Melton Avril Vasey was born at Doncaster on April 4, 1906. He became apprenticed to his father, christened Frederick Melton Vasey but always known by his second name, as was his son.
Avril rode as a professional National Hunt jockey from 1923 to 1934. His first winner was Son O’ Lomond, trained by his father, in the Syston Selling Hurdle at Leicester on February 19, 1924.
He took out a licence to train jumpers in 1926, combining it with race-riding.
In the 1929 Scottish Grand National, riding Donzelon, he fell at the water. He was knocked out and, completely submerged, would have drowned had not Bilbie Rees also fallen there and noticed his boots sticking up above the water.
He kept the boots that saved his life.
He began training on the Flat in 1952. For a number of years he was based at Bob Armstrong’s old yard at Tupgill, Middleham, but then founded Kingsley House Stables, where Mark Johnston now trains.
He achieved his first major victory with Janeat in the 1962 Ayr Gold Cup. Other big races to come his way included the Northern Free Handicap twice with Shotley Mill in 1964 and Norton Priory in 1966, the 1967 Free Handicap with Supreme Sovereign, and the 1968 Manchester November Handicap with Zardia.
Avril was the third generation of the Vaseys to train successfully. He retired at the end of 1972, having won around 350 races on the Flat plus many under National Hunt rules.
Described as “a most sociable man, and an amusing raconteur,” Avril Vasey, died on March 12, 1986, aged 79.
His daughter Patricia married National Hunt jockey/trainer Peter Chisman.