Charles Hills Full Of Backing For Kieran Shoemark

Charles Hills Full Of Backing For Kieran Shoemark

Trainer Charlie Hills is really hoping to provide Kieran Shoemark with a deserved winner at Glorious Goodwood next week, after the jockey has made an inspirational recovery from a six month ban.

Hills has praised one of the rising stars of the weighing room after he has overcome his addiction to cocaine - which he tested positive for last December, bouncing back with three winners in the past two weeks.

Shoemark - who rivalled young subsequent Royal Ascot winning jockey David Egan for the Champion Apprentice crown in 2017, attached himself to Lambourn-based yard of Charlie Hills in February 2019 when still serving his suspension.

The 23-year-old has rebuilt his career in sparkling fashion; also following a serious injury he sustained at Lingfield last June, and Hills is pleased with his recovery.

(Credit: Racing Post) He said: "Everyone deserves a second chance and it's nice to help someone out.

"The owners were all supportive and he's a talented rider. He's got good hands, is race savvy, people like him and his weight's good.

"It means a lot to help him. Jockeys and trainers are like a marriage. You've got a relationship and I don't like giving him instructions. We pay him to do a job and his feedback is good, while he knows all the horses inside out, which can only be a plus."

The combination of Hills and Shoemark were seen to best effect on Monday night when the pair scored with Always A Drama in the six furlong fillies handicap at Windsor.

Shoemark has been booked to ride Vanbrugh in the Unibet Stewards' Cup at Goodwood next week, with Royal Commando and Fleeting Prince other possibilities in the juvenile contests.

Hills continued: "Kieran rode a nice winner for us at Windsor and he's great. He's worked really hard. 

"He started in February and hasn't missed a morning, riding four lots out every day. He's really put his head down and got stuck in, while he gets on so well with the rest of the team."

Shoemark landed his first Group victory when guiding Projection to the winners enclosure at Ascot last October, and also steered Atty Persse in the Godolphin blue to land the King George V Stakes at the royal meeting in 2017.

Hills added: "I think Kieran's going to get better and more confident, but we just need to give him a big winner now.

Glorious Goodwood kicks off Tuesday 30 July and concludes on Saturday 3 August.