Next Amo Racing Retained Rider Odds: Which Jockey Is Favourite

Sports Lens

13 September 2023

Next Amo Racing Retained Rider Odds: Which Jockey Is Favourite

With the controversial sacking of Kevin Stott recently, we look at the next Amo Racing retained rider odds and just which jockeys the bookmakers think are favourites to parade the famous purple and white horse racing silks next.

Kevin Stott Was Sacked As Amo Racing Retained Rider After His Ride In The Irish Champion Stakes

Promising jockey Kevin Stott, who finished second in this season’s Epsom Derby on King Of Steel for Amo Racing, was sensationally given the boot recently after his ride on the same horse in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown (watch below).

Amo Racing main man Kia Joorabchian, who has links as a football agent, was open in his criticism about Stott’s ride on King Of Steel in a TV interview post race, after jockey and horse finished a close-up fourth to Auguste Rodin.

Many horse racing pundits have since challenged the sacking, saying that the best horse on the day won and Stott couldn’t have done anything to change the result – with three horses finishing ahead of him, albeit only a length behind the winner.

Joorabchian said that Kevin Stott had given some of the Amo Racing horses wonderful rides, including when partnering their first Group One winner Bucanero Fuerte to win the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh in August.

However, he also added Stott, who is also the boyfriend of Megan Nicholls, had given the ‘odd bad ride’ too.

As a result 29 year-old Stott was sent a text message by the Amo Racing boss to thank him for his contribution but wasn’t needed for the remainder of the season. Stating that most of this term’s flat turf racing was done-and-dusted and now was a good time to announce the split.

Kevin Stott had only been in place as the Amo Racing retained jockey since March 2023.

Stott told the Racing Post

“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.”

Kia Joorabchian also announced that he wasn’t in any hurry to find a replacement for Kevin Stott – but this still hasn’t stopped the best UK horse racing bookmakers in speculating on just which jockeys might take over the purple and white silks.

Could Former Amo Racing Rider Rossa Ryan Return As Their Number One Jockey?

Interestingly, another former Amo Racing number one jockey – Rossa Ryan – has been installed as the betting favourite with Paddy Power to win back his job.

Ryan was also shown the door after the York Ebor Festival in 2022, with Stott announced to take over in March this year.

However, Rossa Ryan’s services have still been used by Amo Racing, having partnered Valiant Force at win the Norfolk Stakes at this year’s Royal Ascot meeting at a stonking 150/1 (watch below).

Rossa Ryan can be backed @ 2/1 to take over as the Amo Racing retained jockey again.

Up-and-Coming Billy Loughnane Another Name Being Touted For Amo Racing

Next in the betting for the next Amo Racing retained jockey is David Egan @ 3/1.

Egan was also subject of losing a high-profile retained position earlier this season when Pince Faisal ended their partnership back in July 2022.

The betting also sees the very promising Billy Loughnane high up in the market @ 5/1 as the potential next big superstar rode out his apprentice claim earlier this month and, in the process, has hit many headlines over the summer.

It might be a bold move by Amo Racing to secure Loughnane, who has ridden in less than 1000 races, but they’ve shown a liking for younger up-and-coming jockeys in the past with Rossa Ryan and Kevin Stott.

Saffie Osborne 20/1 To Be The Next Amo Racing Top Jockey

Another name doing the rounds is Saffie Osborne, who is having a cracking season in the saddle – most notably in this season’s Shergar Cup at Ascot and also in the midweek Racing League contests.

Osborne, who is the daughter of former top jumps jockey and now trainer Jamie Osborne, has ridden 150 winners (to date) in her career, with over a third (55) of those coming this campaign.

She could follow in the footsteps of top lady rider Hollie Doyle, who is retained by Imad Alsagar.