Kia Joorabchian SACKS Kevin Stott as Amo Racing's No1 jockey after just seven months | The Sun
KEVIN STOTT has sensationally been sacked as Amo Racing's No1 jockey after just seven months.
Football superagent Kia Joorabchian pulled the plug after he was unhappy with King Of Steel's ride in the Irish Champion Stakes.
The Derby runner-up to Auguste Rodin went down by a length in their rematch, finishing strongly but all too late.
Stott also finished 12-and-a-half lengths behind Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes winner Henry Longfellow on Amo's big 2000 Guineas hope Bucanero Fuerte yesterday.
Joorabchian told Sun Racing it was a 'collective decision on and off the racetrack' that led to the two parting ways.
He said: "I told Kevin thank you very much. I am telling you now so you have time and I don't want to put you in s*** at the end of the season.
"This was a collective decision on and off the racetrack.
"We have decided not to renew his contract for next season. It was always a one-year contract.
"We have done everything that we promised – he has done everything he promised and we have parted ways, nothing more than that.
"I've never had a problem with jockeys. I never fell out with Rossa (Ryan), I love him more than anybody, he rode at Royal Ascot for me.
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"He was my only retained jockey, he needed to go out on his own and get experience.
"I have supported him and he is thriving!
"But you know, Kevin is not a young boy, he has experience.
"For reasons outside of racing, I have to decide what's best.
"I don't know what jockeys we'll use now, I'll leave it to the trainers to pick the best available."
Stott, who was a promising footballer and had trials at Spurs, 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."
Rumours about issues between Stott and Joorabchian, who counts the likes of Willian, Carlos Tevez and Philippe Coutinho as his players, surfaced in July.
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Stott's TV presenter girlfriend Meg Nicholls was forced to deny claims online the duo had already parted ways.
Quoting a tweet that said Stott and Joorabchian had split, she wrote: "Gotta love a rumour on a Friday morning.
"I can confirm this is not true!"
Stott was left kicking himself after 66-1 chance King Of Steel got overtaken late on by Aidan O'Brien's Auguste Rodin in the Derby last June.
King Of Steel next appeared at Ascot and won the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes before finishing third in the King George.
Back down to 1m2f in Ireland King Of Steel showed a decent finishing kick and perhaps he would have got closer over another two furlongs.
But just like at Epsom it was Auguste Rodin under Ryan Moore who proved too strong.
Joorabchian has made no secret of his ambition to challenge the racing big boys O'Brien trains for, namely the all-conquering Coolmore batallion.
Add to that the likes of Juddmonte, Shadwell and Godolphin.
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Stott got the Amo gig last February after Rossa Ryan and Joorabchian parted ways last September following an internal investigation.
Joorabchian pointed out that Ryan continues to ride for Amo and was the man in the saddle for Valiant Force's astonishing 150-1 success in the Norfolk at Royal Ascot.
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