Kieran Shoemark has been in the public eye for some time now in the horse racing world but for all the bad stories he looks to be coming out the other side and bit of good news was well deserved.
The 23 year old rider made a superb return to racing at Lingfield on Saturday night when only having one ride on the card in the Median Auction Maiden and he went on to land the spoils on board Heroic for the inform Charles Hills.
The young and promising rider returned to the scene of his horrible injury which essentially started his downward spiral. He got his first win of the season on his first ride since his return from a drug ban that saw him miss six months of action after testing positive for cocaine back in November.
Since his ban the rider has taken this time out of the sport to speak professionally and intelligently about his addictions and he now hopes that he can channel all his energy into becoming the best jockey he can be.
(Credit Sky Sports Racing and Racing Post) Shoemark said after his win:"That was a dream comeback.
"I felt a little bit of pressure and can get going forward now."I have got to thank all the team at home for giving me this opportunity. I am in at Charlie's [Hills, winning trainer] every morning riding out."
Earlier on that Saturday the youngster had said: "It's ideal to come back with one ride – I know he's a decent ride – at Lingfield in the evening with no pressure. There's a lot of other things going on with the Champions League, the boxing, the rugby and the Derby.
"I've been riding out since February, but there's nothing you can really do to prepare yourself for race-riding.
"I remember when I was injured last year it took me a while, but I'd only been riding out for a week then whereas it's been months now. I've done a lot in the gym and am really looking forward to it.
"It's fantastic to be back – I'm packing my racing bag now – and I've had loads of support from everyone and have a busy few days coming up.
"I'm at Nottingham tomorrow, then Wolverhampton, Lingfield and Kempton, and Charlie seems to have chucked me on plenty of his, which is great."
The rider has not set any targets for the summer of riding but is very happy for every opportunity he can get.
He added: "I want to get back into the weighing room and to normality.
"Race-riding is all I've known. It's been a long six months so I'm looking forward to getting back and not having people asking every day, 'When are you riding?'.
"I don't have any figures, but I just want to ride winners, keep everyone happy, which I know is impossible, and build up a relationship with Charlie and the Hills family."