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Article by Chris Pitt
Article by Chris Pitt
William Arthur Shoemark was born on January 13, 1941, and was apprenticed to Tom Yates at Letcombe Bassett. His first winner was Koolabah in a three-year-old maiden at Bath on August 10, 1960. His only other ‘winner’ on the Flat was disqualified.
William Arthur Shoemark was born on January 13, 1941, and was apprenticed to Tom Yates at Letcombe Bassett. His first winner was Koolabah in a three-year-old maiden at Bath on August 10, 1960. His only other ‘winner’ on the Flat was disqualified.
Rising weight determined that his future would lie over jumps. He rode his first winner in that sphere on Shillingstone in a Chepstow selling hurdle on Easter Monday, March 30, 1964, following up in a similar contest at Taunton on May 7, his only two wins that season.
Rising weight determined that his future would lie over jumps. He rode his first winner in that sphere on Shillingstone in a Chepstow selling hurdle on Easter Monday, March 30, 1964, following up in a similar contest at Taunton on May 7, his only two wins that season.
He joined David Gandolfo’s Wantage stable at the start of the following term and made the perfect start, winning the opening race of the campaign with Mon Bon Homme in the Newton Abbot Professional Novice Riders’ Handicap Hurdle on August 1, 1964. That was the first of over two hundred successes in what would be a long association between trainer and jockey, one that lasted right through to Bill’s retirement in 1976.
He joined David Gandolfo’s Wantage stable at the start of the following term and made the perfect start, winning the opening race of the campaign with Mon Bon Homme in the Newton Abbot Professional Novice Riders’ Handicap Hurdle on August 1, 1964. That was the first of over two hundred successes in what would be a long association between trainer and jockey, one that lasted right through to Bill’s retirement in 1976.
Bill rode a total of 282 winners, his best season being 35 in 1972/73. Career highlights included the 1972 Whitbread Gold Cup on David Gandolfo’s Grey Sombrero and the 1974 Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on Gay Kindersley’s Fighting Chance.
Bill rode a total of 282 winners, his best season being 35 in 1972/73. Career highlights included the 1972 Whitbread Gold Cup on David Gandolfo’s Grey Sombrero and the 1974 Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on Gay Kindersley’s Fighting Chance.
His final winner was Pam Neal’s grand old performer Mac Vidi in the Double Star Handicap Chase at Lingfield on March 20, 1976. Mac Vidi was usually Bill Smith’s ride but this time it was a winning ‘spare’ for Bill Shoemark. Later that year, Miss Neal presented him with a fine painting – done by her own hand – of Bill and Mac Vidi jumping the last fence.
His final winner was Pam Neal’s grand old performer Mac Vidi in the Double Star Handicap Chase at Lingfield on March 20, 1976. Mac Vidi was usually Bill Smith’s ride but this time it was a winning ‘spare’ for Bill Shoemark. Later that year, Miss Neal presented him with a fine painting – done by her own hand – of Bill and Mac Vidi jumping the last fence.
In 1981 Bill went into the fish & chip business in Swindon with John Francome, later branching out on his own and moving to Stow-on-the-Wold. He retired and moved back to Wantage in 2014.
In 1981 Bill went into the fish & chip business in Swindon with John Francome, later branching out on his own and moving to Stow-on-the-Wold. He retired and moved back to Wantage in 2014.
His younger brother Geoff also rode successfully for David Gandolfo. In addition, Bill’s son Ian (born August 26, 1966) rode winners on the Flat and over hurdles, including in the Royal colours, while Ian’s sons Conor and Kieran Shoemark are successful conditional jump and Flat apprentice jockeys respectively.
His younger brother Geoff also rode successfully for David Gandolfo. In addition, Bill’s son Ian (born August 26, 1966) rode winners on the Flat and over hurdles, including in the Royal colours, while Ian’s sons Conor and Kieran Shoemark are successful conditional jump and Flat apprentice jockeys respectively.
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