Kieran Shoemark hoping to return to the top after six-month drug suspension
Kieran Shoemark is back. The jockey admits it’s been a long journey to recovery following a drug suspension, but now everything is finally starting to fall into place. Having tested positive for cocaine at Kempton last November, the young rider was banned immediately for six months. One of Britain’s brightest talents in the saddle, the […]
Kieran Shoemark is back.
The jockey admits it’s been a long journey to recovery following a drug suspension, but now everything is finally starting to fall into place.
Having tested positive for cocaine at Kempton last November, the young rider was banned immediately for six months.
One of Britain’s brightest talents in the saddle, the news came as a shock to the racing world – though not to Shoemark himself.
Speaking to ITV Racing, he said: “Getting caught was certainly the best thing that ever happened to me. It’s been a long journey, but god it’s been worth it.
“It sounds ridiculous really, who wants to be caught and suspended for six months from something they love doing?
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“But in the last six months of racing before the ban, I wasn’t enjoying it at all.
“It was a blessing for me really because when it all came to an end, I could really concentrate on my recovery.”
Shoemark, who had a long association with trainer Roger Charlton, added: “Six months ago I tested positive for cocaine and it’s been a long journey since that day.
“As it’s all going on you don’t have time to reflect on what you’re actually doing until it all comes to a sudden halt.
“That day at Kempton when the stewards called me in, it wasn’t a surprise to me – I knew it was coming.
“I had three nice rides that evening but I had to go back into the jockeys’ room in front of my colleagues and get back into my street attire. It was quite a harrowing experience.
“When I got back into the car and sat in the passenger’s seat, it almost felt like I could breathe again. Now I could start taking this seriously and get better.”
Shoemark has been applauded for speaking out about addiction so honestly and believes the support given to jockeys is vital.
He said: “There’s excellent support now. Paul Struthers rang me on the way home from Kempton that evening and he’d booked me into a rehab place in Mansfield.
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“I was suspended on Thursday and he put me into rehab the following Tuesday, so there’s excellent help out there.”
As for getting back to work, Shoemark believes this could be the beginning of a new chapter.
“I’ve been riding out for Charlie Hills six days a week for the last three months.
“I’m here to turn up, do my job and ride winners. I really look forward to getting back.
“Six months I thought my life was over, but really it’s just beginning.”