FORMER Marlwood School pupil Harry Derham is not rushing into any hasty decisions about his future career after announcing his retirement from the saddle at the age of just 19.

A heavy fall from Fox Run at Chepstow last October, where the horse lost his life, gave Derham an injury but caused a more lasting affect on his confidence in the saddle.

Riding largely for his uncle, Olveston-born champion trainer Paul Nicholls, Derham finished with exactly 50 winners under Rules and many National Hunt highlights, as well as being a star on the pony racing and point-to-point circuits.

He landed the December Gold Cup on Unioniste, the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle on Brampour and had a Cheltenham Festival success on Salubrious.

"After what happened to Fox Run, I'd be lying if I said it didn't affect me," said Derham.

"I don't think I was riding with the same confidence as I was before, and that becomes something you have to consider very seriously as I was in a very privileged position.

"Paul has been absolutely brilliant, he said that there's a job for me at the yard for as long as I want it, and I want to keep working.

"I'm young, and I've got lots of options to weigh up. Racing will always be a passion and it just depends if I can find a job that suits me. I'd be very silly to say that I wouldn't want another job in racing, we'll just see what happens."

Reflecting on his career, Derham said: "I'd have to say Brampour in the Greatwood was the highlight. I was just starting out, and it was my first big winner at Cheltenham. It doesn't get any better than that."

Nicholls was aware that Derham was having second thoughts about his future during the summer and has offered plenty of support to his nephew.

"When he told me was was thinking of giving up I advised him not to make a hasty decision. But I think his mind was already made up and obviously I respect his decision," Nicholls wrote on his website.

"Harry knows there will always be a job here for him. He is a brilliant schooling jockey, and will continue to ride out for me while he ponders what to do next. Harry has been involved at Ditcheat one way or another from the age of 11 and many TV viewers will remember the sight of him running enthusiastically alongside some of our biggest winners at Cheltenham as a youngster as they came back to unsaddle.

"He progressed to winning 20 races on the pony racing circuit before joining me as an amateur jockey as soon as he possibly could, then quickly progressing as a talented conditional.

"We enjoyed a lot of success together and I will always be here to offer advice if he needs it."