A Jamie Spencer special, the Skepta Sessions and a 5,400,000gns top lot

Wednesday, November 23

Those who have read this column before will know I’m partial to a bit of celeb spotting, with Mauricio Pochettino and Michael Portillo among the previous sightings. As I changed trains at Cambridge en route to the Tattersalls December Sale my eye was drawn to the unmistakable figure of everyone’s favourite hold-up jockey Jamie Spencer waiting to board the train to Newmarket.

I am, of course, being facetious because clearly those who label Spencer one-dimensional are doing one of the most talented riders around a great disservice. However, I couldn’t help cracking a wry smile when the train doors opened and he immediately made a beeline for the last carriage. I guess some habits die hard after all.

Joe Foley came with a late rattle of his own once the sale was up and running as he secured one of the joint top lots, an 80,000gns Mohaather colt, late in the session. Earlier in the day Tom Goff of Blandford Bloodstock had given the same price for a Bated Breath filly on behalf of Wardley Bloodstock, which is the nom de plume of Emmy Award-nominated composer Rupert Gregson-Williams.