Friendly Soul and Shoemark shine in Opera victory
Kieran Shoemark and Friendly Soul winning the Prix de l'Opera
Friendly Soul held off all challengers to head a Gosden one-two and claim the Prix de l’Opera Longines at ParisLongchamp, in a notable success for jockey Kieran Shoemark.
A 9/1 shot, John and Thady Gosden’s filly came into the Group One event in form having won her last two starts at a lesser grade.
She stepped up to the top level this time and seemed to find little hardship in the testing ground, rounding the home turn in front and pressing on to score from stablemate Running Lion.
It handed Shoemark a first Group One since stepping into the shoes of Frankie Dettori at Clarehaven Stables.
Similar to the tactics deployed on Arc winner Bluestocking, she was ridden in second before hitting the front with two furlongs to go and holding on as the challengers approached.
Shoemark had been subject to criticism after losing on favourites Inspiral and Emily Upjohn in Group 1s this season and this was his biggest moment since replacing Frankie Dettori as Clarehaven's number one.
The George Strawbridge-owned Kingman filly has been a major improver this season since disappointing when sent off odds-on in the Musidora, winning at Group 3 and then Group 2 level before making her top-level breakthrough.
