Bernard Holohan

Bernard Holohan

Article by Alan Trout

Bernard Patrick Holohan rode 15 winners on northern courses from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s. He served his time with Scottish trainer Dick Allen, based at Roxburghshire, but had an unfortunate start to his race-riding career when Mille Miore fell at the first flight in the Ullswater Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Carlisle on September 17, 1977. 

Just four weeks later he had his first success when Some Hazard was pushed out to beat My Swannee by two and a half lengths and land the Ferryhill Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle at Kelso. 

Bernard continued to ride the occasional winner over the next few seasons, with four victories on Part-Ex and three on Suzy Mandel, both hurdlers trained by Dick Allen. He had his final win at Sedgefield on November 10, 1982 when Marilena took the lead at the last flight and ran on strongly to take the Carlton Selling Hurdle by four lengths. 

His last ride was at Hexham on May 24, 1986 when Mickey Finn was pulled up in the Dilston Hurdle.