JOCKEY Kieran Shoemark thought his life was over as a drug and alcohol addict.
But just two years on from a six-month cocaine ban he has completed a miracle comeback and won the biggest race of his life.
Shoemark’s promising career in the saddle threatened to go off the rails completely as he privately fought inner turmoil and addiction.
He previously spoke of how ‘harrowing’ everything had become as he struggled to enjoy being on the racecourse and his life spiralled out of control off it.
But he battled and beat his demons, and on Thursday he steered the popular Lady Bowthorpe to an emotional win in the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
And if anyone can sympathise with Shoemark, it’s winning trainer William Jarvis.
They say good things come to those who wait, but Jarvis has been kicking his heels waiting for a top-level win for 27 long years.
A quarter of a century’s worth of frustration melted away in the space of two glorious minutes as his magic mare ended the wait.
The tough times have outweighed the good since Jarvis last saddled a Group 1 winner — Grand Lodge in the 1994 St James’s Palace Stakes.
But both Jarvis and Shoemark have the unwavering support of top music agent Emma Banks, who decided to take the plunge into horse ownership over a few glasses of champagne with Jarvis at Glorious Goodwood several years ago.
So it was only fitting Lady Bowthorpe delivered the Group 1 goods.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as the victorious mare returned to the winners’ enclosure — you can safely file this one away under Goodwood’s Greatest Hits.
‘THEY HAD FAITH IN ME’
Shoemark said: “It’s a huge honour to be involved with this filly, it’s a very emotional day. I’m so pleased to repay Emma Banks and Mr Jarvis who have supported me and had faith in me.
“We had bad traffic problems when she was second in the Falmouth last time and I got a bit of stick but, thankfully, it was plain sailing this time around.”
Shoemark has been bravely honest about his trials and tribulations.
He said: “My career is back on track now, I’m really enjoying my racing and being able to be involved in these big days.
“The last few days I’ve dreamed about crossing the line in front, but I don’t think it has sunk in yet.
“I always believed if I got myself clean and sober I could get to where I wanted to be. That was what was holding me back.
“I’ve won a first Group 1 and I’m looking forward to my next one.”
The race itself went about as smoothly as Team Lady Bowthorpe could have dreamt.
She settled beautifully in midfield and travelled strongly into contention as Ryan Moore tried to pinch it from the front on Joan Of Arc.
Five-year-old Lady Bowthorpe was stepping into the unknown as she entered the tenth and final furlong for the first time in her career.
But she quickened and stayed on stoically to beat Roger Varian’s Zeyaadah by a length and a half.
Jarvis said: “That feels fantastic. We have always known she is special and we have dreamt about this day.
“I’m so chuffed for our team at home. We only have seven or eight staff and they all work so hard.
‘IN A BAD PLACE’
“She is just a smashing mare and she is owned by a delightful owner.
“We’re on the phone five times a week and we discuss things all the time, but Emma gives me free rein.
“I’m thrilled for Kieran, he’s a top young man. He went to a bad place but he has come out of the other side and is great to work with.”
Professionally, Banks prefers to operate behind the scenes while her megastar clients, including Kylie Minogue and Katy Perry, soak up the limelight.
But that was flipped on its head at Goodwood as she revelled in the applause of the crowd.
She said: “I’m so proud of her and the whole team. This is just amazing. I can’t really believe it’s happened and the atmosphere is incredible.
“There were people who were questioning if Kieran should be riding her but he has been amazing. There was a lot of pressure on him and I’m so proud.
“None of us had won a Group 1 before this, apart from William who last had one when the dinosaurs were still around.
“He is a brilliant trainer and she is a brilliant horse. I’m so proud of her. What a day. I’d say that was the best gig I’ve ever watched!”
