This is the first of a two part article concerning Kevin Holmes. The first will be a career resume, with the second concentrating purely on his World Drivers Championship exploits.
For one who achieved so much in his thirty eight years, it was a tragedy that Kevin Holmes exited this world on Monday 12 October 1981 in Waikato Hospital, Hamilton. Holmes was in hospital receiving treatment for severe facial wounds which he suffered in a shooting incident.
Kevin Holmes, the Cambridge (Tamahere) trainer was a member of the revered “Holmes” NZ harness racing family. He was the son of Yaldhurst trainer Allan Holmes, brother of Graham and Colin Holmes, nephew of the “Maestro” Maurice Holmes and Freeman Holmes and grandson of the legendary “Old” Free Holmes (Freeman Wright). His wife Barbara was a daughter of Alan (Richard Alan) McMillan, also a trainer.
Whilst a book could be written on both Free and Maurice Holmes exploits, space does not permit any expansion, suffice to say they are undoubtedly legends of NZ Harness Racing spanning a great many years (1880’s – mid 1970’s).
Kevin Holmes father Allan’s record is also impressive. The equal-youngest reinsman with James Bryce jnr (1923 Great Hope) to drive a NZ Cup winner when aged twenty one driving Harold Logan, then trained by Dick Humphreys, to win the Cup from 60 yards. Winning a second NZ Cup with Gold Bar (fifth attempt) who he bred, owned and trained in 1945. Gold Bar became the first NZ bred pacer to break 2:00 for a mile with a 1:59.6 time trial at Addington on 2 January 1942. Gold Bar (Grattan Loyal) recorded twenty two victories, later becoming a successful sire – Congo Song, Local Gold, Telluride all won Group One races while his Group One broodmare sire credits included Arania, Dreaming, Flashing Ardri, Globe Score, Hycraft, Jacobite, Medorina, Royal Force, Royal Minstrel, Stormont, Yallara.
Allan Holmes was joint leading reinsman in the 1945/46 season with twenty eight wins along with and Fred “Wizard” Smith); he drove GN Derby winner Local Gold (1945); was a one-time employer of Derek Jones; part owned/trained NZ Derby winners Congo Song (ID heat) and Blue (world mile record for a yearling of 2:09.2, ran fourth as a 3yo in Auckland Cup); sharing in the ownership of Dominion Handicap winner Precaution (1952) and NZ Trotting Stakes – 3 (1987) winner Kami; trainer of Brase, winner of eight including the Forbury 4yo Championship. Allan Holmes died in 1989, at the age of 78.
Kevin Holmes emulated his grandfather Free driving his first winner Implore (tr Ces Donald) at Ashburton in the second division of the Tinwald Hcp on Queens Birthday weekend Saturday (3 June 1961). Grandfather Free had ridden his first winner, a galloper named Our John to victory at Ashburton aged thirteen in 1884. Later the same day Kevin Holmes tasted success for the second time with the dual gaited Ahumai in the Stewards Hcp Trot, also trained by Ces Donald.
In the early nineteen sixties, Holmes spent his time in the Canterbury region working for his boss Ces Donald. Among his numerous driving successes (twenty three in three seasons as a junior driver 60/61 – 62/3) were his first at Addington on 14 April 1962 in Gildirect’s final career victory winning the Williams Hcp from Master Alan (driver uncle Maurice Holmes) and Dandy Briar (driver employer Ces Donald); 1962 Nelson Winter Cup on Congo Boy for Ces Donald; 1963 Canterbury Park Trotting Cup and at the 1964 New Zealand Cup meeting, Worthy Queen and Dominion Handicaps (first Group one race success) with Flaming Way trained by Jim Wilson. In 1965 as trainer/driver of Rannack Song, he won a 2:12 pace (2:11 limit was Cup class) at Addington on the second night of the Easter meeting.
In 1965 Kevin Holmes moved north to Cambridge where he quickly established himself as a top trainer/driver. His first drive in the north was two year old filly Brilliant Rose, unplaced in the first division of the Puhoi Stakes at Alexandra Park in May 1965; others included driving Captain Hal and Persistent for Reuben (Sid) Kemble. Kevin Holmes initially trained on his own at Cambridge, then went into partnership for two years with Colin Butler in the 1970’s and was training for three years with his brother Colin Holmes at the time of his death.
Whilst associated with several top horses during his career, two in particular stand out – Rippers Delight and Testing Times.
Speedy mare Rippers Delight was a top flight filly being the first to complete the unique double of the Great Northern Derby beating several classy colts (Tricky Dick, Final Curtin, Sole Command, Forto Prontezza and fellow filly Dels Dream) and North Island (now GN) Oaks. Only Amazing Dream in 2020 has managed this feat since the mid nineteen seventies. Rippers Delight was the winner of eight races in NZ (four at Alexandra Park) and in addition to GN double won the Ladyship Stakes. In Australia, Rippers Delight took out the heat and final of the NSW Oaks – ten Australian starts for two wins, providing Kevin Holmes with his only NZ Cup drive in 1976 when unplaced – 2:04.7NZ, $38,650. The dam of six foals (first three fillies, second three colts), five raced for four winners
- Franco’s Rebel, two NZ/three VIC, one Moonee Valley wins, 2:04.1, $23,003
- Franco Revel’s, non-winner NZ, nine SA/eight Globe Derby wins, 2:00.8, $40,020
- Rosie Franco, non-winning pacer, $950; dam of fifteen foals, eleven raced for eight winners plus qualifier
- -Franco Regent, seventeen NSW/ten Harold Park wins, 1:56.0, $91,094
- -Rocket Beebee, ten AUS (eight NSW, one Menangle; two QLD, one Albion Park) wins, 1:57.2, $43,007
- -Senorita Franco, two NZ/ten WA, five Gloucester Park wins, 2:01.2, $66,059; dam of five foals, all raced, three winners
- Class and Ahalf, nine WA wins, 2:02.7, $45,293
- Sir Escapealot, eleven WA wins, 2:01.6, $61,581
- -Rosa Franco, unraced dam of five foals, two raced both winners
- Our First Falcon, one Alexandra Park win, North American winner, 1:50.1US, $623,925, NZYSS (Northern Hemisphere Time) – 2
- Our First Fantasy, ten NSW/six Menangle, two Harold Park wins, 1:55.4, $44,180
- Our First Rosa, one start unplaced pacer, dam of
- Rosas First, five VIC wins, 1:56.8, $25,010
- -Radical Franco, dam of five foals, four raced three winners
- Franco Radial, three wins, 2:03.2, $23,394
- Real Radial, three wins, 2:04.1, $17,146; dam of Goldplay, one NZ/thirteen AUS (ten QLD, nine Albion Park; three NSW) wins, 1:53.8, $86,300, Tamworth Gold Guitar
- Gammarads, winner, 1:59.1, $8,270; dam of Flight Officer, non-winner NZ/twelve VIC, one Melton wins, 1:55.5, $83,905
- -Relentless Franco, unraced dam of six foals, four raced all winners plus qualifier
- Fernleigh Raider, non-winner NZ/seven AUS (five VIC, two Globe Derby) wins, 1:57.3, $23,397
- Fernleigh Renegade, seven NZ (two Addington and Alexandra Park)/six Menangle wins, 1:52.2AUS $151,998
- Fernleigh Rebel, two NZ (one Addington)/seventeen AUS (six NSW, three Menangle; eleven WA, ten Gloucester Park)/six NA wins, 1:52.2US, $260,907
- Franco Rayner, one NZ/fifteen WA, nine Gloucester Park/three NA wins, 1:50.0US, $260,056, The Preux Chevalier
The outstanding juvenile Testing Times provided many career highlights for Kevin Holmes, the top 2yo of the 1976-77 season, setting NZ juvenile pacing race record mile of 2:01.6 and winning fourteen races in New Zealand and Australia (unbeaten in four starts). Testing Times was the Schell Hanover gelded son of Emotional (Young Charles/Moody) bred by Taranaki Trotting Club President Geoff MacDonald who purchased Emotional in foal to Tempest Hanover from Bud Baynes of Young Quinn fame. The resultant foal Trying Times, race winner at Timaru trained by Clem Scott was raced by Macdonald and John Valentine, Taranaki TC honorary veterinary surgeon.
Emotional was Schell Hanover’s first mare in NZ and Testing Times was leased by MacDonald and Valentine with a $3,000 right of purchase to Peter Wilson, a neighbour of Clem Scott who was working at Scott’s Makikihi stable in South Canterbury.
Rotorua businessman Colin Johnson, part of the syndicate that raced Rippers Delight requested Holmes to look out for a good youngster to race in partnership with him. Testing Times was effectively third choice after one offered by Clem Scott died a few days after he turned down their offer; their second choice was the previous seasons (1975/6) leading juvenile Bronze Trail (half-brother to Mighty Gay, Dels Dream, Valiant Dream) for whom they offered $30,000 to Te Awamutu breeder/owner/trainer Jack Robb. Robb had a last minute change of mind as the sale was about to be completed.
Clem Scott then contacted Kevin Holmes stating that his offsider Peter Wilson had a youngster that could really fly. After trialling him at Washdyke (Timaru), Wilson exercised his $3,000 right of purchase and sold Testing Times to Holmes and Johnson for $10,000.
Taken north, Holmes immediately set out to time trial Testing Times over a mile at Alexandra Park in an endeavour to lower Blue’s world yearling record of 2:09.2 set at Addington on 6 April 1957. Blue was owned/trained by his father Allan Holmes and driven by his uncle FG [Freeman] Holmes, hence the desire to obtain this record. However, weather conditions at the end of July 1976 were not conducive to breaking any records but despite racing two carts off the fence throughout in showers and on a porridge like track, Testing Times stopped the clock at 2:09.9, just 0.7 second outside the record.
Beginning his two year old career early in the season at Alexandra Park in September 1976, he was unbeaten in his first six starts although one of those was a dead heat in the third of these with Nephew Bye Bye in the Lordship Stakes (standing start). His first defeat came in the NZ Futurity Stakes at Rotorua (grass track) on New Years Eve going under in the last few strides to the talented Gold Rand. Following victory in the Hosking Stakes at Hutt Park, Testing Times established a NZ 2yo record for 1700m of 2:12.1/MR 2:05.0 at the 800m Claudelands track (Hamilton).
His next start at Alexandra Park produced another NZ 2yo record this time over the mile journey when he was victorious in the Cardigan Bay Stakes winning in 2:01.6. This time was 1.9 seconds quicker than recorded only a month earlier by runner up Billy Bruce in the Cambridge 2yo Sakes.
Testing Times then engaged in a four start Australian campaign, starting with the NSW Sapling Stakes at Harold Park where he won one of three heats in the fastest mile rate of 2:07.1. In the $10,000 standing start final he went even quicker with a race record mile rate of 2:05.0. Taken to Victoria for the Tatlow Stakes, Testing Times won his heat at Kilmore with fellow Kiwi Montini Bromac placing third. In the $17,700 final at Moonee Valley he rated a 2:06.5 mile rate for 2000m. At this stage Testing Times had won thirteen (one dead heat) of fourteen starts.
Retuning to NZ and with a two month break between races, he was well beaten (2¼l) into second by Australian owned Red Craze in the Thames Juvenile Stakes at Alexandra Park. Three weeks later in effectively the prelude to the NZ Juvenile Championship, he was back in winning form in the First Foal Stakes. The third defeat of his Australasian 2yo season came in the NZ Juvenile Championship a week later (25 June 1977) where he placed fifth to Lord Module after drawing the inside of the second row, a position from which his winning chances proved limited. At this stage his career record was seventeen starts (four Australia), fourteen wins (four Australia), two seconds and a fifth (NZ : 2.01.6, $14,125 excluding trophies; AUS : 2:05.0, $20,360).
Testing Times now embarked on a North American campaign which was to culminate in the $280,000 Woodrow Wilson Pace at The Meadowlands on 25 July (travel to USA and three races within a month of his last NZ start aged two!!!). He qualified easily in 2:01.6 equalling his NZ record at The Meadowlands but after an unsatisfactory performance in his first USA start was required to qualify again. He placed second to No No Yankee in his $20,000 heat of the Woodrow Wilson (winner paced 1:58.4) and after being caught wide on a wet track in the final, finished eleventh to No No Yankee timed in 1:57.0 (USA 2yo colt/gelding of Year).
By the end of 1977 Testing Times had raced on eight occasions in North America for four wins, US$18,500 and 2yo world records for a gelding of 2:01.2US (half mile) and 1:59.1US (five furlongs; career best). At this time, Holmes persuaded Colin Johnson to allow him to purchase Testing Times outright, proposing to campaign him fulltime like Cambridge trainer Charlie Hunter had done. All things considered, Testing Times was put through a quite punishing campaign as a two year old racing from September 1976 in NZ through until late 1977 in North America (twenty five starts in all).
Testing Times raced again in January 1978 (aged three) placing second, fifth and sixth before being put out for a long spell. Eventually sold by Holmes before pushing his total earnings past the $100,000 mark ($147,837). Holmes became a frequent visitor to North America being active in the export field.
Other key performers for Holmes as trainer/driver included Tonton Macoute, 1973 NZ Messenger winner (finished second but Hi Foyle relegated to fifth for interference); Flagon Wagon in the Cambridge Trotters (McMillan Flying) Mile in 1979; Cardigan Bay 3yo Stakes at Hutt Park with Lordy Boy in 1973 plus numerous North Island provincial Cups in the 1970’s including three Hawera Cups with Scottish Crusader (1972), General Gyrone (1973) and Waiata Nui (1975); two Rotorua Cups with Marshal Hanover (1975) and Vanavara (1976); Taranaki Cup in 1979 with Hanover Scottish.
Driver only of Leroy, 1968 NZ Derby for trainer and part owner Joe Goodyer; Cambridge Trotters (McMillan Flying) Mile with Uteena (1970 for trainer Owen Quinlan. Trainer only of Ryal Pont in the 1979 NZ Sires Produce 3yo Stakes, driven by John Langdon although Holmes often drove him himself.
Holmes also drove winners in America, Europe (two day driving series in Finland and Norway), Australia and Macau. In New Zealand he drove 393 winners (23 as a junior) for stakes of $667k; approximately five hundred world-wide while as a trainer in New Zealand he produced 310 winners (203 on his own account; 69 in partnership with Colin Butler and 38 with his brother Colin).
Kevin Holmes represented NZ in the 1978 World Drivers Championships in North America becoming the first NZ winner, while in 1979 when defending his title in Australia and NZ he finished runner up to Norwegian Ulf Thoresen.
In December 1978, Kevin Holmes was voted the NZ Trotting Hall of Fame’s Celebrity of the Year.
Kevin Holmes died on 12 October 1981, survived by his wife Barbara and their two children.
Peter Craig
26 August 2020
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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