Vandal Mason

Vandal Mason

Article by Alan Trout

Vandal Mason, brother of Frank 'Titch' Mason, rode 13 winners under National Hunt rules between 1911 and 1914, achieving a best calendar year score of five in 1913. 

Born in 1894, he had his first win on what may well have been his first ride in public when the eight-year-old Errigal, trained by Tom Mason, led all the way to land the Canal Optional Selling Hurdle at Hooton Park on Boxing Day 1911, beating 9-4 on favourite Herbert Vincent, the mount of George Lyall, by eight lengths.

Vandal had three victories in 1912, including two more on Errigal, and it was also on that horse that he had his final success when taking the Farm Selling Handicap Hurdle at Haydock by 20 lengths on March 5, 1914. He had won his 13 races on a total of five horses and at four courses. 

Belying his name,  Vandal was a quiet, unassuming lad who lost his right to claim 5lb after winning at Derby on Denmark on December 12, 1913.

His last ride was on the same horse, which he pulled up in the Rolleston Selling Handicap Chase at Southwell on May 13, 1915.

Vandal Mason’s winners were, in chronological order:

1. Errigal, Hooton Park, December 26, 1911

2. Errigal, Manchester, January 23, 1912

3. Errigal, Hooton Park, November 7, 1912

4. Denmark, Haydock Park, December 16, 1912

5. Picklescott Lad, Hooton Park, March 7, 1913

6. Tullyglass, Hooton Park, March 8, 1913

7. Picklescott Lad, Hooton Park, August 4, 1913

8. Denmark, Haydock Park, December 12, 1913

9. Denmark, Derby, December 16, 1913

10. Tullyglass, Manchester, January 19, 1914

11. Denmark, Manchester, February 16, 1914

12. Lavisher, Manchester, February 17, 1914

13. Errigal, Haydock Park, March 5, 1914