He rose through the commentating ranks quickly, and was race-calling alongside Graham Goode for the SIS feed for the Grand National in 1990.
He replaced Raleigh Gilbert as Channel 4's second commentator, calling the first part of the race at tracks such as Newmarket before handing over to Goode in the grandstand.
Holt became the main commentator from the beginning of 2000, and his first meeting as Channel 4's senior race-caller came at Uttoxeter for the 'new millennium's first race-meeting'.
He covered many important events for Channel 4 including the Cheltenham Festival, 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas, St Leger, King George VI Chase and, from 2007, Glorious Goodwood.
In October 2010, Holt commentated on some of the minor sports, including bowls, at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi for the BBC.