Kieran Shoemark enjoyed a first Group 1 success since stepping into the shoes of Frankie Dettori at Clarehaven Stables when guiding Friendly Soul to victory in the Prix de l'Opera Longines at Longchamp.
Friendly Soul battled on bravely to lead home a one-two for trainers John and Thady Gosden and claim the Prix de l'Opera Longines.
Sent off a 9/1 chance following a Group 3 success at Ascot and a Group 2 victory in the Prix Alex Head at Deauville in August, the George Strawbridge-owned three-year-old proved she was capable of cutting it at the very top level when fighting off her rallying stablemate Running Lion to prevail by three-quarters of a length on Arc day at Longchamp.
Shoemark, who was enjoying a first triumph since taking over from Frankie Dettori at Clarehaven Stables, said: "I feel very fortunate to have come across this filly. Bar one blip, she's got a pretty spectacular race record and she's done nothing but improve.
"It's very important for her owner and breeder, George Strawbridge, and it's fantastic that he's here today. It's a big effort and she's a pretty special filly."
On how the plan came about, John Gosden added: "Her owner-breeder, Mr George Strawbridge, came over from the United States of America to be at Deauville, which he enjoys," said Gosden
"We were there with Freddy Head, actually, and the Prix Alec Head is named is honour of his father. We sat down afterwards, and Freddy instructed us to come to the Prix de l'Opera so it is entirely his idea!
"We were hoping to be good enough to come here, we didn't know if she'd handle the soft ground because the ground was quicker in Deauville, but she did it very well."
Victory means Friendly Soul will gain an automatic entry for the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and Gosden Senior was quick to point out that a trip to Del Mar remains a distinct possibility.
He said: "I suppose there's every possibility, Mr Strawbridge lives in America.
"It's one mile and three furlongs and I think Kieran felt that a mile and a quarter was very much the top end of her range. She's won over a mile but running a mile and three around a bend in Del Mar is a bit like running around a bull ring, so anything is possible."
