Jamie Spencer facts for kids
Jamie Spencer, born on June 8, 1980, in County Tipperary, Ireland, is a famous Irish jockey. A jockey is a person who rides horses in horse races. Jamie rides in flat races, which are races on a flat track. He has been a top jockey in both Ireland and Britain.
Jamie Spencer has won many important races called "classics." He has won seven of these big races. Five were in Ireland and two were in England. Jamie is known for his special riding style. He likes to keep his horse calm and behind other horses for most of the race. Then, at the very end, he lets the horse use its natural burst of speed to try and win.
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Jamie Spencer's Racing Journey
Jamie Spencer's father, George Spencer, was also involved in horse racing. He trained horses for a different type of racing called National Hunt. Jamie started riding horses a bit later than some other jockeys. But he learned very quickly!
Early Success and First Big Wins
When Jamie was just 17, he won his first "classic" race. This was the 1998 Irish 1,000 Guineas on a horse named Tarascon. This made him the youngest jockey ever to win a classic race. The next year, he was the best young jockey in Ireland, winning 46 races. Jamie went to school at Kilkenny College.
Becoming a Champion Jockey
Jamie's great talent was noticed by top trainers. In 2003, he won the St Leger race on a horse called Brian Boru. This led him to become the main jockey for a famous trainer, Aidan O'Brien. While working with O'Brien, Jamie became the top jockey in Ireland in 2004. He won 93 races that year.
After a while, Jamie and Aidan O'Brien decided to go their separate ways. Jamie then moved to Britain. In 2005, he became the top jockey in Britain, winning 180 races. He was also British Champion Jockey again in 2007, sharing the title with another jockey named Seb Sanders.
Working with Different Teams
In 2010, Jamie signed a special contract to ride for Mrs. Fitri Hay. This meant he would ride her horses most of the time. Her main trainer was Paul Cole. This contract also meant Jamie rode for Aidan O'Brien again sometimes. This happened when Mrs. Hay bought parts of some very successful horses that O'Brien trained. One of Jamie's big wins for them was the 2011 Ascot Gold Cup on a horse called Fame And Glory.
In 2012, Jamie signed another two-year contract. This time, he rode for Sheikh Fahad from Qatar. They had many wins together in 2013, including the Irish 1000 Guineas with a horse named Just The Judge.
A Brief Retirement and Return
On August 21, 2014, Jamie announced he would stop riding at the end of that year. He said it was for family reasons. He planned to work as an advisor for Qatar Racing. However, in December 2014, he changed his mind! He decided to keep riding as a "freelance" jockey. This means he could ride for any trainer or owner who wanted him.
In August 2017, Jamie reached a big milestone. He rode his 2,000th winner in British flat racing. This happened at the Shergar Cup meeting. Only 22 jockeys have ever won 2,000 flat races in Britain. Jamie was one of only four jockeys still riding in 2017 who had achieved this amazing feat.
Jamie Spencer's Family Life
Jamie Spencer married Emma Ramsden in February 2005. Emma was a TV presenter for horse racing. They had three children together. They are no longer married.
Major Race Wins
Jamie Spencer has won many important races around the world. Here are some of his biggest wins:
Ireland
- Irish 2,000 Guineas – (1) – Phoenix of Spain (2019)
- Irish 1,000 Guineas – (3) – Tarascon (1998), Gossamer (2002), Just The Judge (2013)
- Tattersalls Gold Cup – (1) – Powerscourt (2004)
- Irish Oaks – (1) – Sariska (2009)
- Pretty Polly Stakes - (1)- Via Sistina (2023)
- Matron Stakes (Ireland) – (1) – Red Evie (2006)
- Moyglare Stud Stakes – (1) – Sequoyah (2000)
- Flying Five Stakes – (1) – Benbaun (2004)
Great Britain
- St Leger Stakes – (1) – Brian Boru (2003)
- Ascot Gold Cup – (1) – Fame and Glory (2011)
- Champion Stakes – (1) – David Junior (2005)
- Lockinge Stakes – (1) – Red Evie (2007)
- Epsom Oaks – (1) – Sariska (2009)
- St James's Palace Stakes – (1) – Excellent Art (2007)
- Eclipse Stakes – (1) – David Junior (2006)
- Falmouth Stakes – (1) – Macadamia (2003)
- Goodwood Cup – (2) – Big Orange (2015,2016)
- Nunthorpe Stakes – (1) – Kyllachy (2002)
- Haydock Sprint Cup – (1) – Goodricke (2005)
- Middle Park Stakes – (1) – Ad Valorem (2004)
- Sun Chariot Stakes – (1) – Echoes in Eternity (2003)
- Fillies' Mile – (1) – Gossamer (2001)
- British Champions Sprint Stakes – (1) – Maarek (2012)
- Vertem Futurity Trophy – (1) – Crowded House (2008)
- Champion Bumper – (1) – Pizarro (2002)
- Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes - (1) - Khaadem (2023)
- Bayerisches Zuchtrennen – (1) – Danceteria (2019)
- Grosser Preis von Berlin – (1) – Second Step (2015)
France
- Prix Maurice de Gheest – (1) – King Charlemagne (2001)
- Prix du Moulin de Longchamp – (1) – Excelebration (2011)
- Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp – (1) – Desert Lord (2006)
- Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère – (1) – Oratorio (2004)
- Critérium de Saint-Cloud – (1) – Ballingarry (2001)
- Dubai Turf – (1) – David Junior (2006)
- Jebel Hatta – (2) – Divine Task (2002), Wigmore Hall (2011)
United States
- Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes – (1) – Cape Blanco (2011)
- Arlington Million – (1) – Cape Blanco (2011)
- Man o' War Stakes – (1) – Cape Blanco (2011)
- Belmont Derby – (1) – Deauville (2016)
Canada
- Woodbine Mile – (1) – Trade Storm (2014)
- Northern Dancer Turf Stakes – (2) – Wigmore Hall (2011,2012)
- E. P. Taylor Stakes – (1) – Just The Judge (2014)
- Natalma Stakes – (1) – La Pelosa (2018)
