Kieran Shoemark will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing week when he travels to Paris on Sunday to ride at Longchamp. Trainer Charlie Fellowes has put his faith in the jockey as he prepares to saddle runners in the French versions of the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas.
Shoemark was axed as John and Thady Gosden’s retained jockey earlier this week after coming under fire for his ride on Field Of Gold in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. The 29-year-old misjudged his ride on the favourite, having to settle behind Ruling Court after giving him first run.
On Wednesday, the father and son trainers announced that they would revert to booking the best possible jockey for their runners, rather than Shoemark. John Gosden said: “There is no fallout but it is the ramifications of what happened over the weekend. We’ll now use the best available.”
Shoemark has since spoken out about the decision and how he will focus on becoming ‘the best version of himself’, and he has been offered the perfect opportunity to bid for redemption in two Classics this weekend.
He will ride 25/1 shot Luther in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) for Fellowes yard, with Colin Keane taking the ride on the Gosdens runner Detain.
Shoemark will then reunite with Shes Perfect for the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas), having steered her to a second-place finish in the Prix de la Grotte last month – behind Sunday’s favourite Zarigana. Shes Perfect is priced up at 12/1, meaning that the Shoemark double is available at around 300/1, and landing such a feat would be the ultimate way for the jockey to show his excellence.
Speaking about his two rides this weekend, he told the Racing Post: “I’m really excited about riding both of them. Shes Perfect ran a massive race at Longchamp last time to be second to the Pouliches favourite, and I feel like she’s come on for that. She was quite fresh and gassy for me that day, and her home work has been very promising since.
“Luther’s draw in 16 of 18 is not ideal and he’s not the quickest away from the gates, so our hand is likely to be forced and we’ll ride a patient race. I wouldn’t want to be too far back and he’s a lovely horse for this race.”