Episode 446: Betty Lane Holland OAM

The Australian Turf Club moved swiftly to honour Betty Lane Holland following the passing of the trailblazing horse trainer on October 22nd at the remarkable age of 97. Just three days later they attached her distinguished name to a three year old race at the Kensington midweek meeting, and the script couldn’t have worked out better. The winner Sly Boots and third place getter Vanquished are both trained by the Waterhouse/Bott duo while Anabel Neasham prepares runner up Cheergal.

It was a nervous Betty Lane who turned up right on time for her appointment with the AJC Licensing Committee one day in 1962. She was asked by the six man panel to explain why she should be allowed to train racehorses in Sydney. They listened to her well prepared plea before politely announcing that it wasn’t the policy of the AJC to license female trainers, and wasn’t likely to be in the future. The feisty 40 something year old, had no intention of abandoning her life’s dream.

She raked up enough money to buy a tiny property with humble infrastructure in the tiny village of Geurie between Dubbo and Wellington. She gained accreditation from both the WDRA and CWRA and set about training winners. With three western premierships under the belt, Betty popped another written application in the mail to the AJC Licensing Committee. This time they acquiesced and Mrs Betty Lane became the first female to gain an AJC Licence, upgraded to a No 1 brief seven years later. 

With husband “Tiger” Holland by her side and devoid of support from wealthy owners, Betty Lane went on to make an indelible mark in the Sydney training ranks. “Tiger” predeceased her fifteen years ago. In retirement Betty busied herself visiting friends, playing her beloved game of bridge and completing her popular autobiography “I Did It Their (My) Way). Betty was 92 years old when I asked her to join me for a podcast chat in 2018. I had to talk her into it, but once she started reminiscing, the grand dame of Australia’s female training ranks had the time of her life. I’m privileged to post that podcast again by way of our tribute to a remarkable lady.