European Champion Jockey Spencer announces arrival at Santa Anita with a rallying victory aboard Tirupati in the Swingtime Stakes for fillies and mares going one mile on turf Monday

__EUROPEAN CHAMPION JOCKEY SPENCER ANNOUNCES ARRIVAL AT SANTA ANITA WITH A RALLYING VICTORY ABOARD TIRUPATI IN THE SWINGTIME STAKES FOR FILLIES AND MARES GOING ONE MILE ON TURF MONDAY __

ARCADIA, CA (Oct. 12, 2026)—European champion jockey Jamie Spencer, who arrived at Santa Anita Park this week with plans for an extended stay, announced his presence Monday when rallying from second-to-last aboard Tirupati to win the $80,000 Swingtime Stakes for fillies and mares going one mile on turf. For Spencer, who has previously ridden Breeders’ Cup programs at Santa Anita, it was his fourth mount since arriving and first-ever win at The Great Race Place.89

Trained by Jonathan Thomas, Tirupati (3-1) hopped out of the starting gate and found herself well behind the leaders through the opening quarter mile. Tirupati continued to race near the rear of the field down the backstretch. As the leaders approached the quarter pole, Spencer asked Tirupati for run on the outside and she responded, ranging into contention entering the stretch and then speeding past rivals in the stretch to win by a half-length. Finishing second was Miracle Beauty (13-1), an import from Ireland who was making her U.S. debut for trainer Michael McCarthy. It was another neck back to Antifona (10-1).

Both Thomas and Spencer expected Tirupati to be up closer to the pace.

“She got a little restless in the stall and kind of hopped out of there,” Thomas said. “Jamie did what he could, but then he went to Plan B like it was Plan A. He’s a world-class rider and he rode her like it. He timed it perfectly.”

A 5-year-old mare by Mitole, Tirupati won in a time of 1:34.46 for her first victory since March of 2025 when she won the GIII Wilshire at Santa Anita also at one mile on turf. Fractions for the race were 23.57, 47.59, 1:10.95 and 1:22.88.

“It’s nice to get the first win on the board,” said Spencer, a 46-year-old native of Ireland. “Jonathan was pretty keen on her chances. She was a little bit restless in the gate so I had to go to Plan B and ride her patiently. Originally, we wanted to start in the first three, but it worked out. I was hoping in the straight that she was going to grind them out and nail them late.

“She was just giving her heart and soul.”

Spencer was champion jockey twice in Britain and once in Ireland. He’s also won seven classic races in Europe during his distinguished career.

“I suppose I have to apologize to the people who I rode the first few horses for, it takes a few races to get used to it again,” Spencer said. “It is such a tight track compared to what we are used to in Europe. I’m sure I'll get the hang of it.”

Tirupati improved to 20: 5-5-6 with more than $340,000 in earnings for owner Augustin Stable. In three prior starts this year, all against allowance company, Tirupati was second twice (Saratoga, Ellis Park) and third most recently at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 3.

Tirupati paid $8.00, $5.00 and $3.60. Miracle Beauty, ridden by Kazushi Kimura, returned $14.00 and $8.80. Antifona, with Juan Hernandez aboard for trainer Vladimir Cerin, paid $6.20.

Live racing resumes Friday at Santa Anita with a nine-race card starting at 1 p.m. PT.

SWINGTIME STAKES QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

JAMIE SPENCER, TIRUPATI, WINNER: “It’s nice to get the first win on the board. Jonathan was pretty keen on her chances. She was a little bit restless in the gate so I had to go to Plan B and ride her patiently. Originally, we wanted to start in the first three, but it worked out. I was also hoping in the straight that she was going to grind them out and nail them late. I suppose I have to apologize to the people who I rode the first few horses for, it takes a few races to get used to it again. It is such a tight track compared to what we are used to in Europe. I’m sure I'll get the hang of it. “She was just giving her heart and soul.”  

TRAINER QUOTES

JONATHAN THOMAS, TIRUPATI, WINNER: She got a little restless in the stall and kind of hopped out of there (at the start). So (Spencer) went to Plan B like it was Plan A. He’s a world-class rider and he rode her like that. He timed it perfectly.

NOTES: The winning owner is Augustin Stable.