The distinctive crimson and forest green silks of Team Valor International are instantly recognisable on racecourses internationally and the intuitive genius of Barry Irwin has made a huge impact on our racing over the past few years.
A meeting 43 years ago led to one of modern horseracing’s great success stories.
“Truth be told, we had been international for years,” said Irwin. “We sensed the world was going ‘flat’ with the revolution of the Internet and I have always been more interested in prospecting talent abroad than locally, because of the variety of horses in other countries.
Straight Shooter. Barry Irwin speaks his mind
“I have always said that a good horse can come from any place and we set about to prove the notion as the new millennium began.
“Look at all the good ones we’ve bought abroad, such as Santa Anita Handicap winner Martial Law and Belmont Stakes runner-up My Memoirs.
“What changed, though, was into the new millennium we began racing a lot of horses abroad before bringing them to the United States.”
Most famous horse in this trend was the fabulous filly Ipi Tombe.
Bred in Zimbabwe and raced in South Africa, she had lost only twice in 10 starts. For Team Valor and partners, the filly won all 4 of her starts, capturing the racing world’s imagination when she beat males in the $2-million, Group 1 Dubai Duty Free in the United Arab Emirates. She was 3 for 3 in stakes races in Dubai, setting new course and stakes records in each contest, then won her lone start in the U. S. at Churchill Downs before being retired and sold at Tattersalls’ December Sale, where she topped the sale.
Since Barry Irwin moved to Kentucky just before the year 2000, Team Valor has dramatically increased the number and scope of its international quest for equine talent. During this period of time, Team Valor has had Horses of the Year, Champions and Group 1/Grade 1 winners in England, Ireland, France, Italy, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Canada, the United States and South Africa.
“We plan to continue to scour the globe to find and develop the best equine talent available,” said Irwin, who in the past couple of years has bought horses in England, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, South Africa, United States, Canada, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina.
Alec Hogg (AH) spoke to Barry Irwin (BI) on www.alechogg.com to clarify the recent changes:
AH: You talk of taking a wait and see attitude. What would need to happen for you to change your approach back to net investment?
BI: ADMINISTRATION AND OWNERS NEED TO DEVOTE MORE FUNDING TO VETERINARY CARE AT THE RACE AND A STUDY NEEDS TO BE DONE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF MASSIVE EPISODES OF BLEEDING IN THE CAPE.
AH: The TBA’s MD expects the export protocol to change dramatically by mid 2013. Were this to occur, would it influence your approach?
BI: IT IS OVER DUE AND SHOULD HAPPEN. IT WILL OPEN THE EXPORT MARKET, WHICH IS GOOD FOR ALL. IT WILL DEFINITELY MAKE IT EASIER FOR ME AND ALL CONCERNED TO INVEST IN SA.
AH: Are you referring to Markus Jooste and his Klawervlei partners in your reference to a “small coterie of wealthy and powerful owner/breeders”? Have you tried to engage/communicate your concerns with them?
BI: IT DOES NOT TAKE A CLUED-UP INDIVIDUAL TO NAME THE PEOPLE I REFERENCED. INTERESTINGLY, THERE ARE ENOUGH OTHER PARTICIPANTS AT A HIGH LEVEL THAT, IF THEY HAD THE WILL, COULD WREST POWER AND MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN IMPROVING RACING IN SOUTH AFRICA. ALL IT TAKES IS THE WILL. THESE OTHER FINE FOLKS HAVE THE MONEY, THE EXPERIENCE, THE SAVVY AND THE ETHICS TO MAKE A CHANGE. SO FAR THEY HAVE LACKED THE WILL IN SUFFICIENT NUMBERS. THE GAME NEEDS TO BECOME INCLUSIVE NOT EXCLUSIVE TO ENCOURAGE MORE HIGH QUALITY PLAYERS IN THE SPORT. FOUR GUYS SITTING AROUND A SINGLE TABLE RUNNING THINGS FOR EVERYBODY IS A BAD FORMULA FOR SUCCESS.
AH: I am under the impression that stakes are directly related to turnover. Your statement suggests not. Have I missed something?
BI: IT MAY BE RELATED TO TURNOVER, BUT THE PERCENTAGES ARE NOT IN A GOOD ALIGNMENT. BOOKIES NEED TO BE REINED IN OR ELIMINATED. BUT THEY ARE WAY TOO POWERFUL, SO I DON’T SEE THAT HAPPENING.
AH: I was also surprised about the reference to no private vets being at the racecourse. Is this a policy by the racing
operators?
BI: IT IS A FUNCTION OF A LACK OF FUNDING ON THE PART OF ADMINISTRATORS AND A LACK OF COMMITMENT ON THE PART OF VETERINARY PRACTITIONERS. LOOK, AMERICA IS THE DRUG CAPITAL OF THE WORLD WHEN IT COMES TO THOROUGHBRED RACING AND GOD KNOWS WE HAVE MORE PROBLEMS THAN ANY OTHER RACING LOCALE. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO VETERINARY CARE AT THE RACETRACK, I BELIEVE WE DO AN EXCELLENT JOB. OWNERS ARE COMMITTED TO SPENDING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR HORSES RECEIVE THE FINEST CARE AND THAT THEY RECEIVE IT IN A TIMELY MANNER. SOUTH AFRICAN RACING NEEDS TO STEP UP ITS GAME IN THIS REGARD. HORSES NEED TO BE SCOPED ON A REGULAR BASIS WITHIN AN HOUR AFTER THEY RACE, NOT THE NEXT MORNING. THERE ARE A FEW WORLD-CLASS VETS IN SOUTH AFRICA, BUT FEW PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO PAY VETS ENOUGH MONEY TO DO THE JOB PROPERLY.
AH: From a personal perspective, does this decision affect Visionaire? I have two fabulous colts, including a belter who was his first foal in the country. From what I’ve heard from Mick Goss and others, mine are not exceptions – Visionaire is throwing very strong, well put together foals. Will he be relocating back to the US?
BI: NO, NOT AT ALL. IN FACT, I RECENTLY INCREASED MY OWN PERSONAL STAKES IN VISIONAIRE BY A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE. WE HAVE 15 BROODMARES THAT WE MAINTAIN IN SOUTH AFRICA AND WILL ADD TRIPLE GRADE 1 WINNER EBONY FLYER AND STAKES-WINNING COMTESSE DUBOIS TO THE GROUP WHEN SHE IS RETIRED NEXT BREEDING SEASON. WE WILL OFFER YEARLINGS FROM OUR MARES AT THE NATIONAL YEARLING SALE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND RACE THE ODD YOUNGSTER.
AH : Given that you are acknowledged as having pioneered foreign investment into SA bloodstock, what reaction has there been outside of SA to your decision?
BI:THERE HAS BEEN NO REACTION BECAUSE I NEVER SOUGHT TO PUBLICIZE MY NEW POLICY. THE ABC FORUM ON LINE POSTED A CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION TO MY RACING PARTNERS. IT WAS NEVER MY INTENTION TO MAKE ANY OF THIS INFORMATION PUBLIC BECAUSE I HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR MANY PARTICIPANTS AND INSTITUTIONS IN SOUTH AFRICAN RACING AND IT REALLY FROSTS ME THAT MY COMMUNIQUE WAS MADE PUBLIC. I STAND BEHIND EVERYTHING I WROTE, BUT WOULD HAVE PREFERRED TO DISSEMINATE ANY OF THIS INFORMATION ON MY OWN TIMETABLE.
(thanks to www.alechogg.com for the Q & A section )
