Jockey Spencer Picks up Gulfstream, Fair Grounds Mounts

European-based jockey Jamie Spencer started a working holiday in the United States at Gulfstream Park Jan. 13, riding Brendan Walsh-trained Bantu to a fourth-place finish in the ninth race, a one-mile allowance for older horses on turf.

           

"I'm basically on a working holiday. I came to do some track work for Brendan Walsh, Wesley Ward. I've been galloping for Patrick Biancone also," said Spencer during his first visit to Gulfstream and its satellite training facility in Palm Beach County, Palm Meadows. "I'm enjoying it. The weather is good, better than it is in Europe this time of year. I'm picking up a few rides, so it's working out well."   

            

The 38-year-old international star rider is scheduled to ride Ward-trained Zipaway Jan. 17 in the seventh race, a five-furlong maiden special weight race on turf, at Gulfstream before venturing to ride at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Friday and Saturday. In addition to riding Walsh-trained Dubara in the Marie G. Krantz Stakes and Brad Cox-trained Compass Zone in an allowance race Saturday, Spencer is named to ride Jack Sisterson-trained High Mounte in a maiden race Friday.

            

Walsh and Spencer go back a long way.

            

"The guy I was assistant to at Newmarket, Mark Wallace, had a very good sprinter named Benbaun, and Jamie used to ride him from time to time," said Walsh, who was born in Ireland. "He used to work horses and ride for us all the time, and we've been the best of friends ever since.

            

"I think he's always found it interesting here," he added. "He's been hooked up with Wesley Ward since Wesley's been going to Ascot. Between myself and Wesley, we've been saying, 'Why don't you come over here'?"

            

Spencer, who was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, has been the champion jockey in both Ireland and England. His success, which includes more than 2,000 wins in England alone, has resulted in several trips across the Atlantic to ride in major stakes in North America.

            

He has had 78 mounts in North America, his first being a second-place finish in the 2000 Atto Mile (G1T) at Woodbine and his most recent being an off-the-board finish in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) at Churchill Downs Nov. 3. From his limited appearances in North America, he has ridden nine winners, all coming in grade 1 races. In 2011, he rode Cape Blanco to victories in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and the Man o' War at Belmont Park, as well as the Arlington Million Stakes at Arlington International Racecourse. His most recent North American grade 1 success came last year aboard La Pelosa in the Natalma at Woodbine

            

He became the youngest jockey to win a British classic in 1999 when he captured the One Thousand Guineas (G1) aboard Tarascon.