Amo Racing to make first foray into National Hunt ranks via Diligo
Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing will be represented over obstacles for the first time after retaining a 50% share in Diligo, a three‑year‑old owned in partnership with trainer Max Comley and other connections.
Sold as a yearling for 200,000 guineas, the Wootton Bassett colt began his career on the Flat and made two starts in Ireland for Joseph O’Brien, finishing fourth and third. He returned to Tattersalls recently and was taken to the sales ring again, where Comley acquired him for 42,000 guineas before agreeing a part‑ownership with Amo Racing.
Transition from Flat to hurdles
Comley intends to campaign Diligo over hurdles through the autumn and winter, marking a clear switch from a Flat background into National Hunt preparation. The youngster has been given early schooling and has shown an aptitude for jumping at home, prompting his trainer to target juvenile hurdles later in the season.
The decision sees Amo Racing extend its involvement beyond the Flat, adding a National Hunt contender to the colours more commonly associated with summer and Classics campaigns. While the operation has been a prominent presence on the Flat in recent years, this will be its first runner under Amo silks over jumps, representing a notable development for the ownership group.
What the move means for Comley’s young yard
Comley, who was granted a full training licence fewer than two years ago and currently manages a small string, regards the partnership as an important boost for his fledgling operation. Diligo’s acquisition, and the profile of his new owners, provides an opportunity for the yard to develop a juvenile hurdling prospect with Flat breeding and experience.
Having had the horse in his care for around a month, Comley has overseen initial schooling sessions that suggested Diligo has the size and attitude suitable for a switch to obstacles. The colt’s pedigree – by Wootton Bassett – and his early work at home underpin plans to bring him along as a hurdler rather than continuing on the Flat.
Connections and ownership split
- Diligo was a 200,000‑guinea purchase as a yearling and ran twice on the Flat for Joseph O’Brien.
- He was purchased by Comley at a recent Tattersalls sale for 42,000 guineas.
- Amo Racing has retained a 50% share, with the remaining interest held within Comley’s ownership group.
The arrangement follows interest from Amo Racing at the time of the sale and an agreement that will see the colt race in colours associated with Joorabchian’s operation when he appears over hurdles.
Outlook for the season
With the Flat season still the focal point for many owners, the timing of Diligo’s transition underscores the crossover that sometimes occurs between codes, particularly for young horses who begin their education on the Flat before moving to National Hunt training. Comley’s plan is to bring Diligo on steadily through schooling and low‑level juvenile hurdles, aiming to establish him as a credible novice hurdler during the winter months.
For Amo Racing, the move represents a measured expansion of interests and provides racegoers and festival followers with the prospect of seeing the silks turned out over jumps for the first time. Where exactly Diligo will make his hurdling debut has not been confirmed, but the colt’s sales and Flat background mean he will be of interest to connections monitoring the juvenile hurdling ranks ahead of the major winter and spring fixtures.
As the autumn approaches, attention will fall on Comley’s yard to see how the colt progresses in schooling and during early hurdle outings, and whether the partnership can convert Flat potential into a successful National Hunt campaign.
