It has been a season to recollect for Callum Shepherd, who’s eyeing extra massive days within the saddle following his Ascot treble final Saturday.
The 26-year-old was unexpectedly within the highlight when seeing his Derby desires dashed earlier in the summertime, changed by Robert Havlin on Ambiente Pleasant forward of the Epsom Traditional.
However he was quickly creating his personal headlines when steering Isle Of Jura to a memorable Hardwicke Stakes victory at Royal Ascot, earlier than having one other day to recollect on the Berkshire observe final weekend.
Lower than 24 hours after being unseated from Simon and Ed Crisford’s Magnum Opus on the observe, he was guiding the coaching duo’s star miler Quddwah to victory within the featured Anne Cowley Memorial Summer season Mile Stakes.
Quddwah retains his unbeaten report, holding off Historic Rome for victory within the Summer season Mile at @Ascot for @CallumSheppy and Simon & Ed Crisford… pic.twitter.com/paDknhX8Cd
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 13, 2024
“I’m thrilled with how issues are going and I’ve registered some big-race wins on just a few completely different horses and significantly on the larger conferences,” mentioned Shepherd.
“I’m managing to make a little bit of a mark which is fairly good.”
Quddwah was Shepherd’s second Group Two success of the season and leg one in all an excellent Ascot three-timer, as he took full benefit of big-race alternatives for some high-profile connections on a busy afternoon across the nation.
The Kingman colt is now 4 from 4 in his profession, and Shepherd believes races such because the Sussex Stakes are practical for a horse he appreciates his weighing-room colleagues can be queueing as much as trip.
Quddwah successful beneath William Buick earlier within the season (Adam Davy/PA)
“Quddwah is a very thrilling horse and appears a Group One winner within the making,” continued Shepherd.
“It was nice to get the leg-up on him, and for him to go and justify his favouritism was good.
“It’s not been mentioned (if he’ll preserve the trip) and it will likely be right down to connections and one thing which is out of my palms. He’s going to be a trip which lots of people will need and we should see, however hopefully I’m within the equation.”
The rider additionally helped James Fanshawe’s Surveyor make a return to the winner’s enclosure, whereas he additionally registered his first victory aboard Charlie Fellowes’ Kodi Lion and is predicting larger issues for each within the second half of the season.
The @james_fanshawe-trained Surveyor nearly sees off Queen Of Atlantis to clinch a double for @CallumSheppy at @Ascot… pic.twitter.com/GzecnlU6uv
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 13, 2024
Shepherd added: “It was beautiful to trip Cheveley Park a winner for James Fanshawe. I feel James has educated plenty of the household so it was good to have the ability to try this and for there to be a backstory to it.
“She’s a horse who’s progressing properly and you must hopefully see extra of her within the second half of the season.
“Kodi Lion has gone up 7lb for what he did at Ascot and though he solely gained a size, he did so very nicely. He can be focused at one of many massive festivals I feel and he appears to be like a very progressive three-year-old at this level who may step up in journey once more.
“He’s thrilling and owned by Opulence Thoroughbreds and it’s good to see a syndicate having fun with a very nice time. It will be good to see him head to a pageant the place they will actually get pleasure from him.”
Callum Shepherd has loved an amazing season (Steve Paston/PA)
Shepherd’s excessive got here shortly after a low the earlier night and the jockey admits he was considerably lucky to flee Friday’s unseat with solely superficial accidents, praising the Ascot medical staff for the position they performed in making certain he was match to take up Saturday’s star e-book of rides.
Patched up and sporting bandages to guard the earlier night’s stitches, he was again within the saddle to get pleasure from a renaissance story solely racing can present.
“I used to be in all probability fairly fortunate. I’ve some stitches in my brow, however the physique was effective and by chance I used to be capable of trip,” defined Shepherd.
“I handed the concussion protocol and was capable of get my helmet on with out an excessive amount of discomfort which was the principle factor.
“It’s inevitable every so often (to have a fall) and I used to be clearly frightened it wasn’t very nicely timed given the great rides I knew that I had the following day.
“Man Mitchell did the stitches and the medical staff as all the time have been wonderful and it’s a credit score to them for attending to me so shortly they usually acquired me on my method earlier than the top of racing on Friday.
“It’s racing, there’s highs and lows and it’s an excellent sport for that cause. There’s the possibility to compete day by day and when you could find the fitting horses and have these days, that’s what makes the game actually particular. I’m glad I had a type of days on Saturday.”
In fact Shepherd’s best day this season got here aboard Isle Of Jura when scoring for the primary time on the Royal assembly, persevering with a protracted and fruitful affiliation with George Scott’s crack middle-distance operator.
Isle Of Jura and Callum Shepherd successful the Hardwicke Stakes (David Davies/PA)
A setback has ended hopes of the gelding extending his five-race successful sequence within the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes again at Ascot later this month, whereas additionally prematurely curbing his season.
Nonetheless, these related are constructive the four-year-old could make his presence felt as soon as once more upon his return subsequent season.
“Isle Of Jura gave us plenty of good days in Bahrain which was actually vital given who he represents and we had a beautiful winter for him,” mentioned Shepherd.
“For him to return again right here and do what he did was good and the Hardwicke was by far the perfect day of my profession, I actually actually loved it.
“It’s a disgrace we gained’t see him for the remainder of the yr, however we’d be pretty assured in saying he can be returning subsequent season and for just a few seasons to return.”
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