Redcar or Augusta? Shepherd to stay home as twin braces for McIlroy Masters date

It will be Redcar and Chelmsford rather than sunny Augusta for Callum Shepherd this week but the Flat jockey's attention will be firmly fixed on his twin brother, and golf sensation, Laird as he makes his debut in the Masters on Thursday.

The amateur golfer is already rubbing shoulders with the likes of Tiger Woods and his preparation includes playing alongside Rory McIlroy in the Par 3 tournament which precedes the sport's most iconic event.

He secured his Masters place with an extraordinary comeback victory in the 2021 British Amateur Championship and is as big as 2,500-1 with Sky Bet to become the first non-professional to win the Masters.

While many of the Shepherd family are set to head to Georgia, Callum instead has rides booked on the all-weather on Thursday and Friday but will be tracking his brother's exploits closely.

The jockey, 24, said: "It's not the same as being there but I'll be following him as closely as I can. For him being there is very, very special but I hope he can play some good golf.

Laird Shepherd will be playing the famous Augusta course for the first timeCredit: Andrew Redington

"It's the most famous major. Augusta is a special place and when you think about everyone who plays golf, the percentage of those who get to play there is astronomically small. It must be amazing to be there and I hope it's not the last time he plays at Augusta. I'd like to think I can catch him playing there another time.

"He's playing well and has been in the States for about a week. He had a practice round around Augusta and ended up playing behind Tiger Woods. That must have been quite surreal going around Amen Corner.

"My parents are going over with some family friends. They've rented a house but I'm going to stick it out here at the likes of Redcar."

Shepherd – who has two rides at Redcar on Monday – has his own ambitions to reach a century this season. He enjoyed a career-best tally of 84 winners in the previous campaign and is already on 14 for 2022.

"It's not been too bad," he said. "I spent a fair chunk of time in Dubai which hurt the tally a little bit but I had a double on Lincoln day at Kempton. Things are ticking along, I've been busy riding work, which is exciting.

"I've got some good relationships with trainers in Newmarket. There's a long season to go and I hope there are plenty of winners to come. The next natural target is 100 but I want to ride good winners as well. I'd definitely want to make a breakthrough in Group races."

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