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Ken Holmes
Ken Holmes
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Ken Holmes rode two winners on the Flat in the early 1970s and then added one more over jumps.
Ken Holmes rode two winners on the Flat in the early 1970s and then added one more over jumps.
Apprenticed to leading jumps trainer Gordon W. Richards, who also enjoyed a fair measure of success on the Flat, Ken had his first winner when Hassan scored by a head in the Codsall Apprentice Selling Handicap at Wolverhampton on August 3, 1971, despite hanging left inside the final furlong. The nine-year-old had finished last of six on his only other start that season under Derby-winning jockey Ernie Johnson.
Apprenticed to leading jumps trainer Gordon W. Richards, who also enjoyed a fair measure of success on the Flat, Ken had his first winner when Hassan scored by a head in the Codsall Apprentice Selling Handicap at Wolverhampton on August 3, 1971, despite hanging left inside the final furlong. The nine-year-old had finished last of six on his only other start that season under Derby-winning jockey Ernie Johnson.
He had to wait more than a year for a follow-up success but it finally came at Newcastle on August 26, 1972, when Le Coq D’Or took the lead two furlongs out in the Blackgate Handicap and held off the strong challenge of Ribston, ridden by perennial ‘Cock of the North’ Edward Hide, to win by a length. That was Ken’s last win on the Flat.
He had to wait more than a year for a follow-up success but it finally came at Newcastle on August 26, 1972, when Le Coq D’Or took the lead two furlongs out in the Blackgate Handicap and held off the strong challenge of Ribston, ridden by perennial ‘Cock of the North’ Edward Hide, to win by a length. That was Ken’s last win on the Flat.
Turning to jumps and by then associated with the stables of John Thorne at Kilve, near Bridgwater, in Somerset, Ken had his first ride under National Hunt rules on Overcliffe, finishing fifth in the Bull Barn Novices’ Hurdle (Division 3) at Plumpton on April 3, 1973.
Turning to jumps and by then associated with the stables of John Thorne at Kilve, near Bridgwater, in Somerset, Ken had his first ride under National Hunt rules on Overcliffe, finishing fifth in the Bull Barn Novices’ Hurdle (Division 3) at Plumpton on April 3, 1973.
His sole victory over jumps came on September 14, 1973, when the four-year-old Probphoon was a comfortable winner of the Bideford Juvenile Selling Hurdle at Newton Abbot. There were only two rivals and the winning margin was 25 lengths. It was a desperately poor race. Probphoon had not been placed in nine starts the previous season yet still started the evens favourite.
His sole victory over jumps came on September 14, 1973, when the four-year-old Probphoon was a comfortable winner of the Bideford Juvenile Selling Hurdle at Newton Abbot. There were only two rivals and the winning margin was 25 lengths. It was a desperately poor race. Probphoon had not been placed in nine starts the previous season yet still started the evens favourite.
Ken kept the ride for the Probphoon’s five subsequent starts which yielded three second places and two falls. He persevered but had few further opportunities.
Ken kept the ride for the Probphoon’s five subsequent starts which yielded three second places and two falls. He persevered but had few further opportunities.
He eventually returned to the north and rode for Joe Mulhall, with his final mount coming at Teesside Park on April 26, 1977, when Andbecca finished tailed off in the Cricket Club Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2).
He eventually returned to the north and rode for Joe Mulhall, with his final mount coming at Teesside Park on April 26, 1977, when Andbecca finished tailed off in the Cricket Club Novices’ Hurdle (Division 2).
Ken's only NH winner, Probphoon, came at Newton Abbot, 14 September 1973
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