10am Spencer speaks of anguish after Qatar sacking
Tony Paley: Jamie Spencer has spoken of his anguish in an interview in the Times after being sacked as retained jockey to powerful owners Qatar Racing.
The two-times champion jockey shocked the sport when he announced his retirement from the saddle three months ago, with Andrea Atzeni later confirmed as Sheikh Fahad’s number one from next January.
Spencer will take up a management role within the Qatar Racing operation, but was informed in August he had lost his position as their No1 rider.
He told the Times: “The story is that I was told my contract wasn’t being renewed for next year. You wouldn’t be human if that didn’t come as a shock, but there has been no fall-out. Sheikh Fahad and I still speak every day. I’ve really enjoyed working for him. I get him and he gets me.”
Spencer, 34, was in his second season when he was told by Sheikh Fahad at the Arlington Million meeting in Chicago his contract would not be renewed.
He said: “David [Redvers, racing and bloodstock manager for Sheikh Fahad] said to me the day before that the boss wanted to speak to me. I guess I knew what was coming. This had seemed a dream job but nothing is ever set in stone in racing. You never really put your feet too far under the table because it’s a fickle, results-driven sport.
“Last year went reasonably well but we’d not had horses making a splash on the big days this year. It came good in the second half of the season but everything had changed by then. I saw Sheikh Fahad for an hour after my last ride at Arlington. The measure of the man is that he doesn’t hide. I know it wasn’t a fast decision. By all accounts, they are were talking about it in July. He went through everything with me in detail and made me an offer to join the management team. It wasn’t an easy decision and I didn’t have much time to think about it.”
Meanwhile, Spencer has no intention of deviating from his original call.
He said: “I haven’t stopped yet - I’m going to Barbados and to Hong Kong next month - but people are trying to make every ride my last. Stepping off the hamster wheel will do me the world of good, and seeing my kids at Christmas, without too much on my mind, will also be nice.
“Before that, I’ll meet up with Sheikh Fahad soon and discuss the future. My relationship with him is a big thing and I want to be involved with his operation. There’s no sense disguising it’s a difficult time but, in my mind, I’m stopping riding. It doesn’t sit easy but that’s how life is. Nothing lasts forever.”
Today’s best bets, by Greg Wood
Five runners is a pitiful turnout for a handicap hurdle with £25,000 in the purse, but that is the field that will go to post for the feature race at Market Rasen this afternoon, and for practical purposes, it may well come down to a match between First Fandango and Henryville, the top two in the weights, since Drum Valley, from the in-form Oliver Sherwood stable, reverts to hurdles after a spell over fences without looking obviously well-handicapped as he does so.
The two market principals are at least on the upgrade, with both having recorded career-best efforts last time out. There may be little between the pair in either the betting or at the end of the race itself, but Henryville (2.05) appeals as having a little more scope than his main rival. Noel Fehily, who steered him to victory at both Newton Abbot and Fontwell earlier this season, takes over in the saddle from Conor Brassil, Henryville’s partner when second in a decent race at Cheltenham in October, and the switch could make up for the extra weight in the saddle as Harry Fry’s six-year-old takes a little knowing and needs to be delivered late.
Kleitomachos (12.40) was fourth in a competitive race at Chepstow on his hurdling debut in October and could be the answer to an interesting novice event which opens the card at the same track, while both Frampton (1.50), who drops back in grade after running well in a Class 2 last time, and According To Sarah (3.00), who was challenging for the lead when making a bad mistake three out last time, are worth an interest at Wincanton.
There is decent racing on the Flat too thanks to the twilight meeting at Kempton, where the improving Geordan Murphy (6.40) can get off the mark on the all-weather after two wins at Windsor towards the end of the turf season. Hasopop (6.10) also catches the eye on the same card.
Tipping competition, day four
Our winners so far:
Monday
L Frank Baum 5-1
One For The Boss 2-1
Order Of Service 25-1
Tuesday
Grimley Girl 7-2
Robbie 9-1
Boruma 9-1
Wednesday
Barracuda Boy 3-1
Uno Valoroso 15-8
Habeshia 7-4
And our leaders are:
16heathermac01 +35.5
kinglynch +30
... after 16heathermac01 managed to find Barracuda Boy yesterday. Next in the race is melonk (+23.86).
Today, we’d like your tips, please, for these races: 2.25 Wincanton, 2.50 Chepstow and 4.00 Wincanton.
This week’s prize is a pair of tickets for Tingle Creek Chase day at Sandown on Saturday 6 December. The two-mile Grade One is always one of the highlights of the season but, if you can’t make it that day, we can offer you tickets for Friday 5 December instead (also at Sandown). If you don’t win, you can buy tickets here.
As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional level stakes of £1 at starting price on our nominated races, of which there will be three each day up until Friday. Non-runners count as losers. If you have not joined in so far this week, you are welcome to do so today, but you will start on -6.
In the event of a tie at the end of the week, the winner will be the tipster who, from among those tied on the highest score, posted their tips earliest on the final day.
For terms and conditions click here.
Good luck!
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And post your tips or racing-related comments below.
