Spencer: Retirement Prompted by Loss of Riding Contract
Jamie Spencer had success riding Cape Blanco at Arlington Park
Jockey Jamie Spencer's announcement in August that he would be retiring from the saddle at the end of the year surprised many in the racing industry.
The 34-year-old rider, who had had Group 1 success around the world, had been employed as the retained rider for Sheikh Fahad al Thani's Qatar Racing since 2013. Spencer will take over in a management position for Qatar Racing in 2015.
In a recent interview with The Times, Spencer admitted that he was surprised to find out his riding contract was not going to be renewed. The news was broken to Spencer by Sheikh Fahad the weekend of the Arlington Million, when both men were in Chicago for the race.
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Spencer had the following to say about the split, "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.
"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."
Spencer added, "Sheikh Fahad and I still speak every day. I've really enjoyed working for him. I get him and he gets me."
Read more at Sky Sports
