THE rags-to-riches story of Red Marauder owner Norman Mason is almost as fantastic as the epic race which shot him to fame on Saturday.
It was the culmination of 26 years as a racehorse owner for the 63-year-old Wearsider, who made his money through the entertainment industry.
He was born in Netherburn Road, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, one of five children.
After National Service, he planned to emigrate to New Zealand and, to pay his passage, worked as a bouncer at South Shields' Cellar Club.
It gave him a taste of the nightclub industry and, with two business partners, turned a former church in Southwick, Sunderland, into the Congers nightspot, packing them in on weekends, in 1959.
It launched a business empire which today includes 24 amusement arcades, eight bingo halls, and pubs and clubs.
His business success allowed him to move ten years ago from his home in Whitburn, near Sunderland, into the 370-acre former West Brandon Farm, re-named Brancepeth Manor Farm by Mason.
He now owns about 40 horses, and, with Richard Guest's help, has become Britain's leading permit trainer.
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