Mauritius Turf Club grants British trainer Darryll Holland licence as racing and betting season gains momentum
Former British jockey relocates to Mauritius as wagering activity builds during 2026 campaign.
Mauritius.- Former British jockey and trainer Darryll Holland is set to make a major impact on Mauritius horse racing after securing a trainer’s licence from the Mauritius Turf Club during the island’s 2026 racing and betting season.
Holland secured approval to launch Darryll Holland Stables in Mauritius, bringing one of Britain’s best-known racing figures into the island’s growing horse racing betting market. “I’m pleased to confirm that I intend to establish Darryll Holland Stables in Mauritius and to play an active role in the continued evolution of horseracing at Champ de Mars – one of the world’s oldest and most iconic racecourses, rich in history, tradition and sporting excellence,” said Holland, according to Racing Post.
The move comes as Mauritius’ 2026 racing season started on April 25 and runs through to December 6, with 27 scheduled meetings driving betting activity across the island’s horse racing market.
Holland’s application progressed through the Gambling Regulatory Authority process alongside operational requirements including horse purchase documentation, licence fee payments and a reported Rs3m bank guarantee, according to a report in L’Express Mauritius. The Mauritius Turf Club currently licenses 12 other trainers, with none managing more than 30 horses.
Holland’s relocation marks a significant shift in his career after years operating from Newmarket in the UK. As part of the transition, the 53-year-old has placed his Harraton Court Stables near Newmarket on the market for a reported £1.55m. The 43-box facility housed Holland’s British training operation, where he trained nearly 100 winners since launching the stable in 2021.
Long before becoming a trainer, Holland built a reputation as one of racing’s most travelled jockeys, riding winners across Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, the United States and Mauritius during a career spanning four decades. He also rode more than 1,800 winners in Britain and secured Group 1 victories in France, Germany, Italy and Singapore.
Holland added: “The passion and knowledge of the Mauritian racing public has been central to my decision to return – this time as a trainer – with a long-term commitment to investment, talent development and a positive contribution to the sport.”
