Jockey Holland in fake cash probe

By Frank Keogh

Holland has had 72 winners from 500 rides this season

Jockey Darryll Holland has denied any wrongdoing after being arrested over claims of passing counterfeit cash in Cyprus, his manager said on Saturday.

Peter Merchant said he hoped the former champion apprentice Flat jockey would be released by police on Thursday.

The Newmarket-based English rider was with a friend in the Kyrenia area of northern Cyprus last week when they were both arrested, Mr Merchant said.

Manchester-born Holland, 37, missed his four rides at Newmarket on Saturday.

Mr Merchant insisted: "There was no problem at all".

He told the At The Races website: "It appears the guy was in a shop buying mobiles or whatever it was and paid for it with this money and Darryll was just stood there, as it were.

"Obviously they swiped the money and found out it was fraud, called the police and they were both arrested.

"They've taken them inside from there and they were both searched and this guy obviously had this money on him but they found Darryll was clean. He didn't have anything on him."

It is understood the police are investigating the alleged use of counterfeit US dollars.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are providing consular assistance and next of kin have been informed."

The jockey, who could face jail if found guilty, had been due to ride Fanunalter in the 1405 GMT, Bushman at 1435, Dark Eyes at 1510 and Swift Chap in the 1615 at Newmarket.

Holland is one of the top jockeys riding in the UK and his 21 Group One victories have include the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot and York's Juddmonte International on Falbrav.

He narrowly missed out on winning the Epsom Derby in 2006 when 66-1 outsider Dragon Dancer was beaten a short head by Sir Percy.

His last ride was on 24 October when he guided 10-1 shot Fantasy Explorer to victory at Kempton.

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