Dick Holland
Dick Holland
Dick Holland
1913-1979
1913-1979
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born on April 6, 1913, Dick Holland had five winners under National Hunt rules in the 1930s and rode in the 1937 Grand National.
Born on April 6, 1913, Dick Holland had five winners under National Hunt rules in the 1930s and rode in the 1937 Grand National.
He served his apprenticeship with Captain (later Major) Bay Powell at Aldbourne, near Marlborough, and had his first ride at Bridgnorth, aged 18, on April 21, 1931, when Sweet Ocean was unplaced in the Tradesmen’s Selling Handicap Hurdle. More than four years passed before that elusive first success, which came at Haydock Park on January 4, 1936, when he rode Passing Fancy, trained by Captain Powell, to win the White Lodge Chase, beating Ballydoon, the mount of talented amateur jockey Reg Tweedie, by four lengths.
He served his apprenticeship with Captain (later Major) Bay Powell at Aldbourne, near Marlborough, and had his first ride at Bridgnorth, aged 18, on April 21, 1931, when Sweet Ocean was unplaced in the Tradesmen’s Selling Handicap Hurdle. More than four years passed before that elusive first success, which came at Haydock Park on January 4, 1936, when he rode Passing Fancy, trained by Captain Powell, to win the White Lodge Chase, beating Ballydoon, the mount of talented amateur jockey Reg Tweedie, by four lengths.
The following season Passing Fancy’s form had improved to such an extent – he was placed in four of his six starts, with Dick keeping the ride – that he took his chance in the Grand National. However, he was one of many fallers in a race in which only seven of the 33 starters completed the course, Passing Fancy crashing out on the first circuit.
The following season Passing Fancy’s form had improved to such an extent – he was placed in four of his six starts, with Dick keeping the ride – that he took his chance in the Grand National. However, he was one of many fallers in a race in which only seven of the 33 starters completed the course, Passing Fancy crashing out on the first circuit.
Sixteen months after Dick’s first win, he had another when Silent Jack, also trained by Captain Powell, landed the Breedon Hill Novices’ Chase at Pershore on May 4, 1937, beating Jack Bissill’s mount Noce Argent by a length and a half, then showed that that was no fluke by winning the Ringside Novices’ Chase at Newton Abbot eight days later.
Sixteen months after Dick’s first win, he had another when Silent Jack, also trained by Captain Powell, landed the Breedon Hill Novices’ Chase at Pershore on May 4, 1937, beating Jack Bissill’s mount Noce Argent by a length and a half, then showed that that was no fluke by winning the Ringside Novices’ Chase at Newton Abbot eight days later.
His fourth success was gained on the seven-year-old The Bear in the Salcey Forest Selling Chase at Towcester on October 9, 1937, narrowly beating Skill, the mount of Tommy Isaac, by a head. The Bear was sold following his Towcester success, with his new owner, the prominent amateur rider Lord Roderic Pratt, taking over in the saddle.
His fourth success was gained on the seven-year-old The Bear in the Salcey Forest Selling Chase at Towcester on October 9, 1937, narrowly beating Skill, the mount of Tommy Isaac, by a head. The Bear was sold following his Towcester success, with his new owner, the prominent amateur rider Lord Roderic Pratt, taking over in the saddle.
It was left to Silent Jack to provide Dick with his fifth and final success when taking the Christmas Handicap Chase at Wincanton on December 27, 1937. Eric Brown had been in the saddle when the gelding won his previous race at Windsor earlier that month, but Dick proved an able deputy when Eric elected to ride at Wolverhampton.
It was left to Silent Jack to provide Dick with his fifth and final success when taking the Christmas Handicap Chase at Wincanton on December 27, 1937. Eric Brown had been in the saddle when the gelding won his previous race at Windsor earlier that month, but Dick proved an able deputy when Eric elected to ride at Wolverhampton.
On March 24, 1938, Dick rode Tetray in the Stanley Chase over the Liverpool fences, finishing sixth of the seven that completed the course out of the 14 starters.
On March 24, 1938, Dick rode Tetray in the Stanley Chase over the Liverpool fences, finishing sixth of the seven that completed the course out of the 14 starters.
Having relinquished his jockey’s licence, he became assistant trainer to Major Powell from 1943 to 1948. He took out a permit in 1948, obtaining his first public trainer’s licence in 1959, based at Eyton Stables, Telford.
Having relinquished his jockey’s licence, he became assistant trainer to Major Powell from 1943 to 1948. He took out a permit in 1948, obtaining his first public trainer’s licence in 1959, based at Eyton Stables, Telford.
His best horses included Right Honourable Gentleman – a name that would not be permitted today as it contained more than the maximum allowed 18 letters (including spaces) – and the prolific winning chaser Mr Wrekin. His son, Steve Holland, was a successful jump jockey during the 1970s, riding 133 winners.
His best horses included Right Honourable Gentleman – a name that would not be permitted today as it contained more than the maximum allowed 18 letters (including spaces) – and the prolific winning chaser Mr Wrekin. His son, Steve Holland, was a successful jump jockey during the 1970s, riding 133 winners.
Dick Holland died in 1979.
Dick Holland died in 1979.