Darryll Holland
Group1-winning jockey Darryll Paul Holland was born in Manchester on June 14, 1977. He was apprenticed to Barry Hills and rode his first winner on Sinclair Boy in a mile-and-a-quarter handicap at Warwick on May 7, 1990, finishing that season with a score of 27 winners.
Group1-winning jockey Darryll Paul Holland was born in Manchester on June 14, 1977. He was apprenticed to Barry Hills and rode his first winner on Sinclair Boy in a mile-and-a-quarter handicap at Warwick on May 7, 1990, finishing that season with a score of 27 winners.
He was crowned British Champion Apprentice in 1991 with 73 winners. That same year he won the Lester Award for Apprentice Jockey of the Year. He enjoyed his first big race success courtesy of Knifebox in the 1992 Group 3 Select Stakes at Goodwood. Later that season, he rode Knifebox to victory in the Group 3 La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte.
He was crowned British Champion Apprentice in 1991 with 73 winners. That same year he won the Lester Award for Apprentice Jockey of the Year. He enjoyed his first big race success courtesy of Knifebox in the 1992 Group 3 Select Stakes at Goodwood. Later that season, he rode Knifebox to victory in the Group 3 La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte.
In 1994, he became the youngest rider ever to ride as a Club Jockey to the (then) Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, having been invited there for the 1994/95 season. He also partnered big winners in Japan and Singapore around the turn of the century.
In 1994, he became the youngest rider ever to ride as a Club Jockey to the (then) Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, having been invited there for the 1994/95 season. He also partnered big winners in Japan and Singapore around the turn of the century.
On home soil, trainers for whom he rode big winners included Luca Cumani, Geoff Wragg and Mark Johnston. Arguably the most popular horse he rode was Johnston’s stayer Double Trigger. Darryll rode him just three times, all in 1998, winning the Goodwood Cup and Doncaster Cup and finishing second in the Ascot Gold Cup.
On home soil, trainers for whom he rode big winners included Luca Cumani, Geoff Wragg and Mark Johnston. Arguably the most popular horse he rode was Johnston’s stayer Double Trigger. Darryll rode him just three times, all in 1998, winning the Goodwood Cup and Doncaster Cup and finishing second in the Ascot Gold Cup.
At the height of his career he rode more than 100 winners in six of the eight seasons in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Highlights included a trio of Group 1 victories in 2003 aboard Falbrav in the Eclipse, Juddmonte International and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
At the height of his career he rode more than 100 winners in six of the eight seasons in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Highlights included a trio of Group 1 victories in 2003 aboard Falbrav in the Eclipse, Juddmonte International and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
He never won a British Classic but was twice placed in the Derby. He finished third in 1993 on 150-1 outsider Blues Traveller, and was second in 2006 on 66-1 shot Dragon Dancer, beaten a short head by Sir Percy. His last big race success in Britain was achieved on Ted Spread in the 2010 Chester Vase.
He never won a British Classic but was twice placed in the Derby. He finished third in 1993 on 150-1 outsider Blues Traveller, and was second in 2006 on 66-1 shot Dragon Dancer, beaten a short head by Sir Percy. His last big race success in Britain was achieved on Ted Spread in the 2010 Chester Vase.
He then spent three years riding in South Korea, having become the first European jockey to ride there. He also spent time riding at Champ de Mars in Mauritius.
He then spent three years riding in South Korea, having become the first European jockey to ride there. He also spent time riding at Champ de Mars in Mauritius.
In December 2015, he was approached by Lambourn trainer Charlie Hills to become stable jockey for 2016. Darryll described his return as “going back to my old adopted family”, as Hills’s father, Barry, had given him his first job in racing at the age of 15.
In December 2015, he was approached by Lambourn trainer Charlie Hills to become stable jockey for 2016. Darryll described his return as “going back to my old adopted family”, as Hills’s father, Barry, had given him his first job in racing at the age of 15.
Sadly, the Hills-Holland link-up did not last long and by June he was getting the leg-up on a minority of the Hills runners. He rode what would prove to be his last winner in Britain on Dolphin Village, trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam, at the Newmarket July Course on July 30, 2016. Dolphin Village was also his last ride in Britain when finishing fifth in a mile-and-a-half handicap at Ascot on September 12, 2016.
Sadly, the Hills-Holland link-up did not last long and by June he was getting the leg-up on a minority of the Hills runners. He rode what would prove to be his last winner in Britain on Dolphin Village, trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam, at the Newmarket July Course on July 30, 2016. Dolphin Village was also his last ride in Britain when finishing fifth in a mile-and-a-half handicap at Ascot on September 12, 2016.
He returned to South Korea, where he won the 2017 KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Korean Triple Crown, on 74-1 outsider Indian King. Later that year, aged 45, he moved his tack to North America and, in September 2017, notched his first ever winner in the US at Gulfstream Park in Florida, Justa Jill for trainer Nancy Harris. He followed up a day later on Patrick Biancone’s horse Siorno.
He returned to South Korea, where he won the 2017 KRA Cup Mile, the first leg of the Korean Triple Crown, on 74-1 outsider Indian King. Later that year, aged 45, he moved his tack to North America and, in September 2017, notched his first ever winner in the US at Gulfstream Park in Florida, Justa Jill for trainer Nancy Harris. He followed up a day later on Patrick Biancone’s horse Siorno.
His final months of riding were spent at Woodbine Racecourse in Toronto, Canada. He made a perfect start by winning on his first ride as part of the track’s jockey colony by guiding 14-1 shot Majestic Fever to victory in a five-furlong claimer on June 6, 2020.
His final months of riding were spent at Woodbine Racecourse in Toronto, Canada. He made a perfect start by winning on his first ride as part of the track’s jockey colony by guiding 14-1 shot Majestic Fever to victory in a five-furlong claimer on June 6, 2020.
However, the latter part of Canadian stint there did not prove quite as successful. On July 12 he was lucky to escape with nothing more than bruises when the three-year-old bay filly Society’s Story suddenly veered to her left sharply and crashed into the rail, dislodging Darryll in the process. The final three months at Woodbine failed to produce a winner. He had his last ride on 50-1 longshot Ekiminzin on November 21, 2020, finishing unplaced.
However, the latter part of Canadian stint there did not prove quite as successful. On July 12 he was lucky to escape with nothing more than bruises when the three-year-old bay filly Society’s Story suddenly veered to her left sharply and crashed into the rail, dislodging Darryll in the process. The final three months at Woodbine failed to produce a winner. He had his last ride on 50-1 longshot Ekiminzin on November 21, 2020, finishing unplaced.
In February 2021, he announced that he would be embarking on a second career as a trainer, based at former trainer Hugh Collingridge’s stables at Harraton Court Stables in Exning near Newmarket, which Darryll had bought in 2008. Former champion jockey Kieren Fallon will act as his assistant.
In February 2021, he announced that he would be embarking on a second career as a trainer, based at former trainer Hugh Collingridge’s stables at Harraton Court Stables in Exning near Newmarket, which Darryll had bought in 2008. Former champion jockey Kieren Fallon will act as his assistant.
He retired a multiple Group One winner, having achieved over 30 Group One race wins worldwide, including the Eclipse, Juddmonte International and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (all on Falbrav), the Coronation Cup, Dewhurst Stakes, Prix de l’Abbaye, Preis der Dian (German Oaks), Oaks d’Italia and the Singapore Derby. He rode in some 20 countries including Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Austria, USA, Australia, Trinidad, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Mauritius and Canada.
He retired a multiple Group One winner, having achieved over 30 Group One race wins worldwide, including the Eclipse, Juddmonte International and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (all on Falbrav), the Coronation Cup, Dewhurst Stakes, Prix de l’Abbaye, Preis der Dian (German Oaks), Oaks d’Italia and the Singapore Derby. He rode in some 20 countries including Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Austria, USA, Australia, Trinidad, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Mauritius and Canada.
Darryll Holland’s big winners included:
Darryll Holland’s big winners included:
1992: Select Stakes – Knifebox
1992: Select Stakes – Knifebox
1992: Rockfel Stakes – Yawl
1992: Rockfel Stakes – Yawl
1992: November Handicap – Turgenev
1992: November Handicap – Turgenev
1994: Lincoln Handicap – Our Rita
1994: Lincoln Handicap – Our Rita
1995: King George V Stakes – Diaghilef
1995: King George V Stakes – Diaghilef
1995: John Smith’s Magnet Cup – Naked Welcome
1995: John Smith’s Magnet Cup – Naked Welcome
1997: Yorkshire Oaks – My Emma
1997: Yorkshire Oaks – My Emma
1997: Flying Childers Stakes – Land Of Dreams
1997: Flying Childers Stakes – Land Of Dreams
1998: Earl of Sefton Stakes – Apprehension
1998: Earl of Sefton Stakes – Apprehension
1998: Cheshire Oaks – High And Low
1998: Cheshire Oaks – High And Low
1998: Dee Stakes – Prolix
1998: Dee Stakes – Prolix
1998: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Bristol Channel
1998: Lingfield Oaks Trial – Bristol Channel
1998: Jersey Stakes – Diktat
1998: Jersey Stakes – Diktat
1998: King George Stakes – Land Of Dreams
1998: King George Stakes – Land Of Dreams
1998: Goodwood Cup – Double Trigger
1998: Goodwood Cup – Double Trigger
1998: Doncaster Cup – Double Trigger
1998: Doncaster Cup – Double Trigger
1998: November Handicap – Yavana’s Pace
1998: November Handicap – Yavana’s Pace
1999: Sandown Classic Trial – Fantastic Light
1999: Sandown Classic Trial – Fantastic Light
1999: Eclipse Stakes – Compton Admiral
1999: Eclipse Stakes – Compton Admiral
2000: John Porter Stakes – Yavana’s Pace
2000: John Porter Stakes – Yavana’s Pace
2000: Geoffrey Freer Stakes – Murghem
2000: Geoffrey Freer Stakes – Murghem
2000: Sun Chariot Stakes – Danceabout
2000: Sun Chariot Stakes – Danceabout
2001: Cheshire Oaks – Rockerlong
2001: Cheshire Oaks – Rockerlong
2001: Ormonde Stakes – St Expedit
2001: Ormonde Stakes – St Expedit
2001: Bessborough Stakes – Takamaka Bay
2001: Bessborough Stakes – Takamaka Bay
2001: Ayr Gold Cup – Continent
2001: Ayr Gold Cup – Continent
2001: Challenge Stakes – Munir
2001: Challenge Stakes – Munir
2002: Greenham Stakes – Redback
2002: Greenham Stakes – Redback
2002: Ormonde Stakes – St Expedit
2002: Ormonde Stakes – St Expedit
2002: Cecil Frail Stakes – Marika
2002: Cecil Frail Stakes – Marika
2002: Lancashire Oaks – Mellow Park
2002: Lancashire Oaks – Mellow Park
2002: July Cup – Continent
2002: July Cup – Continent
2002: Richmond Stakes – Revenue
2002: Richmond Stakes – Revenue
2002: Portland Handicap – Halmahera
2002: Portland Handicap – Halmahera
2002: Cumberland Lodge Stakes – Systematic
2002: Cumberland Lodge Stakes – Systematic
2002: St Simon Stakes – The Whistling Teal
2002: St Simon Stakes – The Whistling Teal
2003: Ormonde Stakes – Asian Heights
2003: Ormonde Stakes – Asian Heights
2003: Lingfield Derby Trial – Franklins Gardens
2003: Lingfield Derby Trial – Franklins Gardens
2003: St James’s Palace Stakes – Zafeen
2003: St James’s Palace Stakes – Zafeen
2003: Chesham Stakes – Pearl Of Love
2003: Chesham Stakes – Pearl Of Love
2003: Eclipse Stakes – Falbrav
2003: Eclipse Stakes – Falbrav
2003: Gordon Stakes – Phoenix Reach
2003: Gordon Stakes – Phoenix Reach
2003: King George Stakes – The Tatling
2003: King George Stakes – The Tatling
2003: Juddmonte International Stakes – Falbrav
2003: Juddmonte International Stakes – Falbrav
2003: Champagne Stakes – Lucky Story
2003: Champagne Stakes – Lucky Story
2003: Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Falbrav
2003: Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Falbrav
2003: Dewhurst Stakes – Milk It Mick
2003: Dewhurst Stakes – Milk It Mick
2004: Coronation Cup – Warrsan
2004: Coronation Cup – Warrsan
2004: King’s Stand Stakes – The Tatling
2004: King’s Stand Stakes – The Tatling
2004: Ebor Handicap – Mephisto
2004: Ebor Handicap – Mephisto
2005: Yorkshire Cup – Franklins Gardens
2005: Yorkshire Cup – Franklins Gardens
2005: Diomed Stakes – Hazyview
2005: Diomed Stakes – Hazyview
2006: Sandown Classic Trial – Primary
2006: Sandown Classic Trial – Primary
2006: Yorkshire Cup – Percussionist
2006: Yorkshire Cup – Percussionist
2006: May Hill Stakes – Simply Perfect
2006: May Hill Stakes – Simply Perfect
2006: Fillies’ Mile – Simply Perfect
2006: Fillies’ Mile – Simply Perfect
2007: Sun Chariot Stakes – Majestic Roi
2007: Sun Chariot Stakes – Majestic Roi
2008: Bunbury Cup – Little White Lie
2008: Bunbury Cup – Little White Lie
2008: Challenge Stakes – Stimulation
2008: Challenge Stakes – Stimulation
2008: Rockfel Stakes – Lahaleeb
2008: Rockfel Stakes – Lahaleeb
2010: Chester Vase – Ted Spread
2010: Chester Vase – Ted Spread
In Ireland
In Ireland
1995: Ballyogan Stakes – Millstream
1995: Ballyogan Stakes – Millstream
2003: Blandford Stakes – Chorist
2003: Blandford Stakes – Chorist
2004: Pretty Polly Stakes – Chorist
2004: Pretty Polly Stakes – Chorist
In France
In France
1992: La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte – Knifebox
1992: La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte – Knifebox
2001: Prix du Conseil de Paris – Yavana’s Pace
2001: Prix du Conseil de Paris – Yavana’s Pace
2002: Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp – Continent
2002: Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp – Continent
In Germany
In Germany
1998: Rheinland-Pokal – Luso
1998: Rheinland-Pokal – Luso
2006: Preis der Diana – Almerita
2006: Preis der Diana – Almerita
In Italy
In Italy
2002: Premio Parioli – Dupont
2002: Premio Parioli – Dupont
2003: Gran Criterium – Pearl Of Love
2003: Gran Criterium – Pearl Of Love
2004: Oaks d’Italia – Menhoubah
2004: Oaks d’Italia – Menhoubah
2008: Premio Regina Elena – Love Of Dubai
2008: Premio Regina Elena – Love Of Dubai
In Japan
In Japan
1996: Manichi Okan – Annus Mirablis
1996: Manichi Okan – Annus Mirablis
In Singapore
In Singapore
2000: Singapore Derby – All The Way
2000: Singapore Derby – All The Way
2000: Kranji Mile – Pacific Prince
2000: Kranji Mile – Pacific Prince
In Korea
In Korea
2017: KRA Cup Mile – Indian King
2017: KRA Cup Mile – Indian King