THE truth. There it was, staring me in the face.
Many of you will have seen one of my favourite movies, Jerry Maguire. There’s a moment in the film when Jerry sees the light and creates his own ‘mission statement’. It was like he had been hit by a thunderbolt.
1
On Thursday morning I experienced exactly that feeling, a moment of OMG, when jockey bookings were revealed for today’s racing.
It was a thing of beauty. Like two long-lost lovers reuniting.
Kieran Shoemark riding OKEECHOBEE (3.00) for owners Juddmonte in the Group 3 Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock.
Even more significantly, in the very same race, Rossa Ryan has been jocked up on another Juddmonte horse, Detain, for John and Thady Gosden.
Yes people, that’s the Detain that only Shoemark has won a race on this season. Indeed, that’s the Detain that has only ever been victorious with Shoemark on top.
Some, of course, tried to make out Juddmonte got rid of Shoemark after the now infamous defeat of Field Of Gold in the 2,000 Guineas.
The same Field Of Gold that didn’t quicken down the dip at Newmarket like he subsequently did on a conventional track.
The Rose Of Lancaster jockey bookings puts the Shoemark ditching theory to bed once and for all. Shoemark has a 33 per cent wins to rides strike-rate for Juddmonte in 2025 and a 35 per cent strike-rate in 2024, when he banged in nine victories from 26 rides. That’s decent by anyone’s standards.
In a short space of time his big hits for the organisation included Field Of Gold (Craven and Solario), Zanzoun (Nell Gwyn), Lead Artist (Darley and Thoroughbred Stakes) and Tilsit (Summer Mile).
I can’t tell you how much I hope Okeechobee runs a huge one this afternoon live on ITV.
Harry Charlton’s six-year-old has been very hard to train and has only raced eight times. But at his peak rating of 113 he would have an each-way chance.
He looked very good when landing the 2024 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown, seeing off a talented pair in Desert Hero and Israr.
This season the son of Time Test has not been at his best, getting stuffed at both Kempton and Newbury when behind the re-opposing Royal Dubai.
But Okeechobee is not devoid of talent and it’s not impossible he can put his difficulties behind him.
It’s a belter of a race, though, as it also includes Haatem and Military Order.
The former scored at Royal Ascot and was once third behind Notable Speech in the 2,000 Guineas and the latter was previously sent off at just 9-2 for the 2023 Derby!
It’s not just Shoemark who has the chance to make headlines on ITV.
Billy Loughnane has been a breath of fresh since he banged in his first winner as a jockey aboard Swiss Rowe at Wolverhampton in November 2022.
Now don’t get me wrong here, Loughnane is not just some smiley, happy boy.
He’s changed a lot in the last three years, and now has a real air of confidence and cheek.
So it’s no real surprise that Godolphin’s Charlie Appleby seems to be a fan. I could imagine Appleby and Loughnane being a perfect combination in the future.
Right now, William Buick remains Appleby’s star rider, and the situation won’t change in the near future.
Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips
Ascot
1.35 Toca Madera
2.10 Dancing In Paris
2.45 Dream Harder (NAP)
3.20 Zayer
3.55 Tenability
4.30 EBT’S Guard
Haydock
2.25 Protest each-way
3.00 Okeechobee each-way
Newmarket
3.40 Dance To The Music
But Loughnane is getting chances to show what he can do, and that includes when taking the ride on unbeaten DANCE TO THE MUSIC (3.40) in the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket.
The daughter of Dubawi and sister to Group 1 sprinter Space Blues looked good under Loughnane on debut, but that was a long time ago when she was suggested as a fancy for the Albany at Royal Ascot.
Now she needs to show she’s really promising.
More importantly in some ways, Loughnane has arguably the biggest ride of his career so far tomorrow aboard Godolphin star Rebel’s Romance in the Group 1 Hoppegarten Westminster 135th Grosser Preis von Berlin.
The dual Breeders’ Cup hero and winner of over £10million in prize money was last seen finishing third in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
On paper he should take all the beating and provide Loughnane with his first Group 1 success. This is huge, massive. Of course, there is lots to look forward to in the coming weeks with York’s Ebor Festival not far away.
I’ll be cheering for, Okeechobee. As Jerry would say, ‘Show Shoe the money’. Yeeehaaa!
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
