Kieran Shoemark secured a notable Group 1 victory at Royal Ascot, guiding Ten Bob Tony to an unexpected triumph in the £800,000 Queen Anne Stakes. The five-year-old, trained by Ed Walker, delivered a career-best performance to claim the race at odds of 50-1, overtaking rivals in the closing strides to win by half a length.

Just a year prior, Shoemark was recovering from the setback of being dismissed as the stable jockey for John Gosden. His partnership with Walker, based in Lambourn, has since revitalized his career. Ten Bob Tony, showing improving form, had recently captured a Group 3 race at Epsom ten days before this victory, signaling his peak condition.

In the Queen Anne, Shoemark executed a patient ride, maintaining a steady tempo before making a decisive late move. He noted that the horse traveled effortlessly throughout, suggesting there was no collapse in pace. "He really did cruise into it. He is a pretty smart horse and clearly thriving," Shoemark said. He credited Ten Bob Tony’s experience and composure, emphasizing the significance of winning a Group 1 race on the opening day of Royal Ascot.

This surprise result adds to the history of major upsets in the Queen Anne Stakes, following previous long-shot winners such as Accidental Agent and Triple Time, both victorious at 33-1. Ten Bob Tony’s victory, however, stands out for its even longer odds.

More Thunder, the 7-2 favorite, held on for second place after leading much of the race, while the front-runner Opera Ballo finished close behind. Trainer William Haggas expressed some frustration but acknowledged the quality of More Thunder’s performance, stating, "Fair play, he ran a good race."

Shoemark’s win not only marks a personal career milestone but also highlights the resilience and form of Ten Bob Tony as they continue to challenge at the highest level of flat racing.