Kia Joorabchian Reshapes Horse Racing with Bold Moves

Kia Joorabchian, a super-famous football agent, has finally reached the world of horse racing with all his ambitions. His recently acquired acquisition of the famous Freemason Lodge in Newmarket represents yet another leap forward in the juggling of his interests within the sport. The purchase of the former stables of legendary trainer Sir Michael Stoute is part of Kia Joorabchian’s strategy to position his AMO Racing operation AMOng the elite.

Just before Christmas, Kia Joorabchian closed Freemason Lodge, and within a matter of weeks, renovation work was completed. “Freemason Lodge is going to be very important for us,” he said, stressing the importance of place, which was where the famed racehorse Shergar once stayed. Clearly, this major racehorse investment in infrastructure shows his aspiration to establish a world-class racing operation.

With the endorsement of such heavyweight competition-the Godolphin and Clarehaven Stables-Joorabchian’s move signals that he is intending to compete with the best. His approach is similar to that of his football business regarding rapid expansion, strategic alliances, and high-risk racehorse investments.

AMO Racing today is completely another entity from the one it was 18 months ago. Kia Joorabchian has changed strategies, trainers, and venues, thereby attracting adverse attention from traditional racing circles. However, he knows it all, having increased his credits many times over the afterlife in the cut-throat business of football’s transfer markets.

“My background is that I come from a different sector. So that is my experience. With my sports industry, you cannot sit down. You cannot remain under the radar,” he elaborated, emphasizing his proactive stance.

Kia Joorabchian made headlines in the bloodstock industry last autumn when AMO Racing spent £24 million on yearlings at the Tattersall October Book 1 Sale. He outspent powerhouse operations like Coolmore and Godolphin, securing 25 high-value horses through various partnerships.

Boldly Kia Joorabchian’s team stepped in again- paying 2,500,000 guineas for a full sister to 2,000 Guineas-winning Chaldean at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale. All these acquisitions show how serious he is about being right up there in competition in horse racing.

Kia Joorabchian compared his racing ambitions with his football experiences. Read this interview here: “We had no option; we had to compete in the Champions League.” We have to go up against these guys, making a move and for us either making a move or stopping.

Joorabchian’s wide network in sports and business was a deciding factor in his fast rise to racing. Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has been spotted alongside Kia Joorabchian during several auctions, presumably further fuelling talk of cola financial backing.

The two went together last summer to the Goffs London Sale where Kia Joorabchian tried a 7.8 million bid for Prix de Diane winner Sparkling Plenty. Marinakis was also present at the Tattersalls auction later in the year. Though he tried to minimize his role, the word on the Toorak Road AMOng pundits and insiders is that their connection is wide-ranging and relates to both the football and racing industries.

Marinakis’s influence in football came to the fore when Arsenal sporting director Edu, a longtime client of Kia Joorabchian, was linked with a move to Nottingham Forest. The two investors appear to have formed a mutually beneficial partnership across various sporting ventures.

“Kia is a very good man; she is known to be our Al Shaqab friend,” the racing manager reminded the press. Joorabchian echoed the sentiment, describing their collaboration as “very exciting.”

Another strong partnership exists with Anthony Ramsden and Valmont, further bolstering AMO Racing’s purchasing power. “That’s been quite exciting too, because Anthony’s very much involved with the horses,” Joorabchian remarked.

Joorabchian’s entry into racing follows a career of bold business ventures. Born in Tehran and raised in Britain and Canada, he made his first major move in 1999 by acquiring an 85% stake in Moscow newspaper Kommersant. He later gained prominence in football through Media Sport Racehorse Investment, which invested heavily in Brazilian club Corinthians.

His football management company, Sports Invest UK, has represented top players, including Carlos Tevez, Philippe Coutinho, and Willian. Now, he is applying the same high-stakes approach to horse racing.

Joorabchian’s influence in the racing world is growing rapidly. His racehorse investments, strategic acquisitions, and powerful alliances have already disrupted the traditional landscape of the sport. With Freemason Lodge as his new base and a roster of elite horses under his ownership, he has positioned AMO Racing as a serious contender at the highest level.

While traditionalists may question his approach, Joorabchian remains focused on his vision. “The more new people we can bring in, the better it is, because the more the industry is going to propel,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to transforming the sport.

With his track record in football and business, Joorabchian’s racing venture is one to watch closely in the years ahead.