Ballydoyle to get the best trainer available
Coolmore supremo John Magnier insists they are no nearer to finding a replacement for Jamie Spencer following the rider’s shock decision to quit as stable jockey to Aidan O’Brien.
Ballydoyle confirmed on Sunday that Spencer had resigned his position after just one year with O’Brien, leaving Magnier and others involved in the yard searching for a replacement.
Although Johnny Murtagh is the hot favourite with the bookmakers to take over, Magnier and his associates have yet to consider any possible replacements.
“I haven’t given it any thought. Really, it was the last thing we had on our minds, but our policy would be to get the best available. We also have Seamus Heffernan (at Ballydoyle),” Magnier told the Daily Telegraph.
Magnier, whose wife Sue owns a number of top horses at Ballydoyle, was surprised by the news that Spencer was leaving.
However, he offered Spencer a personal vote of confidence and added that the rider may well partner some of his horses that are trained in other yards.
He added: “I’m disappointed we’ve lost Jamie Spencer. He’s a lovely fellow. I obviously didn’t think we would be in this situation at this time, but it’s one of those things. It’s a free world.”
