Embedded Files
John Holt
John Holt
Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
National Hunt jockey John Derrick Charles Holt held a licence during the 1970s and was associated with Reg Hollinshead’s Upper Longdon stable, near Rugeley, in Staffordshire.
National Hunt jockey John Derrick Charles Holt held a licence during the 1970s and was associated with Reg Hollinshead’s Upper Longdon stable, near Rugeley, in Staffordshire.
He had two winners from 25 rides during the 1972/73 campaign, both of them gained on Hollinshead’s selling hurdler Paradis. The first of those was at Catterick on March 7, 1973, having finished third over course and distance the previous month. The second came ten days later, March 17, at Uttoxeter.
He had two winners from 25 rides during the 1972/73 campaign, both of them gained on Hollinshead’s selling hurdler Paradis. The first of those was at Catterick on March 7, 1973, having finished third over course and distance the previous month. The second came ten days later, March 17, at Uttoxeter.
John relinquished his licence on April 8, 1974, with no further wins to his name.
John relinquished his licence on April 8, 1974, with no further wins to his name.
However, he returned in December 1976, still riding for Reg Hollinshead, and had his first success for that trainer in more than five years when Eldorty stayed on strongly to land the Corvedale Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Ludlow on March 2, 1978. John had ridden him on his eight previous starts that season, usually fading after early prominence. John kept the ride and did finish second once out of four starts, albeit beaten 20 lengths.
However, he returned in December 1976, still riding for Reg Hollinshead, and had his first success for that trainer in more than five years when Eldorty stayed on strongly to land the Corvedale Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2) at Ludlow on March 2, 1978. John had ridden him on his eight previous starts that season, usually fading after early prominence. John kept the ride and did finish second once out of four starts, albeit beaten 20 lengths.
A win later that month in the Warnell Fell Novices’ Hurdle at Carlisle on Easter Monday, March 27, was John’s second of the season. This time he was riding Gordon’s Lad for Motherwell trainer John Wilson and won by 20 lengths.
A win later that month in the Warnell Fell Novices’ Hurdle at Carlisle on Easter Monday, March 27, was John’s second of the season. This time he was riding Gordon’s Lad for Motherwell trainer John Wilson and won by 20 lengths.
Preston trainer Jimmy Wilson then used John’s services to good effect, as he rattled off a hat-trick on the five-year-old Twidale, starting with a narrow victory by a head over Tommy Stack on Hutton Lad in the Radio Leeds Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on May 3, 1978. Fourteen days later came a much more comfortable victory by ten lengths in the Kinross Handicap Hurdle at Perth; and finally there was a winning margin of five lengths in the Headley Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on May 29.
Preston trainer Jimmy Wilson then used John’s services to good effect, as he rattled off a hat-trick on the five-year-old Twidale, starting with a narrow victory by a head over Tommy Stack on Hutton Lad in the Radio Leeds Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on May 3, 1978. Fourteen days later came a much more comfortable victory by ten lengths in the Kinross Handicap Hurdle at Perth; and finally there was a winning margin of five lengths in the Headley Handicap Hurdle at Wetherby on May 29.
The following season was less productive for John with just one success, his last, when Hopeful Lad just got the better of a prolonged duel with Nigel Balmer’s mount Mr Resistor to take the Black Diamond Handicap Hurdle at Southwell on May 7, 1979, by a neck.
The following season was less productive for John with just one success, his last, when Hopeful Lad just got the better of a prolonged duel with Nigel Balmer’s mount Mr Resistor to take the Black Diamond Handicap Hurdle at Southwell on May 7, 1979, by a neck.
John finished with a total of eight winners, having his final ride at Cartmel on Whit Monday, May 25, 1981, when Sandy Sea finished fifth of eleven starters in the Holker Handicap Hurdle.
John finished with a total of eight winners, having his final ride at Cartmel on Whit Monday, May 25, 1981, when Sandy Sea finished fifth of eleven starters in the Holker Handicap Hurdle.
He is not the same John Holt who trained at Hall Farm, Peckleton, near Leicester.
He is not the same John Holt who trained at Hall Farm, Peckleton, near Leicester.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse