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Patrick Holmes
Patrick Holmes
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Patrick Francis Holmes rode for several seasons under National Hunt rules and had two wins.
Patrick Francis Holmes rode for several seasons under National Hunt rules and had two wins.
He served his apprenticeship with former leading northern jump jockey Jimmy FitzGerald at Malton and had his first ride at Haydock Park on March 5, 1977, when Blue Blood was soon tailed off in the Alice Selling Hurdle.
He served his apprenticeship with former leading northern jump jockey Jimmy FitzGerald at Malton and had his first ride at Haydock Park on March 5, 1977, when Blue Blood was soon tailed off in the Alice Selling Hurdle.
He did not ride a winner until November 7, 1978, when the FitzGerald-trained Magic Tipp ran on well to take the Teesdale Opportunity Handicap Hurdle by four lengths at Sedgefield. He was placed three more times on Magic Tipp before the season ended but without getting his head in front again.
He did not ride a winner until November 7, 1978, when the FitzGerald-trained Magic Tipp ran on well to take the Teesdale Opportunity Handicap Hurdle by four lengths at Sedgefield. He was placed three more times on Magic Tipp before the season ended but without getting his head in front again.
It was another leading northern trainer, Bill Elsey, who supplied Patrick’s other winner when Mickly Acklam stayed on strongly to beat Barleycroft Star by two and a half lengths in the Middlesbrough Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield on May 8, 1979. Patrick had ridden the nine-year-old on his previous start when they were second at Hexham eight days earlier, albeit beaten 15 lengths.
It was another leading northern trainer, Bill Elsey, who supplied Patrick’s other winner when Mickly Acklam stayed on strongly to beat Barleycroft Star by two and a half lengths in the Middlesbrough Opportunity Selling Handicap Hurdle at Sedgefield on May 8, 1979. Patrick had ridden the nine-year-old on his previous start when they were second at Hexham eight days earlier, albeit beaten 15 lengths.
He continued for four more seasons but there were no further wins. His final ride was when finishing sixth on Bromley in the Sprite Long Distance Hurdle at Market Rasen on June 4, 1983, the last day of the season. Tellingly, he was obliged to put up a pound overweight at 10st 8lb, which may have been the reason why he did not renew his licence thereafter.
He continued for four more seasons but there were no further wins. His final ride was when finishing sixth on Bromley in the Sprite Long Distance Hurdle at Market Rasen on June 4, 1983, the last day of the season. Tellingly, he was obliged to put up a pound overweight at 10st 8lb, which may have been the reason why he did not renew his licence thereafter.
Patrick Holmes' first winner, Magic Tipp, Sedgefield, November 7, 1978,
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