The Irish rider celebrated his 22nd birthday on Derby Day by riding Moon Ballad to an impressive third place in the Epsom Classic.

Spencer is currently retained by Newmarket trainer Luca Cumani but many believe he is destined for a move to another stable, and he is being tipped as a potential future champion jockey.

Spencer is clever, determined and tactically aware, although he may need to refine his riding which has seen him earn several suspensions.

He partnered Tarascon to victory in the 1998 Irish 1,000 Guineas, and repeated the trick aboard Gossamer four years later.

In 2001, Spencer cemented his growing reputation by riding the Cumani-trained Endless Hall to victory in the $1.6m Singapore Airlines International Cup.

And he secured a dream win away from the Flat scene when claiming a victory at Cheltenham's National Hunt Festival in March 2002.

His father George had trained the Champion Hurdle winner, Winning Fair, at the Festival 39 years earlier.

But there was disappointment for Spencer in this year's 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

He was narrowly beaten on hot favourite Hawk Wing by Aidan O'Brien's stablemate Rock of Gibraltar.

Some compensation came in the form of victory on Gossamer in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

Spencer had four winners at the Glorious Goodwood meeting in 2001, missing out on the top jockey award only by virtue of the number of places he had.

His tally included winning on the 33-1 chance Guinea Hunter in the Vodafone Stewards' Cup.

This year was less fruitful although he did pick up the Champagne Stakes with Dublin.