Jockey Q&A: 'They were sweating in bins - I couldn't believe it the first time I saw it'

Over the next few weeks we will bring you a series of app-exclusive Q&As with pro punters, trainers and jockeys which will offer unrivalled insight to our sport. This series continues this week with jockeys. Today: Tom Marquand

Who's the best horse you've ever ridden?

Addeybb. We've won four Group 1s in Britain and Australia and that's a pretty good effort!

Which winner has given you the most satisfaction?

Addeybb's second Queen Elizabeth over at Randwick last April. The build-up was pretty brutal – he was beaten by Verry Elleegant on his first run back in the Ranvet and then racing was put back a week because of the rain that we wanted. We ended up running on good ground and there were plenty of things going wrong, so to turn the form around was brilliant. It's probably one of the most satisfying days I'll have.

Who's your favourite horse of all time?

It has to be Addeybb! He's done a lot for my career. He came at a time when I was just out of my claim and I needed a top horse to take me to another level and he really stepped in at the right moment.

What's the hardest course to ride?

Goodwood. I love it but you have to be on the ball and ride with confidence.

Which horse was your most difficult ride?

Yazaman. He tormented me for a season – he went so close on so many occasions. It may not have been at the highest level but he nearly won at Royal Ascot and a nice sales race as a two-year-old. I never got him quite right and no-one has managed to do so yet either.

If you could ride one race again, what would it be?

The Sprint Cup at Haydock last year. Nothing went particularly wrong but I'd love to have another crack at it. It was Starman's last chance of winning a Group 1 and it feels wrong he only won one in his career.

What's the funniest thing you've seen on a racecourse?

Jockeys sweating in bins. It happens in Australia and was brought up in our meeting earlier in the year when the BHA decided to take saunas off us. In Sydney, you would be riding around for four million dollars but, with no saunas, jockeys sit in two dustbins upsides each other under the shower and just sweat. I couldn't believe it the first time I saw it. People think it's a glamorous life being a jockey but the reality is it's not quite like that.

Who's your idea of a winner on Champions Day?

I’m hoping Sea La Rosa can go well in the Fillies & Mares Stakes. She put up a massive performance in France last time and hopefully she can back that up two weeks on.

Can you give us a horse to follow for 2023?

My Prospero. He's a talented horse, lightly raced and one to look forward to next year.

Read more jockey Q&As:

Harry Cobden: 'He'd never won over fences before that race and we fancied him' 

Tom Scudamore: 'I'd love to think he will improve some more at his age - he's exciting' 

Hollie Doyle: 'It was a huge task carrying so much weight - it's a day I won't forget'  

Sam Twiston-Davies: 'Paul Nicholls wasn't happy - and I wasn't best pleased either'