Horse Racing News: Shoemark Stands by Tactics on Emily Upjohn in Pretty Polly Stakes

Jockey Kieran Shoemark has no regrets about his ride on Emily Upjohn in the recent Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh. The John and Thady Gosden-trained charge travelled strongly throughout the contest and kicked for home two furlongs out, opening up a three-length lead. However, she was eventually run down close to the line by the winner, Bluestocking.

Shoemark’s tactics have been the subject of much debate on social media, with some arguing that he went for home too soon. However, the jockey has stood by his decision, stating that he wouldn’t have changed anything if given the chance to ride the race again.

“I’ve watched the replay back many times and I’m my own biggest critic, but honestly, I wouldn’t have changed what I did at all,” said Shoemark in an interview on the Nick Luck Daily Podcast. “I think I gave my mare the best chance of winning. The reason she went 1/33 in running is because I made the move I did. If I waited any longer, I would have given the eventual winner time to get rolling and ultimately sit closer to me before I kicked.”

The jockey further explained that if he had waited and ended up getting beaten, some people would have criticized him for not going sooner, given that Emily Upjohn is a mile-and-a-half horse. Shoemark believes he executed the perfect race tactics and that the filly ran a massive race, ultimately being beaten by a very good competitor.

“It’s easy to reflect and look at that, but honestly, I wouldn’t have changed anything,” Shoemark concluded. “I think I gave her the best chance of winning, and she ran a massive race and got beaten by a very good filly.”

Horse racing enthusiasts will be eagerly awaiting the next outing for Emily Upjohn, as the Gosden stable looks to bounce back from this narrow defeat in the Pretty Polly Stakes.

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