Coroebus suffers fatal injury as Dreamloper lands Prix du Moulin at Longchamp

Sunday: Prix du Moulin, Longchamp

Dreamloper provided jockey Kieran Shoemark with a second Group 1 triumph of 2022 in the Prix du Moulin, but it was a race marred by the death of 2,000 Guineas hero Coroebus who broke down early in the home straight.

The Newmarket Classic winner, who was also successful in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, was attempting to get back on track after a defeat in Deauville's Prix Jacques le Marois. The Godolphin colt went off favourite for the Moulin and was held up in midfield by William Buick, who angled his mount out after the two pole.

However, the three-year-old fell and suffered a fatal injury. Buick was reported to be fine, but had to give up a later ride on West Wind Blows, who won the Prix du Prince d'Orange under Shoemark.

Kieran Shoemark with Lady Bowthorpe last yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

Dreamloper was a fine third in last season's Sun Chariot when ridden by Shoemark for the first time and the jockey has struck up a fine rapport with the five-year-old, who is trained in Lambourn by Ed Walker.

In May, the pair landed the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket and Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp before two attempts over 1m2f did not work out in the Pretty Polly and Nassau Stakes.

However, a drop back in trip to a mile was the answer as Dreamloper shot to a five-and-a-half-length victory from Order Of Australia with The Revenant in third.

Last summer's Nassau heroine Lady Bowthorpe was Shoemark's first top-level winner, but is now at stud, leaving space for another special mare in his heart.

"I needed to find one like this," he said. "I had an exceptional year last year with Lady Bowthorpe and I didn't know where the next Group 1 horse was going to come from.

"I found one pretty early this year and she's provided me with another Group 1, so I'm delighted. I'm grateful to Ed, Molly Stratton, who rides her every day, and the owner. I'm very lucky to be part of this story."

Walker is planning an audacious assault on the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf with Dreamloper and Shoemark added: "Riding her at the Breeders' Cup would be huge. It would be my first trip over and I might have some other rides, but she'd be my best chance."

The trainer was quick to heap praise on his jockey, who is from a racing family and showcased his talents to ITV viewers on Saturday by winning a £100,000 Haydock handicap on the Charlie Hills-trained Inverness.

Ed Walker: praised Dreamloper's jockey Kieran ShoemarkCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Fair play to Kieran," said Walker, who was speaking to Sky Sports Racing. "We came over together and spent about four hours talking about the race and eventually I just said, 'Do your job and what you're paid for'.

"He absolutely nailed it because it wasn't tactically obvious what was going to happen and she's not a straightforward ride. Ever since he sat on her in the Sun Chariot he's got on incredibly well with her and I think we're reaping the rewards for that."

Shoemark also conjured a fine tune out of West Wind Blows, who emerged as a possible dark horse for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe following his win at Longchamp.

He is trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, who have had a remarkable 14 winners from their last 25 runners.

The three-year-old, who did not fire in the Derby but has done little else wrong, runs in the colours of Abdulla Al Mansoori and is 14-1 with Paddy Power for the Arc.

Asked if they were tempted by Europe's end-of-term blockbuster, Ed Crisford said: "We could be, it's the championship race of the year, but we'll sit down with the owner and make a plan."

Read this next:

Frankie Dettori handed 14-day ban after Mendocino shocks Torquator Tasso

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.