Alfred Holland
Northern-based National Hunt jockey Alfred Holland rode a total of 27 winners – 10 of them at Hamilton – around the turn of the 20th century.
Northern-based National Hunt jockey Alfred Holland rode a total of 27 winners – 10 of them at Hamilton – around the turn of the 20th century.
In those days, Hamilton’s racecourse was in a different location to the present one on Bothwell Road, which opened in 1926. Its predecessor had opened in 1888, having been laid out by Sir John Astley at the request of a group of whisky magnates who had already made a couple of unsuccessful attempts to instigate a meeting in Glasgow. It staged racing both on the Flat and under National Hunt rules.
In those days, Hamilton’s racecourse was in a different location to the present one on Bothwell Road, which opened in 1926. Its predecessor had opened in 1888, having been laid out by Sir John Astley at the request of a group of whisky magnates who had already made a couple of unsuccessful attempts to instigate a meeting in Glasgow. It staged racing both on the Flat and under National Hunt rules.
Sadly, it failed to prosper due to a lack of support from Glaswegian racing fans, resulting in its closure in 1907. However, its existence coincided with Albert Holland’s riding career, which covered a 10-year period from 1896 to 1906.
Sadly, it failed to prosper due to a lack of support from Glaswegian racing fans, resulting in its closure in 1907. However, its existence coincided with Albert Holland’s riding career, which covered a 10-year period from 1896 to 1906.
Hamilton was the venue for Alfred’s first winner on his first ride in public, aboard 5-1 chance Grimpereau, who landed the Montrose Hurdle by half a length on New Year’s Day 1896.
Hamilton was the venue for Alfred’s first winner on his first ride in public, aboard 5-1 chance Grimpereau, who landed the Montrose Hurdle by half a length on New Year’s Day 1896.
He enjoyed his best year in 1900 with 10 winners, getting the year off to a flying start with victory on selling chaser Thorngill at Hamilton on 2 January. He won three in a row during April on another selling chaser, Golden Quartz, who scored at Hamilton, Kelso and Rothbury. Later that year, on 10 October, he recorded a double at Ripon – another course that used to stage National Hunt racing – on Tube Rose in the Hewick Three-Year-Old Hurdle and Yenikale in the Sharrow Hurdle.
He enjoyed his best year in 1900 with 10 winners, getting the year off to a flying start with victory on selling chaser Thorngill at Hamilton on 2 January. He won three in a row during April on another selling chaser, Golden Quartz, who scored at Hamilton, Kelso and Rothbury. Later that year, on 10 October, he recorded a double at Ripon – another course that used to stage National Hunt racing – on Tube Rose in the Hewick Three-Year-Old Hurdle and Yenikale in the Sharrow Hurdle.
Alfred rode his final winner on 10-1 shot Garsdale in the United Kingdom Chase at Wetherby on 17 April 1906. Despite the race’s impressive title, it was worth just £48 to the winner. Garsdale actually finished second but was promoted to first place by the stewards after the 6-4 on favourite Royal Chief was disqualified when the rider failed to draw the correct weight on weighing in.
Alfred rode his final winner on 10-1 shot Garsdale in the United Kingdom Chase at Wetherby on 17 April 1906. Despite the race’s impressive title, it was worth just £48 to the winner. Garsdale actually finished second but was promoted to first place by the stewards after the 6-4 on favourite Royal Chief was disqualified when the rider failed to draw the correct weight on weighing in.
Garsdale was also Alfred’s final mount the following month when finishing unplaced in the Bank Top Handicap Chase at Shincliffe on 10 May 1906.
Garsdale was also Alfred’s final mount the following month when finishing unplaced in the Bank Top Handicap Chase at Shincliffe on 10 May 1906.
Alfred's final winner, gained on a disqualification.
Alfred's final winner, gained on a disqualification.