AMO, FLU & OAKS/DERBY.

Kia Joorabchian, for whatever reason, doubtless envy, receives a bad press, with journalists quick to seize on any story about him and to paint it blacker than is necessary. On today's front page of the Racing Post, his decision to remove a few horses from his Irish-based trainer Robson Aguiar - 'Horses Removed From Trainer - but Joorabchian Denies Rift' - is another poke in Kia's ribs. Whate Kia is attemting to achieve is to break into the top echelon of horse racing in Europe. He is not going about it in a quiet, methodical and patient way. He is throwing mney at the enterprise as if he has an orchard of money trees in the back gardens of his, no doubt, many homes. And when the blossom on his trees is less plentiful, meaning less fruit for the year, Kia asks his partners in the enterprise to top him up.

Kia is reminiscent of the aristocrats of the long-ago past who staked all their income on the turn of a card or on a horse race. Few survived the betting craze of their times. And that is what Kia's strategy resembles, going all out, guns blazing, in hope of surviving long enough for that one great horse to come along and save his bacon. He is now the owner of Freemason Lodge, formerly the home and workplace of Sir Michael Stoute, with Kevin Philippart De Foy now in residence as his principal trainer, while remaining a public trainer. The Belgian is no fool, he has seen the comings and goings of jockeys and trainers attached to Kia and thought it safer not to put all his eggs in one Kia basket.

Really, though, this latest gaze into Kia's racing world is all fluff. It is an owner's choice where to have their horses trained. Aguiar still has a stable of Kia's horses and not one of the better horses he trains has left for pastures new. Kia makes mistakes, as we all do; he sails too close to the wind, I suspect, on a regular basis. Yet what he is attempting to achieve is similar to the first man to climb Everest. Kia has no interest in climbing hills, he wants to live in the rarified air of the tallest peaks, and that is where Coolmore, Godolphin and Juddmonte ply their trade. I doubt if he will succeed. But at least he is giving it a go. Who knows, Poker, the 4-million quid maiden, is still entered in the Epsom Derby. In an open year, what if he were to be that shock winner I am predicting.

The influenza virus is spreading, with cases now reported in 37 counties, compared to 17 during the last outbreak in 2019 when racing closed down in this country for 6-days. In 2025 there were only 4 reported cases throughout the country, while since April 1st there ave been 66. Thus far there have been no cases reported in the thoroughbred herd, with the B.H.A. urging trainers to upgrade their biosecurity and to remain hyper-vigilant. With the Epsom Derby in two-weeks, followed closely by Royal Ascot,  this would be a disastrous time for racing to have to close its doors. 

There are 16 fillies left in the Epsom Oaks, with 7 of those trained by Aidan O'Brien. It is likely there will be less than ten facing the starter as Aidan would possibly only run 3 of his fillies. The Derby, too, is reliant on Ballydoyle having multiple runners for the race to be of sweepstake value. Of the 22 remaining, 10 are trained by Aidan. It is a stark reminder that the Epsom Derby is being kept alive and relevant by the Coolmore lads. Take their horses away and the Oaks would be down to a maximum field of 9 and the Derby 12. Throwing greats wads of cash at the Epsom Derby is not going to reinvigorate the race. It needs all breeders to take a few paces back and return the emphasis on the breed to stamina and not speed. Only the breeders of thoroughbred horses can save the Epsom Derby. It is time for them to step up to the plate.