Jamie Spencer

Bloodstock agent Stephen Hillen has recalled how Sunday's G2 Dahlia S. winner Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) would not have won any beauty pageants as a yearling but revealed a certain amount of thinking outside of the box has led to him dreaming of big-race riches with the George Boughey-trained mare.  Via Sistina couldn't have been more impressive at Newmarket on Sunday. She travelled into the race like a dream under Jamie Spencer, a good friend of Hillen's, and won going away by six lengths without having to be...

Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) produced a career-best performance to win the G2 Howden Dahlia S. at Newmarket in a style that suggested there could be even bigger things to come from the gigantic five-year-old mare.  Trainer George Boughey revealed prior to the race that he does not have a bigger horse in his yard and that he had been praying for rain in the build-up to the Group 2 contest. Those prayers were answered, with Via Sistina sluicing through the soft ground under a statuesque Jamie Spencer, who,...

Successful in two of his first three outings, Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's Marbaan (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}--Zahoo {Ire}, by Nayef) belied odds of 14-1 to claim a career high on stakes debut in Tuesday's G2 Japan Racing Association Vintage S. at Glorious Goodwood. The March-foaled bay opened up with a May 22 third to the reopposing Dark Thirty (Ire) (Straspangledbanner {Aus}) going six furlongs at Newbury before streaking to a five-length tally over the same trip at Nottingham in June and embellished his win column with a half-length score when...

Mickley Stud's first-season sire Massaat (Ire) (by Teofilo {Ire}) had his first winner on Thursday as the Australian Bloodstock acquisition Mascapone (GB) prevailed at Chelmsford. Not seen since finishing fourth in Doncaster's Brocklesby Mar. 26, the 7-4 favourite was anchored in rear early by Jamie Spencer in the opening six-furlong maiden. Delivered to the front with 150 yards remaining, the David Simcock-trained bay asserted to score by 1 1/4 lengths from Lady Lavina (GB) (The Last Lion {Ire}). Australian Bloodstock's Jamie Lovett, who purchased Mascarpone privately, told TDN Europe, "He...

The only maiden in the line-up for Goodwood's Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat S. on Friday, Normandie Stud's Lionel (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) emerged on top of a tight finale to step into the frame for the Irish Derby. Sent off at 17-2 on the back of a promising third behind the re-opposing Natural World (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and the subsequent Listed Fairway S. winner Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in an 11-furlong Newbury maiden Apr. 16, the bay was settled with one behind early...

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.    Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where. CALIFORNIA Track: Santa Anita Date: 03/04/2022 Licensee: Kent Desormeaux, jockey Penalty: Suspension Violation: Non-appearance for hearing Explainer: Jockey Kent Desormeaux, having failed to respond to written notice to appear before the Board of Stewards at Santa Anita Park on or before...

David Simcock has an above-average crop of juveniles this term and the Never Say Die Partnership's Light Infantry (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) provided a further boost to the stable with success in the G3 Virgin Bet Horris Hill S. at Newbury on Saturday. Off the mark by 6 1/2 lengths in a six-furlong Yarmouth novice Sept. 14, the 4-1 shot was held up in rear early tackling this extra furlong by Jamie Spencer racing a touch freely. Gently cajoled into contention as the testing conditions took their toll on the...

Newmarket's Sun Chariot card was a breeding ground for emerging talent on Saturday, with the MansionBet Best Odds Guaranteed EBF Maiden S. the scene of the arrival of another TDN Rising Star in Earle Mack's newcomer Cash (Ire) (Shamardal). Sent off at 8-1 for his debut in this mile contest, the grey broke slowly before being held up by Jamie Spencer in rear throughout the early stages. Threaded up the rail to enter contention approaching two out, he had three lengths to make up on the 11-8 favourite Al Nafir...

Those who work in racing know all too well the endless hours devoted to getting horses ready for the racecourse, and fans of the sport were able to see that for themselves during the first National Racehorse Week in Britain. The brainchild of National Hunt trainer Richard Phillips, the inaugural week-long spotlight on the racing industry included racing stables being open to the public all over the country, starting at Epsom and Malton, and culminating in Newmarket's popular Henry Cecil Open Weekend. It can be deemed a huge success. This...

Several big names have been added to the upcoming Racing League competition this summer. Frankie Dettori, Oisin Murphy, Jim Crowley and Hollie Doyle are all set to take part. Dettori is part of the Newmarket team, along with fellow riders Jamie Spencer and Luke Morris, who are paired with trainers John Gosden, Sir Mark Prescott, Robert Cowell and David Simcock. Murphy, Hayley Turner and Sean Levey are riding for Andrew Balding and Richard Hannon. Murphy said, "This is an exciting innovation and considering the prize money there should be fierce...

Jamie Spencer is recovering after undergoing surgery following a fall on the gallops in Newmarket on Friday. Spencer was riding out for trainer David Simcock when his mount slipped and unshipped his Classic-winning rider, who was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge for treatment on his hip. Spencer posted his thanks to Addenbroke's staff on his Twitter account on Sunday. He wrote, "On Friday morning at 8;40 a.m. I was returning from Warren Hill gallop when what can only be described as a freak accident when my horse spooked and...

Jockey Jamie Spencer may require hip surgery after being taken to hospital following a training mishap on Friday. Spencer was aboard a David Simcock-trained horse when the horse slipped and fell. The Classic-winning rider was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge for treatment. "He was riding out for David Simcock when his horse just slipped," said the rider's agent Niall Hannity. "It wasn't a serious fall, but he just landed awkwardly and was taken to Addenbrooke's. He has a hip injury and they're not sure whether he will require surgery...