Shoemark 'can't wait' for Grand Prix de Paris and Soul Sister Kieran Shoemark is eagerly anticipating the chance to team up with Oaks champion Soul Sister in the upcoming Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp on Friday evening. The 27-year-old jockey, who achieved his first Group One victory with Lady Bowthorpe in 2021, has been having a remarkable season, securing 33 wins so far, including a Group Three triumph aboard Vadream earlier in the year. Due to Soul Sister's regular partner, Frankie Dettori, being suspended, and other notable jockeys being occupied at Newmarket's July Festival, Shoemark has been given the opportunity to extend his successful streak in the saddle. He received the call-up from trainers John and Thady Gosden to ride their Epsom-winning filly. This represents a fantastic chance for Shoemark to showcase his skills on a grand stage, particularly at a venue where he has experienced some of his most memorable moments as a jockey. He achieved a notable victory aboard Dreamloper in the Prix d'Ispahan in Paris and followed it up with a double at the same track last September. On a memorable day for Shoemark, Dreamloper triumphed in the Prix du Moulin while West Wind Blows claimed victory in the Prix du Prince d'Orange. "I'm very much looking forward to it," said Shoemark. "I like Longchamp and the filly has been very impressive to date and I'm very fortunate I have been given this opportunity and I can't wait to take it. "I couldn't quite believe it myself, but timings have kind of worked out with good racing being on at Newmarket and Frankie Dettori being suspended and it was just being in the right place at the right time. "I’ve had quite a lot of luck at Longchamp, so hopefully that continues." Eight head to post for the 12-furlong Group One and although Soul Sister may be the sole British interest, Aidan O'Brien fields Irish Derby second and fourth, Adelaide River and Peking Opera, as he tries to add to his impressive record in the race. Shoemark is extremely respectful of the Ballydoyle challenge and has the Curragh runner-up Adelaide River as one of Soul Sister's chief dangers, as well as Pascal Bary's Feed The Flame, who was visually impressive in his first two starts before claiming fourth place in the Prix du Jockey Club. "I thought Adelaide River ran a huge race in the Irish Derby and the French horse Feed The Flame was a gallant fourth in the French Derby," added Shoemark. "It’s a competitive field and we’re getting 3lb off the colts. This is a tough task and it is the first time a filly has ran in the race for 10 years, so it is something that doesn’t happen very often. But John and Thady Gosden have her in good order and hopefully we go there with a good chance.” Andre Fabre is the race’s leading trainer and will bid to add to his tally with Prix Hocquart winner First Minister, while others representing the home team include Prix du Lys first and second, Rubis Vendome and Silawi, and Winter Pudding who is the mount of recent Prix Jean Prat-winner Stephane Pasquier.
