Free Holmes

Freeman Wright Holmes (6 June 1871–21 February 1967), better known as Free Holmes was a New Zealand jockey, horse driver, trainer and breeder. He was born in Ashburton, South Canterbury, New Zealand on 6 June 1871.[1]

Freeman Wright Holmes
Full nameFreeman Wright Holmes
OccupationJockey
Born(1871-06-06)6 June 1871
Ashburton, South Canterbury, New Zealand
Died21 February 1967(1967-02-21) (aged 95)

He was known as "The Grand Old Man of Trotting".

He is notable for being both a champion driver and formerly a champion jockey. He won a unique double of the New Zealand Cup in 1888 for thoroughbreds, at Riccarton, riding Manton, and in 1919 driving Trix Pointer to win the NZ Trotting Cup at the Addington Raceway.[2] As a jockey, he also won the 1894 Grand National Hurdles and 1895 Great Northern Hurdles and Great Northern Steeplechase with Liberator.[3] He also won two Auckland Trotting Cups.

"Old Free" as he was reverently known in the trotting fraternity was also an expert in the management of thoroughbred horses. He successful raced, trained and owned horses both over the fences and on the flat. He also rode and drove trotters.[4] His son Maurice Holmes was also a driving legend.

Major wins

See also

References
  1. Bisman, Ron. "Freeman Wright Holmes". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  2. "Unique double for Free Holmes". Archived from the original on 16 October 2008. Retrieved 4 May 2009.
  3. "Free Holmes jockey and driver". Archived from the original on 20 August 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2009.
  4. Free Holmes - Grand Old Man of Trotting Archived 2008-10-17 at the Wayback Machine
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.