English/Ire
Gosdens to use “best available rider policy” with Shoemark demoted as number one
John and Thady Gosden will use a “best available rider policy” going forward, with Kieran Shoemark removed as number one jockey following his defeat on Field Of Gold last weekend.
Having taken over from Frankie Dettori as Clarehaven's number one at the start of the 2024 campaign, Kieran Shoemark has come under increased criticism in places, with mixed results in the job.
Defeats on Emily Upjohn and Free Wind at Glorious Goodwood last season brought on further criticism from some, while it took until October in the same season for Shoemark to register his first Group 1 success for the stable with Friendly Soul in the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp.
Following his defeat on the 15/8 market leader Field Of Gold in last weekend's 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, a discussion between John and his son Thady has led to them adopting a new strategy with jockeys going forward.
Speaking on the Nick Luck Daily podcast, Thady Gosden said: "Naturally since Saturday, myself and John have gone through things together and decided the best policy going forward is to adopt a best available rider strategy.
"Of course, it is still very early in the season and there is plenty of time still to go, but we believe that is the best way for the stable to go to have the best available rider, alongside of course a different number of retained riders pre-existing in the yard."
Shoemark will be in action for John and Thady Gosden at Chester this week, although he has been replaced on both mounts in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, with Colin Keane booked to ride Detain in the former and Christophe Soumillon scheduled to partner Zanzoun in the latter.
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