Top jockey arrested in connection with counterfeit cash investigation

Leading jockey Darryll Holland was arrested in connection with passing counterfeit cash in Cyprus, his manager said today.

Peter Merchant said he was hoping Holland, 37 would be released by police on Thursday.

Holland was with a friend in the Kyrenia area of northern Cyprus last week when they were both arrested on suspicion of trying to pass counterfeit cash, Mr Merchant said.

He told 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.”

Mr Merchant added: “There is not a problem at all. Because the two of them happened to be standing together it looks as though there was two of them doing what this other one was caught for – this other rogue, whoever he is.”

Holland and his friend, John Tabor, were arrested on October 27, the British Foreign Office confirmed.

A spokeswoman said: “We are providing consular assistance and next of kin have been informed.”

It is understood the men were arrested on suspicion of being in possession of counterfeit US dollars.