Life has come full circle for English jockey Tom Marquand as he prepares to reunite with the horse that launched him into the international spotlight.
Marquand took Sydney racing by storm last autumn, landing the first Group One win of his career aboard Addeybb in the Ranvet Stakes and adding a Queen Elizabeth victory for good measure.
It was a breakthrough carnival and accelerated his rise through the global jockey ranks.
Marquand has continued to kick goals in his homeland and combined with Addeybb for another elite race win in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October.
Both jockey and horse have returned to where it all began, Marquand emerging from quarantine last week, while Addeybb arrived in Sydney on Monday to prepare for a defence of his Group One crowns.
He is a nominal favourite for both the Ranvet and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, ahead of Verry Elleegant, but Marquand is taking the pressure of expectation in his stride.
“Expectation is going to come with success,” Marquand said.
“It was a great year at home once I got back, once racing got back off the ground again and Sydney and Addeybb probably both really helped that.”
Verry Elleegant finished in Addeybb’s wake in both Sydney races last year but like the seven-year-old, she has since enhanced her record with another four Group One wins including the 2020 Caulfield Cup.
Their autumn rematch is shaping as one of the highlights of the racing year and Marquand can’t wait.
“Verry Elleegant is an exceptional mare. She’s won seven Group Ones now which is pretty incredible,” Marquand said.
“Who doesn’t want two world-class athletes coming together on the final day when it matters?”
The $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) is at Randwick on April 10, three weeks after the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.
Life has come full circle for English jockey Tom Marquand as he prepares to reunite with the horse that launched him into the international spotlight.
Marquand took Sydney racing by storm last autumn, landing the first Group One win of his career aboard Addeybb in the Ranvet Stakes and adding a Queen Elizabeth victory for good measure.
It was a breakthrough carnival and accelerated his rise through the global jockey ranks.
Marquand has continued to kick goals in his homeland and combined with Addeybb for another elite race win in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October.
Both jockey and horse have returned to where it all began, Marquand emerging from quarantine last week, while Addeybb arrived in Sydney on Monday to prepare for a defence of his Group One crowns.
He is a nominal favourite for both the Ranvet and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, ahead of Verry Elleegant, but Marquand is taking the pressure of expectation in his stride.
“Expectation is going to come with success,” Marquand said.
“It was a great year at home once I got back, once racing got back off the ground again and Sydney and Addeybb probably both really helped that.”
Verry Elleegant finished in Addeybb’s wake in both Sydney races last year but like the seven-year-old, she has since enhanced her record with another four Group One wins including the 2020 Caulfield Cup.
Their autumn rematch is shaping as one of the highlights of the racing year and Marquand can’t wait.
“Verry Elleegant is an exceptional mare. She’s won seven Group Ones now which is pretty incredible,” Marquand said.
“Who doesn’t want two world-class athletes coming together on the final day when it matters?”
The $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) is at Randwick on April 10, three weeks after the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.
Written by Mandy Cottell
