Sidney Holt
Sidney Holt
Sidney Holt
Article by Alan Trout
Article by Alan Trout
Born in 1892, National Hunt jockey Sidney Holt rode seven winners, including one at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting, during a career that lasted for much of the 1920s.
Born in 1892, National Hunt jockey Sidney Holt rode seven winners, including one at Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting, during a career that lasted for much of the 1920s.
He made an ignominious start to his career when his mount Dandy Jack, the 33-1 outsider in a field of three, was a faller in the Portlane Selling Chase at Kempton Park on February 27, 1920. He won his first race at the Isle of Wight meeting on October 6, 1921, when Jacob II landed the Bonchurch Local Hurdle, on his first race under National Hunt rules, by two lengths.
He made an ignominious start to his career when his mount Dandy Jack, the 33-1 outsider in a field of three, was a faller in the Portlane Selling Chase at Kempton Park on February 27, 1920. He won his first race at the Isle of Wight meeting on October 6, 1921, when Jacob II landed the Bonchurch Local Hurdle, on his first race under National Hunt rules, by two lengths.
More than three years elapsed before Sidney rode another winner but then he rode four within two months. The long wait ended at Lingfield Park on January 21, 1935, when Sir Eyre, trained by Owen Stanley at Sevenoaks, won the Newchapel Selling Chase, beating three rivals, two of whom failed to finish. Owen Stanley had won three races on Sir Eyre the previous season but this time elected to partner another of his charges, White Cockade, who finished second, beaten two lengths.
More than three years elapsed before Sidney rode another winner but then he rode four within two months. The long wait ended at Lingfield Park on January 21, 1935, when Sir Eyre, trained by Owen Stanley at Sevenoaks, won the Newchapel Selling Chase, beating three rivals, two of whom failed to finish. Owen Stanley had won three races on Sir Eyre the previous season but this time elected to partner another of his charges, White Cockade, who finished second, beaten two lengths.
At the same course the following day, Sidney scored again when St Endas narrowly won the Tower Selling Chase, beating Glengarry II, the mount of top amateur Harry Atherton Brown, by a short head. Again, the horse’s trainer Owen Stanley was usually in the saddle, but Sidney benefited for a second time.
At the same course the following day, Sidney scored again when St Endas narrowly won the Tower Selling Chase, beating Glengarry II, the mount of top amateur Harry Atherton Brown, by a short head. Again, the horse’s trainer Owen Stanley was usually in the saddle, but Sidney benefited for a second time.
Two days later, Sidney and St Endas finished second, beaten three lengths, at Windsor, then returned to winning ways in the Experimental Handicap Chase at Sandown on February 6, with a comfortable six-length success.
Two days later, Sidney and St Endas finished second, beaten three lengths, at Windsor, then returned to winning ways in the Experimental Handicap Chase at Sandown on February 6, with a comfortable six-length success.
On the third day of Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting, Thursday, March 12, Sidney rode the eleven-year-old Fair View, also trained by Owen Stanley, to beat eight rivals in the Newent Selling Handicap Chase, winning by four lengths. Fair View did not run again until December that year but proved he was no back number by giving Sidney his first win in nearly eleven months with a one-length success in the Chelmsford Handicap Chase at that course on February 10, 1926, beating the 6-4 favourite Sir Shaun, ridden by Ted Leader, who went on to be champion jockey that season.
On the third day of Cheltenham’s National Hunt meeting, Thursday, March 12, Sidney rode the eleven-year-old Fair View, also trained by Owen Stanley, to beat eight rivals in the Newent Selling Handicap Chase, winning by four lengths. Fair View did not run again until December that year but proved he was no back number by giving Sidney his first win in nearly eleven months with a one-length success in the Chelmsford Handicap Chase at that course on February 10, 1926, beating the 6-4 favourite Sir Shaun, ridden by Ted Leader, who went on to be champion jockey that season.
That was Sidney’s only win of the 1925/26 campaign. More than a year passed before his seventh and final victory, which was at the Norwich Hunt meeting at Hethersett on April 21, 1927, finishing alone on St Valentine, again trained by Owen Stanley, in a match for the Open Hunters’ Optional Selling Chase, his opponent Don Quichotte II, having fallen.
That was Sidney’s only win of the 1925/26 campaign. More than a year passed before his seventh and final victory, which was at the Norwich Hunt meeting at Hethersett on April 21, 1927, finishing alone on St Valentine, again trained by Owen Stanley, in a match for the Open Hunters’ Optional Selling Chase, his opponent Don Quichotte II, having fallen.
Sidney did not hold a licence for the next couple of seasons but returned for a few more rides, the last being Lady Bickley, who finished unplaced in the Buckden Selling Handicap Hurdle on Easter Monday, April 21, 1930.
Sidney did not hold a licence for the next couple of seasons but returned for a few more rides, the last being Lady Bickley, who finished unplaced in the Buckden Selling Handicap Hurdle on Easter Monday, April 21, 1930.
Sidney Holt’s wins were, in chronological order:
Sidney Holt’s wins were, in chronological order:
1. Jacob II, Isle of Wight, October 6, 1921
1. Jacob II, Isle of Wight, October 6, 1921
2. Sir Eyre, Lingfield Park, January 21, 1925
2. Sir Eyre, Lingfield Park, January 21, 1925
3. St Endas, Lingfield Park, January 22, 1925
3. St Endas, Lingfield Park, January 22, 1925
4. St Endas, Sandown Park, February 6, 1925
4. St Endas, Sandown Park, February 6, 1925
5. Fair View, Cheltenham, March 12, 1925
5. Fair View, Cheltenham, March 12, 1925
6. Fair View, Chelmsford, February 10, 1926
6. Fair View, Chelmsford, February 10, 1926
7. St Valentine, Norwich Hunt (Hethersett), April 21, 1927
7. St Valentine, Norwich Hunt (Hethersett), April 21, 1927
Fair View, Cheltenham, March 12, 1925
Fair View, Cheltenham, March 12, 1925