Kieran Shoemark set to replace Frankie Dettori as John Gosden’s No1 jockey after legendary rider retires
KIERAN SHOEMARK is on the verge of being the next stable rider for John & Thady Gosden.
Speculation has been rife in recent weeks that Shoemark will take over the huge role on the retirement of Frankie Dettori at the end of the campaign.
It’s been noticeable that Shoemark, 27, has been used less by Charlie Hills over the last few days, for all he has taken the odd mount.
But nothing has been said by any of the parties.
On Friday Shoemark is set to partner Oaks heroine Soul Sister for the Gosdens in the Grand Prix de Paris.
It has to be a clear sign Shoemark will be their No1 in 2024.
Shoemark has been through difficult times in his career and shown amazing resilience to battle back from a drink and cocaine addiction.
He has become the ultimate professional since time out of the game for his issues.
Having turned his life around he banged in a Group 1 on Lady Bowthorpe in the Nassau at Glorious Goodwood in July 2021.
He also has two Group 1s in France to his name for Ed Walker aboard Dreamloper.
Shoemark has shown he can handle the big occasion, with more than £5.7million in prize money won and over 400 victories.
But following on from Dettori will be the toughest job in racing.
To many Dettori was racing, arguably one of only two jockeys to truly transcend the sport.
Softly-spoken Shoemark, whose most recent big-race success was a Listed win aboard White Moonlight for Saeed bin Suroor earlier this month, doesn’t have the same showman qualities.
But if anyone can spot talent it is the master trainer Gosden.
He was quick to pull rank when he and Dettori had a bust-up last year and split.
They quickly reconciled and Gosden gave Dettori the kick up the bum he needed.
This year alone the trainer-jockey combo have landed four Group 1s including the Oaks, Gold Cup and Coronation Cup.
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