Jockey's tribute to stab victim

Jockey Jamie Spencer was idolised by youngster Jamie Yeates

Jockey Jamie Spencer made a moving tribute to stab victim Jamie Yeates after his treble at Great Leighs.

The victories put Spencer top of the all-weather jockeys' championship and his tribute was uppermost as he wore a black armband dedicated to young Jamie.

Yeates, 15, who died at his home in Llanelli on Thursday, idolised the senior jockey and had been due to lead out Spencer's first mount on Sunday.

The boy's nickname had been Spencer because of his admiration.

Jamie Yeates had worked at Alison Thorpe's stable in Carmarthenshire and had been due to meet his hero by leading up Spencer's opening ride Dishdasha for the Derg Handicap.

Spencer won comfortably on the 100-30 favourite trained by Thorpe.

All we wanted today was to win for the lad Malcolm Jones, co-yard owner

"It's very, very sad," Spencer said. "What can you say really? Life's precious and he was a young lad, just starting out in life. I'm just pleased to have won.

"It's very little, but at least it's something. The horse had plenty in hand today."

Malcolm Jones, one of the major owners of the yard in Bronwydd Arms, said: "I was talking to Alison this morning and she said: 'what are you going to tell Jamie?'.

"I said, 'what do you tell a champion jockey?'. All we wanted today was to win for the lad."

Spencer followed up his win on Dishdasha to steer Singleb home by half a length in the Corrib Selling Stakes, then pulled onto 27 winners with Safebreaker in the Aleen Handicap.