FORMER JOCKEY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 100, 30 March 1937, Page 9

FORMER JOCKEY.

DEATH OF W. HOLMES. The death occurred in Christchurch on Saturday of Mr W. Holmes, at the age of 56 years. Mr Holmes was known throughout New Zealand as one of the most accomplished jockeys of his day, and received a thorough education under R. J. Mason at Yaldhurst. At a time when Mr G. G. Stead had a very strong team of horses in commission, Holmes was second horseman to the stable. R Derrett being first call. Holmes was only a lightweight when riding, and even in later years did not scale more than Bst. The most important races he won included the C.J.C. Welcome Stakes on Tolstoi, the C.J.C. Oaks on Gladsome, the Canterbury Cup on Multiform, the Winter Cup on Spider, the Groat Autumn Handicap on Gold Leaf, the C.J.C. Champagne Stakes on Screw Gun and Formosan, the D.J.C. Handicap and Dunedin Cup on Starshot, the A.R.C. Royal Stakes on Screw Gun, the Hawke's Bay Stakes on Multiform, the North Island Challenge Stakes on Screw Gun and Formosan, and the Wellington Stakes on Tigress and Courtier.

After he retired from active race riding he still kept a live interest in horses, and at one lime took a number of horses and raced them at meeting in Soutli America. In fhe Great War Holmes saw service with mounted regiments in Palestine, and wbb invalided home. He had been in illhealth for some time and His death was not unexpected.