Kia Joorabchian, founder of Amo Racing, has addressed recent speculation regarding the future of jockey David Egan amid a challenging period for the stable. Amid rumours suggesting a potential split and reports that Egan may have sought to resign as Amo Racing’s retained rider, Joorabchian affirmed that Egan remains the team’s primary jockey.

The controversy follows a disappointing season for Amo Racing, which has struggled to meet expectations after investing heavily in the 2024 sales class. While a number of the stable’s highly regarded horses have failed to perform consistently, Joorabchian highlighted Ancient Egypt as a promising contender. Tensions appeared to surface after the horse narrowly missed out in the Grand Prix de Paris held 11 days ago. Speaking at Ascot, Joorabchian acknowledged the frustration felt by both owner and rider but denied any post-race disagreements. He said the defeat was disheartening but that the team was focused on moving forward.

The rumours gained momentum following the Irish Oaks weekend at the Curragh, when Rossa Ryan took over riding duties for Amo Racing’s runners, and Egan was notably absent from the lineup. The stable secured two wins that day, including a victory by Power Blue in the Minstrel Stakes. Joorabchian explained Egan’s absence was a strategic decision to “rest” the jockey, citing the physical demands of a long racing season and frequent travel. He stressed the importance of giving riders breaks to maintain their performance, comparing it to the necessity of rest periods for professional athletes.

Speculation intensified after reports surfaced midweek that Egan had submitted a resignation letter as Amo Racing’s retained jockey. When questioned, Joorabchian neither confirmed nor denied these claims, instead cautioning against creating narratives based on speculation. He reiterated that Egan remains integral to the team’s plans and emphasized that other riders such as Rossa Ryan, Kevin Stott, and Rowan Scott are also retained by the stable. Joorabchian rejected the notion of operating a “best available” jockey policy, underscoring that decisions are based on strategic considerations rather than promoting one jockey over another.

Egan himself has remained largely silent throughout the controversy, offering minimal public comment except to indicate he would ride for Amo Racing “this week.” At Ascot, he declined to elaborate further.

While Joorabchian’s statements suggest a commitment to maintaining stability within the stable’s jockey lineup, the underlying pressures linked to Amo Racing’s lacklustre campaign leave open the possibility of renewed tensions if performance does not improve in the coming weeks.