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AMO Racing end partnership with jockey Kevin Stott
Kevin Stott announced on Monday that his partnership with owners Amo Racing has ended. The jockey has been retained by the owners since the beginning of March and has enjoyed big race victories in the purple and white silks, including aboard King Of Steel in the Group 2 King Edward VI Stakes at Royal Ascot.
His ride on the same horse in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes on Saturday was criticised by Kia Joorabchian [head of Amo Racing] in a post-race interview with RTE News, where he said: "King of Steel wasn't given the best chance to win yesterday, Kevin [Stott] made a couple of mistakes."
Joorabchian told Sun Racing: "I told Kevin thank you very much. 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."
Joorabchian continued: "We have done everything that we promised, he [Stott] 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.
"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."