Name Maurice Holmes Role Harness racer | Died 1998 | |
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Maurice Francis Tancred "Morrie" Holmes (10 November 1908 – 7 July 1998) was a driver of standardbred racehorses in New Zealand. He was associated with many champions and was a leading driver of harness horses in New Zealand. His father Free Holmes was also a driving legend.
Owing to his skill, Holmes was known as "the Maestro". As at 1998, he was the most successful reinsman in the history of trotting of New Zealand dating back to the 1860s. He drove 1666 winners and amassed $2,054,555 in stake money over 49 years.
His long career lasted from 1925 to 1974, and a career spanning 44 years at the top. On his very last night at the Alexandra Park Raceway, he drove four winners from eight starters. As of 2014 Maurice Holmes still holds the record for the most number of Driving Premiership wins as he won his 18th title in his final year of driving in 1974. He also holds the record for the most number of wins in the group 1 New Zealand Derby with 11 outright victories and one dead heat. Holmes also became the first driver to win two Interdominion pacing grand finals winning with Pot Luck in 1938 and Vedette in 1951.
In the 1975 New Year Honours, Holmes was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to New Zealand trotting.