'I hope I get my chance one day': Marquand phlegmatic about losing Derby ride

Tom Marquand has wished the best of luck to connections of English King and says he respects their decision to jock him off the Investec Derby favourite in favour of Frankie Dettori.

Marquand has enjoyed a phenomenal 2020, scoring his first two Group 1 wins on Addeybb in Australia and breaking his Royal Ascot duck on Who Dares Wins on Saturday.

He was two from two on the Ed Walker-trained English King, having been on board for his Newcastle maiden win and the Lingfield Derby Trial victory that saw Bjorn Nielsen's colt leap into the Classic reckoning.

Frankie Dettori will now partner English King in the Investec DerbyCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

But, with the 22-year-old yet to experience either of the Epsom Classics, Walker chose to give Dettori the ride for the Derby on July 4.

Marquand, champion apprentice in 2015, is disappointed to miss the opportunity of his first Derby ride but understands the reasoning and will continue to ride for Walker.

Marquand said on Monday: "It's a shame but I fully respect their decision and I can only wish them the best of luck. English King looks an exciting Derby prospect. Frankie's had a lot of luck and success for Bjorn Nielsen and I wish everyone good luck.

"This is the Derby and it's not something to be taken lightly. This is a competitive sport and there's a lot riding on these decisions. I've just got to hope that I get my chance one day. That's the way I've got to look at it – it's just one of those things."

This month Marquand had his first ride for Aidan O'Brien aboard Royal Dornoch in the 2,000 Guineas. He has ridden 25 winners in Britain this year, including a treble at Kempton on Sunday.

The decision to replace Marquand with Dettori on English King has generated plenty of debate. Here are a selection of thoughts from some of the users on our Raceday Live service...

'Why not have the best jockey in the world for the big occasion?'

Chris Dettori has history with the owner winning three Gold Cups and all those other races on Stradivarius. Also, he is the best jockey around and any owner who has a horse with a chance to win the Derby would be mad not to get him. Dettori is the man.

Cliff Tom Marquand will have plenty of Derbys ahead of him and you need a cool head at Epsom. There’s only one Derby so why not have the best jockey in the world for the big occasion?

Paul Marquand is 22 and a very good rider. His turn awaits.
Dettori, however, is the man for the big occasion and since Piggott, I don’t recall any other jockey with his balance. He seems to find the core of the horse and they respond. May he continue well into his fifties.

'Why break up a winning combination?'

John I would stick with Tom Marquand as he is a big-time jockey too. They didn’t fly Frankie out to Australia to ride Addeybb.

Dawn How can young riders get the wind under their belt if they keep getting swept aside for older jockeys?

Mark Marquand has done nothing wrong. When are these young jockeys going to get their big breaks? I know Frankie is riding well, but I really feel Tom deserved his chance. We should support young up-and-coming jockeys.

Gary Whether Dettori is the best option is open to debate at 49 years of age. He's been there, done it and got the t-shirt, but his stats in the Derby are by no means impeccable. It took him 15 goes to ride a Derby winner. If I owned English King I would have left Marquand on board. Why break up a winning combination?

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