Football super-agent Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing operation is approaching a pivotal moment in its bid to reach the top of British horse racing. After spending heavily on yearlings and stable infrastructure, the 2026 season is expected to deliver results, but early signs are mixed.
Joorabchian spent 22.9m guineas (£24m) at the Tattersalls Book 1 sale in October 2024, followed by 13.7m guineas (£14.4m) at the same sale in autumn 2025 and a further £4m on 17 yearlings at Book 2. He also bought the historic Freemason Lodge stable in Newmarket in early 2025 after Sir Michael Stoute’s retirement and hired Frankie Dettori as global brand ambassador. A £40m loan from Apollo Global Management, secured against horses and stables at a reported 10.25% interest rate, was extended in February to include intellectual property.
The 25 yearlings bought in October 2024 are now three-year-olds, but none are prominent in Classic betting. Power Blue, the Phoenix Stakes winner, is 66-1 for the 2,000 Guineas. Partying, the 4.4m guineas top lot, has yet to race. Poker, costing £4.3m, is 200-1 for the Derby after two defeats. Joorabchian appears to be shifting focus to two-year-olds, spending $1.9m at an American breeze-up sale and planning further purchases at Doncaster.
The ultimate goal is to find a stallion whose covering fees offset start-up costs, but time may not be on Joorabchian’s side. The operation has also fallen out with the Racing Post, with trainer Kevin Philippart de Foy asking if any reporter from the paper was present after a win at Newmarket.
