David Egan has stepped down from his position as the principal retained jockey for Amo Racing, ending a relationship that sources indicate had become increasingly strained in recent weeks. The 27-year-old Irish jockey’s departure follows a series of disappointing performances, including a winless week at Royal Ascot, which reportedly tested his rapport with Amo Racing’s owner, Kia Joorabchian.

Egan had been scheduled to ride Treasurer, a horse he previously guided to victory, in a Listed race at Ascot on Friday. However, the mount was reassigned, with Rowan Scott, Amo’s secondary rider, now set to take the reins of Ghostwriter, a £2 million acquisition, in Saturday’s Group Two Sky Bet York Stakes.

Despite being allowed to partner the odds-on favorite Glamorize to victory at Ascot—a critical meeting for Joorabchian’s considerable investment in owning and breeding—tensions appear to have escalated. The Ascot meeting was seen as pivotal for the operation, and the performance outcomes seem to have highlighted underlying issues between Egan and the organization.

The decision to reinstate Rossa Ryan to ride two Amo-owned horses at the Curragh on Sunday also raised eyebrows. Ryan, who served as Amo’s original primary jockey until their mutual separation in September 2022, achieved victories on both mounts. This move was viewed as unusual by observers, given Egan’s retained status at Amo.

Reports suggest that Egan faced internal criticism for his ride on Ancient Egypt, a 22-1 outsider who finished second in the Group One Cygames Grand Prix de Paris last week. This scrutiny is believed to have contributed to Amo Racing’s decision to withdraw its confidence from Egan and reassign its top rides.

The breakdown in the relationship has reportedly led Egan to terminate his retainer agreement prematurely, which was initially set to expire at the end of the year. This change potentially opens the door for Ryan to re-establish a more prominent role within Amo Racing.

Reflecting on his prior departure from Amo Racing in 2022, Ryan expressed gratitude to Joorabchian for the opportunity to rise within the organization, describing his tenure as a period that elevated him from relative obscurity to a prominent position within the stable.