Goldaue (Best Solution), surprisingly in the face of an opponent with black-type form from all-conquering Great Britain, was dispatched as the 5-to-2 favorite for yesterday's Listed Winterkonigin Trial at Cologne Racecourse. Given how raiders from France and England invariably win the best prizes on the German Turf, this strong show of support in the betting pointed out Goldaue as being something out of the ordinary. ... More

Chief Executive Officer Barry Irwin today announced that Team Valor International has hired Baltimore-based lawyer Frederic Heyman. The 62-year-old racing industry veteran has been named president of the Florida-based Limited Liability Company. "I plan to spend more time each summer and fall abroad, where we source most of our stock. I want to focus on the stable in Europe. Being able to eyeball what we buy is an advantage," Irwin explained. ... More

Special Wan originally was programmed to sprint 6 1/2 furlongs the previous weekend at Kentucky Downs in her intended North America debut in the Graded Ladies' Turf Sprint. However, she was one scratch shy of getting a run in the $1-million contest. Barry Irwin contacted the 4-year-old filly's Irish-based trainer Patrick Foley and asked if he reckoned the Belardo filly could see out a mile on an up-hill and down-dale undulating course. ... More

Barry Irwin, founder and CEO of Team Valor International, announced Aug. 27 that the Zoldan Family, owners of Phantom Fireworks, and Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl-winning tight end Travis Kelce recently acquired a significant share of Team Valor's interest in the 3-year-old gelding Swift Delivery, which Team Valor owns with Gary Barber. Swift Delivery is aiming for this Saturday's Toronto Cup at Woodbine Racecourse in Canada. ... More

Anshoda faced an ideal scenario to land a spot in the starting gate for the November 1 renewal of the $1-million, Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf over a mile at Del Mar when she suited up for Saturday's Win and You're In, Group 3 Prestige Stakes going 7 furlongs at Goodwood. Nobody knew whether Anshoda would act on the soft footing, but she was second in her previous start on ground rated as good to soft. Her trainer hoped that she would act in the soft going, but he could not be sure. ... More

With today's gutsy win by Take Heart (Dark Angel) in the Chesterfield Cup Handicap at Goodwood, Team Valor International has moved into its second-best earnings year over the course of the 38 years the Barry Irwin-led syndicate has been in business. "Team Valor is particularly hot right now," Irwin reported. "In our last dozen starts, our partners have celebrated 5 wins and 4 placings." ... More

Orchidaceae yesterday at Leopardstown in downtown Dublin made it two in row for the partnership of Team Valor International and Andy Oliver. Breaking for a second consecutive time like a Quarter Horse, the daughter of many-times Champion runner Churchill eliminated any negative aspect of having to begin outside all 12 of her rivals by coming out of the Iron Monster half a length to the good of her nearest rival. ... More

"American Barry Irwin, who turns 81 next month, has spent his entire life racing horses. Ever since he was introduced to the sport as a boy by his aunt and uncle. As founder of Team Valor, one of the most famous and successful syndicates around the globe, Irwin has set standards. And now, some time ago, he has set a new focus. On Europe." ... More

Frances Ethel, in her first start under the ownership and colors of Team Valor International, won today's Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer South African Oaks at Turffontein Racecourse by 1 3/4 lengths to complete a 4-race stakes skein in the last week for the USA-based racing operation headed by Barry Irwin in his 38th season of racing syndicated horses. ... More

Nadette, despite negative splits, was able to mow down her rivals anyway and win yesterday's featured Grade 3 Wilshire Stakes at Santa Anita, thanks to an absolutely brilliant bit of reinsmanship from her jockey Hector Berrios. Dispatched as the second choice at 3-to-1 in a field of 11 for the $100,000 fixture, Nadette broke well for a change, but Berrios never thought about using her position to improve where she situated in the run past the stands for the first time. ... More

When a stable is fortunate enough to win more than one stakes race on a single day, it is very special indeed. A true "red letter" day. The most recent thirtieth day of March is one such date for this stable, when its two scheduled runners both delivered in the stakes races in which they participated. But this was hardly the only time the stable has seen this happen. ... More

Winning trainer Slattery said of his 25-to-1 winner who is owned by Team Valor International LLC and Gary Barber: "If I have a Group 1 horse, this is it. I knew she'd improve from today but we can't get her off the bridle and she was only half-speeding. I'd say she will improve a lot and hopefully we are heading for Royal Ascot." ... More

"Saturday's $5 million Dubai Turf (G1) produced the biggest upset of World Cup night, as the 25-1 French shipper Facteur Cheval just held off Japan's 28-1 Namur in a duel to the line. Owned by Team Valor International and Gary Barber, Facteur Cheval had first-rate European form." ... More

"Throughout the Racing world, there are many great characters in all different parts of the industry, but every now and again you come across someone who is more than adept in many of the facets of that industry, and in Barry Irwin, we have just such an individual. Irwin is not just a racehorse owner and breeder, but he is also a successful journalist and form student, and at present, he is the current CEO of Team Valor International." ... More

Irish-bred Wakanaka was retired this week and will take up a new career in the broodmare barns of Kentucky. The classy daughter of Irish Two Thousand Guineas victor Power was a fan-favorite wherever she ran, owing to her beautiful good looks and trademark late closing kick that never failed to see her moving fastest of all in the homestretch. ... More