The life of a professional jockey is a rollercoaster at the best of times, with wafer-thin margins between victory and defeat, and the ever-present threat of injury. One man who has experienced those ups and downs more than most in May is Group 1-winning rider Kieran Shoemark.
Having lived under the spotlight ever since stepping into the shoes of the irrepressible Frankie Dettori, the 29-year-old rider is no stranger to the racing headlines. However, even he must be a little dizzy following the 2025 edition of the English and French Guineas meetings.
Held responsible for Field Of Gold’s narrow defeat in the English 2,000 Guineas, Shoemark roared back into the Winner’s Enclosure following the French 1,000 Guineas, only to be swiftly booted out again by the Longchamp stewards.
Field Of Gold: Overconfidence Exacts a Heavy Toll
Heading into the 2025 edition of the 2,000 Guineas, John Gosden had never won the one-mile colts’ Classic. He still hasn’t, but many believe he really ought to have done. In hot favourite Field Of Gold, the Gosden team had an outstanding candidate to land the prize. In the end, they had to make do with second place on the podium, with many, including John Gosden, suggesting Kieran Shoemark may have been the difference between victory and defeat.
Moving into the closing stages of the Rowley Mile contest, Shoemark oozed confidence aboard the market leader. However, that confidence lasted just a fraction too long. As former Gosden number one Buick kicked for home aboard Ruling Court, still Shoemark waited. Field Of Gold flew home once he was popped the question, but unfortunately, the line came too soon as the son of Kingman went down by a rapidly diminishing half length.
For Gosden, this result means the wait for a 2,000 Guineas winner goes on. For Shoemark, the repercussions saw him lose his position as the number one choice for available Group 1 rides, with the Gosden operation stating they would use the “best available” rider going forward.
Perfect Result at Lonchamp
Despite the disappointment of the 2,000 Guineas result and fallout, Shoemark didn’t have long to wait for his shot at redemption. That opportunity arrived in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches on Sunday afternoon.
The Gosden team may have reservations regarding Shoemark’s suitability for the biggest races. However, Charlie Fellowes was only too happy to have Kieran in the saddle as Shes Perfect lined up in the French version of the 1,000 Guineas.
Arriving with only a Maiden success to her name, and behind the market leader Zarigna over course and distance on her previous outing, the daughter of Sioux Nation looked up against it. However, once the gates opened, Shoemark took the bull by the horns and rousted his mount straight into the lead. But for a few strides in the home straight, there, Shes Perfect remained. Crossing the line a nose clear of the fast-finishing Zarigana, the batting filly had claimed a first Group 1 success for Charlie Fellowes and a first Classic for her rider. Or had she?
Stewards Say No
No sooner had the runners crossed the line than doubts began to surface regarding the legitimacy of the win. Believing his mount had suffered crucial interference, Zaragana’s rider, Mickael Barzalona, immediately lodged an appeal.
| Position | Original Result | Amended Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Shes Perfect (18/1) | Zarigana (4/5) |
| 2nd | Zarigana (4/5) | Shes Perfect (18/1) |
| 3rd | Mandanaba (69/10) | Mandanaba (69/10) |
In a nation notorious for its strict interference rules, the initial replay made for grim viewing for the connections of the British raider. Whilst Shoemark reacted swiftly and had his whip in the right hand, Shes Perfect clearly deviated from a straight path, appearing to send Exactly wide, who then ricocheted into Zaragana. Given the narrow margin of defeat, a reversal of the placings appeared likely. And so it proved, with the odds-on favourite awarded the race and Shes Perfect demoted to second.
Appeal Incoming
At first glance, there appeared little to question regarding the decision. However, repeated viewings throw up a couple of key questions. Firstly, many angles suggest that Exactly was driven towards Zaragana without the direct influence of Shes Perfect. Secondly, Mickael Barzalona dropped the whip inside the final furlong, before striking his mount 12 times with his hand. In French racing, a series of nine or more strikes with the whip triggers an automatic disqualification. Whether this rule carries over into hand encouragement is a little unclear.
Are there grounds for an appeal? Connections of Shes Perfect certainly think so. Owner Basher Watts announced on Monday that the team would indeed be launching an appeal, stating:
“Mickael struck his horse twice with the whip and then 12 times in the final furlong with his hand, which we feel is unacceptable.”
Could there yet be an upturn in Shoemark’s rollercoaster month? The French racing authorities will ultimately be the ones to decide.