born in 1894, Robert Henry Mason rode on the Flat between 1909 and 1913 and amassed a total of 36 winners. He also had two wins over hurdles.
Born in 1894, Robert Henry Mason rode on the Flat between 1909 and 1913 and amassed a total of 36 winners. He also had two wins over hurdles.
He was apprenticed to James Whipp and had his first ride in public on April 6, 1909 when finishing unplaced on an unnamed colt by Diplomat out of Cashier (later called Cherry Burton) in the Bestwood Park Handicap at Nottingham.
He was apprenticed to James Whipp and had his first ride in public on April 6, 1909 when finishing unplaced on an unnamed colt by Diplomat out of Cashier (later called Cherry Burton) in the Bestwood Park Handicap at Nottingham.
A few weeks later came his first winner when Trip, trained by James Whipp for his (Whipp’s) father, won the Angerton Apprentice Handicap at Newcastle on June 23.
A few weeks later came his first winner when Trip, trained by James Whipp for his (Whipp’s) father, won the Angerton Apprentice Handicap at Newcastle on June 23.
That was Robert’s only success of the year, but he fared much better in 1910 with 17 wins, including a short head victory on Macedoine, beating Billy Saxby on The Nut, in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock Park on July 9. Things went even better in 1911 with 18 wins, including doubles at Brighton and Newcastle.
That was Robert’s only success of the year, but he fared much better in 1910 with 17 wins, including a short head victory on Macedoine, beating Billy Saxby on The Nut, in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock Park on July 9. Things went even better in 1911 with 18 wins, including doubles at Brighton and Newcastle.
In addition to his exploits on the Flat, Robert had two wins over hurdles. The first of these came on what may well have been his first ride under National Hunt rules. This was at Haydock Park when Flourens won the Juvenile Selling Hurdle, his cause being aided by the odds-on favourite Blankney Common blundering at the penultimate flight. Showing plenty of speed on the flat, Flourens beat Visitor, ridden by leading amateur Peter Roberts, by a length and a half, to give the “Beverley apprentice” as The Sportsman newspaper called him, his first win over jumps.
In addition to his exploits on the Flat, Robert had two wins over hurdles. The first of these came on what may well have been his first ride under National Hunt rules. This was at Haydock Park when Flourens won the Juvenile Selling Hurdle, his cause being aided by the odds-on favourite Blankney Common blundering at the penultimate flight. Showing plenty of speed on the flat, Flourens beat Visitor, ridden by leading amateur Peter Roberts, by a length and a half, to give the “Beverley apprentice” as The Sportsman newspaper called him, his first win over jumps.
His final success on the Flat came at Edinburgh on September 28, 1912 when Bonnington won the Caledonian Hunt Selling Handicap. That was followed by his second, and last, win over hurdles, at Clifton Park on December 31, 1912, when Carnot, like Flourens owned and trained by James Whipp, won the Talbot Selling Handicap Hurdle. Despite being the outsider of four, Carnot won by half a length, beating Comique, ridden by the good amateur Mr Darby Rogers. That was Robert’s final ride over jumps.
His final success on the Flat came at Edinburgh on September 28, 1912 when Bonnington won the Caledonian Hunt Selling Handicap. That was followed by his second, and last, win over hurdles, at Clifton Park on December 31, 1912, when Carnot, like Flourens owned and trained by James Whipp, won the Talbot Selling Handicap Hurdle. Despite being the outsider of four, Carnot won by half a length, beating Comique, ridden by the good amateur Mr Darby Rogers. That was Robert’s final ride over jumps.
Robert Mason died in 1979.
Robert Mason died in 1979.
Robert's first winner: Trip, at Newcastle, June 23, 1909.
Robert's first winner: Trip, at Newcastle, June 23, 1909.
Robert scores at Haydock Park on Macedonian: June 9, 1910.
Robert scores at Haydock Park on Macedonian: June 9, 1910.