Kieran Shoemark has been dropped as the number one jockey for the Gosden yard in the wake of favourite Field Of Gold’s defeat in the Qipco 2000 Guineas on Saturday, 3rd May. The news was first reported by Nick Luck on his Daily Podcast.
Shoemark had been given the top role at Clarehaven Stables ever since Frankie Dettori’s semi-retirement and move to the USA at the end of 2023. However, having been under severe pressure almost from the outset in his new role, his second-placed finish in the opening Classic of the season, won by Ruling Court at the expense of Field Of Gold, appears to be one of the last in which he is recognised as the number one. The move comes directly as a result of that loss in the 2000 Guineas.
Shoemark is still riding for the Gosdens this week at Chester and is likely to continue aboard some of the stable’s bigger names, but is no longer the guaranteed number one.
With former retained rider William Buick now the number one at Godolphin, the likes of Rossa Ryan, Hollie Doyle and Billy Loughnane have been rumoured as potentials to replace Shoemark as a more recognised stable jockey. With Royal Ascot approaching, it is also possible that Dettori takes up some rides if he is to have a brief spell in the country.
Shoemark is yet to comment, while bookmakers are yet to offer odds on who will be the next stable jockey for John & Thady Gosden.