Jamie Spencer changes course: at age 46, he will relocate to California

The experienced Irish jockey, who comes off winning the Canadian International with Arabian Crown and two million-dollar stakes races at Kentucky Downs, has decided to test his luck on a more permanent basis in the United States. This weekend he will begin riding at Santa Anita

ARCADIA, California (Special for Turf Diario).— Jamie Spencer is ready to reinvent himself at age 46. After nearly three decades competing among Europe's elite jockeys, the Irishman has decided to make a major pivot in his career and establish himself in California, where he will aim to become a regular fixture on the Santa Anita and Del Marcircuits.

The decision comes at a particularly opportunistic time for the veteran rider, who over the past month found North America to be an ideal stage to prove that his talent remains undiminished.

First he traveled to Kentucky Downs, where he picked up two valuable stakes victories with Take Charge Star(Starspangledbanner) and Haatem (Phoenix of Spain). Then, on October 3, he crossed the border into Canada to capture the Canadian International Stakes (G1) at Woodbine aboard Godolphin's Arabian Crown (Dubawi).

Those results helped solidify an idea that has now become reality: trading his European routine for a far more frequent presence at American racetracks.

"Why not come over and see how it works out?" Spencer remarked in an interview with Daily Racing Form's Steve Andersen, who broke the news of his move.

"I've been riding work in the mornings and I'm hoping to get plenty of action at both Santa Anita and Del Mar," he added.

His competitive debut in this new chapter is set for this very weekend. Between Saturday, October 10 and Monday, October 12, he has 4 mounts scheduled at Santa Anita—the first steps in an era that could extend long-term if he secures the backing of local owners and trainers.

Although he spent the vast majority of his career in Europe, Spencer is intimately familiar with the nuances of North American racing.

During 2026, he won 3 of his 10 starts on the continent—a 30 percent strike rate that is particularly remarkable given the high stakes of his assignments.

Over his career, he boasts 19 victories in North America, 16 of which came in graded stakes—all of them on the turf.

Even more impressive is another statistic: 10 of those wins were recorded in G1 contests.

The numbers explain why his name continues to be in high demand for top-tier international assignments, especially when dealing with horses that require a patient ride and a precisely timed late charge.

That is, in fact, Spencer's trademark style. His signature tactic of holding his mounts up until the last possible moment to launch a late sprint helped him build a unique reputation. It is a style that demands cool nerves, sharp race reading, and a remarkable ability to thread the needle when the race reaches its climax.

It can also carry inherent risks, particularly in large fields, but it remains a defining characteristic that made him one of the most recognizable jockeys of his generation.

Spencer's journey at the highest level began when he was just 17 years old. In 1998, he won the Irish 1000 Guineas(G1) aboard Tarascon (Tirol)—an extraordinary triumph given his youth that presaged a career filled with major successes.

He went on to become champion jockey in Ireland in 2004 and claimed the British champion jockey titles in 2005 and 2007, proving his ability to stay atop the competitive European circuit.

Now, backed by nearly 30 years of accumulated experience, he faces a different challenge: adapting to the daily grind of Southern California, where the race flow and the business of securing quality mounts come with their own distinct demands.

His recent triumph with Arabian Crown at Woodbine serves as an outstanding calling card, as do his victories at Kentucky Downs.

Spencer is not arriving in the United States to rebuild a reputation, but rather to capitalize on the prestige he still commands. His recent results demonstrate that he remains a jockey capable of delivering in major spots, and his intention is to turn those sporadic international appearances into a full-time reality.

Santa Anita will mark the first setting of this new chapter. Next will come Del Mar, another venue where his renowned turf prowess could unlock significant opportunities.

At 46 years old, the Irishman still harbors plenty of ambition. And California will be the proving ground to see just how far it will take him.