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Melton Vasey
Melton Vasey
1885-1952
1885-1952
Having had some success on the Flat with five wins and plenty of rides at the end of the 19th century, Frederick Melton Vasey then added two more under National Hunt rules before becoming a successful trainer.
Having had some success on the Flat with five wins and plenty of rides at the end of the 19th century, Frederick Melton Vasey then added two more under National Hunt rules before becoming a successful trainer.
Born on September 15, 1885, the night before the Mat Dawson-trained Melton won the St Leger, Frederick Melton Vasey was apprenticed to his father James Vasey at Hambleton and was only eleven years old when riding his first winner on Spitalfields at Redcar on June 7, 1897, beating ten rivals to take the Saltburn Handicap. Spitalfields was trained by his father and won by a neck, beating Carnatum after a prolonged duel in the final furlong. The Sportsman racing paper stated that “young Vasey rode well”.
Born on September 15, 1885, the night before the Mat Dawson-trained Melton won the St Leger, Frederick Melton Vasey was apprenticed to his father James Vasey at Hambleton and was only eleven years old when riding his first winner on Spitalfields at Redcar on June 7, 1897, beating ten rivals to take the Saltburn Handicap. Spitalfields was trained by his father and won by a neck, beating Carnatum after a prolonged duel in the final furlong. The Sportsman racing paper stated that “young Vasey rode well”.
He had his second win in the Pontefract Spring Handicap at that Yorkshire venue on April 21, 1898, when Bird of March proved too good for Don Alonso.
He had his second win in the Pontefract Spring Handicap at that Yorkshire venue on April 21, 1898, when Bird of March proved too good for Don Alonso.
That was his sole victory of the season but in 1899 he had three wins from more than 70 rides, starting with Wellfield, who touched off Darwenter by a head to land the All-Aged High-Weight Selling Plate at Redcar on May 22. Next came a length and a half success on Knockdown in the Stewards’ Handicap Plate at Newcastle on June 20; and finally, Dark Eye beat 20 rivals to claim the Seesay Nursery Handicap Plate at Thirsk on October 19. All of those three wins were against experienced northern jockeys by a lad who had just turned 14 when having his final win on the Flat.
That was his sole victory of the season but in 1899 he had three wins from more than 70 rides, starting with Wellfield, who touched off Darwenter by a head to land the All-Aged High-Weight Selling Plate at Redcar on May 22. Next came a length and a half success on Knockdown in the Stewards’ Handicap Plate at Newcastle on June 20; and finally, Dark Eye beat 20 rivals to claim the Seesay Nursery Handicap Plate at Thirsk on October 19. All of those three wins were against experienced northern jockeys by a lad who had just turned 14 when having his final win on the Flat.
Increasing weight led him to try his luck over jumps. He had his first ride at Leicester on February 6, 1902, when Checkman was unplaced in the Selling Handicap Hurdle. Nineteen days later, the same horse provided him with his first win under National Hunt rules when taking the Small Heath Selling Handicap Hurdle at Birmingham by a length and a half. He only had one other ride over jumps that year, which also marked the end of his career on the Flat.
Increasing weight led him to try his luck over jumps. He had his first ride at Leicester on February 6, 1902, when Checkman was unplaced in the Selling Handicap Hurdle. Nineteen days later, the same horse provided him with his first win under National Hunt rules when taking the Small Heath Selling Handicap Hurdle at Birmingham by a length and a half. He only had one other ride over jumps that year, which also marked the end of his career on the Flat.
He had one last success in 1904 when Rosedale won the Sutton Selling Chase at Birmingham on February 22, scoring by three lengths. He rode for the final time at Haydock Park on December 1, 1905 when Martjaque was unplaced in the Saturday Selling Handicap Hurdle. His father, by then based at Doncaster, died soon after and Melton took over the running of the stable.
He had one last success in 1904 when Rosedale won the Sutton Selling Chase at Birmingham on February 22, scoring by three lengths. He rode for the final time at Haydock Park on December 1, 1905 when Martjaque was unplaced in the Saturday Selling Handicap Hurdle. His father, by then based at Doncaster, died soon after and Melton took over the running of the stable.
One of his first notable winners was Lord Fitzwilliam’s six-year-old Foresight in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. He then trained in Brazil for a short time but returned to enlist in 1914 when war was declared.
One of his first notable winners was Lord Fitzwilliam’s six-year-old Foresight in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. He then trained in Brazil for a short time but returned to enlist in 1914 when war was declared.
On resuming training at Doncaster, Melton Vasey saddled 40 winners in 1919 and went on to become one of the leading northern trainers of the inter-war period. He brought off a substantial coup when winning the 1931 Manchester November Handicap with North Drift, owned by the Sheffield bookmaker J. T. Downing.
On resuming training at Doncaster, Melton Vasey saddled 40 winners in 1919 and went on to become one of the leading northern trainers of the inter-war period. He brought off a substantial coup when winning the 1931 Manchester November Handicap with North Drift, owned by the Sheffield bookmaker J. T. Downing.
Described as a large, genial and kind-hearted man, Melton Vasey died in 1952, aged 67. His son Avril, who had been his assistant for many years, succeeded him as the licence holder and subsequently trained at Middleham.
Described as a large, genial and kind-hearted man, Melton Vasey died in 1952, aged 67. His son Avril, who had been his assistant for many years, succeeded him as the licence holder and subsequently trained at Middleham.
Melton Vasey’s winners as a jockey were, in chronological order:
Melton Vasey’s winners as a jockey were, in chronological order:
1. Spitalfields, Redcar, June 7, 1897
1. Spitalfields, Redcar, June 7, 1897
2. Bird of March, Pontefract, April 21, 1898
2. Bird of March, Pontefract, April 21, 1898
3. Wellfield, Redcar, May 22, 1899
3. Wellfield, Redcar, May 22, 1899
4. Knockdown, Newcastle, June 20, 1899
4. Knockdown, Newcastle, June 20, 1899
5. Dark Eye, Thirsk, October 19, 1899
5. Dark Eye, Thirsk, October 19, 1899
6. Checkman, Birmingham, February 25, 1902
6. Checkman, Birmingham, February 25, 1902
7. Rosedale, Birmingham, February 22, 1904
7. Rosedale, Birmingham, February 22, 1904
Melton's first winner was Spitalfields at Redcar, June 7, 1897
Melton's first winner was Spitalfields at Redcar, June 7, 1897
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