'If you're involved in sport, you know this is going to happen' - Kia Joorabchian on Kevin Stott sacking

Kia Joorabchian has defended his decision not to renew Amo Racing's retainer with Kevin Stott just eight months after hiring him, and says he is open-minded about whether to name a replacement for 2024.

Stott revealed to the Racing Post on Monday morning he had received a text from the Amo principal putting an end to the partnership, describing the news as "disappointing" and saying no reason had been given.

Joorabchian openly questioned Stott's ride aboard King Of Steel in a television interview on Saturday after the pair had finished fourth in the Irish Champion Stakes. And while not backing down from those sentiments, Joorabchian said the primary reason for making the move was not related to Stott’s performance in the saddle.

Speaking from Kentucky, where he is attending the opening session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Joorabchian told the Racing Post: "There's nothing been done wrong from a riding perspective. There's no criticism from me on that stance.

"He's given some wonderful rides, he's given the odd bad ride but this is the nature of sport and if you're involved in sport, you know that this is going to happen. There's absolutely nothing more than that."

Kevin Stott and Kia Joorabchian in the Leopardstown parade ring on SundayCredit: Patrick McCann

Joorabchian underlined that Stott had only been given a year's contract, and hinted that the cause of his decision may have been, at least in part, to do with Stott's relationships with other members of the Amo team.

"I texted him to thank him for his contribution, his dedication and I told him I was grateful for everything he did," added Joorabchian, who pointed out that Andrea Atzeni and David Egan had both had high-profile retainers terminated recently, and said he didn't believe the timing of the split would impact on the rest of the season.

"The major part of this year is done and dusted," said Joorabchian. "We didn't do it in the middle of the year, we did it at an appropriate time when everything is finishing."

Asked about any future retainer, he added: "I don't make that call now. I might not appoint anyone anyway, but definitely not now."

Stott, who began working for Amo Racing at the start of March, has enjoyed considerable success for the increasingly powerful operation this year, most notably aboard Derby runner-up and King Edward VII Stakes winner King Of Steel.

Earlier on Monday he said: "I was informed this morning that I will no longer be riding for Amo Racing. It was obviously very disappointing news but a reason for the decision was not given to me, so there isn't a lot I can say. I do want to thank Kia and all the Amo trainers for the opportunities given to me this year. There have been some incredible moments, one of them being riding Amo's first Group 1 winner.

"What has happened is disappointing but I'm still looking forward to the rest of the year and beyond."

Stott becomes the second jockey to leave the Amo job in controversial circumstances. Rossa Ryan announced he had split from Amo during last year's Ebor festival but that was refuted by Joorabchian, who only confirmed the termination of their association a number of days later. That relationship was revived this year when Ryan partnered 150-1 Amo second string Valiant Force to land Royal Ascot's Norfolk Stakes.

Kevin Stott celebrates a major Royal Ascot win on King Of SteelCredit: Edward Whitaker

Stott, who rode as principal first-choice jockey for Kevin Ryan until opting to go freelance last October, helped Amo break its top-flight duck when Bucanero Fuerte won last month's Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. Bucanero Fuerte was a well-beaten third of four under Stott behind winner Henry Longfellow in Sunday's National Stakes at the Curragh.

The 29-year-old jockey partnered other Pattern-level victories for Amo this season in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, Oak Tree Stakes and Craven Stakes, while he came within half a length of winning the Derby aboard King Of Steel, who followed his Royal Ascot triumph by finishing third in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Stott has ridden 81 winners in Britain this year and was on Sunday declared to ride one Amo-owned runner, Arizona Desert, at Leicester on Tuesday as well as a two-year-old maiden for Ryan. However, Arizona Desert was on Monday morning declared a non-runner with a bruised foot.

The Danish born rider, who enjoyed a career-best 116 winners in 2022, gained his first Group 1 success aboard the Ryan-trained Hello Youmzain in the 2020 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Kia's next move: who might be in the frame if Amo come calling for a new number one?

One of the notable features about Amo Racing's emergence is the diversity of trainers employed, by no means all of whom are household names.

That in turn means trying to second-guess who might step into the jockey hot seat is not straightforward in the way it might be if one main trainer or two needed to be comfortable with the choice.

Both Rossa Ryan and Kevin Stott were chosen as young up-and-coming jockeys, rather than riders who had an existing relationship with Amo or its trainers, and if Joorabchian wants to continue in that vein then a look at those who have made their Group-race breakthrough this season might be a fruitful starting point.

At Group 1 level the first-timers this year have been Ryan himself on Shaquille and Sean Kirrane with Live In The Dream, while Saffie Osborne has impressed with the opportunities afforded her by Ed Walker, none more so than when scoring on Random Harvest in the Valiant Stakes.

Saffie Osborne: enjoying a great seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Few top riders can match the 18 per cent strike-rate of Hector Crouch this year, although he enjoys the backing of Ralph Beckett and is already being used plenty by Godolphin.

Even for Amo and its youth-opportunity outlook, this might come a year too soon for Billy Loughnane, although his name is almost certain to come up.

Might it in fact end up being a case of 'back to the future' and a return to a full-time retainer for Rossa Ryan, the man who gave Amo that coveted first Royal Ascot winner with Valiant Force in June?

Ryan has ridden more winners this calendar year than anyone – including William Buick – and he remains as hungry as ever; among the top 15 jockeys in Britain only Luke Morris has taken more rides.

Amo Racing: next retained rider

Paddy Power: 2 Rossa Ryan, 3 David Egan, 5 Billy Loughnane, 8 Ben Curtis, Benoit de la Sayette, Colin Keane, Ronan Whelan, 10 Sean Levey, Oisin Murphy, 16 Charlie Bishop, Silvestre de Sousa, Seamie Heffernan, Clifford Lee, Oisin Orr, Kieran Shoemark, Danny Tudhope, 20 Saffie Osborne, 50 Gary Halpin

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'We never sacked Rossa' - Joorabchian plays down Amo Racing drama 

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