Spencer resigns as Ballydoyle jockey
Following a less than satisfactory campaign, during which his riding was frequently criticised, he has chosen to walk away from the biggest job in European flat racing.
A statement released yesterday afternoon, on behalf of Ballydoyle, said he had informed them of his decision to resign his position as the yard’s retained jockey.
Spokesman Richard Henry said: “Jamie is a young jockey with a lot of talent and has a long career ahead of him. All the team at Ballydoyle wish him the very best.”
Spencer was appointed number one at Ballydoyle, replacing the best flat jockey this country has ever produced, the legendary Michael Kinane.
The reasons for that much-publicised split were never explained and the now 24-year-old Spencer struggled right from the start to fill Kinane’s boots.
He suffered several suspensions, but it was his failure to deliver on the big day which, inevitably, led to on-going discussion about his future.
He certainly wasn’t helped, however, by frequently having to ride Ballydoyle horses in Group One races, who were often no better than Group Three.
His misery began at Newmarket in the English 2000 Guineas in early May when he was aboard the morning glory, One Cool Cat.
The medium of some huge wagers, One Cool Cat went off the 15-8 market leader. He performed deplorably, finishing 13th of 14.
There was worse to come for Spencer, particularly on the multi-talented, but quirky, Antonius Pius.
He was set to win the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp when jinking violently right towards the rails well inside the final furlong, handing the race to American Post.
The son of Danzig subsequently had far from a clear run when finishing fifth in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and then Spencer was widely criticised when coming late and fast on the horse to fail by half a length in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Lone Star Park in Texas.
Indeed, it was that Breeders’ Cup meeting which gave Spencer, arguably, his worst moment for Ballydoyle.
Partnering the strongly fancied Powerscourt, in many ways his nemesis, in the mile and a half Breeders’ Cup Turf, he got it completely wrong, appearing to get a rush of blood a long way from home and driving Powerscourt into the lead.
The colt had little left entering the final furlong, fading to finish a disappointing third.
The story began to break on Saturday evening when Cashmans’ bookmakers reported what a spokesman described as “irregular betting” on the Irish jockeys’ championship.
Initially, Cashmans were offering 6-4 Spencer, 3-1 Kinane and 4-1 Johnny Murtagh. Asked for a price Kieren Fallon, they quoted him at 10-1.
But they were forced to shorten Murtagh to 5-4, Kinane to 6-4 and, rather bizarrely, Fallon to 7-4. There wasn’t the proverbial sausage for Spencer, so they quickly suspended betting.
Yesterday, the firm made Murtagh odds-on to replace Spencer. They bet: 4-5 Murtagh, 2-1 Fallon, 3-1 Darryl Holland, 12-1 Gary Stevens, 25-1 Pat Smullen, 33-1 Fran Berry, Michael Kinane.
Obviously, thoughts now turn to the possible successor. Murtagh and Fallon, both very highly rated at Ballydoyle, are surely the live candidates.
Murtagh has a proven track record on Ballydoyle horses.
Murtagh spent most of last season riding in England, but current plans are that he will ride for James Fanshawe cross-channel and will be in action in Ireland on Sundays for Curragh handler, Michael Halford.
Fallon has ridden on many occasions for Ballydoyle and recently confirmed his intention to return to “Britain” from a recent stint in America.
It is understood that Spencer, who, ironically, ended 2004 as champion jockey with 93 winners, intends to resume his career full-time in England.
