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Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Colin Keane takes over from Kieran Shoemark on Field Of Gold for next Classic
The Irish champion will partner the 2,000 Guineas runner-up in the Irish equivalent after Shoemark was blamed for the colt's defeat at Newmarket Colin Keane will be in the hot seat when 2,000 Guineas runner-up Field Of Gold bids for Classic redemption in Ireland on Saturday. The Craven Stakes winner started favourite to deliver the John & Thady Gosden-stable an overdue first success in the colt's Classic at Newmarket, but was beaten half a length by Godolphin's Ruling Court. The Craven Stakes winner, ridden by Kieran Shoemark, was slow to get into top gear on the Rowley Mile and finished fast but too late to reel in the winner. Shoemark, who had been under the microscope ever since Frankie Dettori quit Britain, subsequently admitted he had been too confident on Field Of Gold and he was dumped by the Gosdens as first choice rider. Thady Gosden said at the time: "Naturally since Saturday myself and John have gone through things together and decided that the best policy moving forward for the stable is to adopt the best available rider strategy. "It's still very early in the season and there's plenty of time left to go but we believe that's the right decision for the stable to have the best available rider - alongside of course the significant number of retained riders pre-existing in the yard." Keane rides regularly in Ireland for Field Of Gold owners Juddmonte through his association with trainer Ger Lyons and will take the mount on the grey at the Curragh. Keane has already tasted Classic glory in the famous Juddmonte silks, having won the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Siskin for Lyons in 2020 and when he was booked by Ralph Beckett for Westover in the Irish Derby in 2022. 'I'm delighted to be asked to ride him, he looks a very good ride going into the race, I'm very much looking forward to it,' said Keane. 'The Juddmonte colours are those that growing up watching racing, you know who they are. I've been very fortunate to win two Classics wearing them and a couple more Group Ones and I'm just delighted to be asked to ride the colt at the weekend. 'Winning the Irish Guineas a few years ago for Ger was one of my best days. It's such a huge race and Juddmonte hadn't long been in the yard, he was their first Group One together. 'To get a horse of Siskin's calibre very early on was very special and for him to then go and win a Classic was very special, it was a brilliant day.' Oisin Murphy, who rode the Gosdens-trained Lead Artist to victory in the Lockinge Stakes for Juddmonte, will partner the owner's Cosmic Year, trained by Harry Charlton, in the Irish Classic.
The Irish Sun
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Cheat!' – Kieran Shoemark suffers more heartbreak as owners see £150,000 go up in flames after ‘disgraceful' finish
PUNTERS cried 'cheat' as Kieran Shoemark was denied a fairytale win after a controversial stewards' enquiry - that saw bookies pay out on the runner-up. It looked like Shoemark, who earlier in the week Advertisement 2 Incredibly, jockey Mickael Barzalona resorted to using his hand after dropping the whip 2 Poor Kieran Shoemark suffered more devastation after losing the French 1000 Guineas in the stewards' room following a brilliant ride - just days after he lost his job as the No1 jockey for John & Thady Gosden Credit: Getty The Charlie Fellowes-trained filly, sent off 18-1, rallied strongly in the final furlong-and-a-half after being headed when it got to crunch time. She was first past the post and appeared to have nabbed the £250,000 first-place prize by a nose at Longchamp racecourse in Paris. Photos were even taken of overjoyed connections celebrating their big win. Until a stewards' enquiry was launched soon after the finish following an objection from former Derby-winning rider Mickael Barzalona, jockey of runner-up Zarigana. Advertisement It was tricky to see with the naked eye in real time, but, despite Shoemark doing all he could to keep Shes Perfect on a true line, she edged to her left. That sparked a domino effect that saw Ryan Moore on Exactly short of room, bumping into the path of 4-5 fav Zarigana, who ran in the famous Aga Khan silks forever associated with Shergar. Incredibly, Barzalona also dropped his whip, meaning he resorted to smacking his filly with his hand for the final, crucial few yards. Zarigana was forced off her true line ever so slightly - whether it was enough to make a difference to the result is a topic of hot debate. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing But stewards clearly thought it was, ultimately deciding to demote Shes Perfect to second and a cheque of 'only' £100,000. Punters were up in arms over the decision, with a report from the course saying the owners were left 'visibly shaken'. To his credit, Zarigana's trainer Francis-Henri Graffard said it was not the way he wanted to win. But the result ultimately stood, robbing Fellowes of his first Group 1, the British syndicate a dream win and Shoemark redemption after the week from hell. Advertisement Fellowes said: "We came so close. It's heartbreaking because I really needed a big win. Winning a Classic - that's the dream of my life." While Graffard said: "We don't like winning races this way, and I feel sorry for the Shes Perfect team. "But this is racing. To be honest, my filly was unbalanced at the worst possible moment, and at the end, we're only talking about a nose. "I'm really happy for Zarigana. Advertisement "But it's hard to feel joy, I feel more relief." A report in the While a load of punters were up in arms at the result afterwards - although others thought the reversing of places was justified. Those punters who bet on the race with Paddy Power and BoyleSports were winners either way, as they paid out as winners both Zarigana and Shes Perfect. Advertisement FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
