THE man they call the "Galloping Grandad" has retired, after a record-breaking career in the world's oldest horse race.

The historic Kiplingcotes Derby has seen horses raced across four miles of Yorkshire Wolds farmland every year since 1519.

And 2006 proved no exception, as nine hardy riders braved bitterly cold winds and even snow showers to complete the gruelling course.

Among them was Derby veteran Ken Holmes, of Cliffe, near Selby. Now 74 years old, and with ten wins under his belt, Ken has earned himself the nicknames "Galloping Grandad", "Mr Kiplingcotes" and even "Rebel Rider", for his defiance of foot and mouth restrictions which kept the East Yorkshire race alive in 2001.

In this, his last race, he romped home in a respectable third place, on his thoroughbred Monty.

Cheering him on was his partner, Moira Emmett. She said: "He loves Kiplingcotes, but there is a lot of work involved, and I think he's done enough now.

"I'm so proud of him, but he's starting to get aches and pains, and you do have to be supremely fit to compete in this."

Hundreds of spectators lined the narrow country lanes near Market Weighton that make up the legendary course.

Two police officers were deployed to stop traffic on the busy A614 road to make sure the riders could cross in safety. Sergeant Richard Scott, of Beverley Police, said: "We were there to make sure the race ran smoothly and safely across the A614. It's a great event, and we have been looking forward to it."

Ken was pipped at the post by race newcomer 19-year-old Katie Croft, of Etton, near Market Weighton, who rode Etton Lad to victory. Laura Crawford, on Cool Affair, came in second.

But the crowd's biggest cheers were saved for Ken.

After the race, he said: "I think I have had enough now. You can't go on forever. I've got some wonderful memories of Kiplingcotes over the years."

Ken said his proudest Derby moment came in 1994, when he broke the previous record of six race wins.

At the finish line, an exhausted Katie told the Evening Press: "It feels absolutely fantastic to have won. It really hasn't sunk in yet." She promised to return to compete in the 2007 Kiplingcotes Derby next year.

Updated: 10:08 Friday, March 17, 2006