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 AndrewAmoss, 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 | HorsephotosThroughout 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.