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Leader Live
4 days ago
- Sport
- Leader Live
Kieran Shoemark eager to seize Almaqam opportunity
The 29-year-old jockey will finally get to ride the Lope De Vega colt after missing out on a potential link-up when he was suspended for the four-year-old's Brigadier Gerard Stakes success at Sandown in May. That form has been franked by the length-and-three-quarter second Ombudsman, who has subsequently landed the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and narrowly went down by a neck in the Eclipse. 🥊 Almaqam vs Ombudsman! Classy performance from Almaqam to land the G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes @edwalkerracing | @oismurphy | @Sandownpark | @StarSports_Bet — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 29, 2025 Almaqam is the odds-on market leader for the Group Two contest and Shoemark is thrilled to have the opportunity on a horse he describes as the 'real deal'. 'I'm really looking forward to riding him and I thought he was really good the last time we saw him at Sandown,' he said. 'I know it's been a little while since we've seen him, but that has solely been down to the drying ground and it looks like he should get some easier conditions on Saturday and it's great to get the ride on him. 'He looks very exciting and we all know the form of Ombudsman has stacked up well, so he looks the real deal this year. 'I got the call to ride Almaqam in the Prix d'Ispahan, but there were a few complications as I received a suspension for my ride on Luther in the French 2000 Guineas. 'Ed was umming and ahhing over whether to run Almaqam in that and when Sosie was declared he decided not to and headed to Sandown, where I was suspended so I couldn't ride and Oisin (Murphy) picked up the ride. He's not available this time as he's riding in the King George so things have worked out and it's good to finally be united with him and hope things go well on Saturday. 'He's the best horse at Ed's and I've been riding a lot for Ed and riding winners and when you build up that association, you always want to be riding the better horses in the yard. 'I had a breeze on him the other morning and he felt great. He's extremely uncomplicated and you can see that in his way of racing and he looks very straightforward and it's really exciting.' Bay City Roller hopes to make a breakthrough as a three-year-old after two runner-up finishes in the Heron Stakes at Sandown and Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud this season. George Scott is excited by the New Bay colt, who capped an unbeaten juvenile campaign with victory in the Champagne Stakes on St Leger day, and admitted his training ultimately forced his hand to move forward at the Knavesmire. 'I feel like he deserves to run in this race and I have been conscious to not run him with firm in the going description,' the Eve Lodge Stables trainer said. 'But I now feel like if we don't take our chance on good ground, then we could end up not running all summer. 'He really has had an amazing preparation for this race and there really will be no excuses for him. 'We will give him some leeway as it is his first time against older horses and only second start at a mile and a quarter. You would expect he has got another 18 months running in these races against these types of horses and I'm sure he's bound to acclimatise as he gets older and stronger. 'But in terms of how you want a horse to train, he's been training perfectly and has given me no negative signs, so we're looking forward to it. 'It will be fascinating to see him up against the horses representing the English and Irish Derby form and see where he lies amongst the Classic generation. 'Obviously then as well there is this wonderful older horse in Almaqam at the head of the market, who is arguably one of the best older horses in Europe, so we're cautiously optimistic and it's going to be really interesting.' Stanhope Gardens, fifth in the English Derby, lines up for Ralph Beckett, while Jessica Harrington has decided to head to York instead of the King George at Ascot with Green Impact, who was sixth in both the 2000 Guineas and Irish Derby. The Jack Channon-trained Certain Lad has course and distance credentials, Royal Champion goes for Karl Burke and Richard Fahey's Ecureuil Secret completes the seven-runner field.
North Wales Chronicle
5 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Kieran Shoemark eager to seize Almaqam opportunity
The 29-year-old jockey will finally get to ride the Lope De Vega colt after missing out on a potential link-up when he was suspended for the four-year-old's Brigadier Gerard Stakes success at Sandown in May. That form has been franked by the length-and-three-quarter second Ombudsman, who has subsequently landed the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and narrowly went down by a neck in the Eclipse. 🥊 Almaqam vs Ombudsman! Classy performance from Almaqam to land the G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes @edwalkerracing | @oismurphy | @Sandownpark | @StarSports_Bet — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 29, 2025 Almaqam is the odds-on market leader for the Group Two contest and Shoemark is thrilled to have the opportunity on a horse he describes as the 'real deal'. 'I'm really looking forward to riding him and I thought he was really good the last time we saw him at Sandown,' he said. 'I know it's been a little while since we've seen him, but that has solely been down to the drying ground and it looks like he should get some easier conditions on Saturday and it's great to get the ride on him. 'He looks very exciting and we all know the form of Ombudsman has stacked up well, so he looks the real deal this year. 'I got the call to ride Almaqam in the Prix d'Ispahan, but there were a few complications as I received a suspension for my ride on Luther in the French 2000 Guineas. 'Ed was umming and ahhing over whether to run Almaqam in that and when Sosie was declared he decided not to and headed to Sandown, where I was suspended so I couldn't ride and Oisin (Murphy) picked up the ride. He's not available this time as he's riding in the King George so things have worked out and it's good to finally be united with him and hope things go well on Saturday. 'He's the best horse at Ed's and I've been riding a lot for Ed and riding winners and when you build up that association, you always want to be riding the better horses in the yard. 'I had a breeze on him the other morning and he felt great. He's extremely uncomplicated and you can see that in his way of racing and he looks very straightforward and it's really exciting.' Bay City Roller hopes to make a breakthrough as a three-year-old after two runner-up finishes in the Heron Stakes at Sandown and Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud this season. George Scott is excited by the New Bay colt, who capped an unbeaten juvenile campaign with victory in the Champagne Stakes on St Leger day, and admitted his training ultimately forced his hand to move forward at the Knavesmire. 'I feel like he deserves to run in this race and I have been conscious to not run him with firm in the going description,' the Eve Lodge Stables trainer said. 'But I now feel like if we don't take our chance on good ground, then we could end up not running all summer. 'He really has had an amazing preparation for this race and there really will be no excuses for him. 'We will give him some leeway as it is his first time against older horses and only second start at a mile and a quarter. You would expect he has got another 18 months running in these races against these types of horses and I'm sure he's bound to acclimatise as he gets older and stronger. 'But in terms of how you want a horse to train, he's been training perfectly and has given me no negative signs, so we're looking forward to it. 'It will be fascinating to see him up against the horses representing the English and Irish Derby form and see where he lies amongst the Classic generation. 'Obviously then as well there is this wonderful older horse in Almaqam at the head of the market, who is arguably one of the best older horses in Europe, so we're cautiously optimistic and it's going to be really interesting.' Stanhope Gardens, fifth in the English Derby, lines up for Ralph Beckett, while Jessica Harrington has decided to head to York instead of the King George at Ascot with Green Impact, who was sixth in both the 2000 Guineas and Irish Derby. The Jack Channon-trained Certain Lad has course and distance credentials, Royal Champion goes for Karl Burke and Richard Fahey's Ecureuil Secret completes the seven-runner field.
South Wales Guardian
5 days ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Kieran Shoemark eager to seize Almaqam opportunity
The 29-year-old jockey will finally get to ride the Lope De Vega colt after missing out on a potential link-up when he was suspended for the four-year-old's Brigadier Gerard Stakes success at Sandown in May. That form has been franked by the length-and-three-quarter second Ombudsman, who has subsequently landed the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and narrowly went down by a neck in the Eclipse. 🥊 Almaqam vs Ombudsman! Classy performance from Almaqam to land the G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes @edwalkerracing | @oismurphy | @Sandownpark | @StarSports_Bet — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 29, 2025 Almaqam is the odds-on market leader for the Group Two contest and Shoemark is thrilled to have the opportunity on a horse he describes as the 'real deal'. 'I'm really looking forward to riding him and I thought he was really good the last time we saw him at Sandown,' he said. 'I know it's been a little while since we've seen him, but that has solely been down to the drying ground and it looks like he should get some easier conditions on Saturday and it's great to get the ride on him. 'He looks very exciting and we all know the form of Ombudsman has stacked up well, so he looks the real deal this year. 'I got the call to ride Almaqam in the Prix d'Ispahan, but there were a few complications as I received a suspension for my ride on Luther in the French 2000 Guineas. 'Ed was umming and ahhing over whether to run Almaqam in that and when Sosie was declared he decided not to and headed to Sandown, where I was suspended so I couldn't ride and Oisin (Murphy) picked up the ride. He's not available this time as he's riding in the King George so things have worked out and it's good to finally be united with him and hope things go well on Saturday. 'He's the best horse at Ed's and I've been riding a lot for Ed and riding winners and when you build up that association, you always want to be riding the better horses in the yard. 'I had a breeze on him the other morning and he felt great. He's extremely uncomplicated and you can see that in his way of racing and he looks very straightforward and it's really exciting.' Bay City Roller hopes to make a breakthrough as a three-year-old after two runner-up finishes in the Heron Stakes at Sandown and Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud this season. George Scott is excited by the New Bay colt, who capped an unbeaten juvenile campaign with victory in the Champagne Stakes on St Leger day, and admitted his training ultimately forced his hand to move forward at the Knavesmire. 'I feel like he deserves to run in this race and I have been conscious to not run him with firm in the going description,' the Eve Lodge Stables trainer said. 'But I now feel like if we don't take our chance on good ground, then we could end up not running all summer. 'He really has had an amazing preparation for this race and there really will be no excuses for him. 'We will give him some leeway as it is his first time against older horses and only second start at a mile and a quarter. You would expect he has got another 18 months running in these races against these types of horses and I'm sure he's bound to acclimatise as he gets older and stronger. 'But in terms of how you want a horse to train, he's been training perfectly and has given me no negative signs, so we're looking forward to it. 'It will be fascinating to see him up against the horses representing the English and Irish Derby form and see where he lies amongst the Classic generation. 'Obviously then as well there is this wonderful older horse in Almaqam at the head of the market, who is arguably one of the best older horses in Europe, so we're cautiously optimistic and it's going to be really interesting.' Stanhope Gardens, fifth in the English Derby, lines up for Ralph Beckett, while Jessica Harrington has decided to head to York instead of the King George at Ascot with Green Impact, who was sixth in both the 2000 Guineas and Irish Derby. The Jack Channon-trained Certain Lad has course and distance credentials, Royal Champion goes for Karl Burke and Richard Fahey's Ecureuil Secret completes the seven-runner field.
Rhyl Journal
5 days ago
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Kieran Shoemark eager to seize Almaqam opportunity
The 29-year-old jockey will finally get to ride the Lope De Vega colt after missing out on a potential link-up when he was suspended for the four-year-old's Brigadier Gerard Stakes success at Sandown in May. That form has been franked by the length-and-three-quarter second Ombudsman, who has subsequently landed the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and narrowly went down by a neck in the Eclipse. 🥊 Almaqam vs Ombudsman! Classy performance from Almaqam to land the G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes @edwalkerracing | @oismurphy | @Sandownpark | @StarSports_Bet — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 29, 2025 Almaqam is the odds-on market leader for the Group Two contest and Shoemark is thrilled to have the opportunity on a horse he describes as the 'real deal'. 'I'm really looking forward to riding him and I thought he was really good the last time we saw him at Sandown,' he said. 'I know it's been a little while since we've seen him, but that has solely been down to the drying ground and it looks like he should get some easier conditions on Saturday and it's great to get the ride on him. 'He looks very exciting and we all know the form of Ombudsman has stacked up well, so he looks the real deal this year. 'I got the call to ride Almaqam in the Prix d'Ispahan, but there were a few complications as I received a suspension for my ride on Luther in the French 2000 Guineas. 'Ed was umming and ahhing over whether to run Almaqam in that and when Sosie was declared he decided not to and headed to Sandown, where I was suspended so I couldn't ride and Oisin (Murphy) picked up the ride. He's not available this time as he's riding in the King George so things have worked out and it's good to finally be united with him and hope things go well on Saturday. 'He's the best horse at Ed's and I've been riding a lot for Ed and riding winners and when you build up that association, you always want to be riding the better horses in the yard. 'I had a breeze on him the other morning and he felt great. He's extremely uncomplicated and you can see that in his way of racing and he looks very straightforward and it's really exciting.' Bay City Roller hopes to make a breakthrough as a three-year-old after two runner-up finishes in the Heron Stakes at Sandown and Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud this season. George Scott is excited by the New Bay colt, who capped an unbeaten juvenile campaign with victory in the Champagne Stakes on St Leger day, and admitted his training ultimately forced his hand to move forward at the Knavesmire. 'I feel like he deserves to run in this race and I have been conscious to not run him with firm in the going description,' the Eve Lodge Stables trainer said. 'But I now feel like if we don't take our chance on good ground, then we could end up not running all summer. 'He really has had an amazing preparation for this race and there really will be no excuses for him. 'We will give him some leeway as it is his first time against older horses and only second start at a mile and a quarter. You would expect he has got another 18 months running in these races against these types of horses and I'm sure he's bound to acclimatise as he gets older and stronger. 'But in terms of how you want a horse to train, he's been training perfectly and has given me no negative signs, so we're looking forward to it. 'It will be fascinating to see him up against the horses representing the English and Irish Derby form and see where he lies amongst the Classic generation. 'Obviously then as well there is this wonderful older horse in Almaqam at the head of the market, who is arguably one of the best older horses in Europe, so we're cautiously optimistic and it's going to be really interesting.' Stanhope Gardens, fifth in the English Derby, lines up for Ralph Beckett, while Jessica Harrington has decided to head to York instead of the King George at Ascot with Green Impact, who was sixth in both the 2000 Guineas and Irish Derby. The Jack Channon-trained Certain Lad has course and distance credentials, Royal Champion goes for Karl Burke and Richard Fahey's Ecureuil Secret completes the seven-runner field.
Powys County Times
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
No negatives for Los Angeles in Prince of Wales's Stakes
For many the Prince of Wales's Stakes is the highlight of Royal Ascot and with Los Angeles a worthy favourite this year, the race looks well up to standard. Aidan O'Brien's charge won the Irish Derby last season and went on to be a meritorious third to Bluestocking in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, when attempting to make all the running. Already a Group One winner this season, when he had the reopposing Anmaat behind him in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, he looks to have a rock-solid chance. 'He's just as happy over 10 or 12 furlongs, that's what we've always thought with him. He's only run over 10 this year and he's been happy,' said O'Brien. A special performance from Los Angeles, who found another gear to reign Anmaat back in, handing Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore the Tattersalls Gold Cup 👏 @Tattersalls_ie — The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) May 25, 2025 'In the first half of the season this race was always the plan and he seems in good form since the last day, everything has gone well up to now. 'He's run on all types of ground, it all comes alike to him 'He's very happy to have competition for the lead, there'll be pace on, everybody knows that. He needs a strong run mile and a quarter, we all know that, and he loves a battle.' Owen Burrows' Anmaat is now seven but last year's Champion Stakes winner proved at the Curragh he is still as good as ever. Connections would not want the ground to be too fast, however. 'We will be keeping an eye on the ground. We've declared with a view to running but if the lads came in and said it was riding very quick, we'd have to talk about it,' said Angus Gold, of owners Shadwell. 'He is our star of the year and we have to do the right thing, we need him for the end of the year as well as now but he's second favourite for one of the biggest races at Royal Ascot, so we want to run while he's in good form. I very much hope we'll be there. 'I don't want to be seen to be making a fuss, I'm a great believer in fast-ground horses being able to have their ground, it's just he's had his issues and we don't want to do anything to jeopardise him – but we're hoping to run.' Reflecting on his previous issues, Gold said: 'He's a testament to a lot of people and the horse himself. What he had two years ago would have finished a lot of horses, so the fact that not only was he able but also willing to come back from it is a huge credit to him. He's been a star for us.' John and Thady Gosden's Ombusdman lost his unbeaten record in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes to Almaqam but enhanced his reputation and goes up in class again. 🥊 Almaqam vs Ombudsman! Classy performance from Almaqam to land the G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes @edwalkerracing | @oismurphy | @Sandownpark | @StarSports_Bet — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 29, 2025 'He got a little bit tired in the ground and the winner is a very smart horse who was getting 3lb from our horse and got the run of the race,' said John Gosden of the Godolphin runner. 'Our horse had to come from off the pace, but Ryan (Moore) was very pleased with him. We had the question of whether we go to the Wolferton or the Prince of Wales's, but the owner was pretty keen on this race. 'You are basically looking at the Tattersalls Gold Cup form for a guide to the race and then there's a nice French horse (Map Of Stars), so we'll see how we get on.' The aforementioned French horse is Wathnan Racing's Map Of Stars, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and only beaten a neck by the high-class Sosie last time out. 'He's a colt we've held in high regard the whole way along and both times he has been beaten it has probably been through no fault of his own,' said Wathnan's Richard Brown. 'He will probably go on the ground and James (Doyle) said when he won the Prix d'Harcourt, it was pretty quick that day and he showed a good turn of foot so that's what we hope we'll see again. 'The Sosie form from the Ganay looks red hot and he has since come out and won the Prix d'Ispahan and is one of the favourites for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. It's high level form, but he will need to improve again to win a Prince of Wales's.'
