Kia Joorabchian is widely known in the football world for big transfers, third-party player rights and his company Sports Invest UK. He originally came on the scene with the transfers of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to West Ham back in 2006. Over the past two decades he has quietly built a parallel presence in British flat horse racing, evolving from occasional owner to one of the more ambitious names in the sport. His operation now goes under the name Amo Racing.
His initial involvement in racehorse ownership was in 2003 but it was in 2004 where he enjoyed his first success as a joint owner at Windsor. This was with a horse named Persian Rock who was trained by Jamie Osborne. It was modest beginnings, but enough to spark a longer-term interest in the sport. Over time albeit with ups and downs racing kept drawing him back. He’s stated that even early bad experiences didn’t deter him; rather, they reinforced his resolve.
By 2018 Kia Joorabchian decided to increase his involvement seriously, forming his own racing colours of Amo Racing. Prior to that, he operated under Karmaa Racing, among other ownership names, but Amo is the operation through which he now pursues higher profile targets.
In 2021 and onwards his investment steps up sharply where he began acquiring more high-quality bloodstock. He became a regular involvement in the bids of high class bloodstock at top auctions and going after horses and yearlings with a name already in their racing career or well-sorted after pedigree and promise.
To compete with the more established major players in the racing world such as Coolmore, Godolphin and Juddmonte Joorabchian has also invested in his infrastructure. He has been expanding his training and stud operations and the purchase of Freemason Lodge in Newmarket was one highlight back in 2005. The stables have stacks of history with the now retired Sir Michael Stoute having many classic winners there.
Kia first had Raphael Freire as his trainer in Lamborn but Kia said that he had outgrown the 38-box Felstead Court facilities there and was openly looking for new premises. It was Kevin Philippart de Foy who was chosen to take control of the prestigious yard in Newmarket for Amo Racing. The long term plan for Amo Racing is to acquire great statilions and Persian Force who was a successful two year old was retired to stand under his ownership. The outspoken owner has yet to taste his first classic winner but the purchases of horses with strong bloodlines shows it won’t be long till it happens. He has tasted success at Royal Ascot which is one of the pinnacles of the flat season.
Though Joorabchian has deep pockets and ambition, he has entered a crowded field with long-standing traditions. There are always big risks with big purchases that may underperform as well as high upkeep costs, navigating regulation and ensuring long-term supply of good bloodstock. He appears to be a man showing the attitude of “David can beat Goliath” so a continued involvement in racing financed by his other business interests seems likely.
Kia Joorabchian’s journey in British flat racing is one of evolution from being an occasional owner, through incremental steps, to operating one of the more serious challengers in the bloodstock world via Amo Racing. With continued investment in horses, stables, stallions and strong pedigrees, he’s established a credible presence. Whether he’ll top the table regularly will depend on results, but it’s clear he is not merely a sideline enthusiast he intends to leave a mark.