Holders (10, 30, 50, 60 and 100( for releasably holding annuloplasty rings (62, 131, 141, 151, 161, 181, 191, 201, 211, 221, 231, 241) prior to and during the implantation of the rings employ any of a variety of features relating to such things as holder shape, handle attachment structures, securement of a ring to the holder, and release of the ring from the holder. In one aspect, the holder (10, 30, 50, 60 and 100) includes a flexible bracket (11, 31, 51, 61, and 101) and a more rigid connector (15, 35, 55, 67, 105). In another aspect, the holder (10, 30, 50, 60 and 100) includes a flexible bracket (11, 31, 51, 61, and 101) and cutting blocks (17, 37, 57, and 107), wherein the interior surface (108) of the cutting block is made of a higher durometer material than the bracket. The interior surface (108) of the cutting block (17, 37, 57, and 107) can be coated with a higher durometer material than the material of the bracket. In another aspect, the holder (10, 30, 50, 60 and 100) includes a flexible bracket (11, 31, 51, 61, and 101) and cutting blocks (17, 37, 57, and 107) made of a higher durometer material than the flexible bracket.
