David Egan has dramatically resigned as Amo Racing’s No 1 retained jockey.
The relationship between Egan, 27, and Amo supremo Kia Joorabchian is understood to have become severely strained following a blank week at Royal Ascot.
Amo’s second rider Rowan Scott will now be on board £2million purchase Ghostwriter in Saturday’s Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes.
Irishman Egan was also due to ride Treasurer, on whom he won on its previous start, in a Listed event at Ascot on Friday but has been jocked off.
Egan was, however, given the green light to partner odds-on favourite Glamorize to victory in the Amo silks at Nottingham on Tuesday in what is understood to be his last ride for them. Tuesday night he was still booked to ride Amo’s Nuit d’Eclair at Ascot on Saturday but it looks inevitable that he will be replaced.
Egan was initially installed as first jockey in December 2023, signing a two-year deal to replace the sacked Kevin Stott. His contract was extended in June of last year, with an Amo post on X at the time reading: ‘David has been an integral part of our team and we look forward to building on that strong foundation together.’
David Egan has resigned from Amo Racing with his relationship with Kia Joorabchian strained
However, a lack of success at Royal Ascot, a meeting identified as pivotal to the success of Joorabchian’s multi-million-pound owning and breeding operation, saw irreparable fault lines emerge in the relationship.
Rossa Ryan, Amo’s original No 1 rider until the two parties ended their two-year association by mutual consent in September 2022, was called upon to partner two Amo-owned horses at the Curragh for trainer Robson De Aguiar last Sunday. They both won.
That decision to return to Ryan and not utilise Egan looked unusual from the outside. Daily Mail Sport understands Egan was the subject of criticism from his bosses for his ride aboard the Charlie Johnston-trained Ancient Egypt, a 22-1 outsider when runner-up in the Group 1 Cygames Grand Prix de Paris last week.
The loss of Amo’s confidence in Egan, who has provided Group One success for Joorabchian’s organisation, is thought to be behind his removal from the top horses in their colours.
It is understood this change of policy by Joorabchian has encouraged Egan to sever his retainer ahead of its natural conclusion at the end of the year, a move which could pave the way for Ryan to become more instrumental once more at Amo.
When the two parties split in 2022, Ryan said of the separation: ‘I’d like to thank Kia for taking me from obscurity and placing me at the head of Amo Racing.’
