Michael Hole
(1941 - 1976)
(1941 - 1976)
Michael Hole was an English apprentice who left for America, rode there for 14 years and made his fortune, winning 2,042 races and achieving earnings of $13,520,479.
Michael Hole was an English apprentice who left for America, rode there for 14 years and made his fortune, winning 2,042 races and achieving earnings of $13,520,479.
He was born in Canterbury on March 29, 1941 and served his apprenticeship with Staff Ingham at Epsom. He rode his first
He was born in Canterbury on March 29, 1941 and served his apprenticeship with Staff Ingham at Epsom. He rode his first
winner on Rosinca in the Apprentice Handicap at Hurst Park on July 24, 1959. His second winner came on Jim Edmunds’ Fair Enchantment at Worcester on June 24, 1961.
winner on Rosinca in the Apprentice Handicap at Hurst Park on July 24, 1959. His second winner came on Jim Edmunds’ Fair Enchantment at Worcester on June 24, 1961.
Having had just those two wins in three seasons’ riding, he could see that his opportunities were limited in Britain. Shortly after that Worcester success he was offered a free trip to New York to deliver a horse. He arrived almost penniless, hitched a lift out to one of the stables and got a job exercising horses.
Having had just those two wins in three seasons’ riding, he could see that his opportunities were limited in Britain. Shortly after that Worcester success he was offered a free trip to New York to deliver a horse. He arrived almost penniless, hitched a lift out to one of the stables and got a job exercising horses.
Eventually he began to get rides. He rode in Maryland for three years and then in New England as a freelance. The winners and the money began to roll in. He moved to ride at the NYRA tracks New York, one of the most competitive jockey colonies in America. He also
Eventually he began to get rides. He rode in Maryland for three years and then in New England as a freelance. The winners and the money began to roll in. He moved to ride at the NYRA tracks New York, one of the most competitive jockey colonies in America. He also
rode regularly at Monmouth Park, Garden State Park and Atlantic City in New Jersey. In the winter, he relocated to Florida where he competed at Gulfstream Park, Hialeah and Tropical Park.
rode regularly at Monmouth Park, Garden State Park and Atlantic City in New Jersey. In the winter, he relocated to Florida where he competed at Gulfstream Park, Hialeah and Tropical Park.
Among his major wins were the 1969 Jersey Derby aboard Al Hattab. On November 8 that year he rode five winners at Garden State Park, four of them in succession.
Among his major wins were the 1969 Jersey Derby aboard Al Hattab. On November 8 that year he rode five winners at Garden State Park, four of them in succession.
In 1971, he took over as the regular rider of the 1970 American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Forward Gal, piloting her to wins in the Comely Stakes, the Gazelle Handicap, the Monmouth Oaks and the Betsy Ross Handicap. He rode in the Kentucky Derby three times, finishing fifth in 1973. He became one of the top five riders in the United States. By the mid-1970s, Michael Hole was a millionaire with homes in New York and Florida and a stud farm in Maryland.
In 1971, he took over as the regular rider of the 1970 American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Forward Gal, piloting her to wins in the Comely Stakes, the Gazelle Handicap, the Monmouth Oaks and the Betsy Ross Handicap. He rode in the Kentucky Derby three times, finishing fifth in 1973. He became one of the top five riders in the United States. By the mid-1970s, Michael Hole was a millionaire with homes in New York and Florida and a stud farm in Maryland.
On April 22, 1976 Michael Hole was found dead in the front seat of his car in a car park at Jones Beach on Long Island, not far from his home in Garden City, New York. His death was reported as suicide by asphyxiation, with the exhaust pipe of his car being found to have been deliberately blocked.
On April 22, 1976 Michael Hole was found dead in the front seat of his car in a car park at Jones Beach on Long Island, not far from his home in Garden City, New York. His death was reported as suicide by asphyxiation, with the exhaust pipe of his car being found to have been deliberately blocked.
There was much speculation about the manner of his death, particularly when a major scandal erupted involving mobster “Fat” Tony Ciulla, a member of the Winter Hill Gang from Boston, Massachusetts. Ciulla admitted to paying jockeys to fix hundreds of races at New York tracks and in five other states in 1974 and 1975.
There was much speculation about the manner of his death, particularly when a major scandal erupted involving mobster “Fat” Tony Ciulla, a member of the Winter Hill Gang from Boston, Massachusetts. Ciulla admitted to paying jockeys to fix hundreds of races at New York tracks and in five other states in 1974 and 1975.
The theory lingers that Michael Hole was a victim of foul play. In November 1978, sports Illustrated reported that trainer John Cotter testified before the New York State Racing and Wagering Board that Michael Hole told him he had been offered $5,000 to stop one of his horses during the 1974 Saratoga meeting but he had refused to do it.
The theory lingers that Michael Hole was a victim of foul play. In November 1978, sports Illustrated reported that trainer John Cotter testified before the New York State Racing and Wagering Board that Michael Hole told him he had been offered $5,000 to stop one of his horses during the 1974 Saratoga meeting but he had refused to do it.
Michael’s son, Taylor Hole, became a jockey and has also ridden 2,000 winners, mostly at the New England tracks of Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park.
Michael’s son, Taylor Hole, became a jockey and has also ridden 2,000 winners, mostly at the New England tracks of Suffolk Downs and Rockingham Park.
