'I put my family through hell - but I hope I've repaid them in some small way'
Kieran Shoemark talks about addiction, redemption, loyalty and Lady Bowthorpe
The story of Kieran Shoemark had the potential to become a tragedy. A tragedy of talent wasted, opportunities squandered, youthful promise unfulfilled, or perhaps far, far worse. Racing has had its share of those tales but they become no easier to bear for their familiarity.
'Young man does well, discovers booze, disappears down the pan,' is not a new plot line. Throw in the modern predilection for drugs and you have all the ingredients for something dark and with an unhappy ending.
Which was why the final chapter of last month's Nassau Stakes, with its groundswell of tears, jubilation and communal outpouring, made for such a joyous occasion.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inInterviews
Last updated
Copy- 'People could only tell us apart by our boots' - meet the teenage riding sensations who have racing fans seeing double
- 'It was devastating – but as a leader you've got to stand up, pick everyone else up and take them forward with you'
- 'Louder and prouder' - meet the new gambling chief determined to spell out the positives of the industry
- 'He was still 100-1 at the post, so it was hopefully quite well planned' - renowned punter Patrick Veitch on a life in betting and a new venture
- 'Other trainers say how difficult it is to get staff, but I can't say the same - when people come here, they seem to stay'
- 'People could only tell us apart by our boots' - meet the teenage riding sensations who have racing fans seeing double
- 'It was devastating – but as a leader you've got to stand up, pick everyone else up and take them forward with you'
- 'Louder and prouder' - meet the new gambling chief determined to spell out the positives of the industry
- 'He was still 100-1 at the post, so it was hopefully quite well planned' - renowned punter Patrick Veitch on a life in betting and a new venture
- 'Other trainers say how difficult it is to get staff, but I can't say the same - when people come here, they seem to stay'