Holts moving south to Sunshine Coast

North Queensland trainer Georgie Holt and her jockey husband Aidan will relocate their stable from Townsville to Caloundra later this year, with the move predominantly driven by family and lifestyle.

The Holts, who currently lead the Cluden Park trainers’ premiership and have won two previous local titles, plan to reduce their team from 21 horses to about 10 as they establish themselves on the Sunshine Coast, they told Racing Queensland.

The stable has been one of the dominant forces in North Queensland over the past decade, winning multiple feature races including the Northern Jewel QTIS 3YO Handicap, Townsville Lightning and QTIS 2YO Classic, although the Townsville Cup and Cleveland Handicap have eluded them.

Better Blitzem, a winner of five of eight starts, is expected to spearhead the team’s move south, with only horses considered capable of measuring up in South East Queensland set to make the trip.

While Georgie Holt intends to operate a smaller stable initially, Aidan is expected to expand his riding opportunities after reviving his career, having ridden 80 winners this season following an earlier battle with weight.