Horse racing: Shoemark sacked by Gosdens; Chester's May meeting day one
Good morning from the Roodee, where one of Britain's most popular and historic Flat tracks will stage two significant Classic trials later today – the Chester Vase and Chester Oaks – but the early talk is all about the news that Kieran Shoemark has been sacked from his role as No 1 jockey to John & Thady Gosden's powerful Newmarket stable, just four days after steering Field Of Gold, the favourite, into a fast-finishing second place in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.
John Gosden, who was hoping to complete the full set of English Classics on Saturday by winning the 2,000 Guineas for the first time, seemed fairly philosophical in the immediate aftermath.
'We were sitting some way back and quite frankly, the winner has kicked and gone and we have run out of racetrack,' he said. 'In another probably 25 yards the race would have been ours. You know when this track gets firm like this, it rides slick and with a bit of cross tailwind, they can just get away from you. It just got away from us today I am afraid, as we came into the Dip. He was clawing the ground back but it was too late.'
On further reflection, though, the trainer seems to have decided that enough blame attaches to Shoemark to merit a change of stable jockey (although, as the trainer has often pointed out too, several owners in the yard already have retained riders of their own). Ruling Court ridden by William Buick (white cap) on their way to winning the Betfred 2,000 Guineas with Kieran Shoemark on Field Of Gold (right) in second. Photograph: Joe Giddens/PA
The ultimate sanction for Shoemark does feel a little harsh in the circumstances. William Buick, on the winner, Ruling Court, got first run on Field Of Gold, but his draw, one stall outside the runner-up, had allowed him to take a slightly more prominent position within a furlong of the start. Shoemark did not do too much wrong but Buick, with his much great wealth of big-race experience, did everything right, from a better position in the early stages.
Shoemark – somewhat oddly, perhaps, given the news – is still expected to ride the stable's two runners, Queen Of Thieves (2.35) and Marnier (4.10) at Chester today, with Gosden expected to use 'the best available' from now on when an owner does not have a retained jockey.
Elsewhere on the card, the eight-runner Chester Vase includes four Derby entries – Lambourn, Lazy Griff, Pinhole and Thrice – while the action is under way at 1.30pm with the Lily Agnes Stakes, where Karl Burke's Ali Shuffle, in stall one, has been backed down to odds-on favouritism. Share
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
England ‘a work in progress' and have a lot of improving to do
Conor Gallagher accepts there is 'a lot of improvement' to make following a disappointing international break which saw England slip to a first defeat under Thomas Tuchel. England laboured to an unimpressive 1-0 victory over Andorra, a side ranked 173rd in the world, before slipping to their first defeat to African opposition three days later. Despite Harry Kane's early goal, the warning signs were there as Dean Henderson made five saves in the first period, but after Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr drew the visitors level, Habib Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly struck in the second half as boos rang around the City Ground. Gallagher, who was substituted in the second half, revealed Tuchel was calm in the dressing room after the game and is frustrated the next international window is three months away. The Atletico Madrid midfielder said: 'It was a really tough game, but we're still building. There's a lot to improve and there's a lot to work on and, as a team, we'll do that. 'I'm sure the manager and the coaching staff will look back at the game and see where we can be better because there is a lot of improvement to be made, but we're moving forward. 'He's calm. He's obviously disappointed and not happy, but he's calm with us. He knows we could be a lot better. 'It's a shame because we're away from each other for a few months now, whereas he would like to kind of fix the problem straight away, but he can't because that's how it is in international football. 'It's a work in progress and all the lads and the staff and the manager are all confident and happy with the progression. 'We have a lot to build on and improve and that's what we're going to try to do.' England were accused of not showing the right attitude in their narrow win over minnows Andorra. Asked whether they had shown the right application against Senegal, Gallagher replied: 'Yeah, definitely. I think we really wanted to win and I feel like we worked hard. 'I don't think we were great, if I'm being honest. But like I keep saying, it's a kind of work in progress and we need to improve moving forward and we're all happy to be doing that.' Gallagher's focus will now switch to the Club World Cup as he prepares to join up with his Atletico team-mates in the United States ahead of their first game against Champions League winners Paris St Germain at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. He said: 'It's really exciting and I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be a great tournament. I think it will be really exciting when all the teams are actually there and the tournament starts. 'You want to always play against the best players and the midfielders. Obviously (PSG) had an unbelievable season, so you want to be playing against these guys. We know how hard it will be, but it's good for us and it's exciting.'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Revealed: The three Premier League clubs 'interested in signing Jadon Sancho' after Chelsea paid £5m to send him back to Man United
The three Premier League clubs interested in signing Jadon Sancho this summer have been revealed, according to a report. The former England star had hoped to reboot his career with Chelsea after falling out of favour at Manchester United on the back of a public fallout with former manager Erik ten Hag. Ten Hag had criticised Sancho's performances in training after he was left out of a squad to face Arsenal in 2023, with the player branding the words 'completely untrue' in a social media post that was later deleted. The situation resulted in Ten Hag demanding an apology, and Sancho refusing to give one - he did not play for the Dutchman again and went on loan to Chelsea after a brief spell at former club Borussia Dortmund. The Blues had the chance to sign him permanently for £25million this summer - a fraction of the £73m United had paid four years prior. They instead, though, opted to pay £5m to cancel the deal, with Sancho now heading back to United. His future remains unclear, but, according to The Sun, there are three English top flight sides looking to acquire the former England winger on a permanent deal. One of those sides is said to be Tottenham, who have the pulling power of the Champions League after qualifying for the competition by winning the Europa League. Thomas Frank is set to be announced as the new manager of Spurs, and could make Sancho one of his first signings, if the report is to be believed. Another club is Aston Villa, who are also in Europe, but had to settle for Europa League qualification after failing to finish in the top five of the Premier League when they lost against United on the final day of the season. Villa took Marcus Rashford - another United outcast - on loan for the second half of last season, and turned the forward's form around after he had fallen completely out of favour at Old Trafford, being criticised by Ruben Amorim. There is therefore evidence that Villa and Unai Emery can turn players' fortunes around, which could be an attractive prospect for Sancho. The third side is Newcastle, who, like Spurs, are in the Champions League. They have long been in the market for a right-sided forward, and Sancho fits the bill. It is reported that Villa are keen on a loan deal, but United would prefer a permanent transfer to make additions to their side. Dortmund - the German side who Sancho played for twice - were also interested in a move. Sancho took to social media to thank the Blues for his time at the club after it was made clear that Chelsea would not be making the loan deal permanent. 'Grateful for the experience,' Sancho wrote to his 10.4m Instagram followers. 'Big love to everyone at Chelsea who made me feel at home - team-mates, staff, and the fans. 'Wishing the club all the best moving forward. Truly grateful, thank you Blues.' The message accompanied a compilation of some of Sancho's best moments in a Blues shirt, including Premier League and Conference League efforts. Sancho struggled for consistency over the 2024-25 season, though he did score in the Conference League final against Real Betis, which Chelsea won 4-1.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Man United agree £1m deal for highly rated 16-year-old Southampton defender Harley Emsden-James
Manchester United have agreed a £1m deal for 16-year-old Harley Emsden-James from Southampton. United will also pay add-ons for the defender while Saints have a 20 per cent sell on. Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea were among the clubs interested in signing the teenager last summer. The acquisition of Emsden-James is the latest example of United's efforts to poach highly rated talent from other Premier League sides. His arrival follows the signings of Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven from Arsenal last season, who were both handed first-team minutes during the campaign. Emsden-James got his first taste of Under 18s football during the 2024-25 season, making two appearances despite being only 15-years-old. He is likely to be part of the Red Devils' U18s squad next term. Given he will not turn 17 until March 2026, it is unlikely he will be handed regular minutes at U21 level. Meanwhile, in what is expected to be a busy summer for United, the club are continuing talks for Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo after last week's opening offer of £55million was rejected. The Red Devils were dealt a blow last weekend when reports emerged that Tottenham were entering the race for the 25-year-old. Mbeumo is seen as a key target for United, who are looking to improve their lacklustre squad after a dreadful campaign. The Red Devils scored just 44 goals in the Premier League, the second lowest of any non-relegated side.
