Scott Mason

Scott Mason

Article by Alan Trout

After a slow start with only four wins in his first five seasons, Scott Thomas Mason’s career picked up with 15 wins in the next two. 

He began as a conditional with Roger Curtis and had his first ride at Ayr on February 12, 1988, when The Yomper had a battle with Pendley Gold from the second last flight and was only beaten three-quarters of a length at the end of the Old Toll Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle. 

Compensation for that defeat was not far away. His second ride, on Elegant Bill, trained by Roger Curtis, at Huntingdon on March 30, saw Scott gain his first victory, taking the lead approaching the second last flight and drawing clear to win the Waresley Conditional Jockeys’ Selling Handicap Hurdle by 12 lengths. 

Progress thereafter was slow with just two wins in close to four years. However, he then began riding as a conditional for Saltburn trainer Mary Reveley. In addition to success with her he also partnered winners for such as Brian Ellison and Maurice Camacho. His best season was in 1993/94 with seven wins, which included a double in consecutive races on the all-weather at Southwell. 

He won a total of four races on St Ville and three on Notable Exception, the latter providing him with his final success at Wetherby on May 30, 1994, coming through between the last two flights and being ridden out to land the Catterton Claiming Hurdle by two lengths. He continued to ride for two more seasons without success. 

Scott Mason’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Elegant Bill, Huntingdon, March 30, 1988

2. Rum Cay, Towcester, January 20, 1989

3. Fast Freeze, Doncaster, January 25, 1991

4. Glen Run, Kelso, February 21, 1992

5. Grey Power, Wetherby, November 17, 1992

6. St Ville, Sedgefield, December 8, 1992

7. St Ville, Southwell, January 20, 1993

8. St Ville, Southwell, February 10, 1993

9. Mrs Jawleyford, Southwell, March 3, 1993

10. Station Express, Hexham, March 29, 1993

11. Mistic Glen, Huntingdon, April 12, 1993

12. Maybe O’Grady, Sedgefield, October 17, 1993

13. Notable Exception, Newcastle, November 30, 1993

14. Handmaiden, Southwell, January 10, 1994

15. Top Prize, Southwell, January 19, 1994

16. St Ville, Southwell, January 19, 1994

17. Handmaiden, Southwell, February 9, 1994

18. Notable Exception, Sedgefield, May 18, 1994

19. Notable Exception, Wetherby, May 30, 1994