Jamie Spencer was feeling better about going on holiday with Frankie Dettori after he ended a Group 1 drought in Britain which stretched back 12 years.
The former champion jockey, 43, was once one of the hottest properties in the saddle, with roles as stable jockey to the likes of Aidan O’Brien and Qatar Racing, and retained by Godolphin.
In his freelance years as the big race opportunities have reduced, he has had to travel abroad for his biggest moments, riding top level winners in France, Germany, Australia and North America.
Yet he finally found one on home soil when riding Khaadem to a shock victory in the £1million Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, returning at 80-1 to become the highest-priced winner of the Group 1 sprint.
Spencer had not ridden into the Royal Ascot winners’ circle after a Group 1 victory since Fame And Glory captured the Gold Cup in 2011 for Khaadem’s owners Jim and Fitri Hay,
“It’s difficult to put into words what Jim and Fitri have been like as friends to me for a long time,” said Spencer. “They are have been great people towards me.
“Even for myself, and my own children are watching now, years before when I would have been flying at this meeting they wouldn’t have understood, but they understand now. It’s nice when you get texts saying ‘Well done’.
“Winning Group 1s are hard. Getting on one is generally the hardest part. It’s a fantastic day and I’m going to enjoy it.”
Khaadem was Spencer’s second win of the week, his other winner Witch Hunter won at 50-1.
“I sit beside Frankie [Dettori] and I am going on holiday with him tomorrow,” he said. “It was looking pretty bleak the last few days having to listen to him [after riding four winners]. Even one of my friends said, ‘He is going to be insufferable’. I’ve had a little bit of a fightback, but not very much.”
