Spencer to retire at end of season
The 34-year-old, who has twice been crowned champion jockey in Britain as well as once in Ireland, is currently retained rider for the powerful operation but will work closely alongside Sheikh Fahad Al Thani and his bloodstock advisor David Redvers providing feedback and advice on their horses from 2015.
Spencer said: “This is a fantastic opportunity and if I have learned anything in my riding career it is that you should take such opportunities when they come along.
“As much as I love race riding, it is not something I want to do for the rest of my life and while I am not necessarily ready to retire now, I feel at a stage when I am ready for a change. I really enjoy being part of the Qatar Racing team, and so the opportunity to continue that and at the same time start the next chapter in my career appealed to me.”
Spencer burst onto the scene when winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas aboard Tarascon back in 1998 at the age of just 17, and has enjoyed plenty of big-race winners during a career that also saw him spend the 2004 season as stable rider for Aidan O'Brien.
He famously shared the British crown with Seb Sanders in 2007 in a battle that went right to the last day and bagged British Classic success with the likes of 2003 St Leger hero Brian Boru and 2009 Oaks winner Sariska.
