Spencer back in winner’s enclosure after career U-turn

Jamie Spencer was back in the winner’s enclosure yesterday after his first ride since announcing he was to carry on riding when partnering Master Of Irony to victory at Lingfield.

Spencer revealed in a statement on Sunday while he was in Hong Kong that he had shelved plans to retire and instead ride as a freelance next season.

The 34-year-old shocked the industry in August when he announced his intention hang up his saddle at the end of 2014, and it had been expected his final ride had come aboard the unplaced Trade Storm in the Hong Kong Mile.