Alfred Holman
(1846 - 1927)
(1846 - 1927)
Leading amateur rider Alfred Holman hailed from a famous Cheltenham family of steeplechase jockeys.
Leading amateur rider Alfred Holman hailed from a famous Cheltenham family of steeplechase jockeys.
Alfred won his first hurdle race at Cheltenham in 1867 on a mare called Tottie.
Alfred won his first hurdle race at Cheltenham in 1867 on a mare called Tottie.
He rode in two Grand Nationals, completing the course on both occasions, finishing seventh on Ouragan II in 1872 and fifth on Master Mowbray in 1874.
He rode in two Grand Nationals, completing the course on both occasions, finishing seventh on Ouragan II in 1872 and fifth on Master Mowbray in 1874.
His brother, George, rode The Doctor in the great race of 1870 before, in 1875, winning the Grand Annual Steeplechase on Master Mowbray.
His brother, George, rode The Doctor in the great race of 1870 before, in 1875, winning the Grand Annual Steeplechase on Master Mowbray.
It was in this race that Alfred suffered a bad fall; Furley, ridden by R. Marsh, jumped across him at the first flight, bringing Alfred's mount down. J. Jewett, riding Harbinger, ploughed into them and fell. Alfred remained unconscious until the next morning (he had been carried off the course presumed dead, just as his brother was entering the winners' enclosure).
It was in this race that Alfred suffered a bad fall; Furley, ridden by R. Marsh, jumped across him at the first flight, bringing Alfred's mount down. J. Jewett, riding Harbinger, ploughed into them and fell. Alfred remained unconscious until the next morning (he had been carried off the course presumed dead, just as his brother was entering the winners' enclosure).
There is never a good time to suffer such an injury, but Arthur's was made worse by the fact that he had just entered into an engagement to train privately for Mr E. Studd at Tidworth House, near Marlborough, and his unlucky venture at Liverpool was the first outing with one of Mr Studd's horses.
There is never a good time to suffer such an injury, but Arthur's was made worse by the fact that he had just entered into an engagement to train privately for Mr E. Studd at Tidworth House, near Marlborough, and his unlucky venture at Liverpool was the first outing with one of Mr Studd's horses.
As a jockey, Arthur had previously won the Worcester Spring Steeplechase for him on Alice Lee.
As a jockey, Arthur had previously won the Worcester Spring Steeplechase for him on Alice Lee.
The fall at Liverpool terminated his riding career (though, in 1879, as a one-off, he rode Trianon to victory at Birmingham for his friend, Mr Jenkins).
The fall at Liverpool terminated his riding career (though, in 1879, as a one-off, he rode Trianon to victory at Birmingham for his friend, Mr Jenkins).
During Alfred's recuperation, Mr Studd, for business reasons, sold all his horses at Tattersall's.
During Alfred's recuperation, Mr Studd, for business reasons, sold all his horses at Tattersall's.
Alfred and fellow jockey Richard Marsh once rode in a Grand Annual Steeplechase during the 1870s. Both fell at a fence situated near to the burial ground of a churchyard which was located adjacent to the course. Both riders were knocked out. Recovering consciousness, the first thing Alfred heard was someone saying “Well, never mind, we only have to put them over the wall.”
Alfred and fellow jockey Richard Marsh once rode in a Grand Annual Steeplechase during the 1870s. Both fell at a fence situated near to the burial ground of a churchyard which was located adjacent to the course. Both riders were knocked out. Recovering consciousness, the first thing Alfred heard was someone saying “Well, never mind, we only have to put them over the wall.”
Alfred's father, William Holman, was a celebrated trainer. Amongst his successes was Free Trader, winner of the 1856 Grand National. Free Trader was ridden by another Cheltonian, George Stevens, who was to win the race a further five times.
Alfred's father, William Holman, was a celebrated trainer. Amongst his successes was Free Trader, winner of the 1856 Grand National. Free Trader was ridden by another Cheltonian, George Stevens, who was to win the race a further five times.
Richard Holman, another of Afred's bothers, was Clerk of the Course at Cheltenham.
Richard Holman, another of Afred's bothers, was Clerk of the Course at Cheltenham.
However, in the 80s, racing at the course began to fall into disfavour, and racing was stopped altogether in 1892.
However, in the 80s, racing at the course began to fall into disfavour, and racing was stopped altogether in 1892.
However, in 1898, Mr Jack Hargreaves organized a meeting at Prestbury Park, and Alfred promptly maintained the family tradition by supplying Xeebee to win the revived Grand Annual. Then, again, the meeting fell into abeyance, and not revived again until 1902 when the Cheltenham Steeplechase Club was formed.
However, in 1898, Mr Jack Hargreaves organized a meeting at Prestbury Park, and Alfred promptly maintained the family tradition by supplying Xeebee to win the revived Grand Annual. Then, again, the meeting fell into abeyance, and not revived again until 1902 when the Cheltenham Steeplechase Club was formed.
We are fortunate to have Alfred Holman's own description of the course.
We are fortunate to have Alfred Holman's own description of the course.
'The old steeplechase course in Prestbury Park (he wrote) in the days of my father, William Archer, Tom Olliver, George Stevens, Bob James, et., used to be natural country, over natural hedges and ditch fences, ridge and furrow, round the country adjacent to the present course, and over a big natural brook onto the course again, and a straight run in. Now it is confined to the inner part of the Park, all regulation fences, stands, paddocks, et., all beautifully built up to date, and compares favourably with any steeplechase in the kingdom.
'The old steeplechase course in Prestbury Park (he wrote) in the days of my father, William Archer, Tom Olliver, George Stevens, Bob James, et., used to be natural country, over natural hedges and ditch fences, ridge and furrow, round the country adjacent to the present course, and over a big natural brook onto the course again, and a straight run in. Now it is confined to the inner part of the Park, all regulation fences, stands, paddocks, et., all beautifully built up to date, and compares favourably with any steeplechase in the kingdom.
'It has one of the finest views of scenery, if not the best, of any course in England, from its elevated position, having a beautiful and picturesque view of the Cotswold Hills all round, with the newly-built villas dotted all up Cleeve Hill, and the pretty village of Prestbury close by. Of all sporting centres, Cheltenham has a greater record as regards sporting celebrities, and its ancient steeplechase meetings, than any other in England."
'It has one of the finest views of scenery, if not the best, of any course in England, from its elevated position, having a beautiful and picturesque view of the Cotswold Hills all round, with the newly-built villas dotted all up Cleeve Hill, and the pretty village of Prestbury close by. Of all sporting centres, Cheltenham has a greater record as regards sporting celebrities, and its ancient steeplechase meetings, than any other in England."
Alfred Holman died in Prestbury Cottage, Pittville, on January 8, 1927, aged 80. His widow died on August 18 that same year. Between them they left £4,600.
Alfred Holman died in Prestbury Cottage, Pittville, on January 8, 1927, aged 80. His widow died on August 18 that same year. Between them they left £4,600.
Alfred had six brothers, all of whom - bar Walter - predeceased him.
Alfred had six brothers, all of whom - bar Walter - predeceased him.
A loyal Freemason and member of the Union Club, Alfred was buried at All Saints' Church on Tuesday January 11th. The service, of a plain and simple nature, was conducted by the vicar of the parish, Canon Johnstone.
A loyal Freemason and member of the Union Club, Alfred was buried at All Saints' Church on Tuesday January 11th. The service, of a plain and simple nature, was conducted by the vicar of the parish, Canon Johnstone.