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    • Tom Amoss, a fixture of the American racing circuit for more than four decades, has announced that he will step down from his career as a trainer. After a storied 39-year career that saw him rise from the local ranks in Louisiana to the pinnacle of the sport with Grade I wins at Churchill Downs, Saratoga and Oaklawn Park, Amoss will officially hand over the management of his stable to head assistant Kinnon LaRose effective April 1. LaRose, who joined the operation in 2020, has served as Amoss's head assistant for the past five years. Amoss noted that the timing of his departure was chosen to provide a seamless transition for his clientele and to allow for an adjustment period under his continued mentorship. “I'm still going to be around the barn and working with Kinnon just as I have for the past six years, so I don't look at it as a retirement,” said Amoss. “I look at it as a lateral move of still being able to be a part of the stable, but the horses will run in Kinnon's name. I have a very talented horseman in Kinnon and the ability to give him the opportunity to train horses. I'm fortunate in that most of my clients have been with me a long time and in explaining my decision to them for that reason, they've all stood behind me. They're willing to give Kinnon that opportunity too.” He continued, “When you've done something your whole life, it's going to be a little different. I guess you could say I've had my cry and now I'm very comfortable with it. I know I'll get a lot of satisfaction out of his success.” Tom Amoss and wife Colleen with 'TDN Rising Star' Oscar's Hope last summer in Saratoga | Sarah Andrew Amoss, age 64, said that he hopes to continue his role as a bloodstock agent and will focus on finding racing prospects for the newly formed LaRose stable. He also plans to continue in his role as a member of the racing broadcast team for Fox Sports, where he has covered the Saratoga meet since 2017 and been a host of the GI Belmont Stakes for the past several years. “This will also allow me to maybe have coffee with my wife in the morning, something I've never done before, or go do something fun on the weekend, which is also something I've never done,” said Amoss. “But my emphasis is going to be Kinnon's success and the success of the stable.” Amoss steps down from the training ranks with 11 leading trainer titles at Fair Grounds, where he is a Hall of Fame member, as well as multiple titles at Churchill Downs, Ellis Park and Indiana Grand. He secured his 4,000th career victory in 2022 and has amassed over $132 million in career earnings. A proud native of New Orleans, Amoss was introduced to racing through his childhood friend–and later college roommate– trainer Al Stall Jr. After graduating from Louisiana State University, he spent years working for trainers Jack van Berg, Frank Brothers, Larry Robideaux and John Parisella. Amoss took out his trainer's licence in 1987 and celebrated his first graded stakes win with Festive (Damascus) in the 1990 GIII New Orleans Handicap. He earned his first Grade I win in 2000 with Apple Blossom Handicap victress Heritage of Gold (Gold Legend), who also won the GI Go for Wand Handicap in Saratoga that summer and was third in the 2000 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. Tom Amoss and 2019 GI Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress | Horsephotos Throughout his career, Amoss has built a reputation for unearthing top-tier talent on modest budgets, a knack best illustrated by his 2019 Kentucky Oaks victory with Serengeti Empress (Alternation). Purchased by Amoss for $70,000 as a yearling, the Joel Politi-campaigned star blossomed into a multi-millionaire, further cementing her brilliance with a dominant score in the 2020 GI Ballerina Stakes. “The first time I stood in the winner's circle in 1987, I never could have imagined what this industry would do for me and for my family,” Amoss said. “I have been able to make a good living and put two kids through school and feel very comfortable in retirement all because of one thing–the horse–and because of owners putting their trust in me. I wish there was a way that I could say just how much gratitude I feel towards each and every one of them, but the words just don't seem to justify it.” So far this year, Amoss has collected 21 wins and has been in the money in 53 of 110 starts. Top performances include 'TDN Rising Star' Oscar's Hope (Twirling Candy) scoring in the Feb. 16 Ozark Stakes, Authentic Gallop (Authentic) collecting a stakes win at Delta Downs on Feb. 20 and Standoutsensation (Take Charge Indy) finishing second in the GIII Houston Ladies Classic Stakes. “Things are going good with stable if you look at what we've done this year, but I didn't want to overstay my time,” Amoss explained. “By doing it now, I still have the ability to help Kinnon with the owners within the stable. Sometimes you can stay too long and I think it's time for me to give him the keys to the car. He's ready and I want to help him.” Amoss and Kinnon LaRose at the 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards | photo courtesy Amoss Racing Stable LaRose, 28, brings a unique perspective to the training ranks. A former Division I basketball captain at Sacred Heart with a Master's degree in Strategic Communication and Public Relations, he took a chance by emailing Amoss —whom he had long admired as an analyst on FOX Sports—to request a position with his stable. LaRose was promoted to assistant less than a year later and has had a hand in managing stable stars like graded stakes winners Hoosier Philly (Into Mischief) and Curly Jack (Good Magic). Last year, he received the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Award's Newcomer Award. “I've worked side-by-side with Kinnon for the last six years and I've watched him grow and develop,” said Amoss. “He is a great talent as a horseman and he brings with him some skills that are unique. He holds a master's degree and was captain of a Division 1 basketball team. He's got the leadership skills. All those are things that, in my mind, will allow him to be a great trainer.” LaRose will take the helm of the stable at the start of the Keeneland April Meet. Amoss will wrap up the Fair Grounds spring meet, where he is currently a top 10 trainer and has several horses entered this coming weekend including Fade to Gold (Bolt d'Oro) in the Crescent City Oaks and Hay Jude (Aurelius Maximus) in the Costa Rising Stakes. Reflecting on his career, Amoss said, “I did it with honor and I did it putting the horse first. I know the people that worked for me and with me are well aware of that. I hope the racing community sees it the same way.” The post Tom Amoss Transitions To Advisory Role As Kinnon LaRose Assumes Stable Reins appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
    • On the March 16 episode of BloodHorse Monday: Riley Mott discusses getting Incredibolt back in the winner's circle, BloodHorse sales editor Olivia Newman recaps the OBS March Sale in a segment presented by Gainesway.View the full article
    • Turfway's grade 3 stakes drew a very competitive 12-horse field, led by Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) runner-up Stark Contrast. View the full article
    • The Ontario division of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS-Ontario) has been approved as a member of Ontario Racing, effective immediately. The CTHS-Ontario will represent the province's Thoroughbred breeders at Ontario Racing, a not-for-profit group that serves as the voice of the province's horse racing industry. “We are pleased the CTHS will represent Ontario's Thoroughbred horse breeders at the Ontario Racing table,” said Andrew Gaughan, the Ontario Racing Independent Chair. “Thoroughbred breeders not only have a substantial investment in the province's world-class horse racing industry, they also play a critical role in the health of the sector. Their expertise is essential for helping guide the industry to a more prosperous and sustainable future.” The appointment allows the CTHS-Ontario to select a representative to sit on Ontario Racing's 11-person Board of Directors comprised of five racetrack seats, five industry association seats and the Independent Chair. “We appreciate the opportunity for the CTHS to have a seat at the Ontario Racing table,” said David Anderson, the CTHS-Ontario and National president. Anderson is also a member of Ontario Racing's Thoroughbred Improvement Program committee, a group that directs Horse Improvement Program funding. “Breeders are the foundation of the Thoroughbred industry, and ensuring their perspective is part of the conversation is essential to the long-term health of racing in Ontario,” said Anderson. “We recognize the leadership of OR chair Andrew Gaughan and appreciate the support of Ontario Racing, the OLG and the Government of Ontario in acknowledging the vital role breeders play in sustaining and growing our industry.” Ontario Racing is responsible for directing breed improvement programs, setting an annual program of races and purses, attracting new horse owners, building a fan base and connecting the industry with government and the general public. The post Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Joins Ontario Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
    • A total of 1,220 horses have been catalogued for the upcoming OBS Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, which will be held over four days Apr. 14-17. The catalogue is available online at www.obssales.com. Sale sessions will begin at 10:30 a.m. ET.  Hips 1 – 306 will sell Apr. 14 with Hips 307 – 610 going Apr. 15. Apr. 16 will offer Hips 611 – 916 with the sale concluding Apr. 17 with Hips 917 – 1220. The under-tack show will run from Apr. 6-11 starting at 8 a.m. ET each day. Hips 1 – 203 are slated for Apr. 6 followed by Hips 204 – 406 Apr. 7, Hips 407 – 610 Apr. 8, and Hips 611 – 813 Apr. 9. The final two days of the under-tack show will have Hips 814 – 1016 going on Apr. 10 followed by Hips 1017 – 1220 on Apr. 11. The under-tack show and sale will be streamed live via the OBS website as well as the TDN, DRF, BloodHorse, and Past The Wire websites. Among the graduates out of the 2025 OBS April Sale were Grade I winners Cy Fair (Not This Time), Intrepido (Maximus Mischief) and Iron Orchard (Authentic). Graduates of the sale also include Grade I winners Nysos,  Cavalieri, Dark Saffron, Raging Torrent, Skippylongstocking, and Usha. Other notable recent graduates out of the OBS April Sale include multiple Grade I winner Chancer McPatrick, Grade I winners Carson's Run, Cogburn, Du Jour, Mixto, Power Squeeze and Tenma, Saudi Derby winner Golden Vekoma, and graded stakes winners May Day Ready, Mo Plex, and Vixen. OBS will again offer online bidding during the April Sale. For complete information on registration and online bidding please go to the OBS website: obs-internet-bidding. The post A Total of 1220 Catalogued for OBS Spring Two-year-olds in Training Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
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