Team Valor International

For anyone who has had the opportunity to meet Barry Irwin, it's doubtful any one of them would describe him as subtle or understated. A former journalist and handicapper who delved into the world of bloodstock and ownership syndicates before they really became commonplace, Irwin has worn a great many hats in horse racing over the past six decades and to say that he has experienced the sport through a very wide lens wouldn't be an understatement. Irwin is probably best known for co-founding Team Valor in 1987 before buying...

Ebony Flyer, a triple Grade 1 winner from six to eight furlongs when racing in South Africa for Team Valor International (TVI) and Gaynor Rupert, has died from complications after foaling a Bradsell filly on February 4. The daughter of Jet Master was euthanised on Saturday at Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket. Bred in the Western Cape by W. J. Engelbrecht Jr., Ebony Flyer and her dam were purchased privately in a deal struck by TVI CEO Barry Irwin after her three-year-old half-sister Captain's Lover (Captain Al) emerged as a...

What will racing look like in 10 years? We asked some of racing's best and brightest to give us their predictions. Want to submit an answer? Email suefinley@thetdn.com BARRY IRWIN, CEO OF TEAM VALOR INTERNATIONAL Racing will contract in size and be conducted at fewer venues. The names Stronach and 1st Racing will disappear and become as remote as the names Adena Springs and Magna. NYRA and TwinSpires will control the game. In 2036 there will only be racing in New York (Belmont/Saratoga), Florida (Ocala), Maryland (Pimlico), Kentucky (Keeneland, Churchill,...

Courtesy Santa Anita The news late Saturday of the passing of Jeff Siegel, the legendary handicapper and longtime member of the Santa Anita Park family, hit with an unexpected weight. Not that his passing at age 74 was unexpected, as he had been fighting aggressive cancer since earlier this year. But the finality of the news brought with it the realization that Jeff was gone and the hole that he left behind is unlikely to be replaced. "Jeff Siegel was, and will always be the epitome of Santa Anita Park,"...

Quid Pro Quo (Lance), a champion 2-year-old in her native South Africa, arrived at Jerome Reynier's yard several weeks ago and is acclimating to France. The filly races for an ownership group headed by Team Valor International. A winner of both the G1 Douglas Whyte Stakes and the G1 Allan Robertson Championship at two, Quid Pro Quo will be given plenty of time to acclimate to the Northern Hemisphere. "We gave her time to adapt because she has changed hemisphere and environment," Reynier told Paris Turf. "It's been a few...

Queen Azteca (Sharp Azteca), winner of the G3 UAE Oaks in February at Meydan Racecourse, arrived in Saratoga Aug. 8 and cleared quarantine to gallop over the Oklahoma training track Sunday morning. Trained by Niels Petersen, the bay was purchased privately by Team Valor International and is expected to make her North American debut in Saturday's GI Alabama Stakes. Queen Azteca was accompanied to the training track by her exercise rider Carlos Toro Montecinos and a pony, calmly taking in her surroundings before jogging a half-mile and galloping once around...

Trained by Brendan Walsh, the 5-2 morning line favorite Special Wan (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) has been scratched from the GII Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes by the state veterinarian, according to Team Valor's Barry Irwin on Saturday morning. "Brendan [Walsh] told me that the state vet was there this morning and jogged her and thought she was just a tick off," said Irwin. "Brendan jogged her himself and thought she looked fine, but did it again later and she was off. She was supposed to have a workout two...

Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) pleased his connections in his final bit of serious work at Cagnes-sur-Mer on Saturday, before an intended appearance in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan on Friday, January 24. Trained by Jerome Reynier for Team Valor International and Gary Barber, Facteur Cheval is no stranger to Meydan, having made the breakthrough at the top level when winning the $5-million Dubai Turf back in March. He was last seen filling the runner-up spot in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, pushing the outstanding...

Frederic Heyman, a Baltimore-based lawyer, has been named the new President of Team Valor International, the company's CEO Barry Irwin announced Tuesday. Heyman is active in the Mid-Atlantic, having managed the racing and operations of the late Baltimore Orioles' owner Peter Angelos's Marathon Farms. He also sat on the board of Fair Hill training center. Irwin noted that he has no plans to step back or retire. "I plan to spend more time each summer and fall abroad, where we source most of our stock. I want to focus on...

Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl-winning tight end Travis Kelce, along with the Zoldan family, have acquired a significant share of Team Valor International's interest in Gary Barber's Swift Delivery (Not This Time), Team Valor's Barry Irwin announced Tuesday. The Zoldan family have been members of Team Valor's syndicates for nearly four decades, including as partners in 2011 GI Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom. Bruce Zoldan, founder and CEO of Phantom Fireworks, attended this year's Derby along with Ohio native Kelce, who is friends with Zoldan's son, Alex. Irwin said the...

In a massive digital catalogue featuring 2-year-olds, horses of racing age, breeding stock, weanlings, yearlings, and a stallion prospect, the Fasig-Tipton July Digital Sale closed Tuesday evening with 161 horses sold for $4,296,200. The full results are available at Fasig-Tipton's site. "This was our inaugural July Digital Sale and we're thrilled with the results," said Fasig-Tipton's Director of Digital Sales Leif Aaron. "It was a very strong digital sale with record participation from buyers and sellers and a rock-solid 83 percent clearance rate." Graded winner Nadette (Fr) (Outrstrip {GB}) topped...

After knocking on the door so many times--finishing second or third in four Group 1 events in his four most recent starts--Team Valor and Gary Barber's Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}--Jawlaat {Ire}, by Shamardal) got one of his own in an ultra-competitive renewal of the $5-million G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday. Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), winner of the Dubai Turf the last three years and seeking an historic four-peat, broke a bit awkwardly, but despite recovering quickly, finished off the board. The U.S. hope Catnip (Kitten's...